When I was a kid I remember eating the meat from the inside of a coconut after my dad cracked open. It was not easy to eat but it sure tasted good. My only other experience with it was eating an Almond Joy candy bar and shredded coconut in a fruit salad. Then my friend Judy shared how she would eat it by the spoonful out of a jar. Ok, like the way I will get a peanut butter spoon for a snack. Then my sister introduced me to oils and I learned about coconut and other carrier oils. This page is geared to the health benefits of coconut oil.
Coconut oil is solid until the external room temperature hits 76 degrees. Then it turns into a liquid oil.
1. Coconut Oil Improves Cholesterol.
Coconut oil contains lauric acid, a saturated fat that is a type of medium-chain triglyceride (MCT). Lauric acid increases the good HDL cholesterol levels in the blood.
2. It Boosts Immunity.
It's full of anti-oxidants. It has antibacterial and antiviral (more on this below) properties.
3. It Helps Digestive Disorders Like IBD.
There is some controversy here because diets high in fat can worsen IBD symptoms. Check with your doctor. Some claim that because the body can absorb MCTs directly into the blood stream via your intestines, that they provide much-needed nutrients that sufferers from digestive disorders can't normally absorb.
4. It Can Promote Weight Loss, Especially Around the Waist.
Apparently, when coconut oil's MCTs break down, these healthy fats in the liver increase metabolism (giving you more energy to work out) and positively effect sugar levels and thyroid hormones. According to a 2009 study, some women who consumed 2T of coconut oil per day for 12 weeks, lowered their abdominal fat versus women in the same study who consumed soy bean oil and saw no change.
5. Use Coconut Oil As A Natural Moisturizer
My massage therapist, Robin Swan at Firebird Touch Therapy in La Jolla, uses organic coconut oil during massages. She prefers coconut oil over others, such as olive oil, because it absorbs into the skin without leaving a greasy feeling and washes out of clothing easily. My favorite quote from her is this from Twitter:
True, right? Also, when we use soap, we wash a protective MCT layer off of our skin. Applying coconut oil re-establishes this natural barrier.
6. It Helps Heal Sunburn.
People across the internet swear one of the health benefits of coconut oil is that it's a sunburn remedy, reporting major improvement after just one application. Coconut oil does provide some natural sun protection, but shouldn't replace a higher SPF.
7. Replace Shaving Cream With Coconut Oil.
Coconut oil is a chemical-free, natural lubricant that allows your razor to glide over skin with ease. And, it moisturizes and heals razor nicks. Some people report not needing lotion after shaving with coconut oil. I do though. Put your coconut oil in a plastic, non-breakable container and ditch the shaving cream.
8. Treat Athlete's Foot, Ringworm, Diaper Rash And Other Skin Conditions.
The anti-fungal properties of coconut oil help treat recurrent skin conditions. People use it in combination with tea tree oil, Vitamin E and herbs. Researchers have discovered that though coconuts grow in many humid environments where fungi thrive, the people living there who consume a lot of coconut oil do not have fungal infections in general.
9. It Helps Treat Acne.
If you're going to use it on your face, invest in high quality coconut oil. The antimicrobial benefits of lauric acid and capric acid (the same acids found in mother's milk) basically replenish the protective acid layer of skin and reduce inflammation. Internal consumption of coconut oil also helps acne, because it helps regulate hormones (see above) and metabolism leading to regulated sebum.
10. Use For Healing Minor Cuts And Scrapes.
Apply coconut oil to cuts and scrapes as an antibacterial and healing agents. People claim their wounds heal more quickly, painlessly and with less scarring.
11. Coconut Oil Reduces Irritation From Bug Bites.
Apply coconut oil after being bitten or stung for almost-immediate relief.
12. It’s Good For Wrinkle Prevention.
Applying coconut oil stimulates the turnover of collagen which we all know helps prevent the appearance of wrinkles.
13. It May Reverse Or Slow The Progression Of Alzheimer's Disease
14. It Helps Manage Pneumonia Symptoms
A study presented to the 2008 American College of Chest Physicians showed that children with pneumonia who received doses of coconut oil recovered faster than children in the same study who did not.
15. Coconut Oil Is Anti-Aging
With the above health benefits of coconut oil, it seems to keep us alive longer and looking better, no?
I use coconut oil instead of butter on toast now. It’s delicious with a few drops of honey on top.
Place coconut oil in blender and mix on medium speed for approximately 30 seconds-1 minute.
Gradually add in sugar a cup at a time and continue mixing. Raw sugar is coarser and will exfoliate better than white sugar. However, I made this at our Mothers of Preschoolers meeting and we ran out of the raw sugar so that is why mine is white. Both kinds work, it just depends on how coarse you want your scrub.
Add in essential oil and mix together.
Spoon the mixture into a glass jar. One batch in enough to fill 4 jars so you have 4 presents made in about 5-10 minutes! Attach a pretty tag to the jar. and you have the perfect gift!
You can add a bath pouf to make it extra pampering!
http://lajollamom.com/health-benefits-coconut-oil/