Coconut Oil Benefits, Side Effects and Reviews

Glands

Posted by Karen Sheridan (Essex, England) on 01/30/2008
★★★★★

Coconut Oil: Has really helped me with my thyroid condition and has given me energy when it has not been functioning that has really helped.

Broad Benefits

Posted by Penelope (Ventura, California) on 01/16/2008
★★★★★

Hi my name is Penelope. I live in Ventura California. I started using Coconut oil 4 months ago. I took it with positive effects but noticed my blood pressure was elevated so I stopped taking it to see if my pressure came down. It did 5 points but after resuming it my pressure remained about the same.

Since my mother has a problem with high blood pressure I was curious to see if it had any effect on blood pressure. I would like to share the positive effects I had taking it. I am 68 years old after taking it for 4 days I noticed my skin was better and many wrinkles lessoned. Nice side effect! I am plagued with Psoriasis it did not cure it but it did take away the scaly part and diminish the appearance of it.

However it did remove the black lines under my nails from the Psoriasis and the fungus under my toe nails is all most gone. I have a huge build up of the scales under my toe nails and on the bottom of my feet that were all most gone. In the two weeks I didn't take the oil the scales started to reappear but are now once again lessoning. I had aging spots on my face and hands that are all most gone. My hair shines and has thickened.

I have arthritis and am "all most" pain free. My headaches have all most disappeared and my energy is wonderful. I did notice the two weeks I was not using the oil all these things started to return but I am all most back to where I was. I have been exposed to the flu several times and so far haven't been sick which is a minor miracle since my immune system is bad. A blessed effect is I am losing weight which is wonderful and I am able to exercise and walk because of my pain being all most gone. Oh one other benefit I am sleeping better. Well no cures which is what you were hoping for but definite benefits.

Broad Benefits

Posted by Glenys (Cleveland, United Kingdom) on 12/10/2007
★★★★★

Been taking vco for 8 weeks lost 8 lbs in weight, thats without trying. I have an underactive thyroid problem, just feel so energised since I have been taking vco. Use oil every other day as an all over body moisturiser, skin feels so soft and supple. THANK YOU Earth clinic for introducing me to this wonderful oil.

Pores

Posted by Sandy (Bangalore, India) on 11/29/2007
★★★★★

I drink coconut oil 2 teaspoons in the morning with my breakfast, and my facial open pores have shrunk completely.Sometimes I drink 2 teaspoons in the morning with breakast, and 2 teaspoons in the afternoon with my lunch.

Cheap Coconut Oil Sources

Posted by Nevada (Smithfield, Pa) on 12/27/2011

We buy our coconut oil from Vitacost.com and I believe it is the lowest price you will find for a 54 ounce size.

Make Your Own Coconut Oil

Posted by Whisperingsage (Northern California) on 09/07/2015 45 posts
★★★★★

In my studies, I learned that coconut oil is not a significant spurce of vitamin E. It is great for a lot of things but unfortunately E is not one of them. I have a horse in that race as I need a quick source of high dose E for emergency when my mother goats have not had rice bran during their pregnancy and give birth to a "floppy Kid" , in lambs it is "white muscle disease". Cured first by first aid keeping them warm and tubing their colostrum into them, but then placing a fingerful of red palm oil into their mouth. Highest form of natural E I have found so far. It makes them little legs get strong in days and makes them smart enough to start nursing on their own. Feeding rice bran to Moms is tons easier.

Broad Benefits

Posted by Rosemarie (Carlsbad, CA) on 10/06/2007
★★★★★

I am on my 3rd week using vco and have lost 10 pounds, sleeping through the night, and having more energy. I have cut out gluten from my diet, milk, and coffee also. Now I am going to get my husband to take it...

Fat Stripper

Posted by Julie (Newcastle, NSW Australia) on 10/06/2007
★★★★★

I have been using coconut oil for some time now, taking it orally and cooking with it. Has anyone noticed how using coconut oil in a well used baking pan for the first time, strips the pan clean of old baked on oil residue. So much so that after baking with it, the pan will rust if you do not keep oiling it. Does this support the claim that coconut oil will cleanse your clogged arteries? Can anyone tell me how much oil you can make from 1 coconut please

Hypothyroidism

Posted by Rischa (Seattle, WA) on 08/26/2007
★★★★★

I began taking coconut oil about June 1st this summer, primarily for my long term hypothyroidism. Now not yet 3 months later I am completely off my synthroid and cytomel. I was on more than 300 mcg for about 7 years. It has changed my life. I feel so much better than I did on the thyroid meds. I am not cold, I am sleeping better. It made a herpes outbreak completely dissappear in 4 hours when applied topically. my periods which have been abnormal all my life are normalizing,(I am 45) and I am finding that I am eating smaller meals and more satisfied and not hungry. I swear I can hear the click in my head that says I have had enough to eat! Ive lost 10 lbs. I attribute it all to 4tbsp VCO a day(2w bfst/1w lunch/1w dinner) and also trace minerals, and fish oil. none or very little bread and refined carbs. I did have a day of scary high blood pressure symptoms, after which I reduced my meds by 1/3rd, and the symptoms went away. A wwk or so later when I began feeling the same things again, I reduced my meds again and again until I quit all together. the last step is to get my blood levels tested by my doc, just to confirm I am doing as great as I feel, tho I am starting to think it is not necessary, except to gloat to my dr.

Lung Conditions, Thick Mucus

Posted by Sandy (Hendersonville, TN) on 08/12/2007
★★★★★

Regarding COPD & Lung Cancer and virgin coconut oil -- I found almost immediate relief from thick mucous taking VCO.

I started out with 1 T. with each meal, sometimes in tea or room temp juice. It thins the mucous, making it easy to cough up. I also drink 2 quarts of water in addition to the VCO. The water alone did not help.

My nasal passages are both open for the first time in years and breathing is much easier. VCO makes the skin lovely.

Lung Conditions, Thick Mucus

Posted by Mama To Many (Tennessee) on 06/07/2016

Michael, good for you for taking charge of your health and making so many positive changes!

Plenty of people do report aches and pains (sometimes headache or flu like symptoms when adding new supplements.) It certainly seems like a possibility.

You might try some baking soda baths or epsom salt baths (1 cup per bath) to help your body with any detoxing (which can cause pain) and also helps with joint and muscle pain. Adequate hydration is also important to keep pain down.

Keep us posted on your progress!

Thanks!

~Mama to Many~

Cheap Coconut Oil Sources

Posted by Stephanie (Odessa, Missouri) on 07/19/2008
★☆☆☆☆

My suggestion is never to buy EVCO, supplements, vitamins or organic foods from Walmart or any other chain store with the exception of Whole grocers. I pay 15.00 for my 12 oz jar of EVCO once a week. It is well worth it. I have severe psoriasis from my scalp to my toes. I use head to toe twice a day. I use spectrum for my skin (organic only). I also cook and take veggie tabs with EVCO two a day.Internally I use Harvast bay and Artisana which gives 1% back to the rain forest. Any name brand item that states it is organic be very cautious. There are certain items you should never skimp on in your life. Food, water, anything that touches your skin or hair, supplements, vitamins, and the air you breathe. Cut cost now pay later. With that said, please take your own green bags to the grocery store to sack your groceries. The feeling you get from this good deed lasts all day.

Cheap Coconut Oil Sources

Posted by JB (New Iberia, Louisiana, USA) on 03/26/2009

I am new to this website and I think it's fascinating. Can't wait to try some of the remedies. I bought some virgin coconut oil capsules yesterday and was reading everything I could about it. I saw the reference to LouAna oil. It's a Louisiana product, and although it's an old and trusted brand for cooking made from soybeans and possibly cottonseed, I can definitely say that there are no coconuts growing anywhere around here and I wouldn't think they would import something so heavy. For what it's worth.....

Cheap Coconut Oil Sources

Posted by Glenn (Springfield, Ma) on 04/15/2014

I had purchased LouAnn Coconut oil before learning more about coconut oil because it said 100% pure and the only ingredient listed on the label was coconut oil. Realizing that even refined coconut oil can be said to be 100% pure, while still being degraded by the high heat used during processing, I wrote to the company. While ALL coconut oils are organic (I have no idea whoever came up with doubts about this) LouAnn Coconut Oil is refined coconut oil. They use fire to burn off the husks and subject the meat and oil to high temperatures which destroys any enzymes present (enzymes are killed at anything above 104 degrees). They also said - During the refining, bleaching and deodorization process however, some of the naturally occurring vitamins and minerals are removed so some of the nutritional benefits of virgin oil are not seen in the RBD coconut oil. From my own experience, refined coconut oil like LouAnn has the following characteristics - It is odorless, and does not smell like coconuts at all. It has a yellowish tint in solid or liquid form. It is harder in solid form than unrefined coconut oil. One article I read also indicated that refined coconut oil has little if any Lauric acid in it due to the high heat used during processing. It can be heated to 450 degrees before smoking which makes it ideal for cooking. Refined coconut oil is intended for cooking, hence ingesting, because of its ability to handle higher temperatures before smoking or catching fire. Obviously, it will NOT harm you if you ingest it, but you just might not be getting all of the benefits that you could be getting as LouAnn mentioned in their note in response to my questions. Cold Pressed unrefined virgin or extra virgin coconut oil is what you want. This is coconut oil that is processed from raw coconut meat within a couple of hours of the meat being removed from the shells. It is never heated. Some of the characteristics of Cold Pressed Virgin Coconut oil - It smells lightly of coconut. It is far softer than refined coconut oil when it's in solid form. It is also completely clear in liquid form. It begins smoking at 350 degrees which makes it less desirable for cooking. It contains all the enzymes of the original coconut and up to 54% Lauric Acid. One last thing - there is no standard that has ever been determined by which coconut oil can be categorized as "virgin" or "extra virgin". This is totally up to the company to decide what to call their coconut oil. So whether it's called "virgin" or "extra virgin" it's the same thing. What's important is that the label clearly says "Cold pressed" and "Unrefined". As long as it says "Cold Pressed, Unrefined" on the label, you've got the right stuff whether they decide to say it's virgin or extra virgin which is just for marketing purposes and has nothing to do with the quality of the product itself. Hope this clears up much of the confusion I've seen in other posts.

Hair

Posted by Caitlin (Austin, Tx) on 03/24/2012

Hi Kate: I sympathize with you as, at one time, my neck manifested goiter as well. Research coconut oil for goiter. Many people on this site have said it helps tremendously with a thyroid issue, even when doctors say you don't have one. Also... Are you a SOY eater? If so, please be aware that newer research has emerged indicating that SOY can adversely affect the thyroid, particularily of women. I know that when I elliminated it from MY diet (as well as grains that I was allergic to), extremely heavy, 10-15 days of bleeding and clotting periods, morphed into 4 days maximum, the normal period of my youth. Also, my thyroid, "lump neck" and pain went away. So, if I were you, SOY testing (eliminating it completely from the diet) is what I would do first for at least 30 days. Checking all food packages for soy and cooking your own meals w/o it, makes this totally doable. Then, I would start with a teaspoon of virgin coconut oil before bed. Good luck to you on this illuminating journey! Peace out... CAT!

Broad Benefits

Posted by Kay (Washington, DC) on 06/26/2007
★★★★★

I started using vco about 2 months ago. I heard about all the different health benefits of using it so i first began using it on my hair and my hair has never shined the way that it does now. I have also noticed that there is less breakage than before. After awhile i decided to start using it as a body moisturizer, it is awesome even my little sister who thinks of me as a nature junkie loves to use it. My skin has never been softer, even when i was using pure shea butter. I also suffer from body acne and that has cleared up. I know have soft flawless skin i can't wait to start taking it internally. VCO is the best thing to use if you suffer from any kind of skin condition. This stuff is great, i wouldn't trade it for the world

Broad Benefits

Posted by Sandra (Ventura, CA) on 06/21/2007
★★★★★

I have been using coconut oil since last Sept. I use it for my skin, salad dressing and anything else I can think of. Oh, delicious on baked sweet potatoe. I give my four cats coconut oil on their paws everyday and their coats are beautiful. My one cat Sadie goes to the container on my dresser and helps herself to as much as she wants. Since my last blood work, my cholesterol has dropped from 252 to 240, HDL 86. My blood pressure dropped from 134/89 to 130/70. I love the way it smells and tastes. I use about one tablespoon a day. I am very happy with the results and will continue to use it, as well as my girls.

Warts

Posted by Ashley (Baltimore, MD) on 05/10/2007
★★★★★

Virgin coconut oil cured my plantar warts. I had some plantar warts on my foot for about a year, then I started rubbing coconut oil on my feet to help soften the skin and make walking more comfortable. After about 2 months of this, I was just starting to think of going to the doctor to have them removed (with much dread) when I noticed that the warts had shrunk. Then about 1-2 weeks later, the dead skin just peeled off like a callous, revealing soft healthy skin underneath. It wasn't an overnight cure, but the time was a small price to pay for not having them dug out! I know they were warts because they had the little black spots in them, they hurt or bled if scraped, and a couple of small ones had appeared elsewhere on my foot. I also use coconut oil in food preparation on a regular basis, as well as topically on all areas of the skin.

Broad Benefits

Posted by Deborah (Swansea, SC) on 04/28/2007
★★★★★

I previously wrote some negative feedback about coconut oil...but I now stand corrected. despite the bad side effects, the flu or food poison symptoms, and yep, I even gained weight at first. After suffering with IBS all my life, I have finally found a cure. I continued to take the VCO even after being sick with it and even gaining weight... I went to my Dr. this past Tuesday and told her I was on it. My blood pressure was a little high, but she told me the VCO was not causing it and she has never heard anything negative about it. she told me that my thyroid was enlarged, but I am sure it was like that before I took the VCO..I started on 2 capsules today, after being on 1 for the last 3 weeks. my weight is starting to slim down some...my appetite has been cut in half...I have energy, the bumps on the back of my arms, are all but gone...my severely dry skin is now soft..my hair is better too. but the main thing is my IBS is cured...I have tried everything under the sun, and this is the only thing that has had this kind of results. and my large bulldog had severe hip problems, I give him 2 glucosomene and one coconut capsul every day. he is so much better..I took him walking today for the first time in a long time. we have always had him on glucosome but we have never had this kind of result, my dog also had bad side effects at first, and I stopped for a while, but he only got worse...he is just so much better now...its amazing. I don't know if coconut oil is for everyone, but I am a firm believer in it now, yes the side effects are bad at first, but be patient it gets better.

Broad Benefits

Posted by Sue (Orrtanna, PA) on 04/26/2007
★★★★★

My daughter and I are experimenting with the coconut oil and have seen some great results immediately. Her thyroid is working at 20 percent and the swelling is already going down after one week. I am taking it for the overall effects and also an organic liquid vitamin and am feeling great and have more energy. There are some small spots that look like melanoma from the sun and I'm putting the oil directly on them. I'm hoping to see results from that. Will keep you posted. I'm so happy we came across this. It's also helped with a very sensitive stomach.

Broad Benefits

Posted by Renee (Los Angeles, CA) on 03/29/2007
★★★★★

I've been taking the evco for about 1 month now. I took it because I heard I might lose weight. When I first started the oil, I had diary for about 2 days. But, that stopped. As of now, the following conditions have cleared. The most important first:
1) No more bleeding hemmoroids. I was bleeding 2 or 3 times a week. I was going to go to the dr. but I started the oil and 1 week later, no more blood.
2) No more athletes foot. No more body odor or foot odor, or bad breath.
3) No more yeast infections.
4) Not one pimple on my face. I would get at least 1 pimples per week. I have now soft shiny skin and hair, my wrinkles have gone.
5) No more PMS symptoms: puffiness, mood swings, headaches.
6) And yes. I got into my size 6's which I haven't been able to in 5 years! My stomach is gone! No more cellulite. And I still kept all my muscle. Only the fat is gone. I started at 160 lbs and now, about 150. What more can I say?

Broad Benefits

Posted by Ibiza (New York) on 07/14/2010
★★★★★

I've been oil pulling with organic virgin unrefined coconut oil for one week. I couldn't wait to report! How wonderful this discovery is! I have more energy, deeper dreams, whiter teeth, and more regular elimination. The most dramatic change is less mucus in my sinuses. I overhauled my diet and started using a neti pot with salt daily two months ago. This is because seven years ago, I became afflicted with allergies and sinus issues. I went to a specialist who recommended over-the-counter relief. Every season, I had to choose a new medicine because the previous one stopped working. Finally, two months ago, I had a horrible sinus infection which caused me to be put on three medications. That's when I said, enough is enough, no more medicine (which I suspect was having an adverse effect on other areas of my body, namely my liver). That's when I implemented a diet change and started using a neti pot. However, using the neti pot was time consuming because often I was unable to get any of the water to pour out of one or both nostrils due to mucus. Still, I persevered and used it every day. I have not had a migraine headache or had to use any allergy medicine since that time. Since oil pulling with the VCO, my neti pot time has been cut in half or more! The water pours out of each nostril easily. No more mucus plugs! It's unbelievable. I am even more confident that using the neti pot, oil pulling and eating a clean, basic, meatless diet will allow me to fully overcome my allergies and sinus issues. I also started using the coconut oil on my face with outstanding results. My face was becoming dry and dull, I guess due to age and hormonal changes (I'm in my 40's). Now, it's as smooth as a baby's bottom! I use a tiny bit in the morning on a clean face and massage it in completely. It does take a while to absorb so do it when you first get up unless you want an oil shine. I can't wait to use it on the rest of my body (need to buy it a gallon at a time from an online source). Lastly, I was immensely skeptical of using the coconut oil as a deodorant. However, yesterday, I did it for the first time since I didn't need to leave the house and live alone, hahaha. I have to say that it worked perfectly. And, I actually did end up going out in the summer heat. It worked then and all through the night into this morning! I just used a small portion and massaged it under my underarms. I'm not a fan of the smell of coconut oil (others love it) and it took about an hour for the smell to subside when used on the face and under the arms. So, I just have to get up earlier so that it's gone by the time I leave the house. I have no idea of how strong the VCO is as a deodorant since I didn't do too much; I'll rotate it along with the other natural deodorants I use.

Gallbladder Pain

Posted by Noel (Manila, Phillipines) on 02/27/2007
★★★★★

Chronic gallbladder pain: I took 2 tablespoons of VCO (Virgin Coconut Oil) and within 2 weeks felt much better. It also helped me in my bowel movements. I used to very irregular. Now its every day! VCO that has been extracted using a cold press method.

Dry Skin

Posted by Jeff (Canada) on 09/14/2022

Saturated fats do not clog arteries. Stop spreading misinformation and do some research.

Cholesterol

Posted by Chegui69 (Long Beach, Ca, Usa) on 05/27/2011

Besides it working for cholesterol I've heard people using it for oil pulling etc etc....my questions would be is Virgin Coconut oil everyone is talking about the one in a paste form or liquid form? I'd like to go and buy some but don't know what the product is. thank you in advance