Coconut Oil
Health Benefits

Coconut Oil Benefits, Side Effects and Reviews

The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Cheap Coconut Oil Sources
Posted by Noel (Georgetown, Texas) on 07/09/2007
★★★★★

If you're on a budget (aren't we all) I have found a TWO POUND tub of Coconut Oil at WAL-MART for $2.82. The brand is LouAnn and it is in the aisle with baking supplies and oils. No need to buy that expensive stuff at the health food store.

Cheap Coconut Oil Sources
Posted by Kathleen (Rice Lake, WI) on 05/13/2008

Remember that at store such as Wal-Mart, their slogan is "Always Low Prices," which doesn't mean that their products are always quality. That coconut oil may not be pure, which is what most specialty health stores offer.


Cheap Coconut Oil Sources
Posted by Tina (Dunbridge, Ohio) on 07/08/2008
★☆☆☆☆

I just bought Louann's Coconut oil(30oz) at Walmart and it was $7! Still on the pricey side to me and it's not organic.


Cheap Coconut Oil Sources
Posted by Joyce (Joelton, Tn) on 08/26/2008 489 posts
★☆☆☆☆

After reading someone's contribution to EC that coconut oil had been purchased at Walmart baking section I went looking to see because I knew that the virgin coconut and EVC oil was much more expensive than price she quoted. I finally got around to visiting Walmart's baking section and a few days ago and did find a 3l.5 fl. oz (.98 QT or 93l mL) container of LouAna coconut oil, labeled l00% pure and natural, only ingredient listed as coconut oil, distributed by Ventura Foods, LLC. of Opelousas, LA. 70570. I don't know if this is what the contributor was talking about or not. Nor can I say that it is definitely coconut oil or not. What I can definitely say is that every time I have purchased VC or EVC it has had a very strong odor of fresh coconut or coconut milk, which I happen to like the smell of. There is no odor whatever of coconut about the above product, however using it on my hands makes them feel softer.


Cheap Coconut Oil Sources
Posted by Kyra (Cortlandt Manor, New York) on 03/08/2009

I also buy the large tub of Extra Virgin Coconut Oil from Wal Mart. I don't believe it is organic so I do not take it internally. My family and I use it on our bodies and in our hair.


Cheap Coconut Oil Sources
Posted by Rosy (Orlando, Fl) on 03/09/2009
★☆☆☆☆

WARNING!

Only use coconut oil that smells like coconuts for healing. If is has little to no smell it has been processed. If it is very cheep then buyer beware, you get what you pay for. Coconuts grow only in tropical areas, and it cost money to ship the product to us in nontropical areas. What are they cutting the coconut oil with to make it so cheap would be my question.

Same for Olive oil. They cut that often, and if you look it up on google you will find many stories of people doing this in Europe and sending it over here as the real thing. Nothing that is worth it's weight in gold with be sold for copper!


Cheap Coconut Oil Sources
Posted by Donna (Siesta Key, Florida) on 05/23/2009

Blessings everyone,

I have been purchasing coconut oil online for years.....the only website I recommend for quality, customer service and fast shipping is www.tropicaltraditions.com I love their gold label extra virgin oil. The also run special sales all the time. Good Luck to all.


Cheap Coconut Oil Sources
Posted by Ellen (Arlington, Tx) on 07/16/2012

The LouAnn brand of coconut oil is a cooking oil. It is not organic, extra virgin, coconut oil. You can buy organic EVCO at Wal Mart, but they sell it in the vitamin section, not the cooking oil section. It costs around $10 there. I made the same mistake once. They are not the same product at all!


Cheap Coconut Oil Sources
Posted by KT (Usa) on 04/16/2014

When you refer to "LouAnn" do you mean "LouAna"?


Cheap Coconut Oil Sources
Posted by Pam Dial (League City, Tx) on 06/17/2016

I buy the Central Market unrefined expeller pressed coconut oil. I have been using it on my face as a cleaner and for a moisturizer. I am also covering my body with it. I have been so happy with the results. My skin is soft, my age spots are fading. I wish the brand had more information. Is it cold pressed? Most are made from the copra, I do not want that. Sometimes labels are vague. Be sure to look out for hexane (bad) in the ingredients. Also make sure it has not been bleached, heated or refined.


Dermatitis
Posted by Jill (MH, USA) on 07/04/2007
★★★★★

I have been taking coconut oil soft gels for 2 months now. It has tremendously took my dermatitis away. I have suffered from dermatitis for 5 years now. Used tons of creams and ointments. Yet still never got full relief. Since taking the pills I have been irritation free. I feel as good as before I developed it. It to me its just amazing.


Hair
Posted by Kate (London, Uk) on 03/24/2012
★★★★☆

I've been having a very confusing and scary time for two months with my throat and the top of my lungs closing up very tight (and on one occasion just stopping breathing totally until someone hammered me on the back). Battery of medical tests have found nothing except a small non-malignant goitre - now they are saying I should probably have my thyroid removed, see if that helps. I'm not going to do that. Thyroid counts so far normal. It's possible I partly messed up my thyroid a few years back by taking too much iodine.

Having tried everything on the home remedy front too, I'm finding the one thing that reliably untightens things is apple cider vinegar in the thyroid (means lying down a day with a poultice but at least I can breathe). Does anyone have any idea *why* it might be helping - and how I can use the clue to get better? And also can anyone think of medical tests I should try to see if it's either metal toxicity or some sort of infection? At the moment I look to everyone else like I'm malingering, while it feels like it could kill me....


Hair
Posted by Timh (Louisville, Ky, Usa) on 03/25/2012 2041 posts

Kate, this could be inflammation; try the anti-inflammatory diet. Zinc Lozenges may help in the case of infection. Steam Inhalation w/ Eucalyptus oil might be beneficial. Magnet Therapy would be worth a try. You can wear a magnetized belt across the chest to rid bad energy and inflammation.

Hope this helps and good luck. Please post results.


Hair
Posted by Sara (Cathedral City, California) on 08/28/2016

Hi Kate. I been having a problem with my thyroid for the last past 15 years. About two years ago my thyroid starting to enlarge to the point that mine thyroid now is growing all the way into my chest. In the last Ultrasound I had they found I have 5 nodules on the right side of my thyroid and three more on the left, the biggest one now is 26mm. Which used to be 10 millimeters. My problem is that my TSH (thyroid stimulation hormone ) is overactive. My endocrinology put me on methimazole to slow down The process of my Thyroid making to much hormones so far I haven't have any problem with me shocking Or with my breathing. The Dr's. Doesn't seem to be very concerned, All I know is that my Thyroid is huge And the nodules I have (8 total) keep growing Very upset and confusing!! Tell your Dr. You want to have a blood test of you T3-T4- and the TSH. Also tell him you want to have a ULTRASOUND of your Thyroid...about Apple Cider Vinegar. I only take this after a meal to lose wait and to brake down Colestero.

Best luck to you!!


Skin Issues
Posted by Holly (Fort Lauderdale, Florida) on 06/30/2007
★★★★★

I just love coconut oil! It's simply my every moisturizer! I used it as a hair oil and face moisturizer for a while now, but when I moved closer to the beach a few months back I noticed my skin always seemed dry..so I tried using it all over my body! WOW! its been 2 months now and each day that has passed I noticed I use less and less oil..it curing my dry skin! This stuff is the things dreams are made of! I love, love, love, it. Try it, tell you family and friends there is nothing naturally better for your skin, it affortable (a little goes a long way) and so multi fuctional as coconut oit!


Skin Issues
Posted by C.J. (Rossford, Ohio) on 06/26/2007
★★★★★

I developed adult acne at age 18 despite dry skin. Recently, I was told to take zinc for my acne, but was already taking 200% and didn't want to risk overdosing, so I thought I'd crush a tablet and make it into a mask with coconut oil. Coconut oil sounded really good to me as it would moisturize and fight acne at the same time. Using this mask daily has made my acne much less red and started the healing process on my lingering acne scars. The zinc promotes healing and the coconut oil is supposed to have antibiotic properties. I crush one zinc tablet and add the contents of one coconut oil capsule to make a mask. Leave it on for 20-60 minutes. The longer the better, in my experience. Rinse it off with water and a mild soap. Follow up with a balancing toner.


Skin Issues
Posted by Renee (El Dorado, Kansas) on 06/21/2007
★★★★★

Dry Skin and Virgin Coconut Oil: I purchased a jar of this a few days ago and am totally hooked. From the first application (topically) my skin let me know it was finally happy. I've not had supple skin since before puberty but I know I will all the rest of my days. Also using it on my hair for a few hours before shampoo'ng. Even the damaged part (ends) of my hair have shown improvement.


Broad Benefits
Posted by Johnnie (Tyler, USA) on 05/29/2008

Hi Jeanie, Just wanted to ask if you had surgery for breast cancer before taking the EVCO?


Broad Benefits
Posted by Jackie (Newton Le Willows, England) on 05/27/2011

my sister has just been diagnosed with breast cancer and was wondering if coconut oil was any good for her could you please let me know how you benefited from using this it would be a great help thank you Jackie.


Broad Benefits
Posted by Shari (Dallas, Tx) on 07/30/2013

I read extensive research that vitamin C in doses of 3000 help control cancer, use natural suppleiments, not synthetic.


Skin Issues
Posted by J (Arlington, United States) on 06/12/2007
★★★★★

What is the difference between Organic Coconut Oil and Virgin (or extra virgin) Coconut Oil? I use the Organic Coconut Oil for removing my makeup at night. I was told that it cleaned out your pores. It does make my 60 year old complex very soft. I do get compliments on my complexion due to no wrinkles. [EC: We suspect there is no difference, merely a marketing ploy.]


Broad Benefits
Posted by Thereaa (Ireland) on 02/22/2015

Can you please tell me how much of the coconut oil you used per day. I have the organic raw coconut oil.


Skin Issues
Posted by Nicole (Newcastle, Australia) on 06/07/2007
★★★★★

I came across the comment about massaging your feet at night with coconut oil and decided to give it a try, while also using the coconut oil nightly on my face. I noticed straight away on the first morning after doing this that the coconut oil had dried and shrunk the few blemishes I had on my face. It had also left my skin feeling lovely and smooth. The dark circles under my eyes hadn't disappeared but I felt that they were a bit lighter. After the second night of this routine the circles seemed lighter again. On the third evening I was too tired to bother with massaging the oil into my feet, so I just used it on my face- the next morning when I woke up and looked in the mirror those dark circles had almost completely disappeared! Thank you so much for this wonderful site. It's already been more helpful than years worth of expensive creams,lotions and potions filled with nasty chemicals :-) [EC: Nicole is referring to our latest Fountain of Youth remedy, using coconut oil to massage the feet and calves.]


Extra Virgin Coconut Oil
Posted by Karmala (Templeton, CA) on 06/16/2009

on the contrary... there is a difference.. just as in olive oil... it has to do with the length of time from harvest to jar...


Extra Virgin Coconut Oil
Posted by Shary (Miami, Fl/usa) on 01/13/2012

The person above is right. There is no such thing as Extra virgin coconut oil. There is no industry standard for coconut oil, as there is for olive oil. You can read about it more in depth at Tropicaltraditions.com. They happen to make one of the best (if not the best) virgin organic coconut oils. Made the old fashion way and without the use of any machinery. Their website has alot of information on the manufacturing and terms for coconut oil. So pay them a visit, I think you'll find the information helpful.


Skin Issues
Posted by Maureen (Embrun, Canada) on 05/30/2007
★★★★★

I am trying acv and it has helped my digestion so much. Only been on a week so will keep you updated. Also virgin cocoanut oil has sofentned my sun damaged skin. No wrinkles when I wake up.No greasy skin as the oil sbsorbs into your skin.


Skin Issues
Posted by Guy Charles (San Diego, CA) on 05/23/2007
★☆☆☆☆

I love coconut oil, I sing it's praises to anybody who will listen. I've been using it on and off for a long time, and I love it. However DO NOT PUT IT ON YOUR FACE PEOPLE ! Just eat it, or on the body and hair is great.


Skin Issues
Posted by Shawn (St. Philip, Barbados) on 05/16/2007
★★★★★

Is this real? after one week of using coconut oil on my face my face feels like literal silk. my dandruff problem, which i battled for many years, has abated. i can finally grow my hair -- imagine that! my wife and i are in the process of taking it internally will share more later. thanks a million


Genital Warts
Posted by Mike (San Francisco, CA) on 04/30/2007
★★★★★

After extensive research on the web when I discovered I had genital warts I decided to give coconut oil a chance. I couldn't bare the thought of going to a doctor and asking them to look at a growth on my butt, worse, there were some just inside my colon (which is typical with genital warts on the anus). After 6 weeks of 2xdaily enemas and massaging in a tablespoon of coconut oil over the warts... they are completely gone. A lot of information on the web says genital warts don't go away without serious treatment (burning off, laser, freezing, etc). I am a believer in coconut oil. It worked on me. It also made my skin glow and feel baby soft. I found myself caressing my skin, amazed at the pleasant silky feeling. Rubbing it in my hair made it super shiney and healthy. I want to fill my hot tub with coconut oil and marinate in it for days.

Genital Warts
Posted by Katie (San Jose, CA) on 07/09/2008

I also heard castor oil helps too!


Genital Warts
Posted by Jennywren (Perth, Western Australia, Australia) on 02/14/2012

.. And apple cider vinegar. Dab on affected area several times a day for a week or so. Works for me!


Skin Issues
Posted by Trish (Kansas City, MO) on 04/29/2007
★★★★★

I tried using coconut oil for a skin cream, on my body and face, but didn't have the good results most other people have had. I went to bed feeling like a grease ball, and the next day my face started to break out with bumps all over it. So I figured my skin is too senstivie. But I have found that if I rub the oil on my body before I use a sunless tanning spray or foam, streaks and uneven color are prevented from forming. I will rub more on drier areas, such as knee caps and tops of feet, and this helps with those areas becoming too dark. Just takes a while longer to dry.


Broad Benefits
Posted by Braying_donkey (Hamilton, On) on 02/26/2013

Capsules are a scam. Buy a bottle of the oil and take it normally.


Broad Benefits
Posted by Stella (Walnut Creek, CA) on 04/17/2007
★★★★★

I have been using the coconut oil for about a month and I love it. I was a lotion junky for whom price was not object. I once spent $60 on a body lotion! I spent even more for face lotions. I was never satisfied and always trying different products. I did not care if the product was natural, I just wanted the most effective thing. I even went to the Dermatologist bought their products. Well I just threw them all out. The coconut oil has been the best thing for my face and body. I have what I call the Double-Whammy, skin that is both aging and acne prone. The coconut oil has been perfect for me because it softens my skin while controlling and preventing break out. When I first put it on it felt so greasy I thought why am I putting this kitchen oil on my body! But after about 15 minutes it completely absorbed in the skin and left no greasy residue. It makes you you think about those other lotions you put on your body, I imagine they are similarly absorbed into your skin, kind of scary!

I love the coconut oil and will continue using it. But here's something odd. I put it on my Husband and he got terrible acne. I am wondering why something that works so great for me did not work for him at all? It's too bad, I would have liked for him to enjoy it too.

Broad Benefits
Posted by Raledo (Medford, Or) on 11/12/2009

Your hubby might be allergic to coconut oil if he broke out. I know when you start taking it internally, sometimes it makes someone break out. But I use it all the time on my skin and I love it.


Broad Benefits
Posted by Meow (Pekin, Il) on 08/27/2011

Your husband is probably NOT allergic to it at all, I would say that he had a "healing crisis" coconut oil is a great detoxifer. I would have him try it again for a while and see what happens.


How to Take Internally
Posted by Mel (Waterford, Connecticut, USA) on 04/16/2007
★★★★★

I feel a better understaning has to be presented in regards to how much EVCO should be ingested at the very start of using this product. As I believe the best way to start using this product is in cooking only to see if you can tolerate its effects. After a couple of weeks, try weaning on a 1/8 tsp in food for a few days, then up it to 1/4 tsp, then eventually to one teaspoon. Move up gradually to a maximum of one tablespoon once a day. I feel once a day is enough to get the benefits of EVCO. Please make sure it's Cold Pressed Extra Virgin Coconut Oil ONLY! You will be safe if you will take these precautions. If you still have a problem digesting EVCO, you may be allergic to coconut products.


Broad Benefits
Posted by Yvonne (Bridgewater, NJ) on 04/09/2007
★★★★★

I have been using Coconut Oil externally as both a hair conditioner and a skin moisturizer for about one month and have seen an incredible improvement. My face is clear of blemishes and very smooth. It has also helped soften my naturally curly hair. There is no need for all of the useless and expensive products I have been wasting my money on for all these years!

Broad Benefits
Posted by Shari (Bedford, Pa) on 04/18/2011

How do you use coconut oil on your hair?


Broad Benefits
Posted by Betherfly (Lakewood, California, Usa) on 04/19/2011

I would suggest trying this: either use a small portion (maybe the size of a dime-quarter depending on your hair length) mixed in with your shampoo. Let sit on hair for a few minutes, then rinse. If you are using it for its more healing properties on the scalp, this is probably your best bet. Alternately you could add it to your conditioner if you are seeking moisturizing properties. Coconut oil melts fast and easily in your hand, so be aware of that. If you keep it in the fridge, you should be able to scrape off a portion with a butter knife. I am currently using it in conjunction with Ted's other remedies for vitiligo, skin is pinking (thanks Ted) and also the moisture portion is great!! Hope this helps, maybe others have some more qualified insight. Take care. Beth



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