How much do you know about the health benefits of coconut oil? Many recipes (from French toast to scrambled eggs) use this oil to enhance the flavor of the foods being prepared.
Coconut Oil Uses
- pour melted coconut oil over vegetables, grains and cereal
- add it to your recipes when baking, sautéing or stir frying foods
- add a bit to your coffee
- ad to your homemade popcorn
- use on your toast instead of butter
- use as a hand moisturizer
- make homemade lotions
- use it instead of commercial makeup remover
- make homemade toothpaste
For example, coconut oil is one of the main carrier oils used in aromatherapy. It has a distinctive aroma and absorbs quickly into the skin, making it great for all types of DIY recipes. This stable oil does not go rancid, so it helps to maintain the integrity of the essential oils used. Coconut oil also has a variety of vitamins, minerals, fatty acids and other properties that provide the following health benefits.
Health Benefits of Coconut Oil
Coconut Oil Aids the Digestive System
Cooking with coconut oil may help prevent indigestion, heartburn, nausea, constipation, diarrhea and serious digestive conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome. The oil contains vitamins, minerals and amino acids that reduce inflammation and improves the way the body absorbs nutrients to enhance the digestion process.
Coconut Oil Promotes Healthy Skin and Hair
When used in homemade skin care products such as lotions, creams and soaps, coconut oil helps treat eczema, psoriasis and similar skin conditions. It makes wonderful massage oil, especially when you add essential oils to the recipe to create a soothing atmosphere. It moisturizes and prevents flaky skin, fades scars and helps to slow down signs of aging by reducing saggy skin, fine lines and wrinkles.
Coconut oil also makes a great conditioner because it helps to heal heat damage and it leaves your hair shiny and more manageable. You can use it to control dandruff, kill or prevent lice and their eggs and it even helps promote hair growth.
It Helps to Relive Stress
Many people find the aroma of coconut oil very soothing, so it helps relieve tension and anxiety caused by stressful situations. Use it as carrier oil by adding a few drops of rose, bergamot, lavender, ylang ylang or frankincense essential oils. Then, massage the blend into the forehead and temples to help you relax.
Use Coconut Oil to Enhance Weight Loss
Because it contains fatty acids that might help eliminate excessive weight gain, especially in your stomach. It may increase your metabolism, which helps you burn more calories. It also aids the thyroid and endocrine system to help them function better, which may help you lose weight.
Improve Dental Health With Coconut Oil
Coconut oil can help reduce plaque, which causes tooth decay and gum diseases such as gingivitis. It also helps the body absorb calcium, which helps to strengthen your teeth. This oil has the ability to help the body absorb magnesium and calcium, which are essential from healthy teeth and gums.
Boost Your Immune System
Coconut oil has antiviral, antifungal and antibacterial properties that give the immune system a boost. This helps the body fight off all types of virus and harmful bacteria that can make you sick. It also helps the body’s immune system to function better by fighting off free radicals and repairing tissue damage.
General Health Issues Helped By Coconut Oil
Coconut oil has antiviral, antifungal and antibacterial properties that kill bacterial and reduce the risks of infection. When mixed with essential oils it makes an excellent homemade cream to treat minor burns, cuts, scrapes and other abrasions. It forms a seal over the wound to prevent infection and helps speed up the healing process. It may also help to reduce your risk for heart disease, diabetes, Alzheimer’s and pancreatitis along with bone, kidney and liver diseases.
Coconut oil is great for cooking but it also makes an excellent carrier oil for essential oils.
Get a free jar of coconut oil here.
