Uses for Coconut Oil

Never mind that coconut oil is found in the kitchen, coconut oil has become the moment's most obsessed about natural beauty staple. According to our experts, coconut oil is used in many natural beauty products, and for good reason.  It's naturally antibacterial and antifungal, it's an excellent moisturizer, it can penetrate hair better than other oils, and, well, it smells like cookies.

Here are some common uses for Coconut Oil outside of the kitchen:

PERSONAL HYGIENE
  1. In homemade deodorant or deodorant bars
  2. Mixed with equal parts sugar for a smoothing body scrub (use in the shower)
  3. For making your own toothpaste
  4. By itself as a natural deodorant
  5. Oil pulling with coconut oil and a drop of oregano oil helps improve gum health
  6. By itself or with baking soda as a naturally whitening toothpaste
  7. On cuticles to help nails grow


SKIN CARE
  1. Whipped with shea butter for a soothing body balm
  2. Rub into elbows daily to help alleviate dry, flaky elbows
  3. Many use it as an anti-aging facial moisturizer
  4. In place of Lanolin cream on nursing nipples to sooth irritation (also great for baby!)
  5. Can help sooth psoriasis or eczema
  6. As a naturally antibacterial skin cream
  7. Rubbed on lips as a natural chap stick
  8. As a natural shave cream and after shave lotion
  9. When used consistently on skin it can help get rid of cellulite
  10. Can help resolve acne when used regularly
  11. To lighten age spots when rubbed directly on the skin
  12. As an eye-makeup remover
  13. To prevent stretch marks during pregnancy
  14. As an intensive nighttime facial moisturizer
  15. As a naturally SPF 4 sunscreen
  16. Body Lotion
  17. In homemade lotion bars for soft, smooth skin
  18. By itself as a great tanning oil
  19. Mixed with salt to remove dry skin on feet
  20. In natural Homemade Sunscreen
  21. Can help reduce appearance of varicose veins

BABY
  1. As a cloth diaper safe diaper cream (just rub on baby’s bottom)
  2. 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
  3. As a completely natural baby lotion
  4. In natural homemade diaper cream
  5. Can be used on mom’s nipple and baby’s mouth to help treat thrush

HAIR CARE/TREATMENT
  1. Rub on hair to help get rid of frizz
  2. As an incredibly intensive natural conditioner- Rub into dry hair, put a shower cap on and leave for several hours.
  3. Can be rubbed into scalp daily to stimulate hair growth
  4. On split ends to de-frizz
  5. With apple cider vinegar as a natural treatment for lice that actually works
 MEDICINAL
  1. Topically to kill yeast or yeast infections
  2. Topically, can help skin heal faster after injury or infection
  3. On feet to fight athlete’s foot or tor fungus
  4. Blend a tablespoon into hot tea to help speed recovery from cold or flu
  5. After initial heat is gone, can help speed healing of sunburn
  6. Can reduce the itch of mosquito bites
  7. I’ve used in kids ears to help speed ear infection healing
  8. In Homemade Natural Bug-Off Lotion Bars
  9. Can be used to speed healing of fungal infections when taken internally and used externally
  10. A tablespoon melted into a cup of warm tea can help sooth a sore throat
  11. To help sooth the itch of chicken pox or poison ivy
  12. 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.
  13. Naturally clears up cold sores
  14. Ingesting coconut oil daily can help with allergy symptoms
  15. Rub coconut oil on the inside of your nose to help alleviate allergy symptoms
  16. Can relieve the pain of hemorrhoids when used topically
  17. Can boost circulation and help those who often feel cold
  18. There is some evidence that coconut oil helps digestion and may even kill intestinal parasites or yeast
 DISEASE

  2. Taken as a daily supplement for energy.
  3. To support healthy thyroid function
  4. To help increase sun tolerance and avoid burning
  5. As a delicious tropical massage oil
  6. Directly on the perineum to help heal after birth
  7. Nursing moms can take 3-4 tablespoons a day (and Vitamin D) to increase milk supply and nutrients
  8. Mix a tablespoon with a tablespoon of chia seeds for an all-day energy boost (do NOT take this at night!)
  9. Can help improve insulin levels
  10. Can help improve cholesterol ratios
  11. Is an immediate source of energy when eaten and isn’t stored as fat
  12. As a natural personal lubricant that won’t disturb vaginal flora
  13. It’s anti-inflammatory properties can help lessen arthritis
  14. A small amount can be rubbed into real leather to soften and condition (shiny leather only… test a small area first)
  15. Can help speed weight loss when consumed daily
  16. Can help improve sleep when taken daily
  17. It has been shown to increase absorption of calcium and magnesium
  18. Internally as part of the protocol to help remineralize teeth
  19.  Some evidence shows that the beneficial fats in coconut oil can help with depression and anxiety
  20. Some evidence suggests that the beneficial fats in coconut oil are helpful for those with Autism
  21. In homemade vapor rub
  22. A tablespoon taken before each meal can help improve digestion
  23. Can be taken in warm ginger tea to sooth heartburn or nausea
  24. Mixed with catnip, rosemary or mint essential oils as a natural bug repellent
  25. Use to make coconut cream concentrate for a brain boosting snack
  26. Can be used internally and externally to speed recovery from UTIs
  27. When taken regularly, it can help fight candida
  28. When taken regularly, it can boost hormone production
  29. Internally during pregnancy to help provide baby necessary fats for development (especially when taken with Fermented Cod Liver Oil)
  30. Ingesting coconut oil daily can increase mental alertness.