You have surely heard of or already tried some of the amazing benefits offered by coconut oil. This oil is one of the healthiest ones on the planet, with more than 1,500 studies proving it.
According to Dr. Josh Axe, DC, DMN, CNS:
“Coconut oil, like other plant-based oils, does not contain cholesterol. Loaded with beneficial fats, the vast majority (more than 85 percent) of the fats in coconut oil are medium-chain triglycerides.
These medium chain fatty acids (MCFA’s) found in coconuts has tremendous health benefits; they are easy to for the body to burn as fuel for energy (and are featured in the popular ketogenic diet) and have antimicrobial properties, in addition to other important traits.
Coconut oil contains three unique fatty acids that are responsible for its various health benefits:
- Lauric acid
- Capric acid
- Caprylic acid
These are some of the rarest substances found in nature and the reason why this oil is so beneficial.”
It can be used in hundreds of ways in our everyday life and is an exceptionally healthy byproduct of mature coconuts. Here are only some of the numerous uses of this incredibly healthy oil:
Health:
— Fever reduction or painkiller- It is a strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compound, so it lowers fever and relieves pain
— Improves thyroid health- Its healthy fats improve the function of the thyroid and lower glucose levels, while the lauric acid boosts HDL (“good cholesterol”) in the body
— Fight inflammation- It has potent anti-inflammatory effects that you can easily reap by consuming or applying it topically.
— Bone health- consume it to boost bone health or massage the painful joints to soothe the pain
— Treat hangovers- Its healthy saturated fats treat dehydration and the pain-inducing effects of excessive alcohol consumption.
Pregnancy and motherhood
— Breast health: Apply it on the nipples to prevent cracking and soothe the irritated skin during breastfeeding.
— Stretch marks: Apply it on the stretch marks twice daily both, pre- and post-pregnancy.
— Baby skin protection: It soothes the delicate baby skin, and relieves diaper rashes and irritations.
Cooking
— Frying and baking- use coconut oil instead of other oils to enrich the flavor of food and preserve the healing properties despite the heat
— Homemade mayonnaise- Use it to prepare your homemade mayo, that will taste great and lower bad cholesterol levels
— Prolong egg shelf life- Being a powerful antibacterial, if you apply a thin layer of it to eggshells, it can increase their shelf life.
— A healthy, energy-laden smoothie- Add it to smoothies use its energy-producing properties.
Beauty:
— Anti-dandruff- apply it to the roots of the hair and the dry scalp to prevent and treat dandruff.
— Hair- repair shampoo- Rub it into the hair roots, and disperse some through the hair to repair the damaged hairs. Rinse after half an hour.
— Lip balm- It relieves chapped lips, provides nutrients for the skin of the lips, and leaves them soft
— Eye cream- Apply it around the eyes at bedtime to reduce wrinkles.
— Anti-dermatitis solution- Its regular use soothes atopic dermatitis and its symptoms, such as dry, itchy, and oozing skin patches.
— A body scrub- Mix a tablespoon of coconut oil with a tablespoon of ground coffee, and use the mixture as a body scrub.
General daily uses
— Sharpening blades- use it to maintain the sharpness of the kitchen blades while protecting them from rust.
— Shining leather- Distribute small amounts of this oil onto your leather shoes, purses, bags, and gloves, and you will restore their gloss.
— Furniture shining- Apply a bit of it on a cloth and wipe the surfaces of your furniture to polish the cracking and dried wooden furnishings.
— Flame ignitor- Soak a cotton ball in it and drop it into some wood or charcoal
— Lubricator- Apply a bit of it to a stuck zipper on a jacket, purse or bag, and you will easily solve the problem.
A single item with so many different uses in your household- isn’t it amazing?
Moreover, Dr.Axe advises:
“Refined or processed coconut oil can be bleached, overheated past the preferred melt point and chemically processed to increase its shelf life. Processing the oil changes the chemical makeup, and the fats are no longer good for you, so avoid hydrogenated oils whenever possible. So, instead, buy extra virgin coconut oil for the greatest coconut oil benefits.
There are several production types of coconut oil, including wet milled, virgin, and refined. Opt for virgin, wet milled, unrefined, organic coconut oil to ensure you’re getting pure coconut oil. Refined versions, like with other foods, are not as beneficial and lose key nutrients.”
