Coconut Oil Benefits, Side Effects and Reviews

Hello everyone at EC. This website has taught me so much regarding my health. For the past week I've after reading so much good abt EVCO started taking it, however I came across this article which has me worried: http://www.healthcastle.com/coconut-saturated-heart.shtml

I need some help here. Any insight will be appreciated. Take care all.

Hi, maybe you should consider reading some books on the subject. . . . . That is what I did after getting some great information from Bill from the Philippines. I have recently posted a review on a book called Cholesterol and Fats are good for you but there are others specifically on coconut oil and coconut products. There is a lot of misinformation out there. . . . . I have started cooking with coconut oil, doing oil pulling with it too and using it as sun cream. So far, so good. . . . . . . We were in England last week and I got a magazine offered by the chemists (mainstream ones) where they had an article about how good coconut oil is for the health. I am going to read a few more books soon.

Hey Francisca, thank you for the reply. You are right one should read all articles available to be sure. I have been on VCO for the past two weeks :) and have also started cooking with VCO, so far I feel great. Earth clinic was a blessing for me and I would like to thank everyone for taking the time and posting their progress on this website.

Hi Tish, I have started reading a book today which I think is very interesting and which gives a lot of information: Trick and Treat. It is not only about fats but about health in general and how we are all getting more and more ill. Maybe I will post here a review at the end although I haven't understood yet whether people are interested in reading books.

What type/brand of coconut oil do you use. Do you smell of coconut when you put it on your skin?

I use Nutiva extra virgin coconut oil. The smell of coconut oil on my skin is faint, but it is also a good smell... My boyfriend says I smell like an exotic island treat!!

I mail ordered some coconut oil and it was rancid. I called the company and they are sending me another jar.

It will take several days for me to get the new one and they couldn't promise it would be from a different lot number. I just wondered if it is harmful to consume the rancid stuff until the new stuff gets here (holding my nose of course). Can I use it on the outside of my body like on my feet and stuff, should it matter? I hate to throw it out. Feedback is much appreciated.

Hi Pat, I wouldn't use it, not even on your skin. Everything you use on your skin goes through your whole system. A while ago I had some rancid butter and threw it away. I also hate throwing food away but sometimes you just have to do it. Rancidity is the reason many experts don't advise people to take flaxseed oil, for example. It goes rancid quickly and rancidity creates oxidants which are not good for you and can even cause cancer (sorry if my explanation is not very scientific...). I suppose that rancidity is oxidation.

Francisca,

Thank You! I didn't think it was a good idea but I wanted to make sure as i HATE to throw things away. Your answer makes perfect sense. I'm glad I waited for an answer. I will throw it out right away. Thanks again. ;o)Pat

I also just ordered and received some coconut oil that didn't smell right. 16 oz jar from a company in MD that says the coconut oil was from the Philippines. Company starts with a W_______. Not sure if I should name names here. Wonder if it is the same company? I ordered from them in January 2010 and the product was wonderful. Any suggestions for getting good quality, good smelling virgin coconut oil in glass containers?
Thanx, Iris

This is the trouble with ordering online. Have you tried checking yahoo local for a health food store in your area? You can see what your getting and check expiration date and exchange more easy. I also refrigerate the bulk of mine and just keep a modest amount in a glass container at room temperature to use for the week. If it's a good company you ordered from, you can alert them by email or call and get a refund or replacement.

And in the future, I'd try to buy it locally instead of online. You can even ask some local health food stores to special order a brand if they don't have it on the shelves. For brands, google or yahoo "extra virgin coconut oil and glass jar. " Out of the ones that will pop up, I am only familiar with the one that begins with N and ends with A, and I had good experiences with it. N????A (since they don't like brands mentioned here).

I have been buying for many years from VITACOST dot com. Their prices are the best and products always fresh. I recently purchased 2 lb of Jarrows EVOCO for less than $13. It is simply delicious. Hope this helps.

I've bought from Vitacost also and love the quality of their EVCO! It's fresh and tastes wonderful! I've been ingesting 3TBS/day for 2 weeks now. I am also using it on my entire body and face. I love how my skin feels so smooth now. I've noticed that the wrinkles have softened and become less noticeable, hair is softer and the rough skin on my heels is noticeably softer as well! I'm loving this site... Thanks so much for all the tips and suggestions on this site!

There is no way that coconut oil can go rancid. However, obviously it was not right in some way, perhaps something was added to it. Rancidity means that it would have to have oxidized, and there is no place on the fatty acid chain for it to oxidize. This may mean that the oil was even worse, which would have been some sort of additive causing a bad smell.

First of all... make sure you are not allergic to coconut oil. If anything... it makes my skin to oily/greasy if I apply it frequently... same with my wife.

I have Keratosis Pilaris Rubra and have been using VCO for the past few weeks. However, I have not applied it nearly as much as you. What I have found that works really well with my skin condition is to not use soap on the affected areas. No soap at all! I know there are really good organic/natural soaps out there. But, I have simply replaced soap with apple cider vinegar for these bad skin areas.

This is what I do: Before I get in the shower, I spray a 50/50 solution of ACV and filtered water all over my skin and pat it dry with a CLEAN towel (if needed). Once my skin is completely dry, I apply a thick layer of VCO and really rub it in. Of course, this is really oily looking, so I jump in the shower and continue to work it in with the warm water. After I get out of the shower I use another clean towel to pat myself dry. It doesn't take much toweling because the oil makes the water beed right off. I have only done this a few times so far about every 3 days. So far... my skin is really starting to look better than it has in years (since as long as I can remember). The bumps are smoothing out and the redness is fading. Suprisingly, I do not have the body odor I used to have when I was constantly using soap.

I have read that a lot if not most of these skin conditions are somehow related to stuff you eat.... In many cases, it comes down to gluten and dairy as the main culprits. My wife has suffered with psoriasis for years and we are just now starting to realize all of the possible poisons we have been feeding ourselves. So, possibly take a look at your diet to see if you can improve it. For instance, starting next week... I am going to try an experiment. I am only going to eat RAW food (especially no gluten/dairy) for a few weeks and see how I feel. I have an idea that it's probably going to be a life changing experience. But, we'll see. :)

Try covering the affected area with aquaphor healing ointment every morning after shower and again before bed time.

What I understood after reading a book on VCO is that the important thing is that it is very white while solid and like water while liquid. Then you have pure oil. I buy mine in Germany, indeed in a glass jar and it is very expensive. It smels of coconut which for the skin is a bit funny but you shouldn't buy the deodorized one because then it is not pure anymore. I was suprised that they don't accept the huge, thick glass jar back for recycling, it seems such a waste to throw it away every time the oil is finished..... They wouldn't even need to give me money for it, I could give it back when I go for a new one but no, they say that it is difficult to wash them. I have seen a less expensive brand in an Asian shop but it looked yellowish so I didn't buy it. You hardly find VCO around here, either in Germany, France or Switzerland (I am lucky that I can do my shopping easily in three countries). The scare against saturated fats was quite effective. By the way, you shouldn't really use something with less quality for your skin because it absorbs the product so you get it inside anyway!

Rami, a little while ago I read in a book that coconut oil protects the skin very well against burning in the sun. I tried when we had a few very hot days and it is true, my skin browned nicely without getting red at all. I don't have a very white skin but still I do burn a bit in the beginning of the summer even if I take care not to lie in the sun too long. I have no idea whether it also protects against damaging rays but one thing you should consider is that there is a lot of talk of the sun screen creams causing cancer. For the time being I am only using coconut oil but if ever I decided to use sun screen again I will buy the cream in a health store because they explained to me that theirs don't contain the cancer causing chemicals. Oh.... it is all so complicated....

As far as dry skin goes a while ago I posted here a quite good recipe for a bath oil. It works wonder for me when I don't feel like applying the oil after my bath. Just soak in it and your skin will feel wonderfully moisturized. Being almost 53 I have started to have very dry skin.

Fracisca,

Thanks for the input. I am a red head with very light skin. I do use the good sunscreen. What is the recipe for a oil bath? Thanks, Rami

Does anyone know what is used in some of the coconut oil capsules which are a bad-smelling liquid when cut open? Previously I had used the cold pressed virgin coconut oil and I could just take them by dissolving in the mouth, savoring the great coconut taste and smell. I feel like throwing out this new batch I bought. Can anyone explain the difference?

It is recommended to use virgin coconut oil for the body but not the face. What do we use on the face to help the skin look and feel softer?

I do often use VCO on my face (I am 53) especially while sunbathing and I have never had a problem. But now I am trying a new eye cream I bought in my health shop: sequoia cream. I had never heard of it but the lady told me that it gives you energy and advised me to also put it on the skin inside my elbows. Other than that I often also use jojoba, or rose oil after first having cleaned my face with ACV (not diluted). People often say I look like I am my daughters' sister......

If you are using coconut oil on your face, then I would think this is what is making you look so much younger. I had this exact experience. I only use coconut oil on my face and would never use anything else as I have learned how many toxins are in moisterizers. Coconut oil is a safe moisterizer that is afforadable and not only moisterizes, but heals rejunates and protects your skin. I have a dog who had a skin condition that I cured with coconut oil and quickly. If people only knew how simple and easy it is to cure skin conditions such as ezcema, scabies, etc. With coconut oil. It's is truly a remarkable gift from God. Good luck, Ellen

Dear Merryanne from Orange City, Florida,
How long have you been using the Virgin Coconut Oil on your face? Your information is appreciated. Michelle

Hi Merryanne, what is ACV? I want to try this VCO because I have tried everything on my skin. As I have gotten older my skin is no longer my friend. Now I am 60, my skin has problem with cool weather. I break out with welps that then have me just scratching all over. I pray I can find this work because the doctors are just making me spend on money on creams that have not worked. waiting for your reply Merryann, Thank you Denniece

i have been using coconut oil for 3 days and i cannot believe the reduction of cravings for sweets!

I would like to know HOW to use the coconut oil for my hair. I have been losing my hair - about a handful or so a day, not so great for a girl mind you. My scalp is very oily and sometimes I get small pimples and pustules and itching. I wash my hair daily to keep this under control and have just begun using a tea tree oil shampoo with good results for the itching etc. but the hair fall out has not improved and remained about the same. I've read several posts about the coconut oil and this morning I coated my hair with it and also massaged my scalp well prior to washing my hair. I had a terrible time getting it out and off my scalp. I was hoping for the conditioning effect and shine for the rest of my hair if nothing else. Instead I ended up having to wash my hair 3 times to get this stuff off my scalp and my hair ended up looking more "stripped" than shinny. What did I do wrong? Any, and I mean ANY guidance would be appreciated. with my hair coming out and this scalp problem too I'm at a loss. I recently started taking the VCO and blackstrap molasses internally but I don't think it's been long enough to have had any real effect yet. I'm hoping to start the ACV within the next week or two as well. The hair thing is getting scary though. I don't want to end up losing all my hair and if this keeps up I'm gonna be shopping for a wig within a few months... not a pleasant idea.

Thanks Earth Clinic, I'm glad to have found you. Just need to know how to do the VCO thing right.
Pat

Hi Pat, most of my life I had hair loss as well, maybe not so much as you but too much anyway. In December I started drinking fresh juices everyday (fruit and or vegetables) and in a few days my hair was not falling at all anymore. Now with Spring it does fall a little bit but nothing like before (hair always seems to fall more in Spring and Autumn, for some reason). Maybe you are missing some vitamines and minerals...... As far as putting oil in the hair I have tried a few oils like mustard oil and sesame oil and they go out all right but I only do it because right now I have a perm. When my hair is normal maybe I won't do it anymore as my hair is oily. Good luck.......

Pat, try supplementing with Evening Primrose oil, about 500 mgs twice daily..(can substitute for Borage oil)
also, take a zinc/copper supplemnent..(copper because zinc can effect copper absorption)...also a good B vitamin with Biotin....(or just Biotin 1000mcg daily) give this a test for about six weeks to see results... freeze dried stinging nettle may help as well...

Hi Pat,i had the same problem as yours before but the falling hair was solved when i change my shampoo from synthetic to organic. My shampoo contains aloe vera and peppermint and other organic ingriedients. Its very effective my friend introduce me this product. just email me for details as im in a hurry to go [email protected]

Hi Pat,

That is so awful, I know. I had a terrible experience of having such a bad reaction after having my hair dyed. I have dark brown hair- close to black- and every time I would get it dyed I would have a reaction to it. My husband would tell me I was ridiculous because the itching would be so terrible for the first week after dying it. My vanity kept me going though. Then, it changed to also feeling burned. Finally, the last straw was the time that, in addition to these two symptoms, clumps of hair started falling out. Red Alert! That was it for me too. I can live with gray hair but not NO hair! So, now I have gray throughout my hair.

I did the coconut oil thing and had the same experience. Washing and washing to get it out and still it didn't all come out. My hair was limp and lifeless. Haven't done that since. Too much work and not the results I had hoped for.

My hair has finally been restored. It grew back in and thickened up after about two months of green juicing. We use lots of various veggies each day changing them up so we get a variety of vitamins and minerals. Also, we added in eating sea veggies daily because I read that that is also a reason why Japanese women often have such healthy hair. We continue to juice daily and my hair continues to get thicker. My next goal is to see if I can get it to grow dark again!

Another benefit is that, like you, I always had to wash my hair everyday otherwise it would start to itch and get oily quickly yet my scalp would flake. Contradictory sounding but true. Now I can go for 3 days without washing it with no bad effects. It's found a healthy balance- soft but not oily, no more dandruff and itching completely gone!

I hope this info can help you Pat. It really is distressing when your hair falls out and being distressed certainly doesn't help the situation! One other suggestion that I began about 3 weeks ago and now hair doesn't even fall out when I wash it is scalp stimulation. What I do is take hanks of hair in my hand and pull in different directions which stimulates and strengthens from what I understand. It actually feels really good.

Keep us posted, Lisa

There is a short video on youtube called coconut oil treatment. She just uses the coconut oil on clean damp hair. Work it through until it is saturated. Wrap head with towel or plastic bag and leave on for about 30 min. Then clean with clear water or a non toxic organic shampoo.

I have used it for years and love my hair. There are several other videos on youtube about this subject.

Hope this helps
Annie

Thanks to all of you who have responded thus far. I am curious about the juicing a couple of you have mentioned. What and how are you juicing? Will regular fruit or vegetable juices drank daily work? I know I'm not getting enough fruits and veggies in my diet, but the idea of juice sounds like a sugar rush and a good way to gain weight as I'd like it way too much - like a soda or something (I don't drink soda - but juice sounds yummy). I did start the ACV with a tad bit of baking soda just this morning and am mixing it with about an ounce of grape juice (reconstituted frozen - it's all I had on hand) to get it down. I do intend to keep this up I am doing a spoonful of blackstrap molasses and a spoonful of coconut oil a day too. I guess I need to start supplementing with some zinc too. I'm open to more suggestions. Also, what are sea vegetables? That's not something I've ever heard of here in North Alabama.

Thanks,
Pat

Hi Pat, I make different juices every day. I tried the organic, shop bought ones first but that didn't work at all, or at least I didn't see any benefits. When I bought my juicer I also bought a couple of juice books and I get a lot of ideas from there. Unfortunately my husband and I are not at all into the green smoothies but we do like other kinds of vegetable juice. As far as fruit juices go we often take the less sweet ones like green apples, grapefruit, blueberries, raspberries..... One thing I forgot to tell you is that I also started brushing my hair according to the instructions I found here, brushing to the back a number of times and then bending down my head and brushing to the front.

One thing which has always helped me when my hair is falling a lot, my scalp is greasy and itchy is, strangely enough, to have a perm. That dries my hair a bit and it stops falling right away. My perm is now almost out and I want to see how my hair is going to behave without it because not only do I want to avoid the chemicals but also the money I pay for it.

Francisca,

You mentioned the perm helping with the itchy scalp. Have you had the same experience with hair color? My stylist says I can do one or the other but that both would fry my hair. I'm only 44 and reluctant to be grey just yet. I used to color my hair, up until about 4 months ago and am about 50-60% gray and now that it is growing out it looks awful I hate to cut it because I'm trying to grow it out. I haven't had a perm in about 10 years and my scalp is already sensitive and having some "issues" thus the reason for my not coloring recently. I'm not a happy camper with my hair at all. Falling out, turning gray, scalp is red, oily, itchy and irritated and I'm at a complete loss. Not sure what to do and my dermatologist just says come back in 4 weeks, if not better by then we'll do a biopsy - scary on it's own accord. I'm really wanting to color again and another reason I haven't done so is I recently had shoulder surgery and just can't get my arm up there long enough to do the deed. I'm very frustrated and I jokingly say I'm ready to just shave my head - but really my heart is aching over the whole ordeal. I'm desperate for a cure. I was just wondering if you've had any experience with color helping this, should I try a perm or should I just leave well enough alone and see what happens and give the natural remedies a chance... I'm getting impatient as this has been going on for some time.

Thanx.
Pat

Hi again Pat, I am 52 and I also think that I am too young to be grey so I do dye my hair. The only care I take is that I don't do dye and do the perm at the same time. If I go to the hairdresser to do the perm I will have to go again to do the color or else do it at home. Dye never changed the condition of my hair as the modern dyes tend not to dry your hair anymore, only the perm does. But I have to say that although one would tend to think that if you have weak hair and a problem scalp dying and perming would completely ruin it that is not true, at least not for me and I have been doing it for years. As I said I am going to try not to do a perm again for a while and see how it goes. I only do a perm maybe once every 8 or 9 months. The curls are not really strong anymore, of course, but the effect on my scalp stays. I have actually never heard of anybody having a perm done to solve scalp problems but in my case, as you know, it works wonder! People compliment me on my beautiful dark curls....... Best of luck and cheer up!

PS for Pat: if you send me an e-mail I will send you a photos of myself with dyed hair and perm, it will give you an idea what "bad hair" can look like when it turns good! ([email protected]).

Francisca,

Thank you so much for your input. I will consider a perm next. I have been going to physical therapy for my shoulder and as soon as I can hold my arm above my head long enough to color again THAT will be my first mission. i am almost 45 but the gray is nearly 55-60% and has taken over since my shoulder has been out of commission. I will consdier the perm as soon as I get the color taken care of; a week or two later of course as not to irritate anything further. Thank you so much for your input!

Pat

The same thing happened to me, this time last year. My hair was massively falling out by the roots--I could see the follicles on the ends of the hairs. It was either a 21 day fast I had been on over the summer, a bout of staph food poisoning, or sub clinical hypothyroidism which made it start. I searched and searched the internet as to why, and learned I might be not getting enough iron, but also that we have to be extremely careful not to take too much iron. So I found 35 mg capsules and started taking one every evening, with vitamin C--and immediately my hair stopped falling out altogether!! I didn't even have the usual 8 or so strands collect in the bottom of the shower--just none fell out. Also, the irritating ache in my legs which I felt at night stopped, but only when I remembered to take the iron. I thought I was getting enough iron from eggs, meat, and a cast iron skillet, but I learned that coffee, dairy, and calcium block iron absorption, and coffee is the only thing that gets me up in the morning--so I take the iron in the evening. Also, I believe I am full of Candida, and various other parasites--which are using up my iron and causing me to be deficient. So I have just started to take Coconut oil.

This message was for Pat, who was asking about green drinks or juicing. If you don't have time to juice everyday or at all, there is a great green drink in nutritional stores called Barlean's Greens. I use it every day to cleanse my organs and to help with the toxic load we all have to bare. But it sounds as if it might help with your hair loss as well. Good luck!

Hi Pat, I would try taking organic coconut oil internalls - start out really slow, though, because it can cause quite a detox in some people - I started out taking 1/4 teaspoon! I personally cannot take Virgin coconut oil - it gave me heartburn. However, I am able to tolerate organic, expeller pressed coconut oil. I have found that coconut oil and MSM are the best supplements ever for hair - don't despair!!

Bill,

I have been consuming VCO for a few months with no problems. A couple of weeks ago I put a spoonful into my oatmeal, took a bite, and it was rancid! It ruined my whole bowl of cereal. I had to throw away about 3/4 of a jar of oil. I bought a new jar, checked the expiration date (2011), had it for a couple of weeks and the same thing happened. I'm confused. I went through 2 or 3 jars with no problems. The storage temperature has been the same - 76 degrees, a soft solid state. I thought VCO was stable at room temperature. Anyway, this is becoming very expensive. Do you have any idea why this would be happening?

Hi Elsaeasterly...There are three ways of making natural VCO. The first method is simply to boil the coconut milk until only the oil is left. The second method is to put the coconut oil in a centrifuge where the aqueous portion and the oil distinctly seperate as two different halves. And the third method is by fermenting the coconut milk.

What I think you must have purchased is a form of VCO made from the fermentation process. I have also used this form of VCO internally, and -- yes -- it does smell sour and rancid even, but it will not hurt you. The sourness is basically the coconut wine turned to "vinegar" that is left over from the natural fermentation process. Alot of Filipinos make VCO this way -- and regularly make a brew called "Lambanog" or coconut wine. I've tried this wine which is pretty unique, sort of like a tasty nutty wine but deceptively powerful stuff !! Interesting that coconut wine turns to vinegar very rapidly, so the Filipinos just adapt and use it for cooking instead. Nothing is wasted.

Check on the your bottles of VCO and see whether your VCO was made by fermentation. If this is the case, then this is why your coconut oil smells off or vinegary and it won't hurt you.

If you're not happy with this fermented VCO form, then next time just buy another VCO made from the boiling process or made by centrifuging -- this should be stated on the label.

It's called cross-contamination. When you use a spoon to take out one lob of VCO, use a different spoon each time it touches your body. As soon as you redip the spoon, the VCO in the jar will be working against whatever germs you just contaminated the jar with and will not taste too great. VCO will stay good much longer than the expiration date if you do not cross-contaminate. Also, a good rule is to have a different jar for the bathroom than you have in the kitchen - just to be extra safe.

It is great for pancakes. Coconut oil will cook to a higher temperature without browning.

But isn't coconut oil bad for your health? I have a book about healthy oils and they say that conconut oil is highly saturated and that it is not sure yet whether it may harm your health.

Many thanks Bill but I am even more confused because just before I got to your answer I saw a post where someone says they had bad side effects from eating coconut oil so I went to the page where this post was posted and I found a lot of similar comments. I don't know what to believe now.... I do use it for my skin but I am afraid to use it internally. I am going to my homeopathic doctor tomorrow and I am going to ask his opinion. By the way, how did you take the oil? Mine is not liquid.... do you just spoon a bit out of the jar and take it? Thanks!

By the way, I have started to try the watch this feedback option but I thought that I would get further feedback on the post in my inbox. It didn't happen so far though... not even with this one!

Hi Francisca...I certainly understand your confusion regarding the internal use of coconut oil. If you have used VCO on your skin without problems then it's very likely you will have no allergy to coconut oil.

But if you have intestinal candida, then the likelihood is that when you start taking VCO you will feel worse before you feel better because of the fungal die-off or Herxheimer effect. I've been through this same Herx effect when I was getting rid of my candida, the symptoms are flu-like and you feel liverish because of the initial strain of the liver removing all the fungal toxins from your body. I simply persisted with the VCO, because I wanted the candida gone. Sure enough the Herx effect went after a while, but it still took about a full year to get rid of my candida(I was also using Ted's alkalizing protocols plus taking Blackstrap Molasses and liver/kidney support herbs as well).

I also suspect that some new users of VCO who perhaps may have had candida and didn't know it, have mistaken the Herx or fungal die-off effect for an allergic reaction, since both sets of symptoms seem very similar.

Coconut oil has also been used for years in baby foods, it contains lauric acid in similar amounts to human breast milk fats, which is a major ingredient that protects the baby and builds up the baby's immune system. Coconut oil is also regularly used in foods now given to hospital patients with intestinal trauma or after major intestinal operations -- such are its gentle and protective effects and qualities.

I also live in the Philippines now, all the locals use coconut oil for cooking here. Extra virgin coconut oil for me is way the best of all the veg oils, for all the reasons that I have given already. I only cook with VCO now, and sometimes take a raw tablespoon in my coffee when I'm ill or constipated now and then and I also use it on my own skin. I've been using VCO now for over 4 years.

I hope this helps to allay some of your fears about VCO.

Hi Francisca...Forgot to add that I took VCO either raw or in my coffee. When I had candida, I took 3 tbspns a day. Now I just take it a few times a week. VCO is nice in coffee, makes it taste sort of creamy...

Bill, how do you use coconut oil in raw food? Mine is solid... do you warm it up or do you use some liquid kind? I only find the solid form where I live..... I am still a bit afraid after reading about people who had so many problems.... haven't tried it yet!

Hi Francisca...I guess your having a bit of a battle with yourself using coconut oil at the moment!! I confess, with my candida problems, I really didn't hesitate to use VCO raw to begin with. I had bad constipation for about 7 years with my candida, VCO helped to cure this aspect of my ailment very quickly indeed.

Perhaps the best way to use coconut oil to begin with is to use it for cooking, as this seems to cause the least problems. Many here on EC use it for oil pulling because it tastes so much better than olive oil but appears to achieve the same thing. Perhaps you could try oil-pulling with VCO first?

Using coconut oil for cooking seems to be the quickest way to get used to coconut oil. Since I'm living in the Philippines, my bottles of VCO are always as a liquid oil(The temperature here is always above 76 degrees). But if you're using VCO for cooking where you are(colder), then I would just treat it like butter for cooking, no difference really. Coconut oil is very safe for cooking -- safer than most other vegetable oils -- because it doesn't oxidize so quickly.

In my own mind, if you take the plunge and actually start using coconut oil, the worst that can possibly happen is the die-off or Herx effect. In my case, it wasn't that terrible, and always uppermost in my mind was the fact that I knew all about the problems that I had, so I also knew that my flu-like symptoms -- or die-off effect -- were confirmation that the coconut oil was actually helping and doing good. Many people on this site report that taking coconut oil has caused problems -- so they immediately blame the VCO or assume that they must have an allergic reaction to it.

Although an allergic reaction is possible, my argument is that VCO is very safe. However, all those people arguing against VCO have given their opinions and reasons as to why these adverse reactions have occurred in their bodies, without realizing or addressing or including the possibility of them having candida causing a Herx reaction -- Simply because there are many similarities between the symptoms of a Herx reaction and an allergic reaction and this causes confusion I think. And behind all of this is this seemingly ingrained and unmovable belief that saturated fats like VCO are bad for you, despite all the evidence I've provided to the contrary on EC.

In regard to its safety, why else would they have used coconut oil both in baby foods and with food for people in hospital with intestinal trauma since the 1960s? Isn't this a testament to VCO's safety? These facts alone, perhaps, represent the greatest proof that allergic reactions with VCO must be rare indeed.

Coconut oil is indeed the business. It is the very essence of the 'tree of life'. It is just fabulous. Anyone who thinks otherwise should open their mind and try it for a while - and also search out info in the libraries etc., etc., and of course the WWW. If the world ate virgin coconut oil it who be a far, far happier and healthier place. That we all eat (... or have eaten) crappy grain oils is a crying criminal shame. Organic lard (pork fat) is also very, very good. Variously some sort of mix of lard and coconut oil should should suit just about everyone's palate.

Thanks once more Bill, you have been a great help so far. Today I ordered a book on coconut oil on Amazon in order to get more information. I am starting to think that my allergies (never tested positive for anything), warts, tiredness, white spots on my skin which are not Viltiligo, bad digestion and maybe even the little red spots on my skin might be Candida so maybe the VCO might help. Worth a try..... My worry is that my husband who has daily medicines for high blood pressure might not react well to it. He is going to ask his doctor. Otherwise I will try sometimes to cook separately for me and for him. After seein the bad effects those pills have on him I am trying my best to stay clear of them. And yes, so far VCO here is always solid, maybe in the summer it will change........ Anyway, if this oil was so bad why wouldn't all people in Asia be dying? One more thing, do you ever use olive oil or none at all?

Coconut oil - questions for Bill

Hi again, I don't think that you saw my last post:

Thanks once more Bill, you have been a great help so far. I have just received a book on Coconut oil in the post and I have started using it. I am starting to think that my allergies (never tested positive for anything), warts, tiredness, white spots on my skin which are not Viltiligo, bad digestion, coated tongue and maybe even the little red pearls on my skin might be Candida so maybe the VCO might help (I also had constipation for many years but I corrected it by eating fruit first thing in the morning). Worth a try..... My worry is that my husband who has daily medicines for high blood pressure might not react well to it. He is going to ask his doctor. Otherwise I will try sometimes to cook separately for myself. After seeing the bad effects those pills have on him I am trying my best to stay clear of them. And yes, so far VCO here is always solid, maybe in the summer it will change........ Anyway, if this oil was so bad why wouldn't all people in Asia be dying? One more thing, do you ever use olive oil or none at all? And as far as Ted's alkalizing drink, doesn't the bicarbonate neutralize the effect of the lemon juice?

Hi Francisca...Apologies for not seeing your post, I've been dashing about the last few days, and it's coming into the hot, humid season here in the tropics, so I've been resting a bit...lol.

In answer to your questions:

"One more thing, do you ever use olive oil or none at all?"

When I was living in UK, yes I used it a little for salads and Italian dishes, but never for English cooking, it's taste was just not right for this. And since moving to the Philippines, I've stopped using olive oil altogether, since much of my cooking is now Indonesian, Malaysian, Thai or Indian and olive oil also just does not suit these styles of cooking as far as I'm concerned. And of course, every third tree in the Philippines is a coconut tree, which makes VCO much cheaper than imported olive oil...lol.

As well, and as I've said already, olive oil is a mono-unsaturated oil -- so it will break down and oxidize much faster in sunlight or high heat than coconut oil which is a fully saturated and more stable oil. I've done some heavy heavy research between olive oil and VCO over the years, and have simply reached the conclusion that VCO is the better oil in terms of health. I would never argue about the health properties of olive oil, but the fact is that VCO seems to have even more health benefits.

"And as far as Ted's alkalizing drink, doesn't the bicarbonate neutralize the effect of the lemon juice?"

Yes, the sodium bicarbonate does neutralize the citric acid in the lime or lemon juice -- but that is a great advantage anyway because this creates sodium and potassium citrate salts which are then directly and easily absorbed in the duodenum with no need for further digestion processing. If you don't first neutralize the citric acid (from the lemon and lime) or acetic acid and malic acid (from ACV) or even ascorbic acid(Vit C) with BS, then your pancreas will have to use all its own stored bicarbonates to neutralize all these acids into citrates, acetates, malates and ascorbates etc. so that they can be absorbed into the body. More work for your body.

And also remember that the bicarbonates in the pancreas are also used for another important job -- if the bicarbonates from the pancreas aren't used in digestion, then they are simply released into the blood -- thus alkalizing it -- and they also play a vital role in helping to swap out carbon dioxide for oxygen in cells during respiration.

So if you create these these citrates, acetates, ascorbates etc before digestion, then you are actually helping to strengthen both your immune system as well as making your cell respiration more efficient. In other words your helping your body do its job.

Hi Bill, I was away for a while so I hadn't see your response to my questions. I did the spit test yesterday and it came out a bit like in the drawing but less clear. This weekend I am going to ask my husband to try as I don't think that he has Candida, at least not in his mouth as his tongue is always pink. Then I can compare, maybe we both do it. Since I use a salt based toothpaste without flouoride and more natural my tongue looks a lot cleaner. One question, I am trying to cook with coconut milk as it seems to be healthier than normal milk but my husband doesn't want to use it in his tea because he finds that the fat content is too high. Do you know anything about that? I never drink milk, never done for most of my life, I can't stand it but I do make dishes using milk so maybe coconut milk might be a good substitute. In a book I have the author says that it is actually very healthy.

Hi Francisca...Yes, fresh coconut milk will contain a significant amount of fat, but this is a saturated fat with a big difference. Most vegetable oils(Long Chain Triglycerides) are transported in the blood and stored around the body as fat. But coconut milk contains saturated fat that consists mainly of Medium Chain Triglycerides -- this goes straight liver and is extracted and converted to glycogen as required for energy and the unneeded oil is then excreted directly and not stored. The glycogen can also be used for energy directly -- which is why its so useful for diabetics. And when I started taking VCO, I actually lost weight.

My stance with saturated fats -- as you know -- is quite friendly. I also distrust most polyunsaturated vegetable oils. My reasons are simply historic. Before 1900(and for centuries before this time) the fats we used in the West were mainly lard, tallow and butter - with a very small amount of monounsaturated oils like olive oil. During this time there was no heart disease, arteriosclerosis, Alzheimer's, high blood pressure, Parkinson's Disease, Arthritis, Obeisity, Diabetes, Cancer etc., that we now have today. So we can therefore say that, as proof from history, these saturated fats do not cause these auto-immune problems.

Since most vegetable oils today are manufactured and are heavily processed chemically -- as well as being unstable and suffering from relatively quick oxidation -- I therefore regard veg oils as unnatural to the human body -- in the large amounts we take them today, and simply not good as food. The main enemy, of course, is too much chemical processing and too many additives.

There are many ways you can take coconut milk or oil. You can mix the milk with ordinary milk and use it on cereal or simply use it in cooking as I do, or you can mix the VCO, perhaps, with natural honey and use it as a spread for bread or toast. I also often use coconut milk when cooking Malaysian Rendangs, makes it taste very creamy and delicious. I use a teaspoon of VCO in my coffee on most days, and I think coconut milk would make a wonderful additive to coffee as well.

Unfortunately, we have all been brainwashed into thinking that ALL saturated fats are bad for us. If you research coconut oil, you will find that this oil is remarkably stable and good for you in it's natural form. It was really only because of the big vegetable oil cartels in America that used what I call "spoiler research" to denigrate coconut oil's health benefits in order to sell more veg oil via inaccurate saturated fat propaganda (because coconut oil was capturing more and more of the world market in the 50s and 60s) -- and, sadly, this poor reputation continues to stick to all forms of saturated fat, animal or vegetable, even today.

I grew up in New Zealand and am familiar with ancient and modern polynesian dietary habits. Polynesians have a)wonderful skin b)few problems related to articulations but tend to be obese and suffer from diabetes. Coconut milk and fat (a fat is solid and an oil is liquid at room temperature)are very rich. I don't have a problem with applying these internally but eating coconut fat to lose weight seems crazy (Ted says that it is mostly not absorbed and prevents absorption of other foods?).

NZ children are all familiar with a confection based on rice bubble cereal, coconut fat(kremelta) powdered sugar and cocoa. Always regarded as not very good for you and a rare treat. Tinned corned beef, icecream and KFC have upset pacific diets but I think polynesians were fairly well rounded before. I find it hard to believe that coconut fat is better than olive oil. Mediterranean people are SLIM and suffer little from cholesterol or insulin problems.

Ive just started trying the Organic Virgin Coconut Oil and have read quite a bit here on your website and have read almost every single letter/email or comment. But Ive also read on another site that the oil is pretty high in saturated fat which is normally very bad for you and can cause heart disease and high cholesterol so how is it that so many people have claimed that it does the exact opposite? Is there a difference between the fat is from a fruit versus from an animal? Thanks and Im looking forward on seeing in the next few days how it will affect me.

The saturated fats in coconut oil are medium chain rather than the long chain version in meats. Saturated medium chain fats are very healthy.

Hi, I read your post. Could you please let me know how to use/apply clove oil to reduce bleeding gums. Your reply would be much appreciated. Thanks, Tristan

Did you apply the coconut oil/clove mixture externally or take it internally? If externally, where was it applied? Thank you

Coconut oil helps with menstruation

I am 32 and started using extra virgin coconut oil Oct 2009 (it is now Jan 2010). This is the first period I have gone through where it last half as long. I have noticed it was not heavy at all. I still had some cramps, but not as bad as usual. I have never had a period as short as this in my life, I didn't even think it was really possible...down from 7-8 days to 4. I take about 1 Tbsp of EVCO in my coffee daily. I did have to start out with a smaller dose and work it up. I hope to be able to consume more on a daily basis.

My 93 year old mother was suffering from bleeding hemorrhoids and I read here about Coconut Oil and got her some. I put some in a separate bottle for the bathroom and the rest she used in her kitchen. A nice big spoonful in her oatmeal every morning and within a few days the bleeding stopped and she is now fine and gaining strength back.

Can pa___e brand coconut oil be used as sunscreen even in peak hours of sun?

I will try. I've had problems since 1995. Three this last 2 months. Put Virgin Coconut Oil on problem area and ingest it 1 tbl 3 times/day?

Okay, I have a couple of questions about vco. First, when taking it internally, exactly how much? I am completely unfamiliar with this stuff... Sencondly, I am reading that it can be used in place of moisturizers and conditioners for hair/skin. Again, how much? I have dry/oily skin in places and have color-treated hair (quite oily though) I don't want to make my problems worse by over-moisturizing. But, I'm seeing that the benefits far outweigh the negs, so I am going to try this. Any feedback would be appreciated!!! Thanks in advance!!!!

I am excited to hear this has worked for you and your family! I believe my dad is suffering from Carpal Tunnel Sydrome, do you think it might help? Should he just rub it into his wrist once a day? Any advice would be appreciate please and thank you! Melanie

Before educating myself I began using refined coconut oil and experienced chest pain, probably from the oil. When I switched to unrefined virgin coconut oil the pain disappeared.

I have been looking for a remedy for smooth skin. Tried olive oil but found it too greasy and had breakouts on my face. I want to try coconut oil on the skin. would be glad if anyone has used it could share their experience with me. Thanks.

Hi Sarika - coconut oil is a woman's dream (or at least for me!)...I sometimes use as it as an all over body moisturizer but mainly on my face. I wish I had taken before and after pics. Before VCO my skin was ruddy and blotchy - had dark marks, large pores and uneven tone. But NOW - not so! It's smoother, more toned, dark marks are gone and is nice and taut! I can see that "glow" people have commented about.....only thing is it doesn't seem to be clearing up my dark circles all that well. I've read drinking at least a gallon of water can help.

Tip: To ensure the oil is deeply saturated and is hydrating the skin - place a warm washcloth or small towel on your face after you've rubbed it on. Your skin will feel like butter! :0)

I like to use coconut oil for my body, but for my face it is a bit too oily, even in small amounts. I think it all depends on your type of skin.

I had a large mole on my breast, the cost to remove it was rediculous so I decided to try coconut oil. It took about 2 months of keeping the mole saturated with the oil, but it finally just came off in small pieces and has not come back.

I was actually diagnosis back in 2002 with pappillary carcinoma which was deemed cancer after the lump was removed from neck so I had to get my thyroid taken out completely. I have just started taken EVCO and was wondering from all great info on this site if it would still work for me? I am pretty much hypo all the time since I have no thyroid..... Just curious