Coconut oil is a popular nutritional oil derived from the meat of matured coconuts. Coconut has long been a primary source of food throughout the tropics. Its various industrial and cosmetic applications have made it a very viable commodity. Coconut oil is heat stable, making it suitable for cooking at high temperatures. It is slow to oxidize, resists rancidity and has a shelf life of approximately two years or more.
The main exporting countries are the Philippines, Indonesia, and India. Coconut oil makes up less than 3% of annual global vegetable oil production.
Coconut oil can be either Virgin or refined. Virgin coconut oil is usually expeller-pressed, meaning the oil is mechanically squeezed out of the coconut meat at room temperature. Refined oil is usually extracted using heat, chemicals and solvents that both increase the yield, and remove any coloration or odors.
Once castigated for its generous saturated fat content, coconut oil has been given a second life as a (gasp!) healthy fat. And while drinking it by the tablespoon still isn’t a great idea, you definitely should consider adding the oil to your diet.
Yes, coconut oil is almost 90 percent saturated fat, but not all sat fats are created equal. “The saturated fat in coconut oil is mostly lauric acid, a medium-chain saturated fatty acid that appears to have a more neutral effect on heart health when compared to longer-chain saturated fats found in meats and dairy products,” says Wendy Bazilian, R.D., author of The SuperFoodsRx Diet.
In this article, we are sharing our top 90(yes 90!) uses for coconut oil:
Uses for Coconut Oil
- In cooking as great oil with a high smoke point. Great for baking, stir-frys or as a dairy free replacement to butter.
- Added to foodsor drinks daily for energy
- As a coffee creamer when emulsified into coffee
- On the skin as a basic lotion
- In homemade lotion bars for soft, smooth skin
- Inhomemade deodorant or deodorant bars
- As an eye-makeup remover
- As a cloth diaper safe diaper cream
- In making your own Re-mineralizing Toothpaste
- To lighten age spots when rubbed directly on the skin
- To prevent stretch marks during pregnancy
- To support healthy thyroid function
- In homemade Mayo without the high PUFA vegetable oils
- To help increase sun tolerance and avoid burning
- As a naturally SPF 4sunscreen
- To get rid of cradle cap on baby– just massage in to head, leave on for a few minutes and gently rinse with a warm wash cloth
- Topically to kill yeast or yeast infections
- As a delicious tropical massage oil
- It’s high Lauric acid and MCFA content helps boost metabolism
- A tiny dab rubbed on your hands and then through hair will help get rid of frizz
- In homemade soap for laundry
- Mixed with equal parts sugar for a smoothing body scrub(use in the shower)
- Rubbed on lips as a naturalchap stick
- Topically, can help skin heal faster after injury or infection
- Directly on the perineum to help heal afterbirth
- As an incredibly intensive natural conditioner– Rub into dry hair, put a shower cap on and leave for several hours
- In homemade slow cooker soap
- In place of Lanolin cream on nursing nipples to sooth irritation (also great for baby!)
- Can help sooth psoriasis oreczema
- There is some evidence thatregular ingestion of coconut oil can help prevent or reverse Alzheimers
- With apple cider vinegar as a natural treatment for lice that actually works
- In healthy brain boosting snack for kids likeCoconut Clusters
- Rub coconut oil on the inside of your nose to help alleviate allergy symptoms
- Nursing moms often take 3-4 tablespoons a day (and Vitamin D) to increase milk supply and nutrients
- In homemade shampoo bars
- Mix a tablespoon with a tablespoon ofchia seedsfor an all-day energy boost (do NOT take this at night!)
- Can help improve insulin levels
- Oil pulling with coconut oiland a drop of oregano oil helps improve gum health
- Can help improve cholesterol ratios
- Blend a tablespoon into hot tea to help speed recovery from cold or flu
- As a replacement forvegetable oilsin any recipe or in cooking
- Incoconut based grain free granola
- Can help reduce appearance of varicose veins
- After initial heat is gone, can help speed healing ofsunburn
- Is an immediate source of energy when eaten that isn’t stored as fat
- As a natural personal lubricant that won’t disturb vaginal flora
- As a natural shave cream and after shave lotion
- When used consistently on skin it can help get rid ofcellulite
- To season cast iron skillets
- It’s anti-inflammatory properties can help lessen arthritis
- Can reduce the itch of mosquito bites
- Can helpresolve acnewhen used regularly
- Can be rubbed into scalp daily to stimulate hair growth
- Helps speed ear infection healing
- A small amount can be rubbed into real leather to soften and condition (shiny leather only… test a small area first)
- By itself as a great tanning oil
- Mixed with salt toremove dry skin on feet
- Can help speed weight loss when consumed daily
- Can help improve sleepwhen taken daily
- A tablespoon melted into a cup of warm tea can help sooth a sore throat
- To help sooth the itch of chicken pox or poison ivy
- It has been shown to increase absorption of calcium and magnesium
- Some evidence shows that the beneficial fats in coconut oil can help with depression and anxiety
- By itself as a natural deodorant
- By itself or with baking soda as anaturally whitening toothpaste
- For pets struggling with skin issues when used externally
- In coconut oil pulling chews
- In homemade vapor rub
- In homemade peppermint lip balm
- In magnesium body butter
- In coconut oil dog treats
- As a completely natural baby lotion
- On hands after doing dishes to avoid dry skin
- Mixed with catnip, rosemary, or mintessential oilsas a natural bug repellent
- In homemade meltaways(like candy)
- Many use it as an anti-aging facial moisturizer
- Use to make coconut cream concentrate for a brain boosting snack
- Can be used internally and externally to speed recovery from UTIs
- When taken regularly, it can boosthormone production
- Can relieve the pain of hemorrhoids when used topically
- Can boost circulation and help those who often feel cold
- On cuticles to help nails grow
- Rub into elbows daily to help alleviate dry, flaky elbows
- To help avoid chlorine exposure when swimming
- Internally during pregnancy to help provide baby necessary fats for development (especially when taken with Fermented Cod Liver Oil)
- With other oils as part ofan oil cleansing regimen for beautiful skin
- Whipped with butter for a soothing body balm
- One reader swears by using coconut oil to treat yeast infection. She suggests soaking a tampon in it and inserting the tampon for a few hours.
- Ingesting coconut oil daily can help with allergy symptoms
- Ingesting coconut oil daily can increase mental alertness
