Do you know anything about Coconut Oil? Ohhh my goodness, I tell you I am totally hooked on this stuff. I eat it (by the spoon). I cook with it. I use it as my hair oil for my scalp and curls. I apply it to my skin every night alllll over my face and neck and I even apply it to my cuticles and lips.
Organic Coconut Oil is a heart-healthy food that can be used for many health benefits. You've got to get on this stuff.
Here is an interesting article I woke up to this morning- found on Young and Raw and if you haven't subscribed to their posts and newsletter, make sure you do so...
There are many populations around the world (such as Thailand, Sri Lanka and the Philippines.) who have thrived for multiple generations by eating large amounts of coconut.
Coconut oil contains lauric acid, which kills harmful pathogens like bacteria, viruses and fungi. Breast milk is the only other natural source that contains such a high concentration of lauric acid, which could explain the drastic decrease of infections in breast-fed babies.
This tropical oil is also made up of medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), which are metabolized differently than other short-chain and long-chain fatty acids. They are not absorbed by the body as fat, instead they are converted for the use of energy.
Cooking with coconut oil is great since it has such a high smoke point, or burning point. This means that you can cook at higher temperatures without burning the oil and damaging it’s properties. (Consuming burned oils is very bad for your health which is why you also shouldn’t be cooking at high temps with extra virgin olive oil.) Note – cooking with coconut oil doesn’t make your food taste like coconut, it actually has a nice, butter-like appeal.
Here are just some of the many amazing benefits and uses of this miraculous super-food:
- Lower cholesterol through regular consumption of coconut oil.
- Improve immune function and the body’s resistance to both viruses and bacteria with regular consumption of coconut oil.
- Can be used in cooking since it has a high smoke point and will not burn like other cooking oils such as olive oil or butter. Great for sautéing, baking and stir-frys.
- Can help with weight loss if taken daily, since it isn’t stored as fat and may boost your metabolism. (Results have been seen with 1-3 tablespoons a day.)
- Add to smoothies for a whole host of nutritional benefits. Try this one!
- Can be used as a healthy creamer substitute for coffee.
- Can boost metabolism so you burn more calories naturally.
- Can be used on the skin as a moisturizer.
- Can be used on the hair as a deep conditioner.
- Apply to your nails as a cuticle softener.
- Apply to skin as a natural sunscreen. (Only an SPF 4 though!)
- Soothe a sunburn or any other type of burn.
- Hydrate dry, cracked feet by coating the feet in oil and sleeping overnight with socks on.
- Can be used as a soothing eye make-up remover.
- Soothes psoriasis and eczema skin conditions.
- Take orally to kill intestinal parasites and yeast overgrowth.
- To replace butter in baking recipes.
- Can be used for minor scrapes and skin rashes as a natural antibacterial ointment.
- Can soothe bug bites and reduce the itch.
- Supports healthy thyroid function.
- Can be used as a scalp treatment for dandruff.
- Can stimulate hair growth.
- Can smooth frizzy hair.
- Mix with Epsom salts for a detoxifying body scrub.
- Mix with baking soda for a whitening toothpaste.
- Can improve digestion if taken before meals.
- Can be used as a natural baby lotion and diaper rash cream.
- Fight signs of aging as a natural facial moisturizer.
- Heals cold sores naturally when applied topically.
- When taken daily, can help with allergies.
- When taken daily, can improve sleep and mood.
- Can improve insulin levels for diabetics.
- Can remove bacteria and plaque from the mouth with oil pulling.
- Use as a tropical massage oil.
- May help you to shed “difficult to lose” abdominal fat by taking daily doses of 2-3 tablespoons of coconut oil.
- Can be therapeutic for brain disorders such as epilepsy and Alzheimer’s disease.
- Reduce appetite with regular consumption.
- Reduce hot flashes through coconut oil’s ability to regulate hormones.
- Absorb fat-soluble vitamins better (like vitamins A, D, E & K).
- Can be used for shaving. It doesn’t wash off and it will moisturize your skin as you shave!
- Can be made into a homemade deodorant.
- Rub on a pregnant belly to prevent stretch marks.
Tip:
Every morning, boil a small amount of water and pour it into a cup with a teaspoon of coconut oil, mix it around and drink!
Now here is an extra treat with more benefits to this amazing product:
