The discovery of coconut oil uses is a bit of a craze lately. People have put together hundreds of different uses for this beneficial oil, and it’s found its way into pantries, medicine cupboards, and even first aid kits. Some of the uses may seem bizarre at first, but coconut oil has garnered this newfound fame for good reason—it works.
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For years, coconut oil has had a bad name, lumped in with unhealthy saturated fats. People steered away from it and other high-fat foods.
The problem with throwing coconut oil in the same category as butter, margarine, and shortening is this oil is far healthier than it appears.
The saturated fats in coconut oil, like lauric acid, come from medium-chain triglycerides. The body easily puts these shorter fat chains to use and are not simply stored away as fat.
This means coconut oil boosts energy levels, raises good cholesterol, and balances out blood sugar without the risk of weight gain, increasing cholesterol levels, and other health risks that come from other saturated or trans fats.
Coconut oil uses don’t stop there. There are other properties of coconut oil you can also take advantage of, such as the following :
It also aids in the absorption of vitamins and minerals in the body. These immune-boosting properties make it the perfect oil to use in a million ways.
Without further ado, here are 50 of our favorite coconut oil uses:
Coconut oil soothes tired and sore muscles. Add a few drops of essential oils for more effect.
The powerful antifungal properties of coconut oil make it perfect for any fungal infection. Add a few drops of oregano or tea tree oil for more antifungal power.
Coconut oil gently fights harmful bacteria that can cause acne, which is common in people with acne-prone skin. Dab this carrier oil directly on the offending pimples and watch them shrink.
Coconut oil makes an effective and gentle cleanser to remove make-up, dirt, and oil. A coconut oil face wash seeps into pores and hair follicles to eliminate toxins and softens the sebum that has hardened beneath the surface.
Coconut oil kills and removes this pesky problem. With its fatty content, it suffocates the lice and makes it harder for them to maintain a grip on the hair follicles.
Prevent and soften stretch marks from pregnancy with coconut oil for soft and supple skin.
Rub the oil onto the area and cover with a bandage. Rub in fresh oil and place a new bandage each day.
Coconut oil is an excellent way to soften and hydrate rough, damaged, or dry skin.
Mix coconut oil with baking soda, sugar, and cinnamon or oatmeal for the perfect face scrub and exfoliator.
Massage coconut oil into the scalp to ease symptoms of dandruff, both itching and flaking.
Take a spoonful before meals to curb appetite, so you don’t overeat.
Rub into lines, creases, and wrinkles to rehydrate skin and soften those wrinkles away.
Dissolve a spoonful in your mouth and let it slowly roll down the throat. This coats and protects the throat, boost the health of mucous membranes, and fights off infection.
Rub coconut oil onto the affected area to kill the fungus that causes unsightly ringworm. Add tea tree oil as well to clear the infection even faster.
Coconut oil hydrates and protects chapped lips. Coconut oil even offers some protection from the sun, with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 4.
Coconut oil has antiviral properties that will help the body get rid of the virus that causes cold sores. Rub it on when needed and add a drop of oregano oil to speed up healing.
Coconut makes an all-natural personal lubricant for intimate moments without chemicals, but don’t use it with condoms as the oils tend to compromise the integrity of your protection.
Coconut oil gets the sticky stuff out of your hair, carpet, and anywhere else it doesn’t belong.
Coconut oil can do a multitude of things for pets, both topically and internally. It improves breath, makes for a shiny coat, eases joint problems, cleans ears, gets rid of fleas, and much more.
Rub a small amount of coconut oil on the stye or around the eyes to get rid of these painful and annoying infections quickly.
Stye Definition: An inflammation that occurs in the eyelid with a small amount of pus.
Earaches, swimmer’s ear, and ear infections clear up fast with a few drops of coconut oil mixed with garlic oil.
Coconut oil is gentle and safe for infants and helps ease the itching, pain, redness, and flaking associated with cradle cap.
What is cradle cap? A skin condition where the baby’s scalp has dry, crusty and scaly patches.
Coconut oil helps heal mild diaper rash gently and effectively.
Rub coconut oil into bruised skin to speed up healing and watch the bruises fade fast.
Coconut oil has beneficial effects on any skin blemish. Use it to help fade age spots with powerful antioxidants.
Coconut oil keeps the razor gliding smoothly while leaving the skin smooth and soft.
Don’t want unpleasant bumps and rashes after shaving? Coconut oil soothes sensitive skin and promotes healing.
Mix one part coconut oil with one part baking soda, and add a couple drops of peppermint oil. This makes a refreshing, natural toothpaste that whitens and cleans without added preservatives, fluoride, sweeteners, or other chemicals.
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Ease the itch and encourage healing with dabs of coconut oil. It also works on poison ivy, poison oak, mosquito bites, and other insect stings or bites.
Coconut oil fights these fungal infections internally and externally.
Coconut oil removes oil-based makeup easily, like mascara. It cleans, hydrates, and makes skin glow. Here are the steps to cleaning your face with coconut oil:
Coconut oil conditions, strengthens, and repairs hair. Massage it in and rinse it out after ten minutes.
RELATED: 15 Health Benefits Of Coconut Oil
Coconut oil gives a protective shine to wood furniture. Just make sure you test it out on a small area to make sure you like the outcome.
Coconut oil and its medium-chain triglycerides make it an excellent energy source to improve stamina and endurance, or just to give you an energy boost throughout the day.
Mix organic coconut oil with cornstarch, baking soda, and your favorite essential oils for a natural deodorant that smells fantastic. Get an easy DIY lavender deodorant recipe here.
Reduce puffiness and dark circles with a few dabs of coconut oil.
Coconut oil reduces the itchiness, pain, flakiness, and dryness of eczema, psoriasis, and dermatitis.
Coconut oil can help prevent sunburn for short exposures. When you burn, it also speeds up healing and takes some of the sting away.
Make sure you wait until all the heat has dissipated before applying it, or you trap the heat in. Wait for 24 to 72 hours depending on the extent of the burn.
Coconut oil eases the pain and discomfort of hemorrhoids and encourages natural healing both internally and externally.
Rub a bit of coconut oil in nostrils to fight the dry cracking that can lead to nose bleeds and pain.
Dab coconut oil on canker sores to kill infection and speed up healing. Coconut oil is also a far tastier way to treat canker sores than other methods.
Coconut oil eases the pain and strengthens teeth. You can mix it with a drop of clove oil to almost instantly relieve pain.
Take a small spoonful with meals to keep acid reflux and heartburn at bay.
Treat urinary tract infections with a spoonful of coconut oil. It may even ease the painful passing of kidney stones.
One of the coconut oil uses good for nursing moms is it works great to repair dry, cracked skin, including sore nipples from nursing.
Some research studies point to coconut oil as a way to slow the progression of or prevent Alzheimer’s and dementia.
Coconut oil aids the body in the absorption of calcium and magnesium. Both minerals are important for strong bones and teeth.
Coconut oil may reduce the incidence and intensity of epileptic seizures.
Coconut oil boosts energy, increases metabolism, improves thyroid function, and aids healthy weight loss. It is the perfect addition to any workout or fitness regimen.
The Sunwarrior Warrior Blend includes medium-chain triglycerides from coconut oil specifically to raise energy levels and increase stamina during workouts and speed up recovery and healing after any exercise.
Coconut oil doesn’t form harmful by-products when heated like most other oils and animal fats. Similar to olive oil, coconut oil is one of the healthier cooking oils you can use at home.
Use it to replace butter, cup for cup in recipes. Sauté, cook, bake, broil, braise, and more using coconut oil as a healthier alternative.
Did you know that you can make coconut oil at home? This method does not require any machinery, only your everyday kitchen tools.
Ingredients:
Things you'll need:
Directions:
This virgin coconut oil recipe can last up to 10 months. Store it in an airtight container and keep in the fridge.
Dr. Weston shares some of the interesting facts about the humble superfood, coconut in this video from Sunwarrior:
Start taking coconut oil now and experience the health benefits it can give you for overall health and wellness!
What other coconut oil uses can you add to the list above? Feel free to share your favorite uses with us in the comments section below!
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