The Magical Uses Of Coconut Oil

If coconut oil isn’t something you currently have in your house, this article is sure to change that! There are so many different uses of coconut oil – cooking, moisturising your skin, nourishing your hair. So if you’re not an avid coconut oil user already, here’s what you’ve been missing…

Health Benefits of Coconut Oil

Coconut oil has wide variety of amazing health benefits including being good for:

• Heart health – You read that right! Coconut oil is great for keeping your heart healthy and does not lead to high cholesterol unlike the trans fats in processed foods. However, like everything else it’s good in moderation, so be sure not to have too much of a good thing.
• Candida sufferers – Coconut oil is a good, natural remedy for those with yeast infections due to its antifungal properties.
• Immune system – There are two specific chain fats found in coconut oil – lauric and caprylic acid. Lauric acid has many documented antiviral and anti-microbial properties, as well as caprylic acid being widely used as an antifungal, and general anti-microbial. As coconut oil contains both of these, it’s perfect for anyone with an infection or weak immune system.
• People without a gallbladder or with fat digestion problems – Coconut oil is much better digested and faster absorbed than any other fat, so it’s a very wise choice for those who suffer with poor fat digestion.

Now you know why you should use coconut oil, here are four easy ways to incorporate it into your daily lives.

Cooking With Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is a great vegan oil alternative to cook with compared to other unsaturated oils such as flax oil, pumpkin seed oil, or hemp oil. Due to its high fat concentration, it copes well with heat, making it one of the healthiest oils to use for low temperature frying and stir-frying. Food connoisseurs, don’t be afraid to try it as it has a very mild taste, so it won’t affect the flavour profile of your favourite dishes.

Used cold, it’s even better! It spreads well and a little goes a very long way – which makes it cost effective too. It makes the perfect addition to any gorgeous smoothie, or can be melted and used in an array of delicious dressings and sauces. It’s very versatile!

If you’re nuts for that gorgeous coco-nutty taste, then you’ll love our Nakd Cocoa Coconut bar.

Coconut Oil For Skin

Another great use of coconut oil is to keep your skin soft and supple. When coconut oil is used after a bath or shower – especially after exfoliating – it leaves the skin silky smooth, healthy and youthful. Because it’s a “light” oil, you can effectively use coconut oil for dry skin as it absorbs very well, with the added benefit of no nasty chemicals being absorbed along with it!

There are many incredible benefits of using coconut oil on your face. If you’re in need of a super moisturising facial treatment, try melting coconut oil, and mixing it thoroughly with pure aloe gel. This produces a wonderful “whipped” and light face moisturiser. You can also use coconut oil for acne as it helps to kill the bacteria and reduce scarring. However, if you’re prone to oily skin, then it may be counter productive.

Coconut Oil For Hair

A great use of coconut oil with lots of benefits is hair care. Due to the fatty acids in coconut oil, it’s highly moisturising and can be used either as a hair mask before or washing your hair. You can even use it instead of your usual conditioner as it is known for helping reduce brittle hair and split ends. This also makes coconut oil great for hair growth as the less brittle the hair, the easier it is for it to grow.

If you suffer with dandruff, coconut oil could also be a good remedy for you! Coconut oil has been found to be good at fighting fungal infections and could heal or prevent other fungi on the scalp.

You can also use coconut oil as a heat protector. Instead of your usual heat damage protector, put some coconut oil on dry or wet hair before styling with heat to help fight against heat damage.

Coconut oil is really great for afro hair as it is super moisturising. It is made up of small molecules that can protect your hair from the inside out which means, it will only take in the amount it needs. This means a little can go a long way!

Coconut Oil for Gums and Oral Health

An unusual use of coconut oil is for your oral health. Ayurvedic Medicine is a type of ancient Indian healing system that advocates coconut oil as being great for teeth and gum health. It is thought to have the ability to ‘pull’ toxins and debris from the gums, as well as the general blood stream. You can use coconut oil as a type of homemade mouthwash by:

1.Taking a spoon of coconut oil (on an empty stomach) and swishing it around the mouth, ‘pulling’ it through the gaps in the teeth.

2. Keep your mouth closed and ensure you do not swallow the oil! Move the liquid around your mouth for a total of 15-20 minutes.

3. Spit out the oil and saliva and rinse your mouth well with water.

Performed on a daily basis, the technique called “Oil Pulling” helps to keep the teeth clean, and the gums in great health. You might find it stimulates the release of phlegm or mucus from the system, which is an indication of its detoxification powers!

So, it seems coconut oil is pretty fantastic and has a plethora of uses! Just remember to look for certified organic virgin coconut oil and to smell the product if you can, before you buy. It should have a mild, ‘fresh’ coconut smell and be pure white in colour. If it passes all these tests, then you’re good to go!

For more amazing articles on health and wellbeing checkout our blogs on Carbohydrates: The Good and the Bad and Immune Boosting Foods.