They Said Coconut Oil Was Great For You, But This Is What They Didn’t Tell You

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

1. In cooking as great oil with a high smoke point. Great for baking, stir-frys or as a dairy free replacement to butter.
2. Added to foodsor drinks daily for energy
3. As a coffee creamer when emulsified into coffee
4. On the skin as a basic lotion
5. In homemade lotion bars for soft, smooth skin
6. Inhomemade deodorant or deodorant bars
7. As an eye-makeup remover
8. As a cloth diaper safe diaper cream
9. In making your own Re-mineralizing Toothpaste
10. To lighten age spots when rubbed directly on the skin
11. To prevent stretch marks during pregnancy
12. To support healthy thyroid function
13. In homemade Mayo without the high PUFA vegetable oils
14. To help increase sun tolerance and avoid burning
15. As a naturally SPF 4sunscreen
16. 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
17. Topically to kill yeast or yeast infections
18. As a delicious tropical massage oil
19. It’s high Lauric acid and MCFA content helps boost metabolism
20. A tiny dab rubbed on your hands and then through hair will help get rid of frizz
21. In homemade soap for laundry
22. Mixed with equal parts sugar for a smoothing body scrub(use in the shower)
23. Rubbed on lips as a naturalchap stick
24. Topically, can help skin heal faster after injury or infection
25. Directly on the perineum to help heal afterbirth
26. As an incredibly intensive natural conditioner– Rub into dry hair, put a shower cap on and leave for several hours
27. In homemade slow cooker soap
28. In place of Lanolin cream on nursing nipples to sooth irritation (also great for baby!)
29. Can help sooth psoriasis oreczema
30. There is some evidence thatregular ingestion of coconut oil can help prevent or reverse Alzheimers
31. With apple cider vinegar as a natural treatment for lice that actually works
32. In healthy brain boosting snack for kids likeCoconut Clusters
33. Rub coconut oil on the inside of your nose to help alleviate allergy symptoms
34. Nursing moms often take 3-4 tablespoons a day (and Vitamin D) to increase milk supply and nutrients
35. In homemade shampoo bars
36. Mix a tablespoon with a tablespoon ofchia seedsfor an all-day energy boost (do NOT take this at night!)
37. Can help improve insulin levels
38. Oil pulling with coconut oiland a drop of oregano oil helps improve gum health
39. Can help improve cholesterol ratios
40. Blend a tablespoon into hot tea to help speed recovery from cold or flu
41. As a replacement forvegetable oilsin any recipe or in cooking
42. Incoconut based grain free granola
43. Can help reduce appearance of varicose veins
44. After initial heat is gone, can help speed healing ofsunburn
45. Is an immediate source of energy when eaten that isn’t stored as fat
46. As a natural personal lubricant that won’t disturb vaginal flora
47. As a natural shave cream and after shave lotion
48. When used consistently on skin it can help get rid ofcellulite
49. To season cast iron skillets
50. It’s anti-inflammatory properties can help lessen arthritis
51. Can reduce the itch of mosquito bites
52. Can helpresolve acnewhen used regularly
53. Can be rubbed into scalp daily to stimulate hair growth
54. Helps speed ear infection healing
55. A small amount can be rubbed into real leather to soften and condition (shiny leather only… test a small area first)
56. By itself as a great tanning oil
57. Mixed with salt toremove dry skin on feet
58. Can help speed weight loss when consumed daily
59. Can help improve sleepwhen taken daily
60. A tablespoon melted into a cup of warm tea can help sooth a sore throat
61. To help sooth the itch of chicken pox or poison ivy
62. It has been shown to increase absorption of calcium and magnesium
63. Some evidence shows that the beneficial fats in coconut oil can help with depression and anxiety
64. By itself as a natural deodorant
65. By itself or with baking soda as anaturally whitening toothpaste
66. For pets struggling with skin issues when used externally
67. In coconut oil pulling chews
68. In homemade vapor rub
69. In homemade peppermint lip balm
70. In magnesium body butter
71. In coconut oil dog treats
72. As a completely natural baby lotion
73. On hands after doing dishes to avoid dry skin
74. Mixed with catnip, rosemary, or mintessential oilsas a natural bug repellent
75. In homemade meltaways(like candy)
76. Many use it as an anti-aging facial moisturizer
77. Use to make coconut cream concentrate for a brain boosting snack
78. Can be used internally and externally to speed recovery from UTIs
79. When taken regularly, it can boosthormone production
80. Can relieve the pain of hemorrhoids when used topically
81. Can boost circulation and help those who often feel cold
82. On cuticles to help nails grow
83. Rub into elbows daily to help alleviate dry, flaky elbows
84. To help avoid chlorine exposure when swimming
85. Internally during pregnancy to help provide baby necessary fats for development (especially when taken with Fermented Cod Liver Oil)
86. With other oils as part ofan oil cleansing regimen for beautiful skin
87. Whipped with butter for a soothing body balm
88. 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.
89. Ingesting coconut oil daily can help with allergy symptoms
90. Ingesting coconut oil daily can increase mental alertness