Coconut seems to be the current craze and with god reason. We have coconut everything and most of these products are jam-packed with health benefits.
As you may be aware at this point, coconuts are filled with medium chain fatty acids meaning coconut oil is as well. These are fats that our bodies can easily digest and use. The can be used as energy for our brains and other things of that sort. Coconut oil is affordable and generally easy to find. It is an anti-carcinogen, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, antioxidant that will do the trick for just about anything.
Coconut oil is known as something we can cook with or ingest for things like cholesterol issues, heart health, Alzheimer’s treatment, inflammation, cancer, brain function, and digestion. However, it can be used in a large number of ways without being ingested and for one of the widest varieties of thing that you may not think of when it comes to coconut oil.
You can apply it directly on the affected area when trying to reduce age spots as well as combine it with a few things to rid yourself of baldness, the possibilities are endless when it comes to coconut oil.
- You can mix coconut oil with salt and use it was a body scrub.
- Apply coconut directly to bruises to reduce swelling and redness.
- Apply coconut oil to a bug bite to reduce itching.
- Apply it to burns to promote healing.
- Eliminate dandruff by using it on your head as a moisturizer.
1. Age Spots
(Also known as liver spots). Applying coconut oil directly to the age spot will help it fade.
2. After Shave
Coconut oil will help heal your skin after shaving without clogging pores. Great for razor burn!
3. Baldness
Combine coconut oil with lavender, rosemary, thyme, cedarwood, Jojoba oil, Grapeseed/ castor oil and a little cayenne pepper. Apply three times a day (or before bed) to affected area of hair loss and massage in. Coconut oil and these essential oils support cell regeneration. (2)
4. Body Scrub
Mix coconut oil and salt together and rub all over! Rinse off and your skin will be super soft. You can add in essential oils if you would like a specific smell.
5. Bruises
Applied directly to the bruise, coconut oil enhances the healing process by reducing swelling and redness.
6. Bug Bites
When applied directly to a bug bite, coconut oil can stop the itching and burning sensation as well as hasten the healing process.
7. Burns
Apply to burn site immediately and continue applying until healed. Will reduce the chances of permanent scarring and promotes healing. (source)
8. Chapstick
Just rub a little into lips and it not only acts as a softening agent but it also has an SPF of about 4 so you get a little protection! Watch this video for a quick coconut chapstick DIY:
9. Cradle Cap
Having issues with dry skin on your baby’s scalp? Coconut oil will not only nourish your baby’s skin, it also helps eliminate cradle cap. Just rub a teaspoon onto scalp daily.
10. Dandruff
Coconut oil soaks into the scalp moisturizing dry skin and relieves symptoms of dandruff. It also helps to control oil secretion from the scalp, another leading cause of dandruff. (source)
11. Deodorant
Coconut oil alone can be used as a deodorant, but even more effective in combination with cornstarch/arrowroot powder and baking soda.
12. Diaper Salve
Very comforting on a rashy bum with no harsh chemicals. Also safe for cloth diapers.
13. Eye Cream
Apply under the eyes to reduce puffiness, bags and wrinkles. Use on the lids in the evening.
14. Face Wash/Soap
Mix equal parts coconut oil with olive oil, almond oil, avocado oil and castor oil and use in place of soap when washing your face. Wet face, rub oil in and leave on for two minutes, rinse and pat dry. One teaspoon should be adequate.
15. Hair conditioner/Deep Treatment
Use as a leave-in hair conditioner by applying a teaspoon of coconut oil to your ends and then running your fingers through your hair to distribute the rest. For a deeper treatment, rub in a tablespoon of coconut oil onto your dry scalp and gently work through to the ends. Put a shower cap on to prevent transfer onto bed linens and leave on overnight.
16. Hair Gel/Defrizzer
Rub a little between your palms and either scrunch into hair (for curly hair) or finger comb in through from scalp to ends (for wavy/straight hair).
17. Healing
When applied on scrapes and cuts, coconut oil forms a thin, chemical layer which protects the wound from outside dust, bacteria, and virus. Coconut oil speeds up the healing process of bruises by repairing damaged tissues. Plus, it smells a heck-of-a-lot better than anything from the pharmacy.
18. Lubricant
It is an all-natural, perfectly safe personal lubricant for masturbation and sex. Not compatible with latex!
19. Makeup Remover
Use a cotton swab and a dab of coconut oil and you would be amazed at how well it works!
20. Massage Oil
Pretty simple; grab some and rub!
21. Moisturizer
Simply scoop some out of the jar and apply all over your body, including neck and face. Often lotions are water-based and can dry out your skin even more. (source)
22. Nipple Cream
Works great to nourish cracked, sore or dry nipples. Apply to a cotton ball and leave on your nipples between feedings.
23. Acne Skin Fix
Prone to oily skin or an oily T-zone? Use a pea sized amount underneath makeup or alone to reduce oil gland stimulation. Often acne prone skin is actually too dry, which signals your glands to produce more oil and clogs the pores. (3)
24. Pre-Shave
Coconut oil will prep skin for the pending damage caused by shaving.
25. Skin Conditions
Coconut oil can relieve skin problems such as psoriasis, dermatitis, and eczema.
26. Stretch Marks
Coconut oil is great at nourishing damaged skin. It may not be the magic stretch mark cure but it will help. (source)
27. Sun Burn Relief
Rub liberal amounts of coconut oil into the affected area.
28. Sunscreen
It’s not high, but coconut oil does have an SPF of around 4.
29. Swimmer’s Ear
Mix garlic oil and coconut oil and put a few drops in affected ear for about 10 minutes. Do this 2-3 times a day and it usually works within one or two days.
30. Tattoo Healing and Moisturizer
Continued use of coconut oil on tattoos will help keep the pigment from fading. Used on new tattoos, coconut oil will hasten the healing process and decrease the chance of infection. Be sure to only use a very thin layer no more than twice a day, according to your tattoo artist’s instructions. Overuse can cause the ink to be lifted up.
31. Toothpaste
There are numerous recipes out there but I just mix coconut oil and baking soda and dab a little of the mix on my toothbrush.
32. Wrinkle Prevention and Wrinkle Reducer
Rubbing coconut oil on wrinkles and sagging skin helps strengthen the connective tissues to bring back that youthful look! (4)
Coconut Oil for General Health and Wellness
33. Breastfeeding
For breastfeeding moms, consuming 3 ½ tablespoons of coconut oil daily will enrich the milk supply.
34. Bones and Teeth
Coconut oil aids in the absorption of calcium and magnesium leading to better development of bones and teeth. (Source)
34. Digestion
The saturated fats in coconut oil help control parasites and fungi that cause indigestion and other digestion related problems such as irritable bowel syndrome. The fat in coconut oil also aids in the absorption of vitamins, minerals and amino acids, making you healthier all around. (source)
35. Fitness
Coconut oil has been proven to stimulate your metabolism, improve thyroid function, and escalate energy levels, all of which help decrease your unwanted fat while increasing muscle. (source)
36. Insulin Support
Improves insulin secretion and utilization of blood glucose making it great for both diabetics and non-diabetic. (source)
37. Lung Function
Increases the fluidity of cell surfaces.
38. Nausea
Rub some coconut oil on the inside for the wrist (PC 6) and forearm to calm an upset stomach.
39. Nose bleeds
Coconut oil can prevent nose bleeding that is caused by sensitivity to weather such as extreme heat and extreme cold. This condition happens when the nasal passages become dry because of cold or dry air resulting to burns and cracks in the mucus membranes so bleeding happens. To prevent this just put coconut oil in your nostrils. Doing this will strengthen and protect the capillaries in the nasal passages.
40. Gum Health
Oil pulling with coconut oil offers a two for one health benefit!
41. Stress Relief
Relieve mental fatigue by applying coconut oil to the head in a circular, massaging motion. The natural aroma of coconuts is extremely soothing thus helping to lower your stress level. (Source)
42. Vitamin and nutrient absorption
Makes fat-based nutrients more available to the body – ie. vitamin A, D, E, K. (source)
43. Weight loss
The saturated fats contribute to weight loss and controlling cravings.
44. Mental Cognition and Productivity
Medium chain triglycerides freely pass the blood-brain barrier and allows an alternate source of energy to improve cognition.
Coconut Oil for Internal Health Problems
45. Acid Reflux/ Indigestion
If taken after a meal.
46. Adrenal and Chronic Fatigue
47. Allergies
Seasonal hay fever
48. Alzheimer’s/Dementia
49. Asthma
Even in children (source)
50. Autism (5)
51. Bowel function
Constipation, IBD (inflammatory bowel disease), gut infections
52. Bronchial Infections and Cystic Fibrosis
53. Cancer
Has been shown to prevent breast and colon cancer.
54. Candida Albicans
In a 2007 study, coconut oil was proven to be 100% effective against the Candida microbe species. In fact, researchers recommended that candida can be treated with coconut oil instead of drugs, against which candida has become resistant!
55. Cholesterol
Improves HDL (‘good’ cholesterol) to LDL (‘bad’ cholesterol) ratio in people with high cholesterol.
56. Poor Circulation
Feeling cold all the time or edema, especially in the extremities, apply coconut oil to the skin in a light circular pattern towards the heart. Similar to dry skin brushing
57. Colds and Flues
As an anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory agent. (6)
58. Mild Depression and Cognitive Disease
In conjunction with CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy), fish oil and other treatment strategies.
59. Diabetes
Helps keep blood sugar levels stable and helps with cravings.
60. Epilepsy
Known to reduce epileptic seizures.
61. Flaky, Dry Skin
Poor oil intake often results in dry skin and dandruff.
For more information on coconut oil and the amazing things it can do for your outsides as well as your insides please take the time to watch the video below. I use coconut oil a few times a day myself and I love it! I know that you will too! If you’re not using coconut oil I hope that after reading this you will consider adding it to your daily routine in some way.