05 Jul 10 Awesome Uses for Coconut Oil

Coconut oil almost doesn’t need an introduction anymore. It has so many wholesome uses that you just have to start somewhere and the list will keep going by itself. There just aint nuttin’ like it! We’ve picked out 10 awesome ways you can use this fragrant, all-round earth and body friendly oil to get you rolling.

1. Make-Up Remover

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This oil not only smells like a tropical getaway, but you can use it at the end of the day to simply wipe away your make-up while cleansing and moisturising your skin at the same time. What a perfect quick bedtime beauty hack.

2. Baby Bum Cream

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Coconut Oil is naturally antimicrobial because of its rich lauric acid content and it was found in studies to help dry skin retain more moisture after being used for a couple of weeks. So Your baby’s bottom will love this gentle, happy-smelling oil that also treats nappy rash and speeds up healing time.

3. Teeth Cleaner (& more)

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Regular toothpastes can contain all sorts of hormone-disrupting chemicals such as tricolsan, fluoride and foaming agents. Coconut oil makes a great teeth cleaning option as its pure and chemical-free and also tastes yum. You can whip up your own chemical-free toothpaste by simply combining

• Coconut oil
• Baking soda
• A few drops of your favourite edible essential oils such as peppermint or clove
• A sweetener such as stevia or xylitol

Another way to use coconut oil for an amazingly clean mouth and bright pearlies is to do oil pulling every day. Read up on this clever mouth-swishing detox method here.

4. Hair treatment

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Coconut Oil is an excellent way to stimulate hair growth with antioxidants and nutrients such as vitamin E and vitamin K. Its antibacterial properties will also help combat dandruff and you can use it as a massage oil to really get the circulation in your scalp going while you’re at it. Warm it up before you use it and apply it to damp hair. You can leave it in for half and hour, or even overnight (cover your hair though so you don’t wake up to a well moisturised pillow). Don’t blast its precious nutrients in the microwave okay? Just place the closed jar in some hot water to melt it.

5. Shaving Cream

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Coconut oil makes a super-soft and moisturising shaving lubricant. Warm a little between your palms and apply it at the end of your bath or shower once your skin pores have opened up a bit. You can even exfoliate your skin first for extra soft skin and to help avoid ingrown hairs.

6. Natural Deodorant

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You find toxins such as aluminium in most deodorants, and that’s definitely something you want to avoid. Who would have thought that coconut oil could also function surprisingly well as a natural deodorant? It really is as simple as rubbing some under your arms after you have showered, but if you think that’s too good to be true, you can pep is up with sodium bicarb, fragrant essential oils, and arrowroot or cornstarch just for your own peace of mind.

7. Moisturiser

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Coconut oil is an ancient beauty not-so-secret that has been used in the tropics since forever because it not only softens and moisturises skin so well, but also helps protect your skin against the harsh sun (and other elements too), feeding it with loads of fatty acids that create a natural protective barrier and help build healthy skin cells.

8. Cooking

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Organic cold pressed coconut oil has restored the glowing reputation that this nut truly deserves as a culinary cooking oil. It’s a whole different ball game to refined and hydrogenated coconut oil that contained trans fats. Coconut oil actually is one pf the healthiest cooking oils because its high percentage of saturated fats (about 90%!) means it is extremely heat stable and resistant to oxidation. This oil is actually so good for you, that apart from cooking, frying and baking with it, it’s worth taking a tablespoon a day just as a health supplement.

9. Weight loss

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A fat that makes you less fat! Long-chain fats nearly always go to fat storage, while MCFAs are burned for energy. The high concentration of medium chain fatty acids (MCFA’s) in coconut oil stimulates your metabolism, so by eating coconut oil you can actually lose weight. It’s been used by people with thyroid issues to increase metabolism, and MCFA’s also help stabilise blood sugar, useful for diabetics, and anyone who has those carb cravings that lead to ‘illegal’ snacking (or binging). It also improves the body’s use of insulin; insulin resistance is another common cause of weight-gain.

10. Alzheimer’s Prevention

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There has been a buzz when it comes to brain health and coconut oil too. A privately funded study found that coconut oil’s MCFA’s seem to boost brain metabolism as they provide easy fuel; and its insulin sensitising properties are also thought to help lift brain fatigue and fog by helping the body use energy more efficiently. There are many people who say they are having good results using coconut oil in the earlier stages of Alzheimer’s. No harm in a little preventative insurance for your old age? It tastes divine anyway.

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Related Links

• Top 10 Reasons to Cook With Coconut Oil
• The Wonders of Coconut Water
• The Wonderful Coconut