Coconut Oil Benefits, Side Effects and Reviews

WARNING!

I have been using coconut oil as a moisturizer for about a year now.

I read on numerous internet sites and blogs about how it was a miracle product for all kinds of skin ailments including acne.

So I started using on my face and body--it has been a great replacement for body lotion, and has mildly improved the keritosis pilaris on my upper arms, but using it on my face was a BIG mistake! I am still suffering from the consequences (pimples all over, including places where I had NEVER had them before). I have since learned that people with small pores, like me, should not use thick natural oils on the face, because the molecules are too large. People with larger pores (darker skin usually) can benefit from it, but it can really clog up people will small pores! Jojoba and tea tree oils are the only oils suitable for my delicate face.

Just want to warn others!

I have been taking coconut oil since the summer. I have the symptoms of an underactive thyroid. I was shocked when I read the causes. The coconut oil also helped to improve my skin tone. I feel for everyone that has this problem.

To those of you who have had problems with using coconut oil on the face resulting in breakouts, redness, whiteheads etc. If you wish to try Coconut oil on the face use only a very, very thin layer. I'm talking a teeny, tiny amount. You could also try coconut soap instead to clean the face. There are many good natural brands online from which to choose.

Used many oils including virgin coconut oil in many of my skin care cosmetic formulations. But thats history. My problem has always been cystic acne. In my late forties and it is without a doubt extrmely debilitating. Large cysts would form on my face and it would take weeks for them to subside leaving a purple mark for many months. After My business mail order business went down the toilet due to 9/11. Nobody trusted the mail. I realized I had a klo of virgin coconut oil left in my refridgerater. Literally stumbled on the idea that VCO would help acne. Skeptical about putting straight oil on oily acne skin. I gave it a shot because one of my best sellers of my cosmetic formulations was an oil based, black head removal cream containg organic jojoba oil, actually it is a remarkable oil for rducing large pores. Bottom line is that cysts or leasins would be reduced within 48 to 72 hours. I was stunned to say the least. For two years I have had almost totaly relief from a lifetime problem. I have just started taking it internally since I realized I have had candida, probably for 35 plus years because of the massive amounts of tetracycline, minocin etc. (unconscionably destructive acne anitibiotics) It truly does smooth and soften the skin. My face looks like the moon, from acne scarring, although my wife says I exaggerate but It makes me look younger for sure and for certain. Don't use refined or fractionated coconut oil on your face it must be unrefined virgin oil. It really is miraculous. Cheers all.

Natural Remedies to Treat Mononucleosis: I have had mono for 2 months now, and I read about the coconut oil, and went out and bought some about 3 days ago, and I cannot tell you how much better I feel even now. I take 4 in the morning and 4 at night and I drink a TON of water all day. I highly recomend this remedy, it has helped me when nothing else could.

Dear Jennifer,
I just read your post of 03/08/2008 about using coconut oil for cooking and skin care.

Thank you very much for recommending http://Soaperschoice.com.

I was wondering if you are still buying the oil from the same web site for your needs. Your information is greatly appreciated it. Michelle

My son likes oil based salad dressing, french fries, fried rice, etc, but always felt nauseous after eating those things. We tried using coconut oil instead of other oils, and when we do, he feels well after eating, and can eat a normal size portion instead of only a few bites. Any amount seems to work.

I recently posted a comment about Coconut Oil and how eating a tablespoon each day helped my Depression. After two days of taking Coconut Oil internally, I developed a terrible case of Heartburn. I felt better emotionally but physically, my chest was painful and the heartburn lasted all day and night. I thought eating too fast was the culprit initially. I was suffering with this Heartburn for an entire week. I wondered if the heavy saturated fat content of the Coconut Oil was making my body react this way.

Today, I didn't eat any Coconut Oil and my symptoms reduced by over 50%. I love the Oil Pulling, Apple Cider Vinegar, and everything else listed on this site. Unfortunately, eating Coconut Oil didn't work out for me apparently. I do plan on using Coconut Oil externally on my skin.

If you can't take it by mouth, then try look up gnc or health or vitamin shoppe or internet store to find coconut oil in capsules or table to take oral try that if it help hmm. It's help me well since, I can't take it straight to my mouth, capsules helped for me.

Hi. You were saying you were taking 1 tbsp of oil a day. I find when we start something new you need to start off small. May be try taking a 1/2 of tsp of oil for a week or so then a 1tsp and so on. Your body is probaly saying it is too much all at once. Try it. I liquidfied my oil and use it in my oatmeal and salads, it is awesome.

I had to start even smaller using 1/4 a tsp mixed with 2 tsps of peanutbutter. I then put this mixture on toast twice a day and build up gradually. I am also drinking 4 tbsp a day of apple cider vinegar with 100% fruit juice (I started this regimine first and then later added the virgin coconut oil into my morning and evening routine.) My skin is clearer than it has been for years, I have so much more energy and my depression seems like a distant memory although I am aware of it when under a lot of stress. Also, I am sleeping all through the night! I used to toss and turn all night long and now I wake up refreshed from a long night's sleep.

I downed a spoonful of virgin coconut oil (VCO) the other day and had the heart pounding problem that evening. That was the first time I'd taken it straight up. The earlier times I had ingested it, it was by spreading it on bread that was nearly toasted, letting it absorb a bit, then popping it back in for a moment to fully toast, in effect "cooking" the oil on the toast. I had read (possibly here?) that VCO in a cooked form is easier for the body to take. When I have eaten it this way, it never gave me problems. Might be worth looking into if working up from a smaller amount doesn't seem to be effective in preventing problems. It's tasty on toast anyway, especially with jelly/jam on top :-)

When I took a teaspoon by mouth, I felt terrible for the next day, but when I put the same amount on bread twice a day, I have no problems and feel much better. I also lose weight when I take it consistently.

RE: Prostate
You should also seriously consider Small Flowered Willow Herb. A serious help for Bladder and Prostate.

Renne Caisse who used to make up the Essiac Tea formula said in a video that she saw many cancer tumors go hard and grow larger before they healed and vanished so maybe the prostate was already healing.

Since I started cooking with coconut oil, I have noticed that if I do catch a cold, it lasts maybe half as long and the symptoms are milder.

FOR THE LADY WHO ALWAYS FEELS SOMETHING IS STUCK IN HER THROAT: I was reading the part about something stuck in your throat and hard to swallow, I had a problem for about 5 months where I always felt their was something stuck in my throat, I had every test in the books, problem got worse, I finally had a test where they go down your throat and they found a web at the top of my esophagus that had grown across and the tore/removed the web, After my throat got over being sore from that, I no longer had that feeling anymore and could swallow again.

I used coconut oil on my son's diaper rash. It went away in one night after I had been trying other creams for days and it just got worse. The exact measurements I used: well I put my fingers in the jar and scooped some out and rubbed it on!

That is wonderful to hear that your bald spot have hair growing like crazy! My dad suffers from bald spots as well, what should I tell him to do? Apply the coconut oil and leave it on for hours or use it like a shampoo?

Also I want to start using it on my skin. Using it both on my face as a cleanser and a moisturizer is good? I have decent skin so I am afraid to clog the pores and create acne. I have some blackheads I would like to get rid of and have heard coconut oil does work for this as well.

Sounds like coconut oil has tons of benefits, I am anxious to try!

Thank you in advance for taking the time to read this and respond.

Hi, i was on the phone to my mother last night and she has always been one to test and try every anti-aging, wrinkle reducing cream on the planet and never had any success. However when calling me up she kept ranting on about this miracle coconut oil and how she read about it in one of her anti-ageing books. She remarked that while she was watching tv my younger sister kept looking over at her, but my mum just ignored this, then she noticed that my sister was staring at her the next day. Eventually my sister asked "what are you using on your face?" to which my mum replied "nothing..." My sister then asked well have you got makeup or bronzer on..and again mum said "no". She told my sister that she had been swallowing 3 teaspoons a day of organic coconut oil. My sister couldnt stop remarking how young my mum looked, with all her wrinkles reduced by over 50%. Well now my sister who is only 16 is addicted to the stuff. Coconut oil really is a mircale.

Coconut oil has been used for over a Thousand years by the People of Kerala(South India)where Coconut Trees grow very abundantly. Coconut oil is used for cooking & also for Hair & Skin care. Women from this region have beautiful radiant skin & knee length lustrous hair. Most Indian women apply slightly warmed coconut oil to the scalp & hair regularly and wash hair after 1/2 hour to 1 hour. I've done the same for about 2 decades now with good results.

EC: Sharon, please tell us the exact measurements (teaspoon/tablespoon, externally/internally, etc.) that you used on yourself and your animals. Thanks!

After reading your post, I would like to share I have a friend that was diagnosed with HIV, we have been researching avenues for possible cures. Is it really true you have shown major improvements with with your blood count since practicing a regime with extra virgin coconut oil? How often and how much should someone start this regime of coconut oil? Do you have any literature to share that you used for your research before beginning that I can pass along to my friend?

Seems like you have little to lose and much to gain by trying it.

I would like to know which Coconut Oil you recommend to take internally. There are so many out there and I am afraid to take the wrong one. I need MORE energy. Please reply. Thank you. Gail

To Gail: a few good ones to try are Nutiva, Garden of Life, or Spectrum (the Spectrum unrefined NOT refined)

Nay for coconut oil for the face. I have read coconut oil was good for dark circles and rashes. I have really sensitive skin. I applied virgin coconut oil to my skin and instead developed a terrible rash. It's a shame because I love the smell. I instead use vaseline as a moisturizer, especially for a rash. I apply it in the shower and sleep with it on.

re: Coconut Oil side effects: The rash is a good thing! It means all the toxins from your body are leaving and this creates the rash! It will go away with regular use :)

I agree on the rash being a cleanse rather than a reaction. I started using VCO on my skin a few weeks ago and I love the way my skin feels from it but at first I did have some flare ups of stuff that I thought were old and healed issues. Now after sticking to it things have gotten wonderful. If you try again to use VCO then just reassure yourself it is temporary healing. I think they call it re-tracing.

I think vaseline is a horrible toxin!!! It is petroleum based which is poison to your system and has to be removed by your body as such. Do not put petrol on your skin and keep using the coconut oil, the cleanse will complete and the rash will go away!! Vaseline is good as a firestarter if you are stuck during the winter in the woods....keep it in your car!

i can't actually believe that anyone would put vaseline on their face - but i have heard of it a lot lately. it is a by-product of the petroleum industry. besides probably being toxic going through your skin into your blood stream - it also clogs your pores so your skin cannot breathe. it may seem to work at first - but what you are actually doing is sealing your skin closed. if you put water on your skin and then seal it closed that may help with hydrating your skin with it - but i would advise against it. google vaseline and see what you think....
you may try using olive oil instead of VCO. just make sure before you use any oil on your face that your face is damp. the oils do not moisturize on their own - they seal in water. djh

My late mother used to use vaseline all the time to moisturize her face and hands...and she had a lot of health problems. So this was just one more toxic thing...and she was not aware at the time that it was toxic.

I have sensitive skin and I love Coconut Oil! I started using it two weeks ago and my skin looks so much younger, toned and soft! I am not going to buy face creams anymore!!

I have read so much about Coconut Oil. I just bought it this morning. Question: How do you put it on your skin? Rub it in then rinse? Does it just soak in? Please excuse my ignorance on the topic. Just starting to learn.

Linda,
I understand not rinsing the coconut oil when using it as a moisturizer, but if you use it to remove makeup, wouldn't you have to wipe it off with a wet washcloth or a tissue? I was confused about that part. I am new to this site, and I'm trying to soak in the wealth of information. The only thing I have tried so far is the ACV.

Hi Dee - I guess I do tend to go over my face again once the makeup is off.... Dab a little more c.o. on a clean part of the washcloth but I then don't wipe it off..... It absorbs quickly and leaves skin really soft. Thanks for asking for the clarification....

Oh people please stop saying that VCO negative reactions are toxin releases! There is no medical evidence to prove this. People can be allergic, causing a rash. VCO _is_ however great against fungus and bacteria, but it is not extracting toxins from skin causing "flare ups. " That just does not make sense, and it certainly does not make sense to tell somebody who has a negative reaction to VCO that it is a positive sign.

I have been consuming 1-2 tblspoons of EVCO (whether the E means something or not) and applying topically, and I have never received a negative side effect, except an increase in heart rate when I first started (medical information to back this reaction up). No toxin die offs. Often when people feel they are having a candida or toxin die off, it is because they are also drastically cutting back in carbs. Look up the medical symptoms to cutting out all sugars and complex carbs from your diet. Oddly matches the "die off" and "toxin" symptoms exact.

That's the confusing part. When to know it is purely the result of a reaction and not of a die off?

Neon, there is no medical evidence to support a "die off" theory at all. I have done soooo much reading and have yet to find an actual medical physician to support this phenomena theory.

That said, I am not a doctor. I believe that people who cut out all sugar and carbs (or most) are denying their brains an essential nutrient that it needs to thrive. The symptoms of this carb deficiency are identical to the listed symptoms of "die off. " There is a medical systemic candida condition that results in people with compromised immune systems, and this is a lethal condition. You would know.

I take coconut oil every morning orally and it has never helped any external candida issues that are more common. Actual application did relieve symptoms greatly but did not solve the problem. I did not have "die off" symptoms bc I was not cutting out whole grains and all sugars from my diet.

The only negative symptom that I had was increased heart beat and sweating from an increased metabolism. I have read that this is due to the saturated fats improving the function of my heart, but I am not certain about this. The extreme heart palpitations went away as I decreased the dose and slowly increased to 1.5-3 Tablespoons/day.

It has been a month with no real negative side effects or positive results from consuming the oil. (Yes, I use the good stuff).

For the last 4 tears or so I have had a fungus on both big toes. The nail becomes thick and discolored with rough edges. Not an attractive sight. I have been using coconut oil now for about 9 months and can honestly say it has made a difference in the appearance of my toenails. One of the many properties of CO is antifungal. I can"t say enough about this tropical oil. I eat at least 3 Tbles a day I have more energy, have lost weight, no change in my cholesterol and love its taste. Try it and you will never go back to the other veggie oils.

WARNING!

Coconut Oil. I have been using CO for a year now and I have no outstanding reports to make on it, but today I tried the CO bath. Now I am disabled and I have a handicap hand rail and I use the non skid mat in my tub and I never gave it a thought that when I went to get out I could not. I used my wash cloth and a towel for more traction but I was not strong enough to overcome the oily tub and mat. I struggled for a long while and it took awhile for me to get turned over on my side so I could use my painful knees, but I finally made it up and out. This is just to let others who are disabled in their legs, knees, etc be careful and know that you are going to be very slippery. I am laughing now, but it wasn't funny at the time. For the record I have used CO on my face for a year now and I cook everything in CO and I take it 1 tsp at a time in my protein drinks. I do not do the TB amount. so far I have no bad re-actions. I just hope it is doing something good inside.

Coconut oil cured my dry skin irritation. last 10 years or so I have been developing some sort of scalely skin on the lower portion of my legs happening in the winter months more so. The Dr. had no idea what it was, I was using victoria secrets lotions and aveena body wash and lotions. store brand harsh soaps, changed all my products to a healthier soap and now I virgin coconut oil as my all over lotion, this is the first yr I have not seen any irritation. VCO IS MY FRIEND FOR LIFE

I listened to a nutritionist last night who reminded me that the brain is mostly fat, and when we aren't sleeping well, feel irritable, can't concentrate, or even have headaches, our brains may be crying out for fat! As we add the coconut oil to our diet, our brains may find greater balance and we feel the soothing nature of the unctuos coconut oil internally as well as externally. This all happened when I recently took only 1 TBS of Coconut oil per day for 2 days and then started my cycle without the usual 4 aspirin headache...my cycle was so peaceful. I felt so quiet and easy throughout my body; there was no struggle to have my normal cycle.

Yes, there must be something to that. I took aprx 1 TBS of coconut oil for the first time two days ago (in my coffee), and about an hour later...I had a physical and mental state of well being just wash over me. Was not expecting that at all! I was probably very deficient in healthy fats at that time.