Cooking with Coconut Oil
When you’re cooking on a higher heat, it’s a misnomer that coconut oil is always a good option. It may be, but you just have to choose the right one. Virgin coconut oil can only tolerate 350 degrees F before breaking down,. For higher-heat cooking, opt for an organic refined coconut oil.
Add to a Smoothie for a Flavor Burst
If you like the way coconut oil tastes and the texture it adds to a smoothie, go ahead and add a small dollop into the blender to give your drink a dose of fats. There are other ways to get fat into your smoothie, like nut butter; make sure you’re adding fat in moderation, as multiple sources can add up quickly in terms of calories.
Natural Treatment to Soothe Eczema
If you’re hoping to help tame an eczema flare-up, you may want to give coconut oil a try. Thanks to itchy skin, scratching can potentially introduce staph bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus which requires antibiotics). On the other hand, a study showed that applying it daily on your skin for a month led to 95% reduction in staph on the skin. Coconut oil is rife with lauric acid, which has antibacterial and antifungal activity that fights harmful bacteria. As a moisturiser, it also may help repair the skin’s barrier, which is your body’s first line of defense against infection.
Moisturise Your Children’s Skin
If your kids are dealing with skin conditions like eczema or are have sensitive skin, coconut oil may be a great natural hydrator that contains no added fragrance or other ingredients that can cause irritation. The compounds in coconut oil are safe and highly effective for restoring moisture to skin. A study shows that coconut oil was used on preterm infants to help reduce water loss through the skin. To avoid any potential danger, just be sure to talk to your child’s doctor before introducing any new products to his or her skin.
Boost Oral Health
A technique called oil pulling (involving swishing oil around in your mouth) is often done with olive oil, something that has benefited people with gum problems or plaque overgrowth. But you may want to try it with coconut oil, too. There is some reason to believe that coconut oil would probably be beneficial to the oral microbiome and oral health in general. Just know that while there’s a wealth of anecdotal evidence for oil pulling, strong scientific research on the practice is limited, and it isn’t recommend as a replacement for traditional dental care.
As a Natural Lubricant
To help combat vaginal dryness, try applying a small amount of organic refined coconut oil with a mini pad before bed (emphasis on a small amount!). It’s very, very moisturising to the vagina and has helped a lot of women. But again, just be sure to clear the approach with your doc to be sure the method is safe for your individual health.
Post workout
If you hit the gym a lot and are worried about the risk of athlete’s foot, rub some coconut oil into your feet before bed. Thanks to its antifungal properties, the oil may be able to help prevent fungal infections. Plus, it has the potential to also help take care of dry, cracked skin — things that often plague heels. Remember that the best ways to fight gym fungal infections is to wear shoes or slippers when showering and thoroughly dry the skin before putting on your socks and shoes.
Help Detangle Hair
When applied before or after washing, coconut oil may help reduce the risk of damage from combing your hair. Turns out, the lauric acid in coconut oil can easily penetrate hair proteins to aid in protecting your locks. Just use the oil sparingly — otherwise you risk looking greasy even though your mane will be well moisturised. Coconut oil can clog pores and cause acne breakouts on the face. If you are acne prone, be sure to avoid applying coconut oil to the hairs nearest your face.
