7 Creative Ways to Use Coconut Oil in Your Diet and Beauty Regimes
Do you have coconut oil in your cupboard and wondering how you can put it to good use? Well, you are in the right place!
Coconut oil has been a popular household product for decades for all the right reasons. From being a healthy addition to the diet to doing wonders for your skin, coconut oil is often considered as the holy grail.
It is also commonly referred to as a superfood due to its high nutrient content and numerous health benefits.
It is one of the oldest oils used by various cultures around the world in cooking, as well as applications on hair and face as a beauty enhancer. In more recent times, coconut oil has achieved huge prominence under the scrutiny of health enthusiasts around the globe due to its numerous health benefits with minimal to no side-effects at all.
Seven ways to use coconut oil:
1. Oil swishing for oral health:
Ayurveda is a form of ancient and natural medicine that originated from India. Ayurvedic principles suggest coconut oil can be a powerful agent against dental troubles. The oil can act against the bacteria present in your mouth and also prevents tooth decay, dental plaque, and even gum diseases.
This study shows that coconut oil is as effective as an antiseptic mouthwash in bringing down the bacterial action.
How to use it: Oil pulling is the latest trend in the world of oral hygiene. Simply put one tablespoon of coconut oil in your mouth and swish it around for 10-15 minutes.
2. Mayonnaise:
Are you tired of looking for a really tasty, quality mayonnaise with less fat? Coconut oil is your answer!
Check out this easy recipe to make a healthy mayonnaise:
How to use it:
Take four egg yolks and beat them in a blender.
Add one tablespoon lemon juice, one teaspoon mustard, ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon pepper to the blender.
Slowly add ½ teaspoon olive oil and ½ teaspoon coconut oil to it, and your mayonnaise is ready. Enjoy!
3. Moisturiser for lips:
If your lips often get dry and chapped during cold weather, coconut oil might come to your aid. Coconut oil contains fatty acids that can hydrate and moisturize your dry lips.
How to use it: Simply apply a thin layer of coconut oil on your lips.
It will give you soft and hydrated lips even in dry weather.
4. Arthritis:
Arthritis can inflict excruciating pain and discomfort around the joints. Coconut oil contains antioxidants called polyphenols that are known to alleviate the symptoms of arthritis. Regular use of coconut oil can also bring relief from swelling and inflammation caused by this auto-immune disease that affects your joints.
How to use it: Gently massage the coconut oil on the affected area twice a day to get relief from arthritis.
5. Controls appetite:
If you are planning to lose weight, coconut oil can become your best ally. The medium-chain triglycerides (MCT) present in coconut oil can reduce your hunger and, in turn, decrease your appetite. You will eat less and lose weight much faster with the help of this oil.
How to use it: Use coconut oil to cook your meals, instead of the regular oil. It will help you keep full for longer.
6. Untangle you mane:
Increasing pollution and harmful rays can take a toll on your delicate locks. If you feel your hair has lost its normal shine and strength or keeps getting tangled, you can use coconut oil. It penetrates deep into the hair roots and adds nourishment. It will give you healthy, smooth, and frizz-free hair.
How to use it: Warm a small amount of coconut oil in your hands and apply to your hair, mid-shaft to the ends to get smoother hair. It can also help untangle your hair without causing damage. Applying coconut oil and leaving it in overnight strengthens the hair and gets the very best results.
7. Dry skin:
Coconut oil is one of the best and natural skin moisturizers. It contains lauric acid, which has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties that can do wonders for your skin. It can reduce the water loss from your skin, keeping it healthy and hydrated.
Besides giving you healthy skin, coconut oil also prevents infections. If you have sensitive skin that might react to artificial moisturisers, you can rely on oil to naturally take care of dryness.
How to use it: Take a generous amount of oil, warm in the palm of your hands, and apply daily on the affected area. It works well on legs, arms, elbows, or even cracked heels.
8. Mild burns
Coconut oil, with its wonderful skin smoothing agents, works as an excellent remedy to treat mild burns.
Coconut oil is an excellent source of vitamin E, a component that is vital for healing skin wounds and improving its condition. Besides, the antifungal and antibacterial properties of coconut oil protect the burns from any infections. It will also help in toning the scars or any marks that are caused due to burns.
Final Thoughts
If you think about one ‘superfood’ or a ‘beauty cure-all,’ your search will end at coconut oil. It is the most versatile and useful oil that can transform your life. Be it becoming healthy or getting glowing hair and skin, coconut oil has covered every aspect to nourish your overall wellbeing.
Author Bio:
Emylee is a wellness lifestyle writer. She loves sharing her thoughts and personal experiences related to natural remedies, yoga and fitness through her writing. She currently writes for How To Cure. She can connect with others experiencing health concerns and help them through their recovery journeys through natural remedies.