COCONUT OIL: THE BEST STUFF EVER!

Many of us know that coconut oil is great for use in the kitchen, it's...

• Great for baking, stir-frys or as a dairy free replacement to butter.
• As a coffee creamer when emulsified into coffee
• In homemade Mayo without the high PUFA vegetable oils
• As a replacement for vegetable oils in any recipe or in cooking
• To season cast iron skillets

But did you know that it's also...
HEALTHY FOOD FOR BRAIN, ENERGY, & WEIGHT LOSS

• Mix a tablespoon with a tablespoon of chia seeds for an all-day energy boost (do NOT take this at night!)
• Use to make coconut cream concentrate for a brain boosting snack
• Can help speed weight loss when consumed daily
• Is an immediate source of energy when eaten that isn’t stored as fat
• It’s high Lauric acid and MCFA content helps boost metabolism
• To support healthy thyroid function
• In healthy brain boosting snack like Coconut Clusters
• In a filling and energy boosting Brain Power Smoothie
• Can help improve insulin levels
• Added to foods or drinks daily for energy
• There is some evidence that regular ingestion of coconut oil can help prevent or reverse Alzheimers

Here's More Uses for Coconut Oil You May Not Know about...

CLEANING

• In homemade soap for laundry

NATURAL PESTICIDE

• With apple cider vinegar as a natural treatment for lice that actually works
• In Homemade Natural Bug-Off Lotion Bars
• Mixed with catnip, rosemary, or mint essential oils as a natural bug repellent

HYGIENE

• By itself as a natural deodorant
• By itself or with baking soda as a naturally whitening toothpaste

SKIN CARE & BEAUTY

• To help increase sun tolerance and avoid burning
• As a naturally SPF 4 sunscreen
• By itself as a great tanning oil
• On cuticles to help nails grow
• Many use it as an anti-aging facial moisturizer
• On hands after doing dishes to avoid dry skin
• Can help resolve acne when used regularly
• Can be rubbed into scalp daily to stimulate hair growth
• Mixed with salt to remove dry skin on feet
• Rub into elbows daily to help alleviate dry, flaky elbows
• To help avoid chlorine exposure when swimming
• As a natural shave cream and after shave lotion
• When used consistently on skin it can help get rid of cellulite
• Can help reduce appearance of varicose veins
• As an incredibly intensive natural conditioner- Rub into dry hair, put a shower cap on and leave for several hours
• Mixed with equal parts sugar for a smoothing body scrub (use in the shower)
• Rubbed on lips as a natural chap stick
• A tiny dab rubbed on your hands and then through hair will help get rid of frizz
• Can help sooth psoriasis or eczema
• As an eye-makeup remover
• To lighten age spots when rubbed directly on the skin
• To prevent stretch marks during pregnancy
• On the skin as a basic lotion (or coconut oil lotion bar)

MEDICINAL

• A tablespoon melted into a cup of warm tea can help sooth a sore throat
• To help sooth the itch of chicken pox or poison ivy
• Can be used internally and externally to speed recovery from UTIs
• In a salve for cracked heels
• Can relieve the pain of hemorrhoids when used topically
• Naturally clears up cold sores
• It’s anti-inflammatory properties can help lessen arthritis
• Can reduce the itch of mosquito bites
• Blend a tablespoon into hot tea to help speed recovery from cold or flu
• After initial heat is gone, can help speed healing of sunburn
• Rub coconut oil on the inside of your nose to help alleviate allergy symptoms
• Topically, can help skin heal faster after injury or infection
• Topically to kill yeast or yeast infections

MENTAL HEALTH

• Can help improve sleep when taken daily
• Some evidence shows that the beneficial fats in coconut oil can help with depression and anxiety

SEXUAL

• As a tropical massage oil
• As a natural personal lubricant that won’t disturb vaginal flora

 A big thank you to Katie of Wellness Mama for sourcing the majority of the info in this post on her wonderful blog