★★★★★
LOVING this site. In my late thirties and sick and tired of all the products THAT DON'T WORK. Looking for a nautural way to help me stay young and fit. decided to use coconut oil unrefined to moisturize hair and had great results. Started to use it on my skin and after day one i'm impressed. I will start to ingest in a cup of tea in the morning because of all the benefits i'm hearing about. will update next week. Also so much hype about apple cider Vin. that I'm going to try it to cleanse hair, reduce pores, and ingest with honey to see what everybody is raving about. Keep you posted. comments are welcome.
Teeth
★★★★★
Wow! I just read this cure [oil pulling] for the first time and decided to try it with my organic coconut oil. I still can't believe it but the chronic sensitivity I had in two of my teeth is gone! It's hard to tell which teeth were hurting! And my teeth feel different.
Glands
★★★★★
I have been taking virgin coconut oil for eight months now because I read it will help regulate my thyroid. I am hyper-thyroid and have been on medication for the past four years.Last month I stopped my meds.because I was told my thyroid is in remission now. I believe the oil is what helped me.
HIV
★★★★★
In the Philippines, studies have shown that coconut oil can cure HIV. Test subjects were given at least 12 tablespoon of coconut oil a day, and and after 6 months, HIV have been cured. I had no time to confirm this report but the story had been featured several times in radio and tv programs.
Digestive Issues
★★★★★
Coconut Oil cured my IBS and Bowel Distention. It was a little tough getting used to the taste tried all sorts of ways to get used to it but I actually don't mind it in my morning coffee. It has also made my skin very soft and my nails are growing like crazy. I will keep this one in my diet I feel so much more energy and it has only been a week!
Lice
★★★★★
My daughter came home with lice, and a friend told me to use some coconut oil overnight to suffocate the lice and the nits. I had no trouble getting the nits out, and there didn't seem to be any bugs when I combed through her hair. The only problem I had was getting the coconut oil out of her hair. I used the coconut oil conditioner, which I think is different than liquid coconut oil, but it worked so well I had to share the tip.
Blood Pressure
★★★★★
I began using Coconut Oil as I heard it helps you lose weight and can lower your BP. My blood pressure has always been erratic, sometimes it will be as low as 117/70 or as high as 150/95. I exercise regularly, eat right, don't smoke, but still cannot get my BP under control. I started taking 1 tablespoon of the oil in the morning and at night. I noticed my BP was leveling off - but I also found I was gaining weight. I am not sure if it was due to the coconut oil, or if it was coincidental, but I put on 12 pounds! I stopped taking the coconut oil. I just purchased a bottle of organic Apple Cider Vinegar and hope this will aid in lowering my BP and get the 12 pounds off.
Dry Skin
★★★★★
I have used it all over & here's what I do - I keep some in a rubbermaid container (with the top on) that I toss into he tub while I shower. The heat makes it melty, so then I just pour it onto my palm afterwards & slather it everywhere. I also use it on my hair like a hot oil treatment before a shampoo.
For internal use: I soften it & pour it into those little candy molds & chill it, then eat them. My dog comes running when she hears me getting it out so she can have her VCO. (I saw a recipe here that mixes it with cocoa & honey) In the summer I use it before sun exposure - and gently tan without peeling.
You should only buy the Virgin Coconut Oils like Nutiva. If you're going to bother doing it, use the one that will give you the most benefits and have best quality.
http://nutiva.com/products/10_coconut.php find it on Amazon, Swanson, Vitacost etc.
Hair
★★★★★
I used Coconut oil as a hair conditioner to treat dry damaged hair. I use all natural hair care products from a wellness company I work for and the shampoo really dries my hair out pretty bad and the conditioner doesn't work at all, so I needed a natural hair conditioner and this worked awesome.
How to Take Internally
Re: How to take coconut oil -
I swallow a spoonful as if it were a pill. Down the hatch and there you go!
Energy Booster
★★★★★
Reading all the reviews re: coconut oil---I buy it in 54 oz jars from Sam's Club--use it every day. In my coffee, on my skin, cooking-it goes on and on.
I feel I have more energy taking a tablespoon day, also give it to my dogs in their food, they love it.
I'm 84 and get compliments on my skin-when I tell them my age they say "no way, I thought you were in your 60's". I don't use expensive face creams-just VCO. When I have a pain in my neck or shoulders---I get the coconut oil and rub it on.
I love the smell, the taste and the benefits.
Bonnie
Multiple Cures
Also last night as my cat was sitting on the ledge over the sink- I dipped the spoon in the jar and put a little on it to see if he liked it. He ate it right up-so this morning I gave him some more. I'm hoping it helps his coat with all the scratching he does, as he does have fleas. I also have flea traps plugged in 24/7 all year round and it keeps them at bay...
Multiple Cures
★★★★★
Hi Deedee - from one Mainah to another, coconut oil is great. I'm happy to hear of its success for you and your husband (and your cat! ).
I used two drops of grapefruit seed extract in about three tablespoons of water for a facial wash. I guess I put too much G.S.E. in not-enough water because my face was burned by it....my skin was dry, dry, dry for almost two weeks....coconut oil helped tremendously. It's great for so many uses! I <3 it.
Coconut Oil and Healthy Fats
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~
Multiple Cures
★★★★★
Pure coconut oil which we extracted at home provides nice aroma for kerala dishes. It won't increase cholestrol. It helps me in reducing the hair fall and the dry skin problems.
Multiple Cures
★★★★★
Oh Coconut Oil... Where to begin...
I have been using coconut oil for 4 months now on and inside my body. I will say first off that I do not believe in this systemic candida issue and these "die-offs. " I do, however, believe in eliminating processed foods from my diet, while eating locally, organically, and sustainable. It is a learning process. So organic virgin coconut oil is great stuff. Here is what I have used it for.
Yeast infection: I am currently suffering from repeated yeast infections... Check that... I am just not getting rid this yeast infection completely. I have tried the prescription pills and OTC creams. Coconut oil is great for relieving symptoms and the infection temporarily. It has been more effective than the creams or prescriptions thus far. My infection has always been minor/mild. I am getting insurance in a few weeks, so I have not been to the doctor recently, so it is undiagnosed, and I am very well aware that I could be misdiagnosing (but after hours and hours and months of reading, I don't think that I am). It began with diagnosed BV and antibiotics (so I know the difference).
Put some coconut oil in a glass, and put that glass in a stopped sink with hot water (about an inch worth). The oil will melt pretty quickly while you brush you do your bathroom routine. Dip an organic cotton tampon in, swirl it around in the oil, and put it on up there. It is pretty much instant relief for me. I leave it in 2-6 hours. After doing this for three days my symptoms will disappear but always temporarily. Basically it gets rid of the problem on the surface but not entirely.
May I suggest that EVERYONE read the V Book. There is a crazy amount of misinformation on this site. Read this book. The chapter on yeast infections is online so just google it. Learn about your body apart from only second hand naturopath advice which, if you understand the complexity of scientific experimentation- studies, you will understand that a naturopath (though sometimes helpful) is not a substitute for a doctor... Meh.. But to each their own. If you have reoccurring yeast infections, put some coconut oil up there to get you through and insist on a culture from your gyno.
Please do not get into these year/s long extraordinarily restrictive diets that drive you to the point of thinking every ache and pain is the candida monster thriving inside of you. Eating a little sugar does not cause yeast infections... Now, if you are drinking a liter of pop a day and over a quarter of milk with a bunch of cookies, etc...well...
Moisturizer/stretch marks: Coconut oil makes a great moisturizer. My boyfriend loves it. I would like to use it as a sexual lubricant as well.
After a month of regular use there is no noticeable difference in my stretch marks.
I do use it on my face and upper shoulders where I have the occasion pimple break out. Coconut oil does not reduce nor cause pimples as far as I can tell. I definitely do not breakout from coconut oil, but it does not seem to have much of an effect on existing pimples. Things are pretty much as they ever were, though I have received compliments on my skin.
Toothpaste: Google a recipe. I have been using it as a homemade toothpaste base for only a week now. Nothing incredible to report, but I do not think that I have bad breath.
Shaving cream: I only shave with coconut oil now! I put a little melted oil on my legs and shave away. It is great! Razor burn is not completely eliminated, but definitely greatly reduced.
Consumption/Internal Use: Okay... I have added 1-3 T in my coffee for... 4 months now, every morning. This does _not_ eliminate yeast infections. It does absolutely nothing as far as preventing/stopping yeast infections. No changes whatsoever from ingesting.
Eating this stuff does increase your metabolism. This means your heart rate will increase and your body temp increases so you will sweat more. I hate this. I have not lost weight (getting back into my yoga routine now.. Exercise and eating right is the only way to lose weight... There is no special tonic). The increased sweating (especially at school or in work when I tend to be more nervous) is terrible. I don't like it. I don't smell great from it either.
This is not a herx reaction or any kind of toxin die off. People that throw out "herx" every time someone has a negative reaction (most of them either allergic or due to severely depriving oneself of carbohydrates/sodium/sugar) make me insane. Look up coconut oil. It raises metabolism and heart rate. I do not have a mysterious systemic candida condition that everyone has and every single doctor ever attempts to mask from their patient's eyes in order to line their pockets with more yeast money. If you are sensitive to raised heart rates (I am and the first day was kind of rough so I had to start smaller and build up the dose) then start with just a little and work your way up. I am going to work my way back down on this one as I am not sure that a little increased energy is worth the sweatiness and warm sensation all day. We will see.
But most importantly, eating coconut oil does not do anything for yeast infections... At least not for mine. I will say that topical application as described above has worked better than Apple Cider Vinegar (did nothing... I started using Apple Cider Vinegar for everything and it did nothing for anything, but I do use it to cook), garlic (did nothing... Ingested and stuck some up there overnight a few times), yogurt (did nothing), probiotics (love for digestion but as suppositories they do nothing for me, and I have tried all of the most recommended brands made especially for vaginal flora harmony).
Wow, I have tried many of what was mentioned and couldn't disagree more. I have found coconut oil to be miraculous and organic apple cider vinegar likewise....As I read along I kept thinking this person sounds like a troll, someone paid to discredit natural remedies as they are competition to corporations bottom line...But that's just me...
Multiple Cures
★★★★★
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!
General Feedback
It is all because of the CHOLESTROL SCAM for the past 50 years. Media and medical industry promoted Sunflower oil, Corn Oil which is zero transfat and cholestrol free.
Really, sunflower oil and corn oil are not real traditional cooking oil.
The traditional cooking oils are:
Olive Oil
Coconut Oil
Sesame Oil
which can be used in any amount in cooking.
In India, the medical industry persuaded Coconut is rich in Cholestrol and convinced people to use sunflower oil.
But, cocounut oil is rich in Vitamin E which promotes proper blood flow in the body, prevents oxidation and balances the cholestrol. Foods cooked in coconut oil is very delicioius when compared with sunflower oil.
IT IS ALL BECAUSE OF SCAM, PEOPLE LOOSE THEIR TRADITIONAL VALUE ALL OVER THE WORLD.
General Feedback
Regular coconut oil is fine for external use I.E. Skin, hair. For consumption, personally I am creeped out by anything except the organic VCO. You might not feel you need organic, but use at least VCO for consumption. It is going to retain more of its beneficial qualities.
How to Take Internally
I like to put coconut oil in my oatmeal. You can just swallow it from a spoon as well but it gets my gag reflex going.... I fry my eggs in it and love using for oriental cooking and curry. Curried butternut squash soup is fabulous with coconut oil in it.
General Feedback
With the coconut oil, do you heat it in the microwave so it dissolves or you just melt the solid in your mouth?
Oil Pulling
Come on, you don't honestly believe that swishing a bit of oil around in your mouth gives you depression, do you? I have to be honest, sometimes I think that there are people who infiltrate sites like this trying to prove that the people here are wackes and if that is the case it is very wrong. It can be that you honestly believe what you are saying, some people just have to blame anything they are feeling on what they are trying out but come on, getting depression from swishing a bit of oil around in your mouth, once a day for three days.......
Multiple Cures
★★★★★
I have "accidentally" found 2 cures using Coconut Oil. The first was when I had a terrible case of bacterial vaginosis. Every over the counter remedy I tried did not work and I was going on one month of having this infection, trying different medications and finally before I decided to go to the doctor to get a prescription, I tried some coconut oil in place of the other medicines, and the next day it was gone.
The 2nd instance of a cure was for my minor hemorrhoids, which are an occasional reminder of being in labor for 12 hours. Usually a little Preparation H will take care of it, but the most recent incident, the Preparation H was working only slightly, and this went on for almost 2 weeks. Usually this medicine works in a few days and it's gone but not this time. So I thought "what the heck" and tried some coconut oil on the hemorrhoid, and it was gone by the next morning... AMAZING!