by: Melissa A. Kay
Everyone’s going nuts for coconuts as of late, particularly coconut oil, which has more uses and benefits with each passing day. Used in cooking, for beauty and wellness, and even for medicinal purposes, coconut oil is extremely versatile, natural, and loved by people from all around the world.
Coconut oil “is an edible oil extracted from the kernel or meat of mature coconuts harvested from the coconut palm.” As per WebMD, “Coconut oil is solid at room temperature with a long shelf life and the ability to withstand high cooking temperatures.” According to Coconutoil.com, “Studies done on native diets high in coconut oil consumption show that these populations are generally in good health, and don’t suffer as much from many of the modern diseases of western nations.”
With so many ways to incorporate coconut oil into your everyday routine, here are some of the more popular ways people are using coconut oil to improve their lives. If you haven’t begun to count on coconut too, now is a great time to start.
“Creamer” for coffee
Via fidori.com
Toss the sugary or artificial creamers you normally use in your morning Joe and use a spoonful of coconut oil in its place. According to Dr. Axe, “Adding a spoonful of coconut oil to your coffee can give you an extra boost of energy and replace dairy creamer. If you put your hot coffee in a blender, with the coconut oil and your favorite natural sweetener, and blend, you will be amazed at the rich creamy flavor, without adding any dairy.”
The unique taste and added boost will perk you up like never before and you’ll wish you had tried this java jumpstart sooner!
Pest repellent
Via fitonews.com
With the warm weather making its debut, the bugs are ready to make a meal out of us. But most bug sprays are full of chemicals and can smell harsh. Coconut oil to the rescue!
As perDr. Oz, “Combine a half cup of coconut oil with 10 drops of tea tree oil into a spray bottle. Close the lid, shake the bottle, and then spray this natural formula directly onto skin to keep bugs at bay.”
Dental health
Brushing and flossing are important for good dental care, but add some coconut oil into your routine and your dentist will be impressed.
According to Authority Nutrition, “Coconut oil can be a powerful weapon against bacteria, including Streptococcus mutans. This is the bacteria in the mouth that causes dental plaque, tooth decay and gum disease. In one study, swishing with coconut oil for 10 minutes (known as oil pulling) reduced these bacteria as effectively as rinsing with an antiseptic mouthwash.”
The process may take some getting used to, but once you see the results, you’ll want to keep up the effort and flash those healthy, pearly whites whenever you can.
Stain removal
Wipe out stains the all-natural way with the aid of coconut oil. As per Authority Nutrition, “Coconut oil can be used to get rid of stains, including spills on carpets and furniture. Combine one part coconut oil with one part baking soda and mix into a paste. Apply to the stain, wait 5 minutes and wipe away.”
You won’t damage your belongings with bleaches and caustic chemicals, and the ease of using coconut oil for cleaning can’t be matched. No more crying over spilled milk… or wine… or even spaghetti sauce!
Skin moisturizer
We all want soft and supple skin, but who knows what goes into many of the drugstore brands we often buy? Go all-natural with coconut oil for moisturizing to the max.
As Everyday Roots suggests, “In lieu of your regular lotion, coconut oil delivers a refreshing, healing, burst of moisture that penetrates your skin and works to truly heal it (not just soak in and dry up!) It can feel oily at first, but that’s why it’s important to only use a little-it goes a long way. Give it a minute and it will dry beautifully.”
Not to mention, the scent is fresh and light and you won’t have to worry about adverse reactions like rashes and breakouts.
