Five Fantastic Uses For Organic Coconut Oil

Health

By now you may have heard that coconut oil has become a highly sought-after product. But why? What makes this oil so special?

Organic coconut oil, in particular, offers many health benefits and is frequently used in countries such as Thailand, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, and India.

For many years, coconut oil was frowned upon in western countries due to the fact that it was perceived to have harmful saturated fat content. For many years, there allegedly was also a strong propaganda campaign spread against coconut oil by the corn and soy oil industries. However, people are waking up and realizing that organic coconut oil is nothing to be feared. In fact, it is a great oil to incorporate into one’s diet and beauty regimen.

Coconut oil is composed of saturated fats, monounsaturated fatty acids, and polyunsaturated fatty acids. When it comes to saturated fats in coconut oil, most of the fats are medium chain triglycerides, which have been said to work well with the body’s systems.

Although too much saturated fat in the diet is indeed a bad thing, using organic coconut oil in the diet in moderation can actually help give good HDL cholesterol a boost, according to Walter C. Willett, a doctor with the Harvard School of Public Health. One reason for this could be because plant-based oils contain many antioxidants.

There are a number of articles out there discussing coconut oil benefits and risks, but for now, we will focus on five ways you can use coconut oil in your daily routine. Using unrefined, organic coconut oil is the best way to go.

Coconut oil to combat Alzheimer’s

Recent research has shown that coconut oil may be effective in fighting Alzheimer’s disease.

Coconut oil may help improve cognitive functioning in people with Alzheimer's. [Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images]
A study from the University of Oxford showed that organic, cold-pressed, non-hydrogenated, virgin coconut oil has been said to help Alzheimer’s and dementia patients, even though the benefits may often be short-term. Consuming oils like coconut oil may help people produce more ketones, which are byproducts of the breakdown of fats in the body. It has been suggested that when ketones are boosted, cognitive function is also improved, thus helping Alzheimer’s patients.

Use organic coconut oil to brush your teeth

Who would have thought you could use coconut oil for this purpose? Supposedly, if one uses coconut oil when brushing his or her teeth, it will give chompers an overall much cleaner feeling. How to do this? Place some coconut oil in a small plastic container in the bathroom.

Add coconut oil to your toothbrush for a cleaner feeling. [Photo by Three Lions/Getty Images]
Wet your toothbrush with water, dip the bristles into the coconut, and use half the toothpaste you would normally use. If coconut oil becomes too watery, you can always put it in the fridge for a little while to harden it.

Remove eye makeup with coconut oil

Just like olive oil, coconut oil is a great way to take off eye makeup without irritating your eyes. Put organic coconut oil on a cotton ball and gently sweep over your eyes, taking care with the under eye area. Makeup, even waterproof makeup, should come off easily. Eye skin will also be hydrated in the process. Say goodbye to stinging makeup removers!

Coconut oil as a natural moisturizer

If your arms and legs are feeling dry and scaly and you’re looking for something that will soften your skin without adding harsh chemicals to the mix, coconut oil can be a great moisturizer. It has been shown to speed up wound healing and increase hydration while reducing water loss in dry skin. Many women also use coconut oil as an evening facial moisturizer and swear by its benefits.

Keep the bugs at bay

Looking for a non-toxic bug spray? Take half a cup of coconut oil and combine it with 10 drops of tee tree oil in a spray bottle. Close the lid and shake the bottle, then spray the concoction directly on your skin. Supposedly, bugs don’t like this mixture. A great way to scare them away!

Want to learn more about coconut oil and its fantastic benefits? Check out “99 Amazing Uses for Coconut Oil.”

[Image via Shutterstock]