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Who knew there were so many uses for coconut oil?

By on January 6, 2016
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From naturallysavvy.com

In the past few years, coconut oil has taken the media by storm with its myriad health benefits that affect the entire body inside out.

It might just be the most versatile food on earth with its extensive applications not only in natural medicine, but also in beauty, household and much more. In South East Asia, the Coconut tree is referred to as the “tree of life”, and today there are over 1500 studies to prove that coconut oil might just be the elixir that you have been looking for.

If you have heard of the many benefits of coconut oil, and bought a tub for yourself, but don’t know what to do with it, here is some help—a list of top uses of coconut oil for you, and we hope it helps.

1. Cleanser
Most face washes and soaps available in the market have an over abundance of alcohol and contain harsh chemicals that can play havoc with the natural oils and cause overproduction of oil and eventually lead to skin problems such as clogged pores and acne. Coconut oil is a natural cleanser and can be used on any skin type. It gently washes away dirt, impurities and even makeup without harming the natural oils. It leaves your skin clean, soft and moisturized.

2. Wrinkles
There is a whole world of expensive skincare products promising younger looking and beautiful skin. But try coconut oil once and you will shun all your chemical laden anti-wrinkle products. It is known for its anti-aging properties and there are no side effects. It is rich in antioxidants such as pro Vitamin A and Vitamin E that help slow down the aging process. Coconut oil can reduce fine lines and other signs of aging leaving a younger looking skin with an enviable glow.

3. Bad breath
No matter how beautiful you look, if you do not smell good, then all that make up and designer dresses go in vain. Due to its strong antimicrobial properties, coconut oil can be effective in treating bad breath. For all dental applications, just take a tablespoon of coconut oil, swish it around the mouth for 15-20 minutes, spit it out and brush your teeth.

Read more about using coconut oil for dental hygiene

4. Homemade laundry detergent
Coconut oil and detergent? Yes, you got it right. You can actually whip up your own homemade laundry detergent using coconut oil. Just add 33 oz coconut oil, 5.9 ounces lye (NaOH) and 12 oz water. You can also add a few drops of your favorite essential oil.

5. Stain remover
To remove stains from your carpets or upholstery just mix one part of coconut oil with one part of baking soda and apply it to the stain. Let the mixture sit for a few minutes and then wipe it off.

6. Get rid of ants, maggots and flies
Mix some seed oil and castile liquid soap to coconut oil and use the spray to get rid of ants. To keep flies and maggots away from the trash, just coat the bin with coconut oil.

7. Replace vegetable oil or butter with coconut oil
If you have to sauté your vegetables in a frying pan, just use coconut oil in place of butter or vegetable oil as a healthier alternative. You might not get as rich a taste as butter, but you will certainly feel less guilty.

8. Lubricant to remove caked-on food
With coconut oil in your pantry, you no longer need to scrub the caked-on food from your dishes. Simply put some coconut oil on the tough spots and the caked-on food can be scrubbed off easily.

9. Keep your eggs fresh longer
Coconut oil can prolong the life of eggs by 1-2 weeks. Just swipe a little coconut oil on the egg shells. It will seal the pores and keep them fresh longer.

10. Fight Inflammation
Coconut oil, in its unrefined form without any heating or chemicals, is believed to prevent and fight chronic inflammation. It promotes kidney and liver health. Research has also shown that regular consumption of virgin coconut oil helps fight inflammation and prevents chronic diseases caused by inflammation.

11. Promotes brain health and helps treat Alzheimer’s
Research shows that coconut oil can be an effective treatment for Alzheimer’s. The study shows that taking a tablespoon of coconut oil three times a day can help Alzheimer’s.

12. Ultimate energy booster
Want to make a quick energy booster? Go fetch your tub of coconut oil, mix it with chia seeds and you are good to go. Mix ½ tablespoon of chia seeds with a tablespoon of coconut oil, spread it on a slice of multi-grain bread or just have it as is. Chia seeds are known to boost endurance and performance, coconut helps its metabolism.

13. Burns fat
Coconut oil is rich in medium chain triglycerides and is shown to support weight loss and help the body burn fat. You may be surprised that fat can help you to lose weight, but try adding a tablespoon of coconut oil to your diet and you may start noticing a reduction in abdominal fat. Research has shown that consumption of medium chain triglyceride oils is more effective for weight loss compared to olive oil.

14. Cold and flu prevention and relief
The anti-microbial, anti-fungal and anti-viral properties of coconut oil make it effective for prevention and relief from cold and flu. Just add a bit of coconut oil to your smoothies or teas for relief from cold and flu.

15. Naturally balance hormones
Coconut oil contains healthy fats that support adrenal and thyroid glands that can lower cortisol and balance hormones. It promotes healthy metabolism and suppresses inflammation, thus balancing hormones.

16. Naturally balance cholesterol levels
Coconut oil contains healthy fats that lower LDL cholesterol and increase HDL cholesterol, and in turn promote cardiovascular health. A study shows that consumption of coconut oil increases HDL cholesterol and improves cholesterol ratio.

17. Remove wax build up from ears
If you have excess wax build up in your ears, then try a drop or two of coconut oil. Just tilt your head and use a dropper to put 1-2 drops into the ear. After some time, just tilt the head the other way and let the oil and wax drain out.

18. Remedy for pink eye
If you have a pink eye, then before trying antibiotics or other treatments, try some coconut oil. Just dab a little oil on to the eyelids and follow up with a cold or warm compress. It reduces swelling and soothes itchy eyes.

19. Treats menopause related hot flashes
Taking a tablespoon or two of coconut oil can provide relief from hot flash symptoms during menopause.

Read more about the health benefits of coconuts

20. Promotes calcium and magnesium absorption
Calcium plays a critical role in many body systems and is essential for healthy bones. If you have problem absorbing calcium then coconut oil can be of great help. It also boosts magnesium absorption, thus preventing and relieving many health problems such as constipation, hormonal imbalance, migraines and more.

21. Pet care
Coconut oil does not just work for humans; it can be great for pets as well. Adding a little coconut oil to their diet helps digestive problems. You can apply coconut oil topically to treat irritations, skin allergies and wounds.

22. Allergies
If you are prone to respiratory allergies, you can simply put a little coconut oil in your nostrils. This will block the pollen and prevent allergies. You can also add a bit of coconut oil to your smoothies to relieve symptoms associated with allergies. It works well because of its anti-inflammatory properties. The fact that it is a natural immune booster makes it even better at fighting allergies. Coconut oil can help fight allergies because it is a natural immune booster as well.

23. Helps morning sickness
If you are pregnant and suffer from morning sickness, then coconut oil may offer some relief. A tablespoon of coconut oil every morning can be of great help.

24. Prevents diaper rash
By applying a little coconut oil to the baby’s skin, you can prevent diaper rash.

25. Effective treatment for ear infections
Coconut oil works great for treating baby ear infections as well. It is a natural and safe alternative to the chemical laden ear drops available in the market. Unless you suspect damage to the ear drum, you can pour a drop of coconut oil into the infected ear with the help of a dropper. It is known to work quickly.

26. Homemade deodorant
Coconut oil possesses great anti-bacterial properties, and this can prevent body odor. You can use coconut oil as is or combine it with baking soda and some essential oils.

27. Leather cleaner and shiner
Coconut oil can clean leather beautifully and add a nice shine to it.
A tub of coconut oil can work wonders on your health, beauty and home, but make sure you buy only the purest and highest quality oil for the best results. So go ahead and grab a tub of coconut oil to get started on a healthier and natural way of life.

[Editor’s Note: We recommend organic coconut oil from our sponsor Barlean’s]

This article originally appeared on TheGreenDivas.com.

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