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Many of you have seen my post 52 Uses for Coconut Oil – The Simple, The Strange, and The Downright Odd! Well, when I created that post, I was shocked that I could come up with 52 ways to use coconut oil. Lo and behold, there are many more ways than that!
- You can read the Original 52 Uses for Coconut Oil (in case you missed them)
- Check out my NEW printable versions of the 122 Uses of Coconut Oil here.
- Check out these fun graphics with various uses of coconut oil on them here.
The following uses are all suggestions from readers – both from comments on the post and from emails I received or discussions with friends and family. The original 52 uses post was by far my most commented on post. People from all across the globe were excited to share their many uses for coconut oil. It was fascinating to see how other people are using this food. Comments are still coming in daily.
So, instead of forcing everyone to read through 400+ comments, I have pulled out the new uses and compiled them in this post.
DISCLAIMER: Please note, these uses are not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any disease. They are simply testimony of people who have used coconut oil for various things and have had success. Also, please remember that what works for one person may not work for another person. It is always wise to consult with your doctor before changing your diet. In the case of pets, it’s a wise idea to consult with your vet before changing your pet’s diet.
Some uses are were covered in the original 52 uses, but readers have elaborated on some of them and I thought their tips were helpful.
70 More Uses For Coconut Oil (in no particular order)
53. Rub the inside of your nose with coconut oil to help with runny noses, allergies, sore nostrils, etc.
54. Use on a newborn’s bottom to help keep the meconium from sticking to the skin.
55. Use as a guitar string lubricant.
56. Massage into tired, achy, or sore muscles (adding a couple drops of essential oil is nice).
57. Mix with oregano oil or tea tree oil and use on athletes foot or other fungal infections.
58. One person started using coconut oil and noticed that it helped their colitis symptoms.
59. Use as a mascara brush cleaner.
60. Brush on your eyelashes for an eyelash strengthener.
61. Use on pimples and acne.
62 Use on toast instead of butter (there were a couple comments that it makes the best cinnamon toast ever!).
63. Research is showing that it may help with dementia, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s.
64. Use a little bit on a damp cloth to clean a scummy shower. Wipe with coconut oil, then spray with white vinegar and wipe dry.
65. Use to treat lice (many, many comments on the success of this!).
66. Use to help prevents stretch marks for pregnant mothers (many comments on the success of this too!).
67. Mix with garlic and keep on hand for extra flavorful cooking and baking.
68. Use as the carrier oil for homemade baby wipes.
69. Use on warts and/or moles.
70. Whip in your mixer for a fluffy body moisturizer that stays soft year round.
71. Use on color-treated hair for extra conditioning hair treatment.
72. Mix with nutmeg and use on blemishes (leave on for 10-15 minutes and then wash off).
73. Use to soothe burns (only apply after the initial heat from the burn is gone. Do not apply to burns that have not “cooled” or else it will trap the heat in the skin).
74. Mix in your hot coffee or tea.
75. Use on new tattoos to help with healing.
76. Mix with baking soda for a facial scrub.
77. Use to help control and reduce eczema and/or psoriasis symptoms.
78. Massage into your dog’s skin to help with dandruff.
79. Add a spoonful to your dog’s food to help with arthritis, or other joint/ligament problems, digestion issues, and weight control.
80. Use as a non-toxic flea treatment (many comments that this really works!).
81. Use to soothe hot spots on your dog’s skin.
82. Take a spoonful about 20 minutes before a meal to help curb your appetite.
83. Helps treat thrush.
84. Helps with bladder infections and symptoms.
85. Helps smooth wrinkles and shrink pores.
86. Helps with yeast infections (both internal and external).
87. Use instead of mineral spirits to clean hands and brushes after using oil-based paints.
88. Use to sooth sore throats (let a little dissolve in your mouth and slowly run down your throat).
89. If you wax your skin at home, use to prep your skin and remove excess wax from your skin.
90. Some recommend coconut oil for patients with ADHD and Autism.
91. Use to treat ringworm.
92. Use to make homemade soap.
93. Use to make homemade lip balm.
94. Use coconut oil to detail the inside of your car (add a little to a soft cloth and polish).
95. Use to help with ear infections. Put a few drops into your ear at the first sign of an infection.
96. One person said that it seems to have helped soften kidney stones to help them pass easier.
97. Use instead of shortening for pie crusts, biscuits, etc.
98. Use to lubricate kitchen scissors when cutting sticky foods (like dates, marshmallows, etc.).
99. Mix with oil of oregano and use at the first sign of a cold sore.
100. Mix with a drop of lavender oil and use to help soothe piles and hemorrhoids.
101. For expecting mothers, use to massage on the perineum daily starting at 7 or 8 months (tip from a midwife).
102. Mix with cinnamon and oatmeal for a face scrub.
103. Use to clean the inside of your dog’s ears.
104. If you use a mouthguard, use coconut oil as a cleaner. Just wipe some on your mouthguard and let it sit during the day. Rinse well before using. Use a thin layer on the guard each morning to help keep it clean.
105. Use as the base for this homemade deodorant.
106. One person used it to treat a sty on their eyelid.
107. One person used coconut oil to get purple lipstick out of a green rug.
108. Use to help with menopausal dryness (Dr. Oz recommends this).
109. Use on your plant’s leaves instead of chemical-filled leaf shine. Just dab a small amount on a soft cloth and wipe your plant’s leaves with it.
110. Use a dab on a canker sore to help soothe the pain and speed healing.
111. Use to remove chewing gum from your shoe, carpet, or other unsavory areas where gum has gotten stuck.
112. When given to cats, it seems to help with the hairball issue (tip from several cat lovers).
113. Feed to your dog to help improve doggie breath (I can personally attest to this).
114. Use to soothe pink eye infections (a couple readers attested to this).
115. Some say coconut oil can help with ulcers by fighting against the H-Pylori bacteria.
116. Use instead of soybean or canola oil for frying.
117. Add coconut oil to your soups for added nutrition.
118. Replace vegetable oils in baked goods (like brownies, cupcakes, muffins, cake, cookies, cookies, and bread) with coconut oil.
119. Make your own peanut butter (or other nut butters) with coconut oil.
120. Use coconut oil in homemade infant formula.
121. Massage into fingertips to soothe and prevent hangnails and ingrown nails.
122. Use as an udder balm if you own dairy goats and cows (this is directly from a reader). Helps with drying and chapping. Clean udder well, apply coconut oil, milk, and then reapply. When the calf nurses afterwards, she is not getting any poisons from traditional udder balms.
So, let’s start the discussion again! What ways do you use coconut oil that aren’t already on this list! Can we get the list up to 200 ways? Let’s see! Leave me a comment below! 🙂
If you’re interested in making your own skin care products, I highly recommend this eBook from my friend Jennifer: “Coconut Oil For Your Skin – Nourishing Your Body From The Outside In“. This is a great book that shows you how to nourish your body from the outside in, using coconut oil!
For lots of health-related information on coconut oil, I have found this book from the founders of Tropical Traditions to be very informative. One of the best books about virgin coconut oil out there, written by people who actually lived in a coconut producing region where coconut oil has been used for generations.
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This list is AWESOME! Keep it coming.
Works better than KY jelly!
I second that – works just as well and NO chemicals!
its a natural antibiotic and can disrupt natural flora
It is an excellent personal lubricant. It won’t disrupt the natural flora in the same way that eating it does not disrupt the natural gut flora. It is not synthetic and does not kill “all” bacteria as prescription antibiotics do. It is the killing off of all bacteria which disrupts the natural balance. On the contrary, coconut oil supports the natural balance. Otherwise, it wouldn’t be appropriate for perineum massage either 😉
Believe me, it disrupts the “natural flora” down there if used as a personal lubricant… It’s one thing to rub it on your outside, but to have it all pushed up in there, TMI lol…
Just tried CO as a lubricant last week. Best sex my bf and I have ever had. AMAZING.
for those of you using it as a vaginal lubricant, are you perimenopausal or menopausal? I’m 50, so I’m curious thanks
It says it can be used as an udder cream. Then you can apply the same logic to breast feeding nipples.
Although I would highly recoment that if anyone has nut allergies in the family not to use it, or do a skin test on the baby before hand.
Yes! I know many women who swear by it when they are nursing. For those who have tree nut allergies, this article might be of help: http://coconutoil.com/is-coconut-safe-for-people-with-tree-nut-allergies/
I use coconut oil for a lot of every day things but I love mixing 1/2 cuz with 1 1/2 cups of warm water, some sea salt, and a few drops of essential oil (any scent) and spritz it on damp hair for a beach wave look =)
@Rebecca, do you heat the CO in the microwave 1st to make it into a liquid before adding w/the other ingredients? Which leads me to another question, once melted will it return to it’s original stage when added w/water?
Microwaves change the structure of water
http://usahitman.com/microwave-test/
Gently heat in double boiler. It will change from a solid at 72 degrees
You don’t have to heat CO to make it melt. It melts at just above room temperature.
LOVE coconut oil and LOVE your posts 😀
I have very dry eyes at night when I sleep, so I have started putting coconut oil in my eyes right before bed and it helps a lot! It makes them kinda blurry at first so make sure you’re done reading/watching tv etc for the evening.
I have tearing from my right eye. Even had a stent put in for 4 months and still have problems. Do you use one jar just for your eyes. How long have you been using the oil.
whenever i get a bottle i split it into 4 or 5 smaller jars. one for each purpose.
You do not want to use any kind of oil near your eyes especially if you have an overflow of tearing. It is like putting oil down your drain, eventually it will start clogging your drainage tubes up. Hence the reason you have tearing. I had to have surgery on both my eyes because of excessive tearing. Because of removing my mascara with oil.
I would bet your “mascara remover with oil” contained mineral oil and that caused the problem. I have been using coconut oil on soft warm washcloth to remove mascara for over two years. I also used coconut oil in eye with a terrible stye. Worked great.
Truly amazing everything this oil can do. If you get any more tips, keep ’em coming. I can’t get enough of this amazing oil!
Popcorn is Fab when popped (the old fashioned way) with coconut oil!
I used it topically to remove a cold sore.
I am just learning about All the benefits of coconut oil. We air pop our popcorn and put coconut oil in the top to melt. Pour it over the popcorn, add sea salt and I like to sprinkle dill weed on mine. I had just read the 52 ways to use coconut oil, and went back to google page and your new post of 70 more ways was posted. Wow!
that sounds SCRUMPTIOUS!! especially with the dill too… making this recipe this weekend!!
I too am just learning of the MANY benefits & uses of CO! Thank you for this list (as well as the 52) which I pinned on Pinterest. @Rebecca, do you heat the CO in the microwave 1st to make it into a liquid before adding w/the other ingredients? Which leads me to another question, once melted will it return to it’s original stage when added w/water?
You can melt it at 76 degrees so set it by a window or in warm water. When you want it t get hard or thick do the opposit (cold water or cool place) I wouldn’t add water to it unless the recipe calls for it such as a bath oil. Hope this helps!
I use coconut oil instead of shaving cream makes legs and arms silky smooth i also mix a little coconut oil with my regular body wash on a loofah for baby soft skin..
My favorite is using it on my toothbrush with my regular toothpaste and it really helps whiten your teeth. My sons noticed my teeth and even they are now using it
I’m seeing a HUGE improvement in the reduction of cellulite by religiously dry brushing (taking a soft bristle brush and sweeping it upwards from legs towards your heart) THEN applying coconut oil. I kid you not, it’s almost gone and I’ve been doing this for about 2 months.
Where did you get your brush? And what kind is it?
Omg me too! I’ve been doing dry brushing every day for a few months now and my cellulite is almost completely gone! I use a natural hair bristle body brush and a smaller handheld natural bristle brush for my face and I always moisturize after. It also improves circulation and helps your body naturally release toxins. My skin has never been so soft and I have more energy.
Speaking of udder balm:) I use it instead of lanolin in these early days of nursing (a baby, not a calf!)
Also for mild diaper rash and diaper rash prevention (cloth diaper safe!)
My kids had the Chickenpox and I have been using oatmeal and coconut oil in their bath and it really helps the itching and they have healed so much more quickly!!!
I had sunburn and contact dermatitis after camping and THIS was the only thing that helped!
My 4 year old daughter had molluscum contagiosum which is a skin rash but is a virus that has no treatment. Bathing with a loofa then applying coconut oil has cleared her skin and prevented scarring.
I would consider using this internally too for any kind of skin irritation. My eczema is gone after being on a teaspoon a day, and using it after my shower everyday.
I HAVE HAND ECZEMA AND HAVE HAD IT ALMOST A YEAR AND A HALF NOW…. HOW ARE YOU USING IT? I JUST WANT SOME RELIEF!
Sue, we eat it in our foods, like maybe a teaspoon in my spaghetti, or maybe in my cocoa/coffee. My husband puts it in almost everything he cooks, like maybe a tablespoon in a pot of soup or scrambles eggs in it. I started out taking a straight teaspoon of it everyday. My eczema was so miserable and embarrassing, I would wear turtlenecks in the dead heat of summer, and that would only make it worse, but I hated to show how badly I was broken out. We only use Organic Virgin Coconut Oil.
my son and I also use it as an after shower bath oil. He uses it the same as me, eating it and on the skin, and his has cleared as well.
Oh thank you… mine is also so miserable I almost want to take a fork to the palm of my hands and start digging… I am a massage therapist so my hands are my life, my career and I can’t keep this up… I pray it works! Ill let you know! i ordered some and can’t wait to start using it… thanks again and God Bless!
Hi Sue,
I am a massage therapist, too. I use coconut oil as my preferred massage oil. it doesn’t stain and is so good for the skin! I use fractured coconut oil from apothecary.com. great pricing and quality products. ( I have no affiliation with this company)
i hope you are feeling better!
Lisa Jnae
@Diane ..the warm water melts the coconut oil. Just make sure to shake the spray bottle before using the mixture
Thank you!! 🙂
I keep a small bowl of coconut oil in my nightstand for lubrication during the intimate moments with my husband.
French fries! When I could have potatoes (am on the GAPS Diet) we would fry potatoes in coconut oil as one more way to get some healthy fats in. Now I make butternut squash fries baked in the oven. I bet they would be awesome deep fried like potatoes.
Most of these remedies are calling for VCO, virgin coconut oil. The soap formula uses 76 degree coconut oil. NOT the same at all. It has no healing properties in it.
I’m curious – to which soap formula are you referring? I use virgin coconut oil in my soapmaking and it saponifies the same as the cheaper stuff you can get at the soapmaking supply stores. I use the good stuff in my soap for the healing properties, but I’m curious what “76 degree” coconut oil is and how you know that it’s in the recipe. Is that the temperature at which it solidifies?
I use it as a face and body moisturizer, in my hair and it also clears up the stubborn infection on the base of my eyelashes that I have been battling for years.
This is an amazing list! On farms? Wow a great idea! I didnt notice if this was on the list. It is great to season cast iron. Also, superglue. It doesnt dissolve it but in the event you glue our fingers together, it does help a bit. Trust me, i work with super glue and it happened. The glue wasnt totally dry but it was a bit painful getting the thumb and finger apart, the oil did help a bit and soothed afterwards.
I also use it as an ear cleanser for my dog. Make her ears smell nice!
I started giving it to our yellow lab/border collie mix. He started having seizures at 18mths and despite 150 mg of phenobarbitol every 12 hrs, he was getting worse. The vet said he still had room to increase it…! He went 5 mths seizure free on a homeopathic remedy, then got even worse! He had just had 2 seizures only a few days apart so I started giving him the VCO. In the next couple of days I really messed up his meds; one was several hrs late, then the next day I forgot a dose altogether!! I held my breath and waited for the inevitable seizure to start…it’s been nearly 3 weeks and NO SEIZURES!!! I’m not counting the seizures out at this point, but so far, so good! :0)
I started having seizures 4 years ago and took Kepra and a couple of other meds with awful side effects. A nurse I work with told me about VCO for my skin and hair. I ingest 2 teaspoons in the am and 2 teaspoons in the pm. It has been 7 weeks and I have not had a seizure in 5 1/2 weeks. I also rub down in VCO after every shower. It really has been a great find. I am now medicine free and no more side effects. My hair and skin and nails are great. CONSISTENCY IS THE KEY!!
Hi Nanette, if you don’t mind me asking what kind of epilepsy you have and how often it affected you. Have you told your neurologist? We are very happy for you! Congrats on figuring out how to remove your meds. We are trying to get on the same track as you.
I would be so interested in hearing more about your dog! I have a 4 year old yellow lab that we love dearly and he has seizures. He is on phenobarbital and that has helped but he still has seizures occasionally. HOw much do you give your pup a day? Did you stop giving him meds all together? Any advice would be WONDERFUl and greatly appreciated!
I have a post on how to feed coconut oil to your dogs. While I don’t have any experience with giving meds to dogs, this article will explain the basics of how to start incorporating coconut oil into your dog’s diet: https://www.deliciousobsessions.com/2012/06/coconut-oil-for-healthy-happy-pets-why-its-good-and-how-to-use. Hope that helps a little! 🙂
I have a 4 year old English bull dog that has had seizures since she was a puppy. She was on phenobarbital every 12 hours and if I missed it by an hour she would start to seize. Phenobarbital is some pretty nasty stuff. She was on Blue Buffalo chicken and I switched her to a GLUTEN free diet blue buffalo freedom and weened her off of her phenobarbital on accident. I eventually stopped giving her the phenobarbital all together and also have been giving her spoon full of CO. She has been seizure free for almost a year now :))
Thanks for sharing Britt! That is great news!
I mix it with bicarb and spearmint oil for the best toothpaste. Great for bad breath and general mouth health.
My grandmother is in her late 70s and is a concert pianist. she takes coconut oil 4 times a day, she says that she is playing better than she has in 20 years. My grandfather, her husband has Parkinson’s and has been doing the same and has seen an improvement in his condition. My great aunt, my grandmothers sister-in-law has Alzheimer’s and has been taking coconut oil 5 times a day and her husband says that he has seen marked improvement in his wife. My father recently has started taking coconut oil at the suggestion of my grandmother and he has seen improvement in his memory recall as well. Coconut oil is a miracle for my aging family members!
Is it really helping with Parkinson’s??? I wish I had known that 2 years ago…my Dad passed away from the disease on 8/25/10 🙁
I watched a news program about the benefits of Coconut oil vs Alzheimers. A lady that was older herself and a nurse was caring for her elderly father who had pretty much stopped doing everything because of confusion with his Alzheimers. She started him on coconut oil 3 – 5 times a day and within a few days the improvement was remarkable. He was back to talking and joking, running the vacuum, and doing small things. He was in his late 80’s so the daughter was happy with the progress.
How much coconut oil did they take and where can I purchase some? My mom has dementia and I would love to help her improve.
Hi Cindy – I personally love the products from Tropical Traditions. I have tried almost all of the coconut oil brands it seems and I keep coming back to TT — it’s the best quality in my opinion: https://www.deliciousobsessions.com/TropicalTraditions.
As far as dosage, it varies from person to person. You might find this section on CoconutOil.com helpful, as it has tons of research on coconut oil and Alzheimer’s/Dementia: http://coconutoil.com/coconut-oil-research-alzheimers. There’s a lot of testimonials and really eye opening information on that site. I hope this helps! 🙂
I’ve started using coconut oil twice daily for my memory. I’ve had chemo and I’ve heard that coconut oil 2-3 times daily will improve your memory.
I’m hoping and praying this helps me.
I’ll keep you posted on the results.
Cynthia
I SEE THAT YOUR GRANDFATHER HAS BEEN TAKING IT 4 TIMES A DAY ALSO FOR PARKINSON’S. MY DAD HAS JUST BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH IT. HOW DOES HE TAKE IT? DO YOU JUST TAKE IT AS A SOLID OR DO YOU MELT IT AND THEN TAKE IT? HOW MUCH IS TAKEN ALSO PLEASE?
I use it as a daily moisturizer. I ran out of my store bought moisturizer, and decided to try coconut oil. I love it! Its so much better! It goes on soft and isn’t at all oily, and my skin looks so much healthier now.
I also use it for a lot of the reason mentioned in both your posts. Keep the list coming, this is wonderful!
For the moisturizer do you mix the CO with anything before applying? Or apply directly to skin?
I always apply it either straight after showering or sometimes add a few drops of lavender oil to a ziploc container and mix it up. Makes for a wonderful night cap!
I agree with her, use it straight, unless you want to mix with an essential oil. The coconut aroma of extra virgin CO is incredible all by itself. BY ALL MEANS, MAKE SURE YOU BUY “EXTRA VIRGIN” COCONUT OIL THAT IS SNOW WHITE.
As an FYI, there is no such thing as “Extra Virgin” coconut oil. There is just “Virgin”. Unlike the olive oil industry, there is no industry standard definition for “Virgin” and “Extra Virgin”. The word “Extra” is just a term that is used for added marketing appeal. Just wanted comment, so that people wouldn’t get hung up on the terminology. Virgin coconut oil is just fine! 🙂
I put a little dab in the palm of my hand and it starts melting immediately. I just rub my hands together and gently rub all over my face and neck. It’s the best moisturizer. I’m 47 and I love how supple it makes my skin feel. Not oily at all.
My daughter and I had chicken pox this past fall. The doctor recommended coconut oil on the skin and it worked wonderfully. It made the crazy itch go away and stopped the pox, we only had one round of them. It shocked me how well it worked! They healed quickly.
We make all natural dog treats and use coconut oil
Integrative Veterinarian and Naturopathic Doctor, Dr. Karen Becker, says “Medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) have been shown to improve brain energy metabolism and decrease the amyloid protein buildup that results in brain lesions in older dogs. Coconut oil is a rich source of MCTs.”
According to Dr. Bruce Fife, certified nutritionist and naturopathic doctor, coconut oil gently elevates the metabolism, provides a higher level of energy and vitality, protects you from illness, and speeds healing. As a bonus, coconut oil improves any dog’s skin and coat, improves digestion, and reduces allergic reactions.
There is more so I will be adding an article to my website trickytriskuts.com
Wendy
My cat had a yeast infection in her ears. I used a flushing fluid my vet gave to me with no results, then I remembered that I used it for a yeast infection on my skin. I dropped a couple of blobs into her ears and let them melt, then I messaged her ears from the bottom so it would spread within the ear. I did this once a day for a week and it worked like a charm! Coconut oil is the ultimate medicine!
I also add it to my oatmeal in the mornings! It tastes wonderful!
Whiten your teeth by swishing with 1 TB melted coconut oil every morning. Start with 5 minutes of swishing and build up to 15 minutes. Spit it out and brush as usual.
This sounds a lot like what they call “oil pulling” too.
I melt a small amount in a saucepan over low heat and add sugar (size of granules depends on your preference). Make into a paste consistency and use as a body scrub. I apply it with an exfoliating glove. It smells so good and tastes great, you may find yourself going back and tasting it several times before you use it as a scrub.
Use it to remove waterproof mascara.
Use it to make a sugar scrub. 1/3 cup of melted coconut oil to 1 cup of sugar.. Add some essential oils for fragrance.
Use it to do oil pulling in your mouth. (just google oil pulling and what it does for your teeth and gums)
Coconut oil is the only oil that will plasticize your hair, meaning it is better than argan oil even. It will moisturize it and help keep those strands from breaking
Great for furniture polish. Wet a rag with vinegar, then take a little bit of coconut oil and rub on the furniture to clean and polish.
Those are just a few, off the top of my head. I am sure I can think of many more.
I use just a small dab of coconut oil rubbed between my palms to calm the static cling in my hair during the wintertime! It also gives a nice shine!
what kind is best?? I just bought some, tried to eat a spoonful and its yuck! I am not picky and love coconut stuff?? any suggestions?? thanks!
I get mine from Trader Joes and it’s lovely 🙂
I swear by the Nutiva brand of coconut oil. You can order it very reasonably online – much cheaper than Trader Joe’s brand!
They sell it at Costco now too….
I tried doing the oil pulling with 1 T of coconut oil and thought I would puke!! Couldn’t get it out of my mouth fast enough.
I tried oil pulling this morning for the first time with cocnut oil it is awful but if u hold your breath and try not to think about whats in your mouth.
Try olive oil instead as it also whitens. I do it in the shower then by the time you’re out you can get rid of it. If you have a gag emergency you can always spit it out in the shower. Coconut oil is too expensive in my country to spit out!
Careful when spitting oil into the drain, as too much can lead to clogged pipes. Also, oil pulling is said to release all sorts of toxins, parasites, bacteria, etc., so the garbage can is a better option. Happy pulling everyone!
First, you guys are wasting your oil using TOO much in your mouth. Simply buy a sport mouth protector for a few bucks, heat it up in hot water, and put it in your mouth while it’s a warm plastic and let it conform to your mouth shape as it cools off, then take it out, brush the oil or pour a small amount of it inside the mouth protector, swish it around the sides to coat the inside of the mouth protector, then slip the mouth protector on and wear it for 15 mins while sucking the protector on when it feels like it’s going to slip. There is no taste and there’s less oil wasted since the mouthpiece contains it.
Its not necessarily where you buy it but the quality. Just like Olive Oil there are a few different grades. i believe organic virgin and up is the best. The higher the quality the better the taste and the more benefits.
Cub Foods sells it too 🙂
just make sure it’s not the regular off white coconut oil, but get the snow white coconut oil that has the coconut aroma when you open the jar.
Clears up poison ivy in a day or two. Also seems to reduce the itch time of mosquito and tick bites.
I also use it for poison Ivy, clears it right up in a day or two. Have noticed the same thing with mosquito bites. A day or 2 and they are gone!
Microwaving kills any goodness in food. It denatures the food and your body doesn’t recognize it as food. We got rid of our microwave years ago.
I use it as moisturizer on my face! And it’s wonderful as a preventative to razor burn. No more red bumps and irritation in your bikini area! (or the whole dang thing of you HATE hair like me) 😉
Good info here. I recently started mixing CO with powdered cayenne pepper to rub on my hands and feet. It absorbs into the body and you get the benefits of both without having to eat it.
one tablespoon in mouth for 5 minutes(swishing about) then spit out; rinse out mouth with water to relive bleeding gums.
I scrolled through all the comments and saw one other reference to mosquito bites! Coconut oil is the only thing I’ve found that takes the itch out, keeps it away and helps the bit go away quickly! I also use CO on my upper arms to help with KP. 😀 And on my hair, and in my food, and on my toast, and occasionally on my face… It’s amazing.
KP? As in Keratosis Pilaris?? I never thought to use it for that!! Does it work really well?? I have KP all over & am SO sick of it…
I use a prescription Salex Cream (salycilic acid which is also found in Beta Hydroxy) to get improve my KP but I’m going to try C.O. let me know if it CO works for your KP
Try using coconut oil, melted in a sugar scrub. In a regular kitchen bowl, mix one cup of regular granulated sugar, and just enough melted coconut oil to make a thick paste. In the shower, after you have washed with soap, using your hand, scoop out a bit and scrub your entire body, paying special attention to the arms and anywhere else this condition occurs, pressing a little harder in these areas. A few drops of essential oil like lavender or orange oil can be added for wonderfully soft, scented skin. You will be finding yourself doing this alot once you have experienced a coconut oil sugar scrub. It is absolutely a pampering treat, that will turn into a habit you will fall in love with.. ; )
I starting using coconut oil on my elbows because I HAD eczema on them and after about a week or 2 it was completely gone! Last summer before I used it I had to deal with it for months and it hurt and it was itchy no more! Also I have struggled with mild acne for years and it’s been so frustrating and I tried almost everything!! I started using coconut oil and my skin is 100x better!! I am obsessed with it lol and I can’t wait to get home and wash my face and put it on!!
Welcome to the coconut oil craze! 🙂
I’ve just started using coconut oil and I am loving it!! I used it last night on my hair to tame my frizzy dry ends and it worked better than any salon smoothing serum I have tried… AND I could style my hair today.. Which I usually can’t when using the serums because they leave my hair to oily! I have also been using it on my shoulders to sooth a recent sunburn and it’s been working like a charm and has so far prevented my shoulders from peeling! Love this stuff!!
It’s amazing stuff huh? So glad you’ve joined the “coconut fanatics”! 🙂
Hi,
After a long research on coconut oil I decided to actually try it. I got mine at Whole Foods the 365 brand (their brand). Immediately after using it I noticed a silky skin. My main reason for the usage is to see if it helps with my skin discoloration (a dermatologist told me it is Tinea Versicolor) and for an overall improvement in health. I am going to try oil pulling with it. Can I use it for oil pulling for whiter teeth ? What is your thought about skin discoloration and coconut oil?
Thank you for your time
Hi Yaima – I personally use coconut oil all over my skin. I don’t have any experience with using it specifically for skin discoloration, but I can’t see that it would hurt to try! If nothing else, the coconut oil is good for your skin, so you get benefits every time you use it. In regards to oil pulling, I have heard many testimonies that it has helped people whiten and brighten their teeth. I personally have not experienced it, but I also have a hard time maintaining a consistent oil pulling routine. Hope that helps! 🙂
Has it helped with the Tinea Vericolor? I have it too and am going to start ingesting at least 1 teaspoon a day to see if it will help as well as use it topically. I am sick of the rash recurring and the medicine is extremely hard on the innards.
@Shelly, I have started using it also, and my eczema (which is also a condition of the skin) to almost completely disappear. I’m sure with time it will be completely gone. I use it after the shower, and take a teaspoon internally. I don’t believe it is going to hurt to try it and see.
Re: tinea versicolor – I had tinea versicolor as a teenager. our family passed it along to each other and it was cleared up with gentian violet. No internal meds required, just external application of the gentian violet – give it a try!
Thank you. The gentian violet is something I’ve never thought of for it. I will have to try it too!
I wipe down my wooden cutting board with it after I wash and dry it, before I put it away.
A friend of mine was telling me that it helps with spider/varicose veins. Haven’t tried it myself yet…and didn’t realize it was a “craze”…but I might have to check it out!
I use it mixed with pure cane sugar as a whole body scrub. My skin has never been softer.. I use it about once a week to exfoliate.. even use it on my face and it’s helped clear up my adult acne/blemishes. LOVE IT!!
How do you use it one your face. I have never used co for anything, just readign about it now and it sounds amazing. I get adult acne bad and nothing seems to help. What kind of co do I get adn how do I use it? Do you melt it first, does it get hard again makign you melt it with each use. Thanks for your help
I make the scrub too! I would not melt it all the way just enough so it is not hard. If it is liquid it may dissolve the sugar. Just mix them together with your hands and when you take a shower put a dime size glob in your hands and rub on your damp face avoiding your eyes. If your face is too wet it will dissolve the sugar and no longer have the scrub effect. I usually mix 1/2 – 1 cup of coconut oil for every 2 cups of sugar. If you need more oil just add as needed. Hope this helps!
Coconut oil is wonderful as a moisturizer on the face … a little goes a long way & it absorbs well. It’s remove make-up as well.
Coconut oil is liquid above room temperature & will solidify at lower temperatures. Your body heat will liquify solid coconut oil; so, there’s need to melt it before applying it. just take a pea-sized amount & rub it in your hands before applying it to your face … your body heat will melt it.
Adult Acne – Definitely give the coconut oil a try. I just keep a small container in my bathroom. Scoop out a small amount (if it’s fairly hard – in colder household temps – might need to use the back of your fingernails to scrape out a bit of the solidified oil. ) This then melts immediately in your hands or on your face. I use it on the dry parts of my face and specifically on acne, since it clears up any acne spots within a day or so. I have tried many over-the-counter facial moisturizers which cause skin breakouts – I’m thrilled to find a moisturizer which not only doesn’t break out my skin but heals breakouts.
I think God is so good for giving us this miracle……wonder what else He has out there for us to discover:):)
Anne, you are so right! Thanks for saying what I’ve been thinking for the last couple of hours as I’ve read all of the info and comments. He’s provided all we need!
I totally agree. The Lord gave us a remedy for everything, if we would just look beyond the nose on our face.
I used it today as a moisturizer for my skin. Skin feels great and smells delicious too!!!
Yes, I love it especially in the summertime because it is so lightweight. I think it’s the best moisturizer after shaving underarms since deodorant shouldn’t be applied right after shaving.
I’ve never thought of doing that! Thanks for posting, I’ve always felt like it was wrong for some reason to put it on directly afterwards. However, when I’m in a time crunch that’s usually what happens! I’m excited to try these tips out, I already love coconut oil and these tips are just the cherry on top!
I like to use it on leather boots. I have a pair of leather boots and put a little CO on them before I wear the boots, it makes them shinier.
When using CO when baking, should you melt it before adding? Like liquid veg oil?
Hi Carie – Great question! Whenever I use coconut oil in my baking, I do melt it, just to make sure I get the correct measurement.
What about when using it in place of solid Veg oil (i.e. crisco) do you keep it in solid form? Have you tried it?
I have used coconut oil in place of vegetable shortening, but you’re right, it melts. If you want at true, healthy replacement for vegetable shortening, I recommend palm shortening. It works great anywhere you’d normal use crisco or the like. This is the kind I like: https://www.deliciousobsessions.com/PalmShortening
I use it for my daughters eczema. Takes away the burning and is cleared up in less than a day!
how old is your daughter?
Wow .. if had only had that as a teenager. My eczema was so bad I couldn’t open my hands. My father made me soak them in bleach!
I make a really simple, effective deodorant with 1/2 cup baking soda, 1/2 cup cornstarch, 2 T coconut oil and a few drops of organic essential oils. Mix all together and store in a lidded container.
I’ve been using it to prevent stretch marks on my very pregnant belly. It’s better than shea butter. I also use it with peppermint essential oil for my achey, tired, swollen feet. My legs feel very nice after I use coconut oil on them, too! I’m going to have to feed it to my dog for his breath! Blech!
Today I got my first Jar of CO. About 5 minutes after getting it home, I was on my front porch and a gust of wind blew a sticky fly trap thing right into my long hair. I just just hung it up, so it was extra sticky. If you know what that is, you know how sticky they are. It’s like tar or the stickiest glue you’ve ever seen. It got it all over my hands and arms trying to get it out of my hair. I tried to wash it off my hands with all kids of soap. Wasn’t going to come off. It was all in my hair. I thought I was going to have to cut my hair off. Then I remembered the CO I just bought. I coated my hair and arms with it, jumped in the shower, and that sticky stuff came right out. I was so amazed and thankful I had some. I can’t wait to try it in lots of other ways now.
Very creative. You def have some that I haven’t seen. Thank you.
Thank you! you certainly have some creative ideas for using coconut oil that I haven’t thought of.
As a medical professional in the burn community, just a note–you did state that you should wait until the burn cools before applying CO (which I appreciate, since most people don’t know that).
The generally accepted “time limit” for a burn to ‘cool’ is 48-72 hours. You may want to specify the time in your post to avoid confusion.
If I am not mistaken, I believe if you add raw honey to a burn it would heal the burn much faster, then add the coconut oil after the burning has ceased. Raw honey on a burn breaks down and forms Hydrogen peroxide and begins the healing process of the burn, which would then allow you to add the coconut oil to continue aiding in the healing process from the burnt skin. Many European doctors in burn units at hospitals are wrapping their patients with bandages infused with raw honey and the skin heals at a much faster rate then skin wrapped with just plain gause bandages and in severe cases the skin heals without needing skin transplants because of the infusion of honey into the bandages.
Yes! You are correct. Lavender essential oils is also excellent for applying to burns right after they happen. It is one of the few oils that you can safely apply to the skin neat (meaning not diluted). I had a super bad pressure cooker burn a couple years ago and lavender saved me. I was a firm believer after that! Once the heat is pulled out of the burn, you can use coconut oil to help with healing.
I am so glad I found this post. MizFit’s post on coconut oil brought me to your post. You both inspired me to follow up with a blog post on coconut oil today. THnak you for inspiring my post today. My readers will love you.
I add 1.5 tablespoons of virgin coconut oil (Nutiva brand) to my green smoothies. I thought I loved my green smoothie already, but adding the coconut oil made it a-maaaz-ing! It also gives me a huge burst of energy and all those good positive feelings. I love the stuff.
@Miss Coco, I agree! I add it to all my smoothies. Coconut oil is also yummy in shakes or blizzard-type desserts … the freezing cold ingredients cause the coconut oil to freeze into little bits in the blender. Yum.
Coconut oil works miracles for PUPs rashes in pregnant women. I was going crazy when I was preggers with my son, and the co worked as soon as it touched my skin. We watched it disappear in minutes.
I was miserable with PUPPS – I wish I’d known about this then! So glad to hear it worked for you.
I love the way CO soothes my occasional cold sore break out. It deactivates the virus and takes the itchy feeling away and promotes healing of the lesion once the virus is cleared. I take it in my food to internally clear up the virus as well, but my husband doesn’t like the taste of coconut so he still is a carrier and passes it back to me once in awhile. I make CO sticks by putting cotton tipped swabs in a jar with a little melted CO in the bottom. It hardens when it cools, then they can be pulled out individually and used to apply the oil to the cold sore.
Genius idea!!
I’m sitting here with 3 monster cold sore blisters right NOW, in excruciating pain. When I get home tonight, I am TRYING THIS! Such a smart idea with the swabs!
One other remedy that I have found to be absolutely incredible at killing cold sores/fever blisters…. take a cotton swab dabbed with tea tree oil, roll it across the sore, never rub the blister. Using your finger, apply VCO to your lips, keeping them constantly slick. I had a sore trying to form, and when I first applied this solution, the sore was completely gone within 2 days. Try to apply the tea tree oil morning and night. (I too take a teaspoon of VCO daily)
In addition to all of this, take a Lysine pill at the FIRST itch of a cold sore coming on. This vitamin will do the trick. Haven’t had one in a long time… also breathe. Stress is a big contributor to cold sores and how big they gets. This is me speaking from personal experience and battling them my entire life! LYSINE PILL
I can second that! It works! 🙂
I’ll have to try that next time I get a break out.
I feel I should come to your husbands defence though, as a virologist, I can assure you that he is not passing it back to you. You are still a carrier, there is no cure for the cold sore virus. If there was we’d be able to save hundreds of children’s lives every year. The disease once caught is always present, even while dormant over long periods. A blood test will confirm that you are still carrying the virus. Like most of the population
Thank you for posting this coconut oil information! I use coconut oil in so many ways and LOVE learning more ways to use it. Just wanted to chime in on the importance of melting coconut oil before measuring when baking … I learned to do this through error (a delicious error, thank goodness!)! The first time that I made brownies with coconut oil, I measured 1/3 cup in an almost-solid state. My brownies turned out much softer than normal because it was too much oil. They were still delicious, though. But, doing this with a sweet bread recipe or cookies might yield gummy bread or flat cookies, etc.
I was curious to see the difference in quantity of coconut oil solid versus liquid; so, I did an experiment. I measured 1/3 cup solid coconut oil, melted it double-boiler style & measured it again. 1/3 cup solid coconut oil was at least one teaspoon more oil than a 1/3 cup liquid!
Now, I always measure coconut oil in it’s liquid state when baking. Most recipes require mixing dry & wet ingredients in separate bowls. If I need to melt my coconut oil from solid, I allow it to cool down before adding it to avoid curdling eggs, etc. Then, I still usually add the coconut oil separate from the eggs just to be safe. I do this when making pancakes using coconut oil … they are deelish with pecans, dark chocolate chips or sliced bananas!
This is good to know! Thank you for doing that experiment. I will make sure that I am a little more consistent with my recipes of specifying whether it was solid or melted! Love me some coconut oil! Thank you for stopping by and commenting! 🙂
Did you know that activated charcoal powder on your toothbrush, will whiten you teeth like no dentist can do, and it’s totally safe. I mean, why wouldn’t it be wonderful,,, activated charcoal is made from coconut shells that have been burned.l
Great tip Becca! Thanks for sharing – I never knew that! 🙂
I do need to add on to this comment… try not to swallow activated charcoal if you are on any meds.. It is cleansing, and absorbs the toxins out of the body and may interfere with prescriptions, absorbing them away from the body and ridding themselves.
Wow, I didn’t know that activated charcoal is actually coconut shells! Oil pulling with 1 tablespoon of coconut oil (for 20 minutes & then spit it out into a paper towel & toss before brushing your teeth) is supposed to have the same benefits that you’ve described. It can be very soothing for colds & allergy issues while helping rid the mouth of impurities in hard to reach places (beneath & back of the tongue, between teeth, etc.).
Hi, would love to try it. Where can i buy it?
Hi Angela – All health food stores and most grocery stores will carry coconut oil. You will find the best prices online though. Enjoy!
Hi, where can I find the activated charcoal?
Hi Angela – I purchase my activated charcoal at my local health food store. You can also find it online I’m sure. Try Amazon.
How much oil should you take for migraines?
It works great on sunburns. I recently got a really bad sunburn on my face and after just applying it over night the redness reduced incredibly. I felt like I could go in public without hesitation afterwards.
A teaspoonful of coconut oil and some stevia added to a cup of coffee is now my morning drink of choice.
Makes a wonderful smelling tanning oil that allows me (I’m about as fair as you can get) to get a nice even tan and skip the burning stage. I just exfoliate before hand each day, put on the coconut oil evenly, and stay out in the sun for about 20 mins. After doing this for about a week, I actually get turn a nice golden shade. But, if your like me and burn within five minutes, apply a good medium SPF sunscreen to your face and wherever you burn easily (just make sure it still allows for a tan). I use Reimann SPF 20 that is specifically made for tanning and lasts ten hours (if you wanted to stay out that long) without getting burnt, just getting tan. Ya but if you want to check it out, it’s on amazon, but shipping takes forever since its from the UK.
I am a big fan of all things coconut… the plant and its products. Cautiously taking advice from Dr Bruce Fife’s book “Virgin Coconut Oil, Nature’s Miracle Medicine”, I applied VCO to all exposed skin on a day that was extremely hot and sunny. My job forced me to spend about three hours in the sun. I thought “if this doesn’t work, I’ll be in the ER tonight”. Even with my fair skin, there wasn’t a sign of burning or redness. But, boy did I turn brown. It’s a tan that has lasted for weeks! VCO is truly amazing!
I thought tropical oils were bad for you?
Hi Patricia – Quite the opposite actually. Coconut oil has gotten a bad rap for year, but it is actually quite good for you!
I’m allergic to mosquito bites and when I do get bit they either spread on my skin or swell up like a baseball so I’m looking for something to keep mosquito’s away…I see that it helps with itching but does anyone know if it repels the bugs? Also if it does what kind of coconut oil should I buy?
Thanks so much!
Sammy, The best thing for Misquito bites that I’ve been using on my kids and grandkids for over 35 years is, 1 bottle of rubbing alcohol, remove about 1/4th cup out of bottle, then add 1 bottle of champho phenique, crush up 12 asprin without the coating, and add to bottle. Shake good before each use. Just put some on cotton ball and rub bite area and the knot will not come up. If the knot has already appeared, it will go down and the itch will stop. A dear friend of mine told me about this 35 years ago and she’d been using this remidy for 30 plus years as well. Good luck.
Mosquito bites – If possible, put the affected part of the body under running hot water, as hot as you can stand. After about 2 – 3 minutes the itch will be completely gone!! May need to repeat after several hours.
I use it to treat my son’s diaper rash. It’s safe to use with cloth diapers.
Seriously?? No one said to use on their stretch marks after baby comes along!?? 🙂
It is
incredible to use everyday after bath or shower, even on baby..
I use coconut oil to style my curly hair. I have medium course hair so I use a few teaspoons. If you have more fine hair, just use a little less! Much better than the chemical ridden curl balms!
I’m curious about what you guys think about the high fat content?
People around me keep telling me that because of the high fat content I should use it spairingly – especially because I am so petite.
I however, am not certain of this…I think we just need ot make sure we are eating healthy fats, instead of unhealthy fats…
Already I have a higher fat diet, as I do not eat grains and much of my sustunence comes from nuts. What is your thought on this?
There is a ton of research pertaining to the fats in coconut oil. Years ago it got a bad rap based on its high fat content, but CO is actually incredibly healthy for you and can help you actually lose weight as well as lower cholesterol and more. I’d definitely do some of your own research so you can inform others when they give you naive advice.
Some fats are GOOD of course
I use is as Tooth Paster (1 Part Baking Soda, 1 Part Coconut Oil, couple drops of spearmint oil).
If you have keratosis pilaris (bumpy skin on the backs of arms, thighs, etc) CO works great as a topical moisturizer! It really helps to smooth and soften the bumps on your skin. It’s the use that brought me to CO in the 1st place.
Just bought a huge container of organic CO from Costco and my neighbor sent me a link to the original “52 uses…” I am soooo inspired and now thinking I need to separate this 2+ quart container into several small containers to use for all of these different ideas. Does it matter what type of container it’s stored in? Also, my big question is if anyone has personally or their husbands used it on ingrown hairs on the face? My husband is black and the beard area of his face gets all bumpy from ingrown hairs. He has tried everything-lazor hair removal, you name it. Nothing works. I am tempted to have him try this but wondered if anyone out there has had any success with this type of issue?
Yay! Another coconut oil covert!! I can’t speak to the ingrown hairs specifically, but my husband has extremely sensitive skin and after he shaves, it’s especially bad. The coconut oil has helped soothe the rashes he would get after shaving. Some men use just straight coconut oil for shaving as well, rather than a cream or gel. Maybe your hubby would be willing to try it at least once and see if it helps? If nothing else, coconut oil is great for the skin, so it can’t hurt!! As fat as containers, I store all of mine in glass jars. I buy my coconut oil in bulk, by the gallon and then I portion them up into pint and quart mason jars to make them a little more user friendly! Hope that helps! If your hubby has success with the coconut oil, come back and let us know — I’m sure there are many others who could benefit! 🙂
Thank you, thank you, thank you. I can’t wait to begin this journey of discovering these wonderful new ways to love coconut oil. I was first introduced to coconut oil by an astronaut (I work at NASA). I love it on toast but oh my goodness it is amazing on baked sweet potatoes.
Oooh! I’m going to have to try it on a sweet potato. I love them, but I don’t buy them often because I always use too much butter (with cinnamon and nutmeg). I bought coconut oil about six years ago because I had read it was better for frying, but I don’t actually fry much so it didn’t get used. Recently I read posts from people I know also don’t fry much saying that they buy it in gigantic quantities, so I had to google uses for it. Glad I found this list – it’s going to go in my smoothies and a lot more!
I have read all the wonderful things coconut oil can do!!! I am new to this and am having a hard time finding the right oil. Is ALL NATURAL LOU ANA PURE COCONUT OIL the right kind? It doesn’t have a wonderful taste like in the other posts. Please help!!! If this is not the right kind please give some suggestions. thanks!!!
hey Barbara, that is the oil I use for cooking too. But I use the Organic for dietary reasons
I use the CO from Trader Joe’s. It is $5.99 for 16 oz. Love It.
Thank you for your response!!! What kind should I use if I wanted to take a tablesoon daily? The other responses talked about how tasty it is. The Lou Ana is really not that tasty.
thanks!
Barbara – I have tried pretty much every brand out there and my favorite is Tropical Traditions. I keep trying new brands and I keep coming back to TT. It is the only coconut oil that I recommend and promote on my site. I order the Gold Label and Expeller-Pressed in bulk, so that I never run out! The Gold Label Virgin and the Green Label Virgin will have coconut flavor. The Expeller-Pressed will have no flavor. They are all high-quality oils and the Gold Label is the highest on the market — made by hand, the old fashioned way. I agree – the Lou Ana brand is gross, IMO. 🙂
https://www.deliciousobsessions.com/GoldLabelCoconutOil
https://www.deliciousobsessions.com/GreenLabelCoconutOil
https://www.deliciousobsessions.com/OrganicEPCoconutOil
P.S. Those are affiliate links – full disclaimer.
Hi! I came here via a friend on FB and I am totally sold! I can’t wait to try some! I do have a Q tho…I ordered a jar (plastic, not glass, the brand is Nature’s Way. Anyway, I live in South Florida and keep my thermostat @ 78 degrees so my CO is ALWAYS liquid! Would I do it any harm or lose any of the positive benefits if I stored it in the fridge? Of course there are uses for the liquid form but I would also like the option of the solid form and I can’t see that happening at “room temp” till about December IF were lucky 🙂
I would never microwave it to liquify it (for obvious reasons) but I hope chilling it is OK! (I even put 2 jars directly under the A/C vents overnite and it’s stayed completely liquid!
HELP for us “green” 78 degree even in A/C hot climate dwellers who want to reap the benefits of “solid” CO but don’t want to put more $$ in FPL’s pockets!!
Thanks for ALL the info!
Debi
Nope! It won’t harm it all to stick it in the fridge! I do that sometimes when I want a firm coconut oil, rather than liquid. For some reason, sometimes it seems like once it’s liquid, it takes awhile for it to return to solid. I don’t know if it’s a difference in brands or what. So weird that you’re experiencing that! Stick it in the fridge and it will be fine! 🙂
So glad I read this comment since I’m currently online looking for Coconut oil to buy and I also live in South Florida. How’s the Nature’s way brand working out?
Sorry Kat! I’m answering you almost a year later (but I never got your original post) Anyway, the Nature’s Way is fine, no strong coconut flavor but plain it doesn’t agree with me AT ALL! I’m gonna try mixing it in with food!
Where in SoFla are you?
Debi
I get mine at Aldi. They just started carrying it. I have researched the different brands. It is high quality Simply Nature- organic, unrefined, cold pressed, virgin oil at a great price 14 oz for 4.99.
Just found your blog after searching for uses on coconut oil, and enjoying the blog & suggestions immensely. I’m a breastfeeding mama who pumps a lot, and recently started fighting a thrush/yeast infection due to weather and diet. In addition to adding CO to my diet, I tried wiping the inside of my pump horn with a bit of CO, to soften the suction pinching, and keep things comfortable. I LOVE it. Better than lanolin, easier to warm and distribute, and even better benefits than lanolin, not to mention cheaper! I’m having so much fun reading all of the suggestions and trying them out. Thanks!
Hi,
I just started using CO today and although I love it and I dont know why I didnt know the wonderful properties of CO before… my bowels are not ! ;( Is this normal?I took this morning for the first time 1 TBS with breakfast.
Thank you all
Hi Yaima – It’s always good to start off slow and see how your body reacts. I think it is pretty rare that people have reactions to coconut oil, and since it’s a food, there really are no “side effects”. That said, our bodies are all different, so just use your best judgement and see how you feel after adding it to your diet regularly. Were you not consuming a lot of fats prior to this? If not, then it could be that your body will need a little time to adjust to the added fat in your diet? That’s just my thoughts at least! I hope that helps!
I agree. Adding oil to your diet will make sudden changes in your “bathroom” rituals. And speaking of bathroom, I have started adding a quarter sized amount to my damp hair when I get out of the shower, and it is amazing at controlling the frizz of my curly hair, without looking like I haven’t washed my hair in weeks..
Hi BeccaS, Thank you for your comment. I tried adding the oil to my hair but I think I have might have put too much. Instead I blow dry my hair and when I am done instead of using the regular store bought anti-frizz product I tried the CO and it worked amazingly. I love it !
You may be experiencing a ‘healing crisis’ (Herxheimer Reaction). This occurs when the cells release toxins into circulation but the elimination organs (skin, lungs, liver, kidneys, bladder & GI tract) are not able to eliminate them quickly enough. Coconut oil is antimicrobial. It is best to start off slowly and drink lots of water to flush the toxins.
Tastes great in hot chocolate =-D
Thanks so much.
I read something about using CO to treat fleas? How? We have been battling them on our dog all summer. Love this article!!
It is a MUST for my daughter’s hair. Without it her hair is a wreck! Also it is wonderful for making your skin and feet refreshed. Thanks for the other uses.
Eat a few spoons To kill parasites!!
I buy my VCO through Tropical Traditions (have tried other brands and am just not as happy with them) but its for cooking. Would you buy a cheaper kind for all these other uses that don’t involve ingesting it?
I use the best VCO when it comes to taking it directly….but cook with what I find at the supermarket. I also use that same coconut oil for my body scrubs..
I am new to CO and have been researching it because I read a comment that it can help with epilepsy. My Husband has epilepsy so we just visited the health foods store near our house. The woman who worked there recommended not only the CO but also Coconut Oil MCT (Medium-chain triglycerides). She recommended 2-3 teaspoons a day of both the oil and the MCT oil. We are really excited to start this process and hope it helps.
Side note for using it with Alzheimer’s for my grandmother she recommended rubbing her feet with it. She said there are 2,000 pores in each foot to soak up the oil into the blood stream. I find it far fetched that it will help my grandmother as she is far advanced into her Alzheimer’s but remain hopeful with all that I have read.
Hi Shannon, if you don’t mind me asking a personal question, does your husband have seizures with his epilepsy? I have a 14 year old son who has them, and was just wondering.
BeccaS, he has had epilepsy since he was around the age of 15 and he is 34 now. He has not had a seizure (grand mal) in two years with help of medicine. I know that he is ready for a change though as the medicine takes a toll on him. He takes Depekote and Keppra. We just started using CO two nights ago and we aren’t sure if it’s all in our minds but he said he felt amazing the next day. We don’t have much time to cook so we have been lathering our bodies at night before bed. He said he will try anything to get the shakes and jerks to go away. We are going to start putting it in our drinks in the morning (coffee and protein shake). When we spoke with the women at the health store she strongly recommended the MCT to help with his epilepsy. I have not found a specific article written by any doctors about CO helping with epilepsy but I have seen numerous comments from people saying it has helped.
I see that you post a lot and use CO often. Have you noticed any changes with your son regarding CO? I’ll try and keep you updated on how he is doing but as I see it it can’t hurt to try this!
My whole family uses CO, except for my son. I have been afraid to give him something, while he is taking meds(Keppra & Trileptal). I do believe that I am going to start this now and see where it leads us. My son is not verbal yet, so I am just gonna have to use my best judgement.
I’m also curious to know if anyone has experienced reduction in seizures. My 15 year old nephew has had brain surgery and it didn’t help. They recently added coconut oil to his diet but he’s still having seizures. I don’t know if he’s using it regularly, and I think the rest of his diet is fairly mainstream.
I know that there is a special diet that is recommended for some epileptics called ketogenic diet. Diet can be a big part; I wish I could get him to eat better. I know it sounds far fetched to believe in CO but I’ve read so many great things we really are hoping this could at least reduce the shakiness and jerking. Wish you both the best of luck!
http://www.webmd.com/epilepsy/ketogenic-diet-for-epilepsy
Use it as the carrier oil to make homemade solid perfume. Here is a link to show you how, http://www.crunchybetty.com/handmade-solid-perfume
I watched the movie on GMO foods that are causing so many problems within our bodies. Once the people get off GMO foods they begin to get better. It can and has caused so many diseases. C Oil is great, we are using it but we are going to get the GMO foods out of our diet as much as possible.
I use coconut oil as a make-up remover it works better than any store bought make up remover..then i leave some undere my eyes over night and i wake up with less redish and smother under eyes!
Jackie S.
CO cured my keratosis Pilaris on the backs of my arms. (Those little red bumps many people get) I just used it while in the shower and it was the only thing that worked after 8 yrs of trying to get it to go away!!
I use it when I make macaroni & cheese. The boxed kind I use calls for 4 TBSP of butter. I reduce it by 1 TBSP and then 1/2butter( 1 1/2 TBSP), 1/2coconut oil (1 1/2 TBSP). My family agrees the macaroni & cheese has never tasted better!
Has anyone tried the brand Nutiva? I would love to buy the Tropical Traditions brand but I would much rather buy it in a store.
Casey – I have tried the Nutiva brand and it’s good. I prefer Tropical Traditions over any other brand, because I truly believe that it is the highest quality on the market. Independent research has shown that their Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil (which is made in small batches by hand) has the highest levels of antioxidants of any other coconut oil. It has to do with the way they make it that helps preserve more of the antioxidants than machine made oils.
I like to take a banana, cut it in half, smear some coconut oil on it, wrap it in foil, and then bake it in the oven. it is delicious
That sounds delish! I will try that! 🙂
I would liek to make this for my toddler. At what temp do you set the oven and how long do you cook the banana in the oven . Thanks
Just came across coconut oil and im in love. Today i mixed a dime size amount with my foundation, put it on my face and then used a little bit of powder to get rid of any oily looking spots. It gave me that perfect skin with natural glow look and also perfect coverage from the foundation still! If you try this be sure to let it sit for a little bit before applying any other makeup as it with just wipe off if you dont wait for it to set into your skin!
I use it after shaving, I ALWAYS get bad razor burn and i applied this after shaving two days ago and havnt had one bump!
I use virgin organic coconut oil to wash my face. I have super sensitive skin and will break out if I use any soap. Rub on your face like you would soap once massaged in take a warm washcloth and leave on skin till it cools and then wipe away excess oil. No need to wash with soap! Once a week I mix with baking soda and make a scrub.
This reminds me of “A Greek Wedding” when the dad sprayed windex on everything as a cure all.
YES! Love that movie! Someone else recently just made that same comment! 🙂
I am new to all the amazing benefits of coconut oil (as seen on Dr Oz); tried making popcorn with coconut oil, adding coconut flakes and lightly salting. I loved it! There was no need for butter. While I read that taking it by the teaspoonful was beneficial, I tried it (not as bad as I’d imagined), but found it a lot easier to swallow by adding coconut flakes. Thanks for all your use full information.
I used it on my sons head, he had really bad cradle cap and it was gone in 2 days
I like to make my own natural toothpaste with it. Make a paste with CO and baking soda. You can add mint flavor/oil and stevia to taste also. 😉
A heaping teaspoon in Hot Chocolate tastes like a Mounds candy bar!
That sounds sooo good. Will have to try as soon as I get more co
I put coconut oil under my eyes to treat those wrinkles, within 2 minutes my eyes were very irritated. I had to wash the oil off for 3 times.
Its good everywhere else not eyes.
I use it around my eyes all the time and it works great on wrinkles. You don’t need much at all. Pat it on really lightly.
I think it may just depend on the individual. I have never had any problems using it around my eyes. I put a thin layer on my face at night and then wipe it with a cool damp washcloth. It doesn’t wipe away all the oil, and it moisturizes my face overnight, plus it removes my make-up.
I don’t know if anyone has mentioned this, but it makes for a wonderful belly moisturizer to prevent stretch marks, and there are no chemicals to introduce the unborn baby too through the skin.
I have dry eye syndrome and while I don’t put it directly in my eyes, sometimes the edge of my eyelids gets so dry and irritated it hurts and stings.. I get enough to wet my fingertip and just massage over my entire eye lid.. upper and lower.. this helps tremendously! I will caution that most products aren’t to be put too close to the eye due to potential to get into the eye.. but I personally do this and have not had a problem and it has lessened my need for eye drops.. especially in the winter with the heater drying the air in the house.
I also add to soups and cooking.. I’m going to try adding to warm drinks as well.. I found out a while back that the animals like it after rubbing it on my hands and arms and my cats and dogs licking me to death! I wasn’t sure if it was ok for them on a regular basis but after reading several things I’m going to start giving them a “dose” regularly now.. I also would like to try the oil pulling, deodorant and lip balm..
Thanks for this article! So many new ideas!!!
This may be a really dumb question…but if a person is allergic to tree nuts (pine nuts, coconuts, almonds, pecans, etc.), they probably can’t use coconut oil for anything, right? I want to use lots of these ideas, but my spouse is very allergic to tree nuts, so I’m thinking this might be a bad idea…any thoughts on this?
Emily – I think it depends on the person, but it is my understanding that classifying coconut in the tree nut family is actually incorrect. Here’s the article where I learned that: http://coconutoil.com/is-coconut-safe-for-people-with-tree-nut-allergies/. I hope that helps!
Just wondering if your spouse is allergic to nuts in general,like almonds and pecans, etc.. Or is he allergic to peanuts?
Can be mixed with powder eyeshadow to make it “cream” style, increases the luster, too.
It works great placed with a q-tip just inside the nose for nosebleed prone children too! In the winter our little ones’ noses get so dry at night-just a quick treatment before bed does the trick.
Coconut Oil is the most powerful decongestant I have ever used. I discovered this by accident. I rub it on my face and neck and a couple minutes later all the mucus is loose and I am coughing it up. I know that sounds disgusting, but when you’re sick, it is really helpful. Just don’t do it right before bed or you won’t get any sleep because the CO will work as a decongestant all night. It works much better and much faster than any drug (over the counter or prescription) I have ever tried. I use organic virgin unfiltered CO for this.
Oops! I meant unrefined, not unfiltered.
It’s great on baby butts to prevent diaper rash and it’s cloth diaper safe 🙂
Is there anything coconut oil cant do?!
I know its great in a curry, I make a Sri Lankan curry and it is great in that, i also use it with herbs and garlic to make a tasty salad dressing. I also use it to polish my rings, my leather shoes, i used it once to treat athletes foot, its also great to use a small amount under your make up to keep it in place and to stop your face drying out. literally EVERYTHING! I cannot stop singing its praises, the coconut is a SUPERPLANT!! my auntie uses coconuts for bowls, cups, cutlery, she even uses the fibres to make cloth.
I bought the LouAna coconut oil from walmart, is that ok to use on your face? I doesn’t say virgin, it says all natural, pure coconut oil. Doesn’t have the coconut smell as one poster said it should have.
Hi Karen – I personally think the LouAna brand is a very low quality coconut oil. It has been refined, which is why it doesn’t have the coconut smell like virgin coconut oil will. There’s nothing wrong with refined coconut oils, as long as they are not refined using chemicals, solvents, or bleaches. I am not 100% sure what LA’s refining process is. I would say use it up and then go with an organic, virgin coconut oil when you restock. That’s just my two pennies at least! 🙂
You can purchase Extra Virgin Coconut Oil at Trader Joe’s if you have one in your area. Sometimes you can find it in the baking isle of your market.
I think there is a place online you can also order it.
Good Luck in your EVCO search.
Sincerely,
Cynthia
Once you buy the virgin coconut oil, no one will have to tell you the difference 😉
I use the LouAna coconut oil from walmart as well for a moisturizer on my face with peppermint oil. Makes my face feel great. I think it depends on what you use it for.
Karen, look for virgin Coconut oil in the vitamin section at walmart. $10 a jar. I however have been using the CO from the cooking section for making body scrubs and on my face, hair and feet with great results. Just finished that jar which lasted over 6 months. Just bought the unrefined one today and cant wait to start using it.
Trader Joes has CO 16 oz for $5.99.
I agree with Jessica I think any brand is better than LOUANA.I have a large jar in the cabinet and it has just sat there. Aldi just started carrying simple nature organic unrefined cold pressed virgin coconut oil for 4.99 14 oz.
It is commonly used in tropical areas of the world as a moisturizer for hardwood floors.
I combine coconut oil with peppermint essential oil and use it as a moisturizer. But before I even do that I use baking soda (and a little water to make a paste) and rub it on my face. I let it dry and rinse it off. Then enter the coconut oil!! I also use this concoction and rub it on my temples when I have a headache. It’s incredible!
Mr. Sunny Sunny Bun Bun, a toy poodle with Cushing’s Disease arrived morbidly obese and with dry skin in my home. I rub coconut oil all over him. He smells like dessert and looks so healthy.
I have been using coconut oil for several years now. I have curly hair and it is great for the frizzies, also use instead of gels, etc.
I have used co on my skin for years also. I love this oil.
Have read so many more ways to use co, cannot wait to start. Thank you!
Maggie
I have 2 children with feeding tubes and I use coconut oil on their stomas! It helps with granulation tissue and also general irritation from gastric acid. I use it to remove adhesive from their skin from their GripLok’s (securement devices). I use it for diaper rashes and yeast rashes becaus it is safe for cloth diapers!
I am so looking forward to buying CO. I like the idea of using it to get rid of fleas. The fleas were terrible in WA this year. I have had no luck in getting rid of them even though I have done EVERYTHING commercial and organic to get rid of them. (Including the hated flea collars). But it doesn’t say how to use the CO to get rid of the fleas. Do I feed it to them? or do I rub it on them? And is it safe for cats too?
Thanks a bunch for the article, I know I will be using it a lot.
I had foot surgery. Bunion and Taylor bunion. I was told once the stitches were gone, to use a good moisturizer on the scars. I used coconut oil religiously. When I started physical therapy at 6 weeks, they were amazed as to how wonderful and flat my scars were being only 6 weeks out from surgery . Thanks to coconut oil!
I rub a little coconut oil on my Doc Martens once a week to keep the leather soft and supple – it seems to make the shoes a bit water resistant as well.
I also use this on all my leathers. Makes my knee boots gorgeous.
I want to start using Coconut oil for headaches. How much do I actually have to consume to get results? Does anyone use this for headaches?
I use it as an eye and over all face cream at night. I’m still young but my mother kept insisting that I buy anti aging face creams so I decided to use coconut oil. At first I thought it was going to make me break out ( I mean you are putting oil on your face). My results have been remarkable! No breakout, I have a glow and its softer and just healthier. I also use it for my hair as a mask, body moisturizer, I even put it on my boyfriends face for his breakouts and its funny because he really didnt believe that it’s a miracle workers but now I get asked by him to buy more or put some on his face. Feel free to ask any questions and keep ways to use CO coming !
Hi, I get adult acne sooo bad. At 36 i thought this problem would be int he past, but nope :(. Anyhow I tried CO before but my face didnt seem to get any better. How are you using it. How many times a day. Do you mix it with anything. Do you wash with your normal soap then spreed on like a lotion. Thanks for any help.
I’m sure some other people will chime in too, but I use it as a moisturizer right on my skin. I don’t mix anything with it. I typically try to put in on my skin right when I get out of the shower. Hope that helps! 🙂
Also what brand do you use. Thanks!!!
I prefer Tropical Traditions coconut oils — I use both of their virgin and their expeller-pressed for various things. I’ve tried a lot of coconut oil brands, and I always come back to them.
Hello, I came across this on pinterest and excited to give it a try for many, many uses..However I have never purchased Coconut oil before so have no idea where to begin or what which one to buy. Im interested in taking several spoonfuls a day and also make body scrubs..Any info you can give me would be great..
Hi Stephanie – When looking for coconut oil, virgin is going to be your best, but there are also some good refined coconut oils as well. The virgin will retain the scent and flavor of coconut oil, but the refined will the neutral. The biggest thing with refined coconut oils, is to know HOW the company refines it. Make sure they don’t use any chemicals, bleaches, or solvents, as that tends to be common. Most brands should have that info on their site, or you could always email their customer service and ask. I personally purchase all of my coconut oil from Tropical Traditions, because I truly believe that theirs is the best. They also have tons of information on their site: https://www.deliciousobsessions.com/TropicalTraditions. Another great site for health information about coconut oil is: http://coconutoil.com. Does that help? 🙂
Thank you Jessica for the recommendation
I give my laying hens warm porridge (or suet) for breakfast with a dollop of coconut oil mixed in to help avoid egg binding. I haven’t had an egg-bound hen yet, but should it happen you can then apply some CO to the hen internally (yes, in the OTHER end of the hen, LOL) by dipping a glove-covered finger in some melted oil and then carefully smudging some CO inside the vent and around the edges of the stuck egg to help it glide along. I haven’t had the need to do that myself yet (thank heavens), but it seems to me that would be a much healthier solution instead of using vaseline.
You can also rub a little CO on their combs to keep them from getting that dry winter look about them and it helps protect them from the cold. 🙂
I’m 19 and have really bad acne including pimples, cysts, blackheads, and whiteheads. Does rinsing in the shower or using the coconut oil as a moisturizer/cleanser really help prevent/clear up breakouts? I feel so skeptical just because it is an oil. I also have really oily skin and am afraid it’d make my face shiny and all. Also, I have really oily hair. Would this be too extreme of a conditioner or de-frizzing “serum”? Would it be better to use it overnight and rinse in the morning if I wanted to condition my hair every so often? What type/brand of coconut oil is best to use on skin and which is best for consumption or for use during oil pulling or teeth whitening? Thanks for all these awesome ideas I’m definitely getting some on my next trip to the store!
I have been washing my face with coconut oil for months now and its the best thing ever. I had very oily skin and now I don’t even have to powder my nose throughout the day. My blemishes are gone and my skin tone is more even. I also put it in my hair as a leave in conditioner. My hair is oily too so I just avoid the root area. It works great. Good luck!
Haven’t tried it on my skin yet, I have combination skin and am pretty acne prone so it makes me a little skeptical and nervous. However I have tried it on my hair, which is REALLY oily (ill take a shower at night and the next morning my hair will need to be rewashed in order for it to look normal and not disgusting). I’ve previously used Moroccan, argan, bamboo, and several other oils and products but none of them compare in the slightest to what CO has done for my hair. It’s so much shinier, healthier and more manageable and the best part is that I can go at least 3 days without washing it and it doesnt look at all oily. The best method I’ve found is to apply a very, very generous scoop at night before you go to bed, take your blow drier on high and blast your hair for a few minutes to open up your hairs’ cuticles so that the CO absorbs even better (you don’t have to use the blow drier, it works just fine without), take a little more CO and apply it to your ends, twist your hair up tight and into a bun, and sleep on it. When you go to take a shower in the morning, you MUST wash your hair twice, or it’ll end up being too oily when you hop out of the shower. I’ve found two awesome conditioning shampoos that don’t lather (you need to use something without sulfates) that also have coconut oil and green tea (which is amazing for controlling oil) and mint extracts in them that are by far the best shampoos I’ve ever used. Not to mention it cuts down on the time you spend in the shower since conditioning shampoos work as a shampoo and a conditioner, but not like those awful 3-in-1 body, shampoo, conditioner deals.
So long story short, yes, CO is amazing for any type of hair, even oily, as long as you remember to shampoo twice after applying it root to tip
I’ve started usong CO on my rosacea. Works much better than any prescription pills or ointments.
Love it.
Mix it with a little raw sugar and use as a lip scrub to get rid of dead skin. compare to lip polish’s at sephora and lush for almost $15!
Bought some coconut oil at Cosco for $15.99 54 oz. I put it near our wood stove to melt. Then I put it in smaller containers to use. But when it hardened it didn’t look smooth. some of it was clear and some of it looked white. It said it was organic extra virgin coconut oil. anyone know why it looked different when it hardened?
That is completely natural! Nothing to be concerned about. It happens to my coconut oil too! 🙂
Yep, completely natural. Kinda looks like marbling. I think it’s actually pretty in a glass or see-thru jar. I actually had some melt then harden again and the marbling wasn’t there. So, as usual, I ran to my husband and asked him. Just as he said, it depends on how fast the oil hardens again. Say, if you put it in the fridge, the white “bubbles” don’t seem to be as obvious. But if you let it harden slowly, the oil has a marble effect.
I have had this problem with my skin also. I eliminated gluten which stopped new break outs but my skin just would not heal. I was very skeptical about putting C O on my skin. I thought it would clog my pores and make it worse, but It did not. In less than a week of using the coconut oil on my face my skin was clearer and my pores are smaller than they have been my whole life. I also switched to a sulfate free shampoo and conditioner and use the coconut oil as a leave in conditioner on occasion. Just use a small amount and don’t put it close to the scalp if you want to leave it in. Good luck.
I have vry dry eyes and already sjogren’s syndrome. Can coconut oil benefit and how please anybody.
Jacqueline
I have been using coconut oil as a face wash for the past few months and my skin has never looked better. I use to break out and have dry patches occasionally but now my skin is clear and perfectly hydrated.
I have a Chinese Crested dog, she is one of the hairless breeds. Since they tend to have dry skin, I massage coconut oil into her skin. Her skin feels so much better now.
I have a cold/sore and wow it’s gone man this stuff is sooooo brilliant!
I use coconut oil in my hair for a leave in conditioner, makes it really soft
I read a MD gave 3-4 tablespoons in her husbands oatmeal everyday which has helped him with his Alzheimer’s disease. He took a test when he was in early stages of the disease and they said he was in his 4th stage it straightened his mind out. It is also good for weight loss and clearing of the arteries burns too. I use it instead of butter or margarine on almost everything.
I have epilepsy, and my medication wasn’t controlling my seizures so I began to research some natural options when I came across coconut oil as a treatment. I started using it every day as a moisturizer all over my body and within a week my seizures were significantly reduced, and have become even less frequent since then!! Since then I have been using it every way I can think of, lol! I make my family use as moisturizer every day now, and it’s all I cook with now too. It also helps a lot with my candida! This stuff is amazing!!! Oh and it makes a great lip balm too 🙂
Thanks for stopping by and sharing Jessica! That is great to hear! 🙂
I didn’t read all the comments (so many), sorry if this is doubling up on other comments.
I have a horse who has bad hooves- I have been using it for moisturising the hooves and as a barrier against wet muddy weather, helps with hoof thrush too. Better than any hoof dressing I have bought and so much cheaper.
Great to make organic chocolate if you cant get cocoa fat- as we often cant in South Africa. Ours is sweetened with agave nectar, so sugar free too- yummy/totally healthy
Hi Ruth – Thanks for stopping by and sharing! 🙂
Oven cleaner. Yep it works. One teaspoon with some water in a spray bottle, warm in microwave. Spray it on and leave for 20mn then just wipe off. I also use it to clean leather, wood and counters. I also use as a skin lotion and lip balm.
What about using trader joes coconut oil cooking spray on dogs for fleas? Would that work and be safe?
Hi Sandy – I’m not too sure about the coconut oil cooking sprays. I have never used them and would be uncertain about other ingredients in there. Maybe some other readers will chime in on this.
Why not just use warm coconut oil in a mister ?
Do you have to use extra virgin cocont oil?
Hi Missy – Technically, there is no such thing as “extra” virgin coconut oil. Unlike the olive oil industry, there are no industry standards that regulate coconut oil varieties, so the term “extra” is just used for marketing purposes. There is virgin coconut oil and refined coconut oil. Both are good, as long as they come from reputable companies that do not use any chemicals during processing. Hope that helps. 🙂
What about the brand Louana? Thanks for your help.
I’ve been using virgin coconut oil for about a year. love it for oil pulling, in foods, hair, pets, and skin to name just a few uses. Recently I got a dry spot inside my nose that turned into a sore, so I started useing it to moistureize the sore several times a day with a q-tip. Worked great to heal it fast. The thing I noticed mostly tho, was that it inhanced my sense of smell. I can now smell things I wasn’t able to smell before. It’s amazing! Of course,at times, I wish I didn’t have my sense of smell back, like the chicken pen. LOL But seriously, coconut oil is the best thing in the world that I know of, that can be used for so many things in our everyday lives.
I use tons of coconut oil every day for all kinds of things! I don’t know what I’d do without it. Coconut oil is a “must have” as a base oil in all my handmade soaps, lip balms and shampoo bars and I also make solid lotion bars with coconut oil in. They are SO much better and cheaper than all those chemical-laden store-bought detergents and lotions and being all natural, they are safe for the environment, too. If you mix some sweet smelling essential oils in the lotion bars, you’ll have a solid perfume. If you mix in something like citronella, rosemary, lemongrass, tea tree, catnip, eucalyptus or similar essential oils in the lotion bars instead, you’ll have yourself an effective, but poison-free insect repellent! 🙂
I also make my own laundry washing powder and/or laundry washing liquid from scratch and make a cold process soap out of 100% coconut oil to use in the recipe. A coconut oil CP soap bar is also eminent to use as a pre-wash stain stick. It’ll remove grass stains, blood stains, coffee, chocolate, you name it!
Lastly, coconut oil is great for alleviating that horrid “smelly dog syndrome” stink some dogs have. Just give the dog a teaspoon of coconut oil a day and the stinkies be gone! My dog will lick it right off the spoon, she loves it, but you can also just melt or chop it and put it over their food. If it’s a really bad case of “the stinkies”, you can supplement by giving the dog a whole raw beaten egg with the coconut oil in it every other day. It not only helps make your pooch smell a whole lot better, it’s also really good for their coat, overall health and helps reduce stinky “dog breath”, too. You can rub their paw pads and noses with it too, if they’re dry or cracked. 🙂
I could go on and on and on about all the fantastic things I use coconut oil for, but I’d better quit now or I’ll be here all day. LOL
Oh, just one more little tip. I recycle a lot and some labels can be really hard to get off glass jars, but if you remove as much of the paper as you can and then rub in the gluey residue that’s left with coconut oil and let it sit for few minutes, you can then easily wipe the residue right off! 🙂
I’ll shut up now, LOL…. but maybe the title of this page should be edited to read “1000 uses for coconut oil” and not just a meager 122. LOL
Thanks for sharing Piper! I’m working on an updated version of this post, so keep the uses coming! 🙂
Please share that laundry detergent recipe – you mentioned soap – cold process soap? I’m not sure what you mean. Is that something that you buy? If so where? What brand? Cost? Ounces? Sounds interesting.
I really tried to partake in a daily dose of coconut oil because I truly believe in the positive health benefits BUT i was taking about 1 TBS/per day and I couldn’t get out of the bathroom! My system just couldn’t handle the fat even tho it’s good fat! I reduced the dose to 1 tsp. per day and even then I was living in the bathroom! has e=anyone else experienced this and/or have any suggestions?
FluffyDeb, I’m sorry that the coconut oil (CO) is affecting you this way. Your body may be saying “don’t give it to me straight” because CO is a fat … a rich condiment that your body is trying to handle all at once. If you haven’t already, try incorporating it into your food & drink. This way your body can absorb the CO fat gradually because it’s dispersed throughout the food. For example, a tsp of butter on pancakes, stirred into eggs or oatmeal is much more appealing to my tastebuds & digestive system than eating it by itself as straight fat. I couldn’t see myself drinking oil straight daily (tried it & didn’t like it). Here are few ways that I consume my daily CO (Love it!):
Smoothies or Shakes – add 1 tsp before blending
Tea/Hot Cocoa/Coffee – stir tsp into hot beverage
Eggs – I use CO (sometimes paired with butter) to cook eggs
Hot Cereal (oatmeal, etc.) – add CO in place of butter
Toast – “butter” toast with CO instead of butter … then add preserves, almond butter or Nutella/banana slices/chopped nuts
Stir-fry
Baking, pancakes, etc. – substitute vegetable oil in recipes with liquid CO
Roast Vegetables like sweet potato fries – slice sweet potatoes into bite-sized pieces, toss with CO & dash of salt & pepper until coated, add spices if desired (i.e., cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger for sweeter veggies like sweet potatoes or carrots), toss again to coat, spread in single layer on cookie sheet & bake at 350 until done (flip after 10 minutes & test for doneness with a fork or taste)
Moisturizer for skin & hair – skin absorbs CO as well
Hope this helps & you feel better!
Thanks Karen! I’ll give it a try in some of your suggestions! 🙂
Debi
I have been oil pulling for almost 4 months now, in an attempt to cure my chronic migraine. I started having them when I was 8, and I’m 26 now. I had tried everything there was medically to get rid of them, from anti-seizure meds to anti-depressants, to birth control, to blood pressure meds. I went to 5 different neurologists and headache specialists. I changed my diet. Nothing helped and I was living with the constant pain. Imitrex helped the headache, but caused more symptoms.
Then I started the oil pulling. And my entire life changed. I still get migraines, but only one or two a month.
Since then I’ve been using coconut oil for all my cooking, I’ve started moisturizing with it, and I’ve even got my husband using putting it on his popcorn. I am taking 1 TBS in the morning and at night with my vitamins. I am also using it once a week as a conditioner.
And my mom used it to rid her foot of a fungal infection she has suffered from for over 15 years (and dermatologists were stumped by). She just rubbed it on in the morning and at night and it was gone in a few weeks.
Oil Pulling!
Coconut oil has very little taste compared to other oils used for oil pulling and yields the same awesome results!
I add coconut oil to my breakfast smoothie, which includes whey protein powder, frozen blueberries, cocoa powder, ground flax, banana, ice cubes and coconut oil, mixed in blender until smooth.
Hi Marinie, I make a similar smoothie for breakfast. However, instant of ice cubes I add cold coconut water. Coconut water really gives it boosts the hydration verses water and nurtiunial value. Angela
If you’re a pet owner, could you share how you are using coconut oil for flea control? I have a reader who is curious how to use it for that purpose. Thanks!
I have heard you have to used unrefined for some things and refined for like cooking. Is that right?
Hi Kelly – I use both refined and virgin for a whole bunch of things. I like to use the refined when I’m cooking things that I don’t want any coconut flavor it. I love using the virgin when making sweets like breads, cookies, etc. It gives it a delicious rich flavor!
The gal I get organic spray tans through said to use this stuff to help “lock” in the tan!! It works great to keep the tan darker as well as longer AND of course its a great moisturizer!
I use it for recently pierced ears for healing.
I was reading the book “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Soapmaking”, when I came across this tidbit of info on page 118;
“For some reason, spiders don’t like coconut oil. After I’d been using this soap to clean my tile floors, I noticed I no longer saw spider webs in the corners of ceilings. We live in the country, so I used to find a lot of spiders who made their way
into the house. Now I hardly ever see them or any evidence theyve been around. ”
What fabulous info! My strawberry patch is full of harmless (but nevertheless to me, absolutely terrifying) lanky-legged spiders, so I thought, that if coconut soap repels spiders, then pure coconut oil must be even better! Now, when I have to pick strawberries, I rub my legs with coconut oil before I start and (knock on wood), no spider has run across my feet since! *Shudder* 😀
Speaking of wood, that same tidbit of information gave me the idea to rub my wooden garden furniture in coconut oil too and not only did it do a brilliant job of cleaning and buffing the wood, my hope is that it will keep spiders from crawling up and making themselves at home under the chairs and table. Next up is lathering coconut oil on all my threshholds and door and window frames.
Spiders be gone! *LOL*
Awesome tip! Thanks for sharing! 🙂
REMEDY TO CURE GREY HAIR AND REJUVENATE DEAD CELL
Concoction of 2 tablespoons COCONUT oil and LEMON juice(cut and use 1/2 of fresh lemon juice).Drink 1st thing in the morning on an empty stomach.
Has anyone tried coconut oil & lemon juice to cure grey hair? How long after drinking it can you eat?
Have you actually used this successfully and do you have a link to before and after pics?
I’m REALLY skeptical as you might guess 🙂
We had veggie bean chili and I added a teaspoon of coconut oil to my bowl. Wow! Made the chili taste great!
In a fry pan, we steam cut up kale and onions in water. Once steamed, we add coconut oil to the pan and then scrambled eggs. Add some spices. I added salt, peper, pinch ground red peper, dill weed, ground ginger or whatever spices you like. Very Good!
I had aged, yellowed headlights on my old Chevy. I scrubbed, plolished, with little help. I spread a little coconut oil on the plastic surface, and they became nearly clear. Lasted for weeks, even through several rains and trips.
I’ve been putting virgin coconut oil on my cutting board. It is working very well to protect the wood from drying out, and I feel confident that its natural anti-bacterial quality makes it the ideal choice.
I do that too! It is a great conditioner and antimicrobial! 🙂
I have been using C/oil for about a month. I have very bad eczema on my feet, elbows, ears, nose and mouth region and one eyelid and also at the back of my neck. I had nothing to lose, so bought a pot and began to apply twice a day to the nasty areas. Within a day I had relief and have been using it every since. My skin is softer and the itchy is getting less in my ears. My eye no longer is scaly, itching or dry. I have stopped using the cortisone creams. I also eat the oil – cooking, spreading, baking. Indeed, GOD’s gift.
Hi there! I love this long list of suggestions! It’s wonderful. I do want to make one comment. Not too long ago I had a conversation with my friend about using coconut oil and how wonderful it was. She said, don’t feed it to your dog! She had just brought her 2 year old dog to the vet because he stopped eating and became very ill. Vet asked about food, she told him she had recently added in a small amount of coconut oil to his diet. He said the pancreas cannot process super high fats and it can make them very ill. She stopped feeding him the oil and he got better. Just a thought.
Hi Karyn — That is very interesting, as I have been told (and researched) the opposite. Coconut oil is one of the best sources of medium chain fatty acids, which are very, very easy for our bodies (and pet’s bodies) to digest. Coconut oil is also a rich source of lauric acid, which is an immune system builder, as well as an antifungal, antibacterial, etc. Dr. Karen Becker (a very well respected veterinarian) recommends it for her patients, especially ones who have digestive disorders because coconut oil does not require pancreatic secretion of lipase or gall bladder secretions of bile in order to digest. My guess is that with your friend’s pet, there was another underlying issue, rather than just being an issue with the coconut oil. You can read my post on coconut oil for pets, as well as watch a video with Dr. Becker here: https://www.deliciousobsessions.com/2012/06/coconut-oil-for-healthy-happy-pets-why-its-good-and-how-to-use/. I personally have been feeding coconut oil to my pets for years and they are in excellent health. I have many friends who do the same and have never had any issues either. That said, like humans, all pets are different, so it’s best to find out what your pet tolerates best. Hope that helps!
There is obviously a LOT of conflicting info re: coconut oil and pets….I was going to give some to my cat, a 2 year old Selkirk Rex. The research I read said that UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES should coconut oil be given to cats as they are obligate carnivores and have no enzymes to break down the coconut oil!!
Having lost a beloved kitty in February 2011 to pancreatitis (he was only 7) I would be VERY VERY leery about giving my cat ANY vegetable based fat!
I think the best thing to do would be to consult with your own vet. It sounds like some vets recommend it and others don’t.
I use coconut oil occasionally for our pets. Our dogs love the taste. I want to start giving to one our dogs daily. She was in an accident a few years ago. She had a shattered bone, and it did not heal straight. It bothers her occasionally, and seems to be weaker than her other legs. She is a very happy dog, but I’m hoping the coconut oil can help her be in pain less often. We also use is on the other pets in the house. We used it on a snake with a skin condition. Our rats LOVE coconut oil. When they get it for a few days, their fur looks marvelous. I rub chunks of it on the bars of their cage. They’ll spend an hour finding it all and licking it off. We use it on their fur when he had two with skin irritations. We would mix it with warm water and spray it on their fur. We have also used it for dry skin/pest issues with our hedgehog. I use it in coffee, cooking, sugar scrubs, etc. I find it is easy to get a lot of coconut oil in one dish by making curry with it. Fry potatoes in it as a base, add curry seasonings and coconut milk and rice noodles.
Stinky feet will no longer be an issue. Just rub on your feet before you put on socks after shower and before bedtime. My 80 year old father will not be without CO. My children get so tired of hearing, “Use coconut oil for anything.”
also brilliant for oil pulling. if you dont know about oil pulling, just google it, it is amazing.
Hi Hilary – Yes it is! I just wrote a new post on oil pulling here: https://www.deliciousobsessions.com/2014/03/oil-pulling-dental-health/
I use it to lubricate my epilator, they run hot as they wear out and create more friction. So not only does doing my legs smell great, I don’t burn them either 🙂
Hey, I was thinking about getting CO but I’m not sure what kind I should get. I love to cook so I will definitely try substituting CO for butter and shortening. Also, I am 18 yrs old with acne and blackheads and was wondering if it works on blackheads at all because the blackheads are not only on my face but on my legs as well and I have been trying to get rid of it for months.
Hi Tirah – This article should be of help: https://www.deliciousobsessions.com/2014/05/cutting-coconutty-confusion/. I have found much success using coconut oil on my skin as well, but we are all different. I’d recommend giving it a try and see what you think! In the tropics, coconut oil has been used for skin care for thousands of years.
i’m using it on two surgical scars now, an 8 inch vertical midline incision and a 3 inch horizontal incision offcenter just above waist. the smaller incision was ‘open’..wasn’t stitched or stapled..left ‘open’ and packed with saline gauze to heal from the inside out.started in the 3rd week post surg, now in 9th week.
i’m feeling good about the scars now and think they’re going to keep getting better. none of my three surgeons had any suggestions for helping minimize the scar. i also used lavender oil but misplaced it last week and haven’t replaced it.
i use coconut oil in cooking, general skincare, have used it for deoderant, toothpaste…great stuff! i do have some concern that we’re going to find out that biodiverse forests are being destroyed (or something horrible) is being done to provide us with the coconut oil.
Thanks for sharing Lynn! I’m glad you are recovering well! When selecting coconut oils, make sure you buy from a company that is following eco-friendly, sustainable methods of harvesting.
I have yet to find a salon that can beat my at-home coconut oil mani/pedi. I start with a nice long massage using VCO, especially because like to wear a lot of dark or red nail polish. Saturating the skin and cuticles with oil before removing dark or red polish helps prevent staining. Any oil will work for this, I suppose, but VCO is by far my favorite–it’s affordable, it’s naturally antibacterial and antifungal, and I always have some in the kitchen anyway. After I’ve trimmed, filed, scrubbed (I also wipe each nail with a little alcohol so the oil doesn’t interfere with polish grip), and painted (base coat, two color coats, top coat), I smear each finger with a thin film of VCO (wait till the polish is no longer tacky, but it doesn’t have to be completely hardened). This restores moisture lost during the alcohol swabbing, comforts and protects the cuticles and eponychium (the live part of the cuticle), and even protects the fresh polish from minor dings and bumps until it cures completely.
I agree Chloe! Sounds awesome! 🙂
Hi! I’ve been curious, does the unrefined coconut oil really help with a urinary tract infection and or yeast infection if ingested and applied topically? I’ve been struggling with both I’m just sort of prone to them unfortunately :/ and I highly dislike going to the doc for antibiotics since they interfere with my BC…I’ve also heard that coconut oil is like a natural antibiotic, but I didn’t think it would interact with BC since its much more natural. Can anyone help me out here? Thanks.
I’ve heard something about using it to maintain a healthy, manageable beard.
Wow. This is a great article Jessica. I knew more about the Best Coconut Oil as I only knew a few before.
Glad you liked it! Thanks for stopping by! 🙂