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.
Sinus Infection
Posted by Joe (Pittsburgh, Pa) on 01/02/2022
★★★★★
I had covid last week, rather mild, but my sinuses took a beating. I have always struggled with dry and inflamed sinuses and will usually get an infection yearly. Well I tried getting into the local clinics to get an antibiotic. No luck. For 4 days I tried and they are so overwhelmed that the wait is 4-5 hrs if you can even get registered. So sitting in the parking lot this morning I came across your website. I went to the store and bought some coconut oil and went home and started applying it in my nostrils and using it in my neti pot. It is evening now and I am in bed and I feel wonderful. I have no pain. I have no congestion. And best of all, I can smell and taste my food again. I am amazed that this happened in less than 12 hrs and I dont need and antibiotic or prednisone. I am going to continue using the oil daily in hopes of not needing the Afrin any longer. Thank you so much! Feel free to use this as a review.
Blood Pressure
Posted by Brett RN (Hawaii) on 11/11/2021
Systolic BP (the higher number) is an indication of acute stress. If coconut oil or caprylic acid is causing your systolic to go up it is likely due to some form of activity going on in the body that requires your heart to pump harder...(systolic is when the heat beats, diastolic is when the heart is at rest). If you are on medications you cannot tell what will cause issues. All other substances taken into the body are potential issues. Coconut oil is a powerful source of health promoting fats and phyto-chemicals that can react with your BP meds, so consider the question "why is my BP high in the first place?" BP medication treats symptoms NOT causes...
Have you heard of eating celery and celery seeds at every meal? That is a well known Chinese food medicine remedy for High BP. Even soldiers in Iraq: smokers, drinking heavily, under daily high pressure combat stress were able to get the BP back down to normal by eating celery and celery seeds with each meal. When they all started to stop the BP meds the officers (doctors) put a gag order on them all to stop it and stop talking about it. I know a Sargent who got himself and all his guys off the meds.
Sounds strange, I know, because in western medicine you are told to avoid all salt and salty foods. The proof is in the doing and seeing.
Appetite Suppressant
Posted by Sandi (Wichita, Kansas) on 03/25/2015
I am overweight and I know that if I will not do anything about losing the excess pounds, it's going to cause more health problems in the future. I would like to try coconut oil to suppress appetite. Is there a normal daily dose for this? Should it be taken before or after meal? How many times a day? Is there any side effects that I should look out for?
Coconut Oil and Healthy Fats
Posted by Mama to Many (Tennessee) on 06/25/2014
Dear Rebel,
You ask some good questions. I agree that there is not a one size fits all solution to health problems. I find it fascinating that here at EC, different people respond differently to the same things. It is one of the beauties of EC; lots of people sharing a variety of experiences and options.
The “what to eat” issue is huge. There are so many options, so many opinions. And I don't think there is just one answer. I think different diets are appropriate at different times. Even nature tells us this. For example, a baby cow drinks cow milk, exclusively. As an adult, she eats grass. (Well, cows are fed lots of things, but her natural diet is grass.) Baby humans do best on human milk for many months. Sick or convalescing people need gentle diets. Sedentary people need less food than those who are active.
I don't think there could be a “perfect” human diet. Human beings live all over the globe in different climates with all sorts of different availability of food. Different cultures have different values, beliefs, etc that affect what they eat. My understanding is that people living near the North Pole would eat things like seal and blubber. They won't have much availability for fresh fruits and vegetables, but still the culture lives on. And living in that climate people will need the extra fat to stay warm. The ladies there probably won't look like Barbie, but Barbie would freeze to death living there. I get nervous when I hear about the perfect diet “X.” It is often expensive and not available to many people. I don't think good health is only available to the wealthy who have internet access. If I have to get all of my food online to get the ““best, ” that makes no sense to me. Until recently, it was normal for people to live on local food. So I think a variety of diets will sustain a variety of peoples quite nicely. Sally Fallon's book, Nourishing Traditions has oodles of fascinating stories of people eating an unprocessed local diet. It seems to work out quite nicely for them.
Regarding fats, I agree that processed oils are not healthy. Olive oil is a food that has been used for food and healing for thousands of years. I think it is tried and true. Having seen coconut oil heal my son of mono a few years ago was pretty convincing to me of its health benefits. Should people be taking large amounts of it daily? Well, I am not sure. Most cultures did not have access to that until recently. So, when I consider what local options for fat I would have, it might be possum or raccoon fat. Oh, dear. I am not ready to go there! :)
I think sometimes our problems come in with eating mostly processed foods, eating too much food, getting too little exercise activity. I don't mean at all to imply that anyone with a weight problem or health problem is a lazy glutton. Not at all. It is much more complex than that. Chemicals from a variety of sources (foods, cleaning supplies, vaccines, mercury fillings etc…) can affect our health in a bad way. Overprescription of modern drugs is also affecting health poorly.
But I am not a purist in my food choices. I like to cook and eat healthy and like to use natural medicines. But for me there is a balance in that and being able to enjoy life. While eating potato chips on the couch in front of TV is not usually relational, often meals are a relational activity. To be unable to enjoy a meal prepared by someone else for you because of the fear of its contents will affect relationships. I am not suggesting celiacs eat gluten, nor diabetics sugar but the pursuit of a perfect diet tends can make some people obsessive and fearful, which isn't fun or healthy. I know because I have been there.
I do think food choices affect health. But I also think activity level, attitude and environment and lots of other things affect your health a lot too. Just my very wordy two cents! :)
~Mama to Many~
Broad Benefits
Posted by Stephanie (Philadelphia, Pa) on 05/16/2014
★★★★★
I have very good results with coconut oil. Grew back my hair with hot oil treatments, great for heartburn, great for weight loss. I mixed with my yogurt, oil pulling/teeth. Forget teeth whiteners! Bye bad breath. Good for sunburn..stay indoors, while sweat to death. Great for colds. Add a spoon to some tea. Lighten your complexion by mixing a little with shea butter once a week. Great butter substitute. Recently tried for asthma. Perfect results. Added and drank hot tea three times during an attack, completely disappeared...not even a wheeze. I swear by this stuff. My cat loves it to. great for her constipation/anal sac issues. I let her lick a little off a spoon. She's too smart for me to add it to her food. My only downside is that the more I drank it, the more I passed kidney stones. I had to slack off a little. I would like to use it for hemorhoids, but need to figure a how to?
I do have a question. Any reviews for Trader Joes coconut oil. It's the only one I use and it's the cheapest.
Broad Benefits
Posted by Kim (Columbus) on 01/23/2014
★★★☆☆BETTER BUT WITH SIDE EFFECTS
I started rubbing VCO on my lower back about 3 months ago. It gave me a instant relief! I was so thrilled but decided to keep it to myself. I was rubbing it all day as needed and on the third day I woke up with no back pain! I started emailing my family members and got some for my 87 year old mom. We all took it internally 1-2 tablespoons a day, we oil pull with it too. My mom had some remarkable results on her skin. A 25 year old bump on her forehead from a car accident subsided 60% after a couple days of rubbing on direct, after 2 months, it's gone. It seems to sooth her itchy skin and helped her curled toes to relax a bit.
Then going into 3-4 weeks, one of my sister stopped taking it because she was getting stomach pain. Then her old stretch marks started to darken, purple, red and bloody looking.
My other sister was having great results for almost two months with her leg pain and skin problems. Then she had to stop because it was making her constipated, zits under her skin on her face. She got scared due to the bloody wipe when she goes to the bathroom. She went off the oil and is ok now.
I have very mild back pain now after 3 months of taking it internally and using it as lotion after showers. Some day no pain at all but my legs were getting bumpy and itchy all day; extreme, miserable itch. Although VCO did a lot of good for all of us with a lot of little things, we now all stopped due to the side effects. I read up on the detox symptons and I waited over 3 weeks for the itching to go away on my legs which it didn't. Does detox takes this long? My mom had to stop cause she scratched her back to the point of bleeding and was getting boils on her head and bottom. I don't understand what went wrong, it was wonderful the first couple months. We all use virgin, coldpress, the purest coconut oil. My mom did stop for a week and said her itching is 50% better and the boil on her head is flatten. Anyone else that can shed some light on this? Ted, are you around?
Ringworm
Posted by Pam E. (SouthWestern California) on 01/10/2024 175 posts
I've found that the thing that worked quick for my cats on their ringworm was MSM ... in their food.
I gave them -1/32 tsp twice daily (in their meals) ... based on the fact that their weights are from 8.5 lbs. to 9.5 lbs.
Too much MSM will cause runny stool, so best start with a smaller amount than the recommended dose, then work your way up to what they can use (which will not cause runny stools)....
Within a few days their ringworm lesions were noticeably better, & began shrinking right after, until totally gone.... I can't fathom why not even holistic vets seem to know about it!!!
Blood Pressure
Posted by Beth (Pembroke Pines, Fl, Usa) on 11/18/2011
★★★★★
I am amazed at how well coconut oil has worked to normalize my blood pressure. I am a very healthy and petite woman who was diagnosed with high blood pressure at the age of 27. My diet is clean and I exercise regularly and with high intensity, but nothing lowered my blood pressure except medication. It was about 160/90 without medication, but stayed steady around 110/70 so long as I took it daily. After I began taking coconut oil daily (just 1 Tbsp. A day does the trick), I noticed that my blood pressure was getting TOO low! I stopped taking my medication and kept an eye on my daily readings. The coconut oil keeps my blood pressure just as low as the medication did! I am surprised there aren't more reports here of coconut oil normalizing blood pressure (I have read that it also works for people whose pressure is too low).
I have been spreading the word of coconut oil to anyone and everyone! There are other benefits as well, but I'll post those in the appropriate sections. :) The next challenge I'm going to give it is trying it on warts (the banana peel remedy isn't working for me).
Body Temperature, Menstruation
Posted by Cheryl (Massachusetts) on 06/01/2021
I don't eat a teaspoon or tablespoon at one time in my mouth. I do however use a heaping tablespoon when scrambling my eggs, and I use it in salad dressing, if I bake, use it on toast, etc. I also use it on my body, my lips instead of chap stick. I use it on my hair for moisturizing treatment as well. I have never had the scratchy throat issue or nausea.
Antibacterial, Antifungal
Posted by R (Dallas, Texas) on 02/11/2011
Bill thanks for this informing article. How much VCO would you think is needed, daily, to kill a Virus thats on your list (specifically hiv). I have taken it in the past, and had to stop because I was heavily detoxing, and maybe should have just cut my dosage back. I would like to restart, but dont want to over do it again. Any suggestions? And thanks in advance!
Back Pain
Posted by Ellen (Arlington, Tx) on 09/22/2009
★★★★★
Coconut oil for back pain (pinched nerve)
Yes!!! It worked wonderfully. I rubbed a quarter sized amount of coconut oil on my back a little over an hour ago. It has made the pain go away. I don't know how long the relief will last but I will keep using it.
Athlete's Foot
Posted by Jim (Klamath Falls, OR, USA) on 01/13/2009
★★★★★
I had a very similar experience with the EVCO. I also use it for an underarm deodorant, along with ACV. I first apply the ACV and let it dry and then apply a very light amount of the EVCO. If I happen to get too much under the arm, I just dab it with a tissue. It does not stain and the light odor of coconut is gone within 1 hour max.
My athletes foot problem cleared in 3 days usage. Amazing how effective it is as an under arm deodorant. I just started to use it 2-3 times a day in hope that it will have a similar effect on my gastritis.
This is a great web site! Thank you all.
Autism
Posted by Teena (Melbourne Australia) on 03/15/2018 232 posts
Hi Tegan,
Coconut oil is very heat stable. I am very comfortable using it to shallow fry eggs, and occasionally deep frying. I also will (only) use ghee or grass fed lard as these provide health benefits and are heat stable.
Whichever detox you choose to start the children on, my advice to minimise detox effects is to start on much lower dose than is recommended. You could actually start with a pinch of a powder or a smidge of a liquid, keep that going for four days, then increase, gently, slowly. You are less likely to experience negative reactions if you go this way. Keep reading and researching for your family's health, may I suggest for your further research the turpentine castor oil protocol specifically for autism.
Many blessings on your good health journey.
Candida
Posted by Star Z. (London, UK) on 03/17/2008
★★★★★
I have been taking Organic VCO before meals for the last 2 days. A single heaped table spoon. It's yummy. I felt a tense pressure in my baby belly and my stomach has not stopped churning very low pain levels. There is also discomfort to my lower back. I was surprised to find a huge discharge below totay. I was unaware of the fact that I had trush. It disclodged and evacuated more discharge than the prescription medicine I take when I feel the discomfort of thrush. I have also been having an unusually thin poo, not watery, loser than the norm. After the display with the discharge I just wonder what is leaving my stomach! The fact that I didnt know it was there is not reassuring. This is the best detox I have ever done. I think in 3 weeks I will reduce to 1table spoon a day, as well as skin and hair application. This site does a fabulous job, somebody needs to tell Oprah. Star Z.
Chronic Fatigue
Posted by Henri (Los Angeles, California) on 08/23/2007
★★★★★
Hi I have been battling a string of health problems due to chronic stress. The one thing that made everything worse was chronic fatigue. 4 Days ago i could barely get enough strength to get out of bed in the morning. I searched this site for a cure, and found that virgin coconut oil helps. I had bought some a few weeks ago, i started drinking 2 tablespoons a day, it has given me enough energy to get through the day, and be active at work and even enough to go out after work and have a life. It has even helped with my bowel movements. all this after less than a week. I cant wait to see if it can help me with everything else.
Athlete's Foot
Posted by Shelly (Medford, OR) on 03/22/2006
★★★★★
I had a stubborn case of athlete's foot for several months. Tried every kind of natural/herbal cure that I could think of, but there was no relief. I read about coconut oil bringing healing to skin rashes, so I decided to try it. After a week of applying the oil, twice a day, the rash is gone. I'm also feeding it to our dog every morning with his food. He LOVES it! He 's a young dog with no apparent health problems, but I look at as a preventative measure and I anticipate that it will also help him with flea and tick problems. It's great to have such wonderful natural remedies!!!
Blood Pressure
Posted by Michael (New Zealand) on 11/12/2021
Hello Brett RN from Hawaii
The Chinese recommend Hawthorn for High Blood Pressure but you didn't hear that from me. Schuss, keep it a secret.
Cheers from Down Under
Insomnia
Posted by Maureen Davis (United States) on 07/02/2019
★★★★★
I've googled for this but I haven't found any thing about using coconut oil externally and sleeping better. Since I hit full blown menopause a couple of years ago getting a good night's sleep has been a problem. I've had, at times, difficulty getting to sleep and staying asleep. Quite by accident I noticed that on the nights I used coconut oil to moisturize my leg, feet, hands, and arms I would fall asleep within 20 minutes instead of my hour or more of tossing and turning. I tested using it and not using it and consistently the nights I used it I fell asleep effortlessly. So, one night when I had something I was worrying about I woke up at 4:00 in the morning and was unable to go back to sleep. I thought to myself, well why not try rubbing on some coconut oil. I couldn't believe it when I found myself waking up at 7:00 fully refreshed. Like I said, I haven't seen this anywhere else on the internet so I hope it helps someone else.
Virgin Vs Extra Virgin Coconut Oil
Posted by Michael (New Zealand) on 12/17/2016
There have been several postings recently concerning the many merits of Coconut Oils in their various shapes and forms. Nothing wrong there, EXCEPT that folks seem to be unaware that whilst the appellation "Virgin" and "Extra Virgin" actually mean something when one is referring to OLIVE OILS, they don't mean a hell of a lot when one is referring to Coconut Oils, (if you are seeking clarification on industry-applicable, certification authorities that is)!! This is NOT BAD, it is just that one should look at Coconut Oils from a different perspective and not judge them by similar criteria. So, as far as I am aware, one should not place too much reliance on a brand of C.O. that claims to be a virgin as if you were looking at an Olive Oil! As for "Extra Virgin", I don't think anyone would be bold enough to make such a claim. The Pacific Islanders do the best that they can, but the processing to a very high standard has various challenges and costs associated with it. Cold-pressed, "organic" and filtered oils, as well as processed oils, are out there. The Island oils usually get imported into New Zealand for final quality control. If you wish to learn more you could do worse than refer to an internet site where a few independent reviewers, review these issues/concerns and where these technicalities are nicely put forth (including any health concerns you might have). Coconut Oils are a real gift to humanity. I like my one. I consume a half teaspoon each day. We are now able to track our oil to a specific (Pacific) Island which is rather nice. Just trying to sift through the dross of misinformation!! Knowledge is power folks. Get acquainted with your foods!
Cheers, Michael
Make Your Own Coconut Oil
Posted by Jean (Ontario, CA) on 01/04/2015
★★★★★
It is easy to make coconut oil. Get 1 coconut (dried with husk removed), grate the coconut, pour some water on and squeeze out the milk. Boil that until you see a custard base with the oil floating on top. That my friends is the purest form of coconut oil you will ever get. Do it out on the barbecue outside, it smells. Saw my grandparents making it in the country in jamaica when I was a child. The custard is the best sauce you can taste, goes with any meat or fish..superb!!
Appetite Suppressant
Posted by June (Charlotte, North Carolina) on 10/30/2014
I suspect the nausea is your gallbladder reacting to too much fat. I get the same response from coconut oil and any rich, fatty foods and generally have to avoid them. I suggest you stop for a day and then lower the amount of coconut oil and see if that helps. If not, try another supplement.
Appetite Suppressant
Posted by Alanna (Beverly Hills, California) on 02/29/2016
Sandi - I don't personally use coconut oil for weight loss, but it appears just from reading several topics in here that people start with one teaspoon and go on from there, up to a couple of or a few tablespoons, for whatever it is they're taking it for. I don't know if this is helpful to you or not, but I hope you get some help in losing weight.
Broad Benefits
Posted by Greta (Kamloops, Bc, Canada) on 01/16/2015
They symptoms as described above must have been horrible!! And I really empathize with each one of the ladies. Rather than an allergic reaction to VCO, it sounds more like a response - something being kicked out of the body. Quite possibly parasites.
The boils, zits, itching, stretch marks darkening, constipation and bloody wipes all sound indicative of parasites and I can only imagine how terrible the itching might have been. Naturally the symptoms would eventually cease once the VCO is discontinued however, the original problems would still exist. When one says they are fine, I would question what that means. Constipation would occur if there is a large mass of material in the bowel that was dislodged from the effects of the VCO and perhaps an enema would have helped solve the problem. Bloody wipes can occur from material being excreted from the bowel was not excessive, this would be sporadic until the material (parasites?) was eliminated.
The first thing that comes to mind when one incurs symptoms such as above is a bowel cleanse.
I really hope others experiencing similar symptoms will look at doing a bowel cleanse.
Canker Sores
Posted by Mmsg (Somewhere, Europe) on 07/02/2013
Coconut oil soothes canker sores. Don't know if it heals them but for me it takes the pain away for a while.
Hair
Posted by Debbie (Stanfield, Nc, Usa) on 12/06/2012
I started using coconut oil on my hair about a month ago. I have EXTREMELY dry and really frizzy hair. I put it on til my hair looks oily (not drippy oily but like its about time to wash it oily (lol)). I do not wash it out. I'm retired so I dont have to go out if I dont want to, if I did I would probably pull it back or wear a scarf. Because my hair is SO dry, I dont wash but once or twice a week. Within a day of putting on my hair, it has totally soaked in and not frizzy and not oily looking. (told you my hair is extremely dry). When my hair has been shampooed and i'm blow drying or hot ironing, I put some on (like when you put on "heat treatment" that is over the counter that you're supposed to use before blow drying or heat ironing).... I dont have to use all that stuff the hairdressers recommend using.... Shiney stuff, body stuff, heat treatment stuff, etc etc etc. I love the way my hair is starting to look AND with only ONE product. I use it also on my legs for conditioning but just started that and it takes a bit longer than lotion. Also, I started Apple Cider Vinegar about 3 weeks ago and my energy has really improved. I need to check and see what all Apple Cider Vinegar is supposed to do but I know I have some more energy. I LOVE THIS SITE!!!!
Broad Benefits
Posted by Dianne (Houston, Tx) on 09/02/2012 6 posts
★★★★★
I have been using virgin organic coconut oil, for several months now. I have been taking a teaspoon of it twice a day. It's properties are anti-bacterial, anti-fungus and I love the taste, and I keep finding more uses for it. My last visit to my general practitioner surprised both of us, my blood pressure was lower than it had ever been 120/60 and I am 70 years old. The only thing I have changed since I saw her last was the addition of coconut oil to my diet. I am now using it instead of moisturizer, and use it instead of conditioner for my hair. The results are miracleouse! Additionally my german shepherd who is 12 years old has been scratching and driving me crazy. I took her to the vet and thought possibly she had parasites. After spending $300, and several tests -- they could not find the cause of it. I starting giving her a teaspoon of coconut oil once a day, and just realized she is no longer itching. Additionally, she has lost her "doggie odor. " As there is not a lot about coconut oil on your site -- I wanted to share this. I believe it is one of the "miracle" foods!
