Coconut oil: properties, how to use

The benefits and harms of coconut oil are of interest to many connoisseurs of home cosmetology. Most often, the product is used specifically for body care, in order to use the oil correctly, you need to understand its features.

Appearance and types of coconut oil

Coconut fat is a vegetable product. However, it looks rather unusual - like a thick creamy white mass or scattered hard pieces that resemble soap. The product turns into a liquid state only at temperatures above 25 ° C.

The oil is mainly classified into the following categories:

• The spinning method is hot or cold. The cold-pressed product retains much more useful properties, however, the price is much higher. The hot-pressed oil is cheaper, but almost completely loses vitamins and minerals, only fatty acids remain in the composition.
• Purification method - refined or unrefined. The advantages of an unrefined product are that it contains more nutrients. However, there is also a minus - a pronounced aroma and flavor of coconut. A refined product does not have a pungent smell and taste, but it brings less benefit.

For cosmetic use, the properties of natural unrefined coconut oil will be more beneficial. But for use in cooking, a refined product is suitable, while the properties of cold-pressed coconut oil will be more valuable.

The chemical composition and calorie content of coconut oil

Basically, the composition of a useful product, regardless of the type, is represented by saturated fatty acids. A person needs them in limited quantities, since they are harmful in large quantities. The main point is that these acids are not produced by the body on its own, which determines the health benefits and harms of coconut oil. The product contains acids:

• oleic;
• myristic;
• linolenic;
• arachidonic;
• palmitic and stearic.

Capric and lauric acids are also present.

Natural oil contains calcium and phosphorus, as well as vitamins E, A and C. The calorie content of the product is approximately 900 kcal per 100 g, therefore, in case of an overdose, fat causes serious harm to health and figure.

Why is coconut oil useful?

The product is not an everyday product, but the benefits of coconut oil for the body are very great. Specifically, this product:

• has a pronounced healing effect on the skin and hair;
• has antioxidant properties and demonstrates anti-aging effects;
• has a beneficial effect on blood vessels and protects against atherosclerosis;
• helps to remove toxins and thereby reduces the load on the liver;
• benefits in type 2 diabetes and has a positive effect on the thyroid gland;
• improves the functioning of the intestinal and gastric system;
• strengthens the heart and immunity;
• normalizes the functioning of the nervous system and helps to get rid of anxiety.

Also, the healing properties of coconut oil include healing and anti-inflammatory properties.

Slimming coconut oil

A particular benefit of coconut oil for a woman's body is that the product can promote weight loss. Despite the high calorie content, oil does not harm the figure, but triggers the process of rapid breakdown of adipose tissue - this leads to weight loss.

The product reduces the feeling of hunger and thus facilitates the diet. And most importantly, healthy fat can completely replace all other fats of vegetable and animal origin. Thanks to this, excess fat will no longer be deposited in the body, but nutrients will continue to flow in full.

The use of coconut oil in cosmetology

The properties of coconut body oil are highly prized in home-based personal care recipes. A useful product has a beneficial effect on the appearance and improves the condition of not only the skin, but also the hair and nail plates.

For facial skin

The product, almost entirely composed of fatty acids, is ideal for the care of dry to normal skin. The benefits of coconut oil for facial skin are that oil softens and cleanses the skin, eliminates inflammation and nourishes the epidermis with essential substances.

The properties of coconut oil for facial skin are manifested in full force, even if you simply lubricate the face with the product in its pure form. But fat brings even more benefits in combination with additional ingredients - in the composition of masks.

1. An effective cleansing mask can be made on the basis of the product and oatmeal steamed in milk. The product is mixed with soft flakes, a little honey is added and spread over the skin. A useful remedy quickly removes acne, redness and irritation.
2. If you mix equal amounts of honey, sea salt and brown sugar, and then add literally 3 drops of oil to them, you get a good homemade scrub. It is gently applied to the face with massage movements, and after 7 minutes it is washed off and you enjoy soft and smooth skin.

The product is often mixed with conventional moisturizers and nourishing creams. It enhances the beneficial properties of cosmetic products and helps to better protect the skin from irritation and flaking.

For lips

On the basis of the product, you can prepare a useful homemade balm that protects lips from chapping. A teaspoon of fat should be mixed with half a teaspoon of honey and applied to the lips for a quarter of an hour. After that, fat and honey must be removed with a napkin dipped in warm water.

For eyelashes and eyebrows

The beneficial properties of coconut oil help add volume to your eyelashes and eyebrows. It is enough just to regularly apply undiluted fat before going to bed - lubricate eyelashes and eyebrows with it, removing excess with a napkin. To prevent oil from getting into your eyes when treating eyelashes, it is best to use a cleanly washed mascara brush.

For hair

The benefits of coconut oil for hair are that it strengthens the strands, makes them more manageable and makes styling easier.The easiest way to use it looks like this - the fat is applied to the scalp and strands for half an hour, and then washed off with shampoo.

In addition, product-based masks can be prepared.

1. To strengthen weakened curls, 40 g of coconut fat should be mixed with egg yolk, 10 ml of wine vinegar and half a teaspoon of glycerin.
2. To add volume and strength to your hair, you can mix 40 g of oil with mashed banana and a spoonful of fatty sour cream.

All useful masks are kept on the curls for no more than half an hour to avoid harm. The procedure should be repeated at least twice a week, then the effect will be noticeable and permanent.

For nails

The healing properties of coconut oil help restore the strength and shine of the nail plates. Melt a large spoonful of coconut oil by steam, add the same amount of honey and add 4 drops of rosemary oil. After that, the mixture is reheated with steam until it becomes homogeneous and liquid.

The finished product is applied to the nails and rubbed into the cuticle, put on thin plastic gloves and wrap your hands in a warm towel. You need to wait a quarter of an hour, then the composition is washed off with water.

For stretch marks

A useful product is one of the best remedies for eliminating stretch marks after childbirth or intense weight loss. Steam about 3 teaspoons of fat, add 5 drops of rosemary and rub into the affected skin for 5 minutes.

Cellulite

The benefits of coconut oil for the body can help get rid of the ugly deposits of cellulite on the thighs and buttocks. All you need to do is to carefully massage the areas affected by cellulite with oiled hands several times a week.

For Tan

Benefits of coconut oil for sun tanning. Before you go to sunbathe, you need to lubricate the whole body with it. The beneficial properties of fat will moisturize, soften and protect the skin from the harm of aggressive sunlight, and also give a fresh tan a pleasant golden hue. It is recommended to lubricate the body both before and after going to the beach, then the effect will be maximum.

For teeth whitening

The benefits of coconut oil in cosmetology are manifested in relation to the teeth. The product has cleansing properties and removes plaque from the enamel surface. If for a quarter of an hour you simply dissolve the product in the volume of a large spoon, then after several procedures the result will be clearly noticeable.

The use of coconut oil for medicinal purposes

Coconut oil benefits the body internally - the product is able to relieve the symptoms of certain ailments and disorders. Traditional medicine offers several recipes that include vegetable fat.

With a headache

Although the properties of the product will not cure chronic migraines, the oil will be beneficial for headaches caused by fatigue and overexertion. Healing fat must be rubbed into whiskey for several minutes. The procedure will improve blood circulation, relieve muscle and vascular spasms, so your head will stop hurting very quickly.

For herpes

A useful product is able to fight viral infections, including herpes. If itching is felt in the lips, and the first transparent bubbles appear on the skin, you should immediately lubricate the lips with coconut oil and repeat until the symptoms subside.

For colds and flu

Fat has anti-inflammatory properties. If the temperature rises and other symptoms of SARS or influenza occur, you need to start taking coconut oil three times a day, 1 large spoonful with food.

Even a small amount of the remedy is enough to activate the immune system and push the body to fight the disease.

With hemorrhoids

The beneficial properties of homemade coconut oil ointment will help relieve inflammation and pain with hemorrhoids. Prepare it like this:

• mix coconut oil and shea butter - 60 ml each;
• add 30 g of aloe juice and 10 drops of lavender oil;
• mix the product with a teaspoon of witch hazel and the same amount of apple cider vinegar;
• 5 drops of tea tree oil and turmeric are added.

Shea and coconut butter must first be softened in a water bath. The agent is placed in a small glass container and the hemorrhoids are treated in the morning and in the evening with the prepared ointment.

Bone and Joint Treatment

The medicinal properties of the product are well suited to combat arthrosis, arthritis and rheumatism. Rub the joints with a small amount of fat three times a day. It is also useful to apply a compress overnight - the fat is applied to a small piece of cloth or gauze and fixed over the sore spot with a bandage.

For nail fungus

The fatty acids in the product help neutralize microorganisms. With a fungus, it is necessary to lubricate the affected areas with coconut oil several times a day. It is advisable to combine this therapy with taking antifungal drugs.

With varicose veins

The product is a good remedy for varicose veins in the event that the disease is just beginning to develop. Received vascular "asterisks", as well as sore and itchy areas should be lubricated with melted fat more often - this improves skin condition and has a beneficial effect on the walls of blood vessels.

With diseases of the gastrointestinal tract

With gastritis, a tendency to constipation and other ailments, you can take the product inside on an empty stomach in the morning. You need to start with half a teaspoon, and then the dosage of the product can be raised to 2 large spoons.

With eczema and psoriasis

The antiseptic properties of fat help well against inflammatory skin diseases. Oil should be carefully treated with sore areas several times a day, the product relieves itching, eliminates inflammation and rashes.

With thrush

From a fungal female ailment, the product is used both internally and externally. The main treatment is to simply lubricate the irritated epidermis and mucous membranes in the intimate area with fat. Inside, the oil should be consumed before eating - first, just a teaspoon per dose, with a gradual increase in dosage to a large spoon.

For allergies

The product is a good anti-allergic agent and helps with intolerance to soy, peanuts, gluten and other allergens. The beneficial oil can be taken orally in small amounts or lubricated with irritation to relieve symptoms.

For wounds and burns

In case of skin lesions, it is recommended to treat sore spots with coconut oil - beneficial properties have a disinfecting effect. The wounds must first be thoroughly rinsed.

From bad breath

For gum disease and tooth decay, it is helpful to dissolve small pieces of coconut fat or to rinse your mouth with it in liquid form. In addition, fat is added to toothpaste when brushing teeth, it has antibacterial and mild whitening effects.

How is coconut oil used for food

Coconut oil is used in cooking - fat is used to prepare dishes from meat, fish and vegetables, added to sauces and snacks of hot and cold types, side dishes. The product goes well with pasta and rice, buckwheat and mashed potatoes, looks organic in salads. When added to the dough, the product provides baked goods with splendor and softness, and gives healthy cereals an unusual pleasant taste.To prevent fat from causing harm, it must be added in small quantities.

As a rule, refined coconut oil is beneficial in cooking, its smell is less pronounced and unobtrusive.

Can I fry in coconut oil

The benefit of frying coconut oil is that it does not form carcinogens when heated like many other oils. Even if you cook it long enough, the fat won't burn.

The benefits of frying in coconut oil also lie in the fact that you can use it 5-7 times in a row without replacing it with a new one. This property is unique, common butter and vegetable fats are harmful when reused.

Coconut oil for pregnant and nursing

External use of the product during childbearing is not only useful, but also recommended. The fat helps to maintain the elasticity of women's skin and to take care of the hair, makes it look good despite the delicate position. But it is better not to use coconut oil for cooking during pregnancy - the properties of fat can harm the fetus.

The same applies to the period of breastfeeding. A woman can take care of her body with coconut oil. However, coconut oil should not be used in food until lactation is complete, otherwise harm is likely.

Can coconut oil be used for children

The benefits of coconut oil for food extend mainly to adults - it is not recommended to introduce it into a children's diet, it will be harmful. But on the other hand, fat can be used from an early age to care for baby skin. The product helps to eliminate diaper rash in babies, is good for massage, and during adolescence can get rid of acne.

How to make coconut oil at home

It is impossible to repeat the cold-pressed technology at home, but it is quite possible to cook the product "hot". The process looks pretty simple:

• pulp is removed from several fresh coconuts and grated to get small chips;
• the resulting shavings are placed in a small container and poured to the top with water so that the liquid covers the crushed pulp by about 2 cm from above;
• after that, the shavings are thoroughly crushed in water, trying to achieve complete homogeneity;
• after the water cools down, the resulting mass is filtered through tightly folded gauze or a fine sieve into a glass jar.

The oil must be refrigerated for 8 hours, during which time the healthy fat will settle and solidify above the water surface. The product is taken out and transferred to a new container, and the water is drained. Homemade coconut oil for nutrition and external use is less valuable in properties than industrially obtained, but beneficial.

Harm of coconut oil and contraindications

The benefits and harms of coconut fat are mainly determined by whether a person is allergic to the product - if you are intolerant, you should not use it. Also contraindications for fat will be:

• acute pancreatitis and cholecystitis;
• irritated stomach and intestines;
• obesity tendency.

When using a useful product, you must observe the measure - the daily rate of oil should not exceed 3 large spoons.

How to choose and store coconut oil

You need to choose ready-made fat in the store according to several parameters.

1. Smell. High-quality coconut fat should not emit a pronounced coconut smell at all, the aroma will be subtle. If the oil smells perceptibly, it means that it was very heated during its manufacture, which led to the loss of most of its useful properties.
2. Packaging. It is better to purchase a product in a glass container - over time, plastic enters into a chemical reaction with fat and deprives it of its benefits, or even turns it into harm.
3. Purpose. When buying, you need to make sure that the fat is intended for use in food, even if you need to purchase it for cosmetic purposes. Edible oil contains the most valuable substances, is highly safe and rarely harmful.
4. Spin. It is preferable to choose cold-pressed fat, it is in it that all useful substances are stored in full.
5. Cleaning. Unrefined oil is most beneficial because it is not heated during the creation process.

It is best to store fat in a sealed glass jar in the refrigerator, in a thickened form. Average shelf life is 1 year. But this only applies to the purchased product. Homemade coconut oil is stored much less - only 2 weeks even in the refrigerator, and after this period it begins to be harmful.

Conclusion

The benefits and harms of coconut oil depend on the quality of the product and on the condition of the body. In the absence of allergies and acute ailments, coconut oil will have a beneficial effect on health.

Reviews, before and after photos