Coconut oil is one of our favourite foods at THP – with over 40 uses, it’s easy to see why we love it so much! We use it to cook in most of the time, and also use it for deodorant and toothpaste, and as a natural moisturiser.
What is coconut oil?
Coconut oil contains certain fatty acids that are some of the rarest in the world. These are called medium chain fatty acids (MCFA’s) and have super health benefits.
The benefits of coconut oil are endless, here are a few:
Balance hormones
Kills candida (yeast infections)
Improves digestion
Moisturises skin
Reduces cellulite
Decreases wrinkles and age spots
Balances sugar and improves energy
Improves Alzheimer’s
Increases HDL (good cholesterol) and lowers LDL (bad cholesterol)
Burns fat
Here are the top benefits of coconut oil grouped into categories to keep it simple for you!
Coconut Oil Food Uses:
Cooking at High Heat – best for cooking because it has a high smoking point and is superior to olive oil.
Energizer – mix coconut oil with chia seeds as fuel for energy. The MCT’s in coconut oil plus the nutrients in chia will send your energy soaring!
Coconut Oil Coffee – adding coconut oil to your coffee can give you an extra boost of energy and keep you focussed for the day. It also makes you able to burn fat at a faster rate!
Green Drinks – adding coconut oil to a home made Green Drink full of green leafy veggies can improve texture and increase your healthy fat intake.
Non-stick Oil – best oil to use when cooking eggs for non-stick.
Homemade ‘Paleo’ Mayo – use as oil in a ‘Paleo’ mayonnaise recipe with egg yolks.
Baking oil – use in baking recipes (on your cheat meal day of course) to replace other oils. Grease your pans in it to prevent sticking.
Coconut Oil Beauty and Skin Uses:
Skin moisturiser – put some coconut oil in your palms until it melts and rub into needed areas for hydration.
Mineralizing toothpaste – mix equal parts of coconut oil with baking soda then add a few drops of your favourite essential oil for some homemade toothpaste.
Lip Balm – can sooth chapped lips.
Coconut Shampoo – coconut can cleanse hair and great if infused with apple cider vinegar.
Oil Pulling – swish oil between teeth for 15-20 minutes to kill bad bacteria and freshen your breath.
Natural Deodorant – coconut oil is great as a natural deodorant, mix it with baking soda and essential oils.
Face Wash – coconut oil can be used as a natural face wash and moisturiser. Lavender and tea tree essential oils make it even better.
Wound Slave – perfect as a wound ointment because of anti-microbial properties. Put it on just like you would any other anti-bacterial ointment.
Hair Conditioner – add to hair as a conditioner to repair split ends. Rub in hair and leave in for 30 minutes, then rinse.
Body lotion – use coconut oil by itself as a natural body lotion.
Cellulite Solution – use as a cellulite-reduction cream with grapefruit essential oil. Mix 1 tbsp coconut oil with 10 drops of grapefruit essential oil and massage into are after getting out of the shower.
Eye Makeup Remover – use with a cotton swab as eye makeup remover instead of chemicals.
Shaving cream – excellent replacement for shaving lotion that provides a gentle glide for a razor and sooths skin.
Bath Soak – mix ¼ cup of melted coconut oil with ¼ cup Epsom salts for an incredible healing bath.
Sunburn Remedy – coconut oil is an SPF 4 and can sooth and moisturise skin from sunburn.
Anti-Aging Skincare – put coconut oil on skin before bed to reduce age spots and wrinkles.
Massage Oil – coconut oil works as the perfect massage oil and when mixed with lavender and peppermint essential oils can relax and heal sore muscles.
Insect Repellent – mixing coconut oil with essential oils of peppermint, rosemary, tea tree and citronella and more effective and safer at keeping bugs away.
Coconut Oil Medicinal Uses:
Alzheimer’s Treatment – take 1 tbsp daily to support brain health and prevent Alzheimer’s as part of a ketogenic diet.
Aromatherapy – used as perfect carrier oil when making home remedies with essential oils.
Candida Killer – coconut oil contains caprylic acid which has anti-microbial properties that kill yeast and candida.
Fat Burning Supplement – the MCT’s found in coconut oil have been proven to support weight loss and help your body burn fat for energy.
Hormone Balancer 0 the healthy fats in coconut oil support the thyroid and adrenal glands which can lower cortisol to naturally balance hormones.
Digestive Support – coconut oil is easy to digest and contains compounds that destroy bad bacteria, promote growth of probiotics and health leaky gut.
Anti-Fungal Cream – can be used to topically treat athletes foot and skin fungus.
Blood Sugar Stabiliser – coconut oil can help balance blood sugar levels and has been medically proven to improve diabetes.
Healing Ointment – can be used as cream to heal dry and flaking skin for those with Eczema and Psoriasis.
Cholesterol Supplement – the healthy fats in coconut oil have been proven to increase HDL cholesterol and lower LDL cholesterol supporting heart health.
Thanks to Dr Axe from Food is Medicine for this awesome info!