This book is dedicated to Shana.Without her I would never have leaned the benefits of coconut oil and othernatural products for the body.
Chapter 1- What Is Coconut Oil?
Coconutoil is the oily substance that the coconut produces. Coconuts grow on coconutpalm trees. The oil is produced from the actual fruit itself. According to theHuffington Post, coconut oil is a medium-chain-length fatty acid which meansthat it is healthy for people to consume in the pure form. In the purr formmeans that the coconut oil has not been processed or refined in any way.
Coconutoil contains a saturated fat named lauric acid, a type of MCT according to Dr.Oz. The oil, once collected, is then used in many items including foods,medications, lotions, and soaps. Supporters of wide uses of coconut oil claimthat it can prevent people from becoming ill due to viruses, bacteria, andfungus. It is used topically as well as ingested for health benefits. It can beapplied to soothe dry skin or it can be taken orally to help promote bettercholesterol health. The benefits from using coconut oil are expansive.
CoconutOil as a Topical Treatment
Coconutoil is used topically for many things from cradle cap to Chap Stick. It has aparticularly moisturizing effect and can soothe many irritations. Coconut oilcan be used as a lotion for almost every part of the body including the scalp.The oil helps penetrate dry skin and the oil is lasting so that themoisturizing effect stays a long time. It can be particularly useful for usingas a conditioner. Applying a small amount of coconut oil to dampen hair aftershampooing is recommended. It is to be rinsed out after sitting on the hair fora few minutes. Coconut oil is reportedly good for healing skin after women havehad babies naturally. Using the coconut oil on the perineum area allows thearea to heal faster than if not using anything.
Coconutas an Ingested Medicine
Coconutoil is used in medications and can be taken simply by eating a teaspoon of theoil. It is said to have properties that help boost thyroid function,metabolism, and regulate blood sugar. The properties of coconut oil have beenknown to Mediterranean inhabitants for centuries. It is supposed to be able tohelp people lose weight, raise their body temperature, and stimulate the body'snatural metabolism. The use of coconut oil has been attributed to lowercholesterol numbers, lower sugar numbers, and improved thyroid function in thisarea for generations. It is also reported that the people who have used thisoil in their meals or on a daily basis are in much better health because of itsconsumption. Some believe that it can cure digestive problems as well includingirritable bowel syndrome.
CoconutOil as Cooking Oil
Coconutoil is used to fry foods all over the world. Even movie theaters use coconutoil to make their delicious popcorn treats. Coconut oil has a higher smokingpoint than most oils and that makes it perfect to use in baking and fryingrecipes. It can be used to season a cooking pan like an iron skillet. Othershave used it to make granola, to make coconut coffee, and for use in saladdressings in place of vegetable oil. It can be used in just about any dish togive it a coconut flavor by simply adding a teaspoon for each serving. Fryingwith it is very easy and it can be used on griddles for high temperature, friedfoods like grilled cheese and pancakes.
CoconutOil as a Beauty Product
Manyuses of coconut oil include health and beauty aids. Some people claim it makesa beautiful blush when used on top of foundation. Others use it to take theirmakeup off instead of using cold cream and chemical removers. It is used inseveral types of lotions, moisturizers, and cleansing bars. Coconut oil issupposed to be used for intensely dry areas of the body like the scalp, elbows,and knees as well as the entire body for daily moisturizing effects. It can bemade into a body scrub for exfoliating, made into a cream for diaper rashsufferers, and even to lubricate genitals during sex. It is reportedly able tobe used topically to treat arthritis and can even be used to shave a woman'slegs.
CoconutOil as a Fungal Treatment
Coconutoil is supposed to have natural properties that allow it to kill germs as wellas provide antifungal treatments. The oil from the coconut is said to beperfect for relieving and curing yeast infections by applying topically. It isreported to work on athletes feet the same way. Coconut oil can be used toapply as an antibacterial barrier to keep germs from attaching to the skin. Itis wonderful for treating conditions that affect the skin including eczema andpsoriasis because of its penetrating abilities. Another surprising benefit ofusing coconut oil is its ability to kill lice naturally. Applying it to thehair is supposed to kill lice and rinsing is all that is required. It helpscure sunburn after the heat comes out of the sunburn.
Coconutoil is naturally occurring oil found in the fruit from the coconut palm. It isbest used in its extra virgin state which is in the most unrefined form. It canbe used for many things and is not dangerous when ingested. Many people claimthat coconut oil is the magical cure for several things including yeastinfections, lice, and thyroid problems. It is said to be perfect for just aboutany type of moisturizer especially those for the skin and the hair. Coconut oilcan be applied topically to prevent and cure different types of infections likeathlete's feet and to offer antibacterial protection. Many people cook withcoconut oil because of the high smoking point that the oil offers. It is usedin many recipes from cookies to fudge and coffee. Coconut oil has many healthbenefits when ingested including reducing sugar levels, boosting metabolism,and leveling out cholesterol.
Chapter 2- How Coconut Oil HelpsWith Hair Care
Forthousands of years coconut oil has helped people maintain their health. In thepast, the FDA actually did not approve this oil because of high contents ofsaturated fat. The FDA no longer disproves of coconut oil use, and new studiesare showing this type of oil is extremely beneficial for hair care. It may comeas a surprise to most people how effective this oil is for all hair types. Infact, some of the ingredients found in this oil are present in popular hairconditioners. Furthermore, new discoveries are showing mineral oils andsafflower oil not nearly as effective for building hair proteins as coconutoil.