I have always been interested in “natural products” as well as living “simply.” Knowing that we are moving overseas, I’m MORE THAN EXCITED that I could potentially be a ONE product girl! Woot Woot! I have recently been using COCONUT OIL for shaving cream, lotion, deoderant, oil pulling (oral care), face wash, hair product, cooking oil, and eating lots of yummy coconut flakes/flesh for all those nutrient rich healthy fats!! THEN my hubs stumbled across this website (here I thought I “invented” all these uses!). So, I had to share – to your health and ours!
http://wellnessmama.com/5734/101-uses-for-coconut-oil/
- In cooking as a great oil with a high smoke point. Great for baking, stir-frys or as a dairy free replacement to butter.
- Taken supplementally for daily energy.
- As a coffee creamer when emulsified into coffee (The only way I’ll drink coffee)
- On the skin as a basic lotion
- In homemade lotion bars for soft, smooth skin
- In homemade deodorant or deodorant bars
- As an eye-makeup remover
- As a cloth diaper safe diaper cream (just rub on baby’s bottom)
- In making your own Remineralizing Toothpaste
- To lighten age spots when rubbed directly on the skin
- To prevent stretch marks during pregnancy
- To support healthy thyroid function
- In homemade Mayo without the high PUFA vegetable oils
- To help increase sun tolerance and avoid burning
- As a naturally SPF 4 sunscreen
- In homemade lotion recipes
- To get rid of cradle cap on baby- just massage in to head, leave on for a few minutes and gently rinse with a warm wash cloth
- Topically to kill yeast or yeast infections
- As a delicious tropical massage oil
- It’s high Lauric acid and MCFA content helps boost metaboism
- A tiny dab rubbed on your hands and then through hair will help get rid of friz
- As an intensive nighttime facial moisturizer
- Mixed with equal parts sugar for a smoothing body scrub (use in the shower)
- Rubbed on lips as a natural chap stick
- Topically, can help skin heal faster after injury or infection
- Directly on the perineum to help heal after birth
- As an incredibly intensive natural conditioner- Rub into dry hair, put a shower cap on and leave for several hours.
- On feet to fight athlete’s foot or tor fungus
- In place of Lanolin cream on nursing nipples to sooth irritation (also great for baby!)
- Can help sooth psoriasis or eczema
- There is some evidence that regular ingestion of coconut oil can help prevent or reverse Alzheimers
- With apple cider vinegar as a natural treatment for lice that actually works
- In natural Homemade Sunscreen
- In healthy brain boosting snack for kids like Coconut Clusters
- In a filling and energy boosting Brain Powder Smoothie
- Rub coconut oil on the inside of your nose to help alleviate allergy symptoms
- Nursing moms can take 3-4 tablespoons a day (and Vitamin D) to increase milk supply and nutrients
- There is some evidence that coconut oil helps digestion and may even kill intestinal parasites or yeast
- Mix a tablespoon with a tablespoon of chia seeds for an all-day energy boost (do NOT take this at night!)
- Can help improve insulin levels
- Oil pulling with coconut oil and a drop of oregano oil helps improve gum health
- Can help improve cholesterol ratios
- Blend a tablespoon into hot tea to help speed recovery from cold or flu
- In Homemade Natural Bug-Off Lotion Bars
- As a replacement for vegetable oils in any recipe
- Better for high-temperature cooking than olive or vegetable oils
- Can help reduce appearance of varicose veins
- After initial heat is gone, can help speed healing of sunburn
- Is an immediate source of energy when eaten and isn’t stored as fat
- As a natural personal lubricant that won’t disturb vaginal flora
- As a naturally antibacterial skin cream
- In natural homemade diaper cream
- As a natural shave cream and after shave lotion
- When used consistently on skin it can help get rid of cellulite
- To season cast iron skillets
- It’s anti-inflammatory properties can help lessen arthritis
- Can reduce the itch of mosquito bites
- Can help resolve acne when used regularly
- Can be rubbed into scalp daily to stimulate hair growth
- I’ve used in kids ears to help speed ear infection healing
- On split ends to de-frizz
- A small amount can be rubbed into real leather to soften and condition (shiny leather only… test a small area first)
- By itself as a great tanning oil
- Mixed with salt to remove dry skin on feet
- Can help speed weight loss when consumed daily
- Can help improve sleep when taken daily
- Can be used to speed healing of fungal infections when taken internally and used externally
- A tablespoon melted into a cup of warm tea can help sooth a sore throat
- To help sooth the itch of chicken pox or poison ivy
- It has been shown to increase absorption of calcium and magnesium
- Internally as part of the protocol to help remineralize teeth
- Some evidence shows that the beneficial fats in coconut oil can help with depression and anxiety
- By itself as a natural deodorant
- By itself or with baking soda as a naturally whitening toothpaste
- For pets struggling with skin issues when used externally
- Some evidence suggests that the beneficial fats in coconut oil are helpful for those with Autism
- In homemade vapor rub
- As a safe cooking oil for deep frying
- A tablespoon taken before each meal can help improve digestion
- Can be taken in warm ginger tea to sooth heartburn or nausea
- As a completely natural baby lotion
- On hands after doing dishes to avoid dry skin
- Mixed with catnip, rosemary or mint essential oils as a natural bug repellent
- Can be used on mom’s nipple and baby’s mouth to help treat thrush
- Many use it as an anti-aging facial moisturizer
- Use to make coconut cream concentrate for a brain boosting snack
- Can be used internally and externally to speed recovery from UTIs
- When taken regularly, it can help fight candida
- When taken regularly, it can boost hormone production
- Can relieve the pain of hemorrhoids when used topically
- Can boost circulation and help those who often feel cold
- On cuticles to help nails grow
- Rub into elbows daily to help alleviate dry, flaky elbows
- Add to smoothies to give them a nutritional boost
- Internally during pregnancy to help provide baby necessary fats for development (especially when taken with Fermented Cod Liver Oil)
- In any recipes where vegetable oils are used
- Whipped with shea butter for a soothing body balm
- One reader swears by using coconut oil to treat yeast infection. She suggests soaking a tampon in it and inserting the tampon for a few hours.
- Naturally clears up cold sores
- Ingesting coconut oil daily can help with allergy symptoms
- Ingesting coconut oil daily can increase mental alertness