It seems like coconut oil has been a dietary and beauty staple since always. It has proven to be effective against all kinds of microbes, ranging from viruses to protozoa, and many of these are known to harm health. Coconut oil also gives your body high-quality fat that is essential for optimal health.

Lauric acid makes up about 50 percent of the fat content in coconut oil, which is not that common in nature. To be more precise, coconut oil contains the most lauric acid than any substance out there.

In human body lauric acid is converted into monolaurin, a monoglyceride that kills off lipid-coated viruses like HIV, and herpes, influena, measles, gram-negative bacteria, and protozoa (giardia lamblia, for example).

This is just a tiny part of what makes it so powerful -- both when used locally or orally.

Coconut oil consists of medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs). Human body digests these easily and they cross cell membranes. Your liver instantly converts medium-chain fats so they do not end up stored as fat. This is why coconut oil is considered to be an excellent replacement for non-vegetable carbs.

There are no difficulties noticed when it comes to digesting coconut oil, and there is no scientific evidence proving that it may cause an insulin spike in human bloodstream. Eat a tablespoon of coconut oil alone or add it to your meals to get an instant energy boost. Check the video above; try making your own healthy chocolate treat using coconut oil.

You can use coconut oil as a sweetener for your tea or coffee. It will stimulate the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins, so eat a tablespoon of coconut oil with your daily vitamins to boost their power.

Coconut oil is perfect for cooking and baking, because high temperatures do not destroy it as is the case with other oils. For instance, olive oil should not be used when cooking.

Moreover, coconut oil never goes rancid, which is perfect for those who use it in making homemade remedies. In an experiment, coconut oil has been kept at room temperature for a whole year. Further researches showed that there are no signs of rancidity.  Since it is expected that the small amount of unsaturated oils naturally found in coconut oil would become rancid, it seems like the saturated oils provide a strong antioxidant effect.

General health benefits of coconut oil

Coconut oil provides an impressive number of health benefits. In addition to its strong antimictobial effect, coconut oil is known to:

• Promote heart health
• Promote brain function
• Provide an amazing fuel for the body; It also boosts metabolism and aids in weight loss
• Regulate thyroid function
• Strengthen immunity
• Maintain healthy and youthful skin complexion

So, coconut oil is not only efficient in boosting health and beauty, it also provides a large number of uses, ranging from topical beauty treatments to first aid treatments and household cleaning purposes.(1) (2)

Once you finish reading this article, you will sure jump straight to the nearest healthy food store and get yourself some nice extra virgin coconut oil!

Coconut oil replaces beauty and personal care products

Coconut oil is the best personal care products and it sits right there, in your kitchen cupboard. In the video above, Sara, the HolisticHabits (3) blogger and coconut oil aficionado, reveals many of its uses in service of beauty.

The second video offers a recipe that will help you make your own coconut-oil deodorant. DeliciousObsessions (4) offer a list of 122 uses of coconut oil, including 21 DIY coconut oil-based skin care recipes. (5) Coconut oil can be used as a replacement for the following beauty and personal care products:

1. Makeup remover

Remove your makeup using a moist cotton ball and some coconut oil. Then, finish cleansing your face with a clean cotton ball or wet towel.

2. Facial cleanser

Rub some coconut oil onto your face and neck. Massage gently. Clean the excess with a wet towel. Pat dry.

3. Body scrub

Combine equal parts of coconut oil and organic cane sugar. Keep your homemade scrub in a jar. Use it on dry skin before you take a shower.

4. Facial scrub

Combine coconut oil and baking soda, oatmeal or cinnamon. There you have your gentle facial scrub.

5. Shaving lotion

All you have to do is apply a thin layer of oil on the area you want to shave. Shave as usual. Laucir acid found in coconut oil will heal any cuts from shaving as it provides an antiseptic effect.

6. Face and body moisturizer

Use coconut oil only or combine it with your favorite essential oil. However, you have to be sure that the essential oil you are using is high quality and safe for topical use. Whip coconut oil (6) to get a fluffy moisturizer that remains soft and easily spreadable even in low temperatures.

Topical application of coconut oil reduces fine lines and wrinkles. It strengthens your connective tissue and exfoliates dead skin cells, giving you a smooth skin.

7. Eye cream

Apply some coconut oil onto your eye area. This will soften wrinkles and prevent thinning and sagging skin.

8. Cuticle cream

Rub coconut oil on your cuticles to soften any dry areas.

9. Deodorant

Apply coconut oil on your armpits. As simple as that. This will keep unpleasant odors at a bay, thanks to the strong antibacterial properties provided by coconut oil.

Optionally, you can add some baking soda, or make your own homemade deodorant by combining coconut oil, baking soda and arrow root powder. Watch the second video above for more detailed instructions. At DeliciousObsessions.com you can also find some more deodorant recipes based on coconut oil. (7)

10. Bath soak

Add coconut oil to your regular bath. This will moisturize dry and itchy skin. Do not forget to clean your tub afterward to avoid slipping. Your water should be warmer than 76 °F, otherwise coconut oil will remain in its original solid form.

11. Soap

Coconut oil is used as the main ingredient in homemade soaps, such as that suggested by NourishingJoy.com (8)

12. Lip balm

Apply some coconut oil onto your lips or make a lip balm using coconut oil as a base. There are many recipes on the Internet, but The Liberated Kitchen(9) has some pretty interesting suggestions.

13. Toothpaste

When combined with baking soda, coconut oil can be used as a toothpaste. Baking soda cleans and coconut oil prevents bacteria induced damages. If you want to enrich your toothpaste with some essential oil, go to DeliciousObsessions.com (10)

14. Insect repellent

Combine coconut oil with some high-quality essential oil to avoid insect bites. Peppermint, lemon balm, rosemary, tea tree oil, neem, citronella (Java Citronella), geraniol, catnip oil (catnip oil is 10 times more powerful than DEET (11)), and/or clear vanilla oil are some of the best choices.

Coconut oil is your hair’s best friend

You probably know this one. (12) Women like to use coconut oil as a pre-shampoo conditioner. Apply some coconut oil onto your dry hair and leave it on for an hour or even longer. Some say overnight is better, but make sure you wear a shower cap. Then, all you have to do is rinse as usual.

When used in this way, coconut oil prevents the water from penetrating into your hair, otherwise your cuticles will rise and become prone to breakage. Moreover, applying coconut oil as a pre-wash conditioner, some of the oil goes deeper into your hair shaft while you wash it, as hair swells slightly.

This is why women love it. It prevents “frizzies” in humid weather conditions. which is another feature of its high hydrophobic effect. It is great for more porous types of hair, like African or chemically treated hair. It does wonders for people with scalp problems, especially dandruff.

Oral health

As we already said, the combination of baking soda and coconut oil is an inexpensive and effective replacement for your toothpaste. It is an amazing alternative for those who seek for fluoride-free toothpastes without spending some extra money, as toothpaste are quite pricy.

Oil pulling is another oral health treatment where coconut oil can sure do magic. This treatment reduces plague buildup, so you will not have to go to your dentist that often. (Fermented veggies are sure a game-changer in oral health.)

Oil pulling originates with Ayurvedic medicine, and it has been used for thousands of years. When this technique is combined with the antimicrobial powers of coconut oil, your oral health will sure get to its best. Sesame oil is commonly used for this purpose, but it is high in omega-6 fats.

This is why coconut oil is far better, and yes, it tastes better. However, speaking in terms of effectiveness, they both work.

Oil pulling involves swishing oil for 15 minutes. It is that simple. Some go for 30-45 minutes. This technique will “pull out” bacteria, viruses, fungi and other microbes.

For optimal results, do this before your breakfast. If your schedule allows, do it twice a day. Once you are done swishing your oil, spit it oud and rinse with water. Do not swallow the oil as it is loaded with whatever it has pulled out.

If done properly, oil pulling provides an amazing cleansing, detoxifying and healing effect for both your mouth and sinuses. This contributes to a better health condition.

Candida and Strepococcus thrive in oral cavity, and they stimulate plague buildup, tooth decay, secondary infections and chronic inflammation in the body. Oil pulling helps in removing toxins that affect immunity. By eliminating these toxins from your mouth, you will prevent their spreading to the rest of your body.

Read the full article here: 47 Ways Coconut Can Change Your Life

Included sources and references linked in Dr. Mercola’s Article:

• ¹ Deliciousobsessions.com January 19, 2013
• ² Deliciousobsessions.com May 17, 2012
• ³ Myholistichabits.com
• ⁴ Deliciousobsessions.com May 17, 2012
• ⁵ Deliciousobsessions.com June 3, 2013
• ⁶ Deliciousobsessions.com May 17, 2012
• ⁷ Deliciousobsessions.com June 3, 2013
• ⁸ Nourishingjoy.com, How to Make Soap
• ⁹ Theliberatedkitchen.com, Lip balm recipe
• ¹⁰ Deliciousobsessions.com June 3, 2013
• ¹¹ Science Daily August 28, 2001
• ¹² CoconutOil.com April 2, 2012
• ¹³ Midwife.org, Perineal Massage (PDF)
• ¹⁴ Clinical trial showing superiority of a coconut and anise spray over permethrin 0.43% lotion for head louse infestation” European Journal Pediatrics.
• ¹⁵ CoconutOil.com April 2, 2012
• ¹⁶ San Francisco Department of Environment, Compost Tea Literature Review (PDF)
• ¹⁷ Wikihow.com, How to Season Cast Iron Cookware