Before taking a shower last night I removed my mascara with coconut oil, and then after washing and drying my hair I rubbed some coconut oil on my scalp and in my hair and a thin layer all over my body, and I just felt SO smooth and silky...Have you added coconut oil into your daily health and beauty routines yet?
Here are some great and practical uses for coconut oil:
Eye Makeup Remover - Coconut oil is a gentle and effective way to remove make-up. A little goes a long way and you avoid expensive brands with chemicals and artificial ingredients.
Hair Care - Store-bought hair masques and moisturizing conditioners are often filled with fragrances, chemicals, and other additives that do more harm than good. Coconut oil works as an excellent masque prior to shampooing. Liberally apply it to the hair, let it stay in for 5 minutes, rinse, and then continue shampooing and washing hair as normal. Putting in on as a detangler or conditioner is also great.
Massage Oil - There are many organic ways to spice up your sex life, and using coconut oil as a massage oil is one. Mix with other essential oils for desired scents and aura.
Reduce Frizz - All it takes is a small dab of coconut oil rubbed into your hands and then brushed through your hair to reduce frizz and leave your locks looking soft, healthy, and moisturized. Don’t worry about the greasy look; as long as you apply only a dab, greasiness will be avoided.
Shaving Cream - It’s never fun to shave without something creamy or soft to make the experience less harsh on your skin. Instead of reaching for a store-bought shaving cream, opt for coconut oil. It goes on smooth and works as both a shaving cream and an after-shave moisturizer.
Anti-Aging Moisturizer - Coconut oil provides a boost of antioxidants, which are linked to preventing signs of aging skin. Apply a smidgen of coconut oil to your face after cleansing at night and let it do its healing while you get your shut-eye.
Diminish Cellulite - Introduce coconut oil to your daily moisturizing rituals. Apply it on your thighs and bum on a regular basis and you’ll start to notice your cellulite disappearing.
Get Rid of Lice - Rinse hair with vinegar and then brush in a generous amount of coconut oil so that the entire head is evenly coated. Put on a shower cap and let it sit for a few hours before rinsing off. The vinegar dissolves the sticking power of lice eggs and the coconut oil smothers and kills the lice.
Boost Hormone Health - Coconut oil offers the necessary building blocks for the production of hormones. Fat is very important in the rebuilding and repairing cells, but the wrong balance of poly saturated to saturated and mono unsaturated fats can mean bad news for your health. The human body is 97 percent saturated and monounsaturated fats and 3 percent polyunsaturated fat. Most vegetable oils tip the balance towards polyunsaturated fats, which can wreak havoc on the body. Coconut oil keeps the ratio balanced.
Tanning Oil - Coconut oil acts as a 4 SPF tanning oil that isn’t cancerous like the brands grazing beauty shop shelves. It’s moisturizing as well, which prevents your skin from getting dry and flaky under the sun.
Dry Feet Fix - Mix coconut oil with salt to remove dry skin from feet. The salt acts as an exfoliating scrub that removes dead skin cells and the coconut oil helps to lubricate, moisturize and kill bacteria in the process.
Chicken Pox and Poison Ivy Relief - Apply coconut oil to areas affected by chicken pox or poison ivy to reduce swelling, itching, and irritated skin.
Replace Your Everyday Cooking Oil - While many everyday oils like olive oil are lauded for their unsaturated fat qualities, when cooked, the oils biochemically change and don’t bear the same nutrients, enzymes and potency as when in a raw, cold-pressed state. Coconut oil is unique in that it has a high burning temperature, so it can withstand higher heat levels that other oils can’t. When cooking, opt for coconut oil. It brings a new flavor profile to your dishes and can make the difference in your healthy diet.
Even more uses:
- As a coffee creamer when emulsified into coffee
- On the skin as a basic lotion
- As a cloth diaper safe diaper cream (just rub on baby’s bottom)
- To lighten age spots when rubbed directly on the skin
- To prevent stretch marks during pregnancy
- To get rid of cradle cap on baby
- 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
- On feet to fight athlete’s foot or tor fungus
- In place of Lanolin cream on nursing nipples to sooth irritation
- Can help sooth psoriasis or eczema
- There is some evidence that regular ingestion of coconut oil can help prevent or reverse Alzheimers
- 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 helps improve gum health
- Can help improve cholesterol ratios
- Blend a tablespoon into hot tea to help speed recovery from cold or flu
- 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
- It’s anti-inflammatory properties can help lessen arthritis
- Can help resolve acne when used regularly
- Can be rubbed into scalp daily to stimulate hair growth
- In kids ears to help speed ear infection healing
- Can help speed weight loss when consumed daily
- Can help improve sleep when taken daily
- A tablespoon melted into a cup of warm tea can help sooth a sore throat
- By itself or with baking soda as a naturally whitening toothpaste
- For pets struggling with skin issues when used externally
- Can be taken in warm ginger tea to sooth heartburn or nausea
- 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
- When taken regularly, it can help fight candida
- When taken regularly, it can boost hormone production
- Ingesting coconut oil daily can help with allergy symptoms
- Ingesting coconut oil daily can increase mental alertness
- Can relieve the pain of hemorrhoids when used topically
- Can boost circulation and help those who often feel cold
- Rub into elbows daily to help alleviate dry, flaky elbows
- Naturally clears up cold sores
- On cuticles to help nails grow
- Add to smoothies to give them a nutritional boost
I often use a brand called - Spectrum Organic Virgin Coconut Oil - which you can find in Whole Foods, Publix and other stores, 14 oz. for approx $8.00. There are dozens of brands on line so Google to find the best value and stock up!
I just found a 54 oz. for just $17.50 with FREE shipping here: drvita.com
It is an incredibly magical and versatile item to have in your pantry and also among your toiletries, so invest in some plastic spray and squeeze bottles and store in different places in your home to incorporate the above uses into your lifestyle...you’ll be so happy you did.
