The Health Side
Coconut oil is widely spread in the tropical continents of our world, but not widely spread in the Western world. Coconut oil originates from the kernel of mature coconuts. It is commonly used as a cooking oil in the tropics due to its stability to heat and its low unsaturated fat levels. It is known to be the best cooking oil for health benefits. Coconut oil is so vast in what it treats, including the list below:
- Maintaining cholesterol levels
- Weight loss
- Increased immunity
- Proper Digestion & Metabolism
- Helps kidney problems
- Helps with heart disease
- Maintaining high blood pressure
- Helping control diabetes
- Helps with HIV
- Helps with Cancer
- Helps maintain bone health
- Excellent for dental care
- Helps stress
The benefits are attributed to the lauric acid, capric acid and caprylic acid present in Coconut oil. It also contains antimicrobial, antioxidant, antifungal, antibacterial and soothing properties. Lauric acid in particular is used by our body in dealing with viruses and bacteria that cause harmful germs and diseases such as those above and common influenza; it also helps in the process of fighting the harmful bacteriums. Scientific research has been done on coconut oil’s health benefits and it is commonly used in alternative medicine and traditional Indian medicine. Coconout oil also contains vitamin K and minerals such as iron, which play their own way in our bodies.
The Beauty Side
Coconut oil doesn’t just treat us on the inside but also on the outside. It can be used topically on skin for cuts, grazes, burns and dry or rough skin. An excellent way to use coconut oil is on your hair! It makes an excellent pre-shower moisturiser on your hair or even used as a shampoo or conditioner. Because of its naturalness and a total lack of additives or harmful chemicals, it is a great method for healthy hair! Coconut oil can also be used as a shower gel because it has no harmful chemicals in it, so it makes a great natural alternative. It is so nutritious that it also helps with hair growth and providing a shiny complexion. When using coconut oil on your hair you should regularly massage your scalp with the oil and gradually run it through the full length of your hair. Massaging in into your scalp also gives the benefit of dandruff and lice-free hair. I get people often asking me when I tell them to use coconut oil if they can use it for their “hair type” and I reply saying how any hair type can use it; however, people with damaged hair or short hair would benefit mostly from it. This is because coconut oil contains the vital proteins needed for nourishing damaged hair and helping to grow short hair. In the Indian culture, coconut oil is commonly used as an after-washing product and, well, I don’t need to tell you how amazing their long black hair looks! As for a more in-depth look into the skin care side of coconut oil, its best benefit in this area is in preventing premature aging! It is also extremely handy to have in for skin infections, cuts and grazes. Because it is anti-fungal, antibacterial and has soothing properties it works a treat! It also helps in controlling and preventing wrinkles and sagginess of the skin. Don’t believe me? Try it yourself! Research it further!