Coconut Oil Benefits, Side Effects and Reviews

It's amazing to me that if you live long enough you will see how things turn around with the truth of how one can benefit from "natural" foods. Dr. Oz had a segment on his program of just 3 of the benefits of coconut oil. So, now with his endorsement of of coconut oil, I'm sure everyone will try it. With myself, it's been a very slow process(on and off for a year). I started out taking too much and felt terrible. I'm sure I had candida. What helped me the most was introducing a good probotic and then getting on a coconut regime. Between the two, I cannot tell you how good I feel. Now I'm taking the VCO 3x's a day. Not everyone can handle taking a tbps or more of the VCO right out of the gate. So, start small and work up. The benefits are wonderful.

I suffered from Seborheic Dermatitis for twelve years. I tried ACV, Coconut Oil, Borax etc. They helped relieve, but not cure it or make it go away. When I stopped the above treatments, I would get some flare ups. Finally, I read about the Master Cleanse aka lemonade diet. I did it with the intention to shed some pounds, but after the eleven days on the cleanse, I noticed my Seb Dermatitis had disappeared. I had a flare up about five months after I first did the Cleanse, so I did went ahead and did the Clenase again. Seb Dermatitis is gone and I do not suffer from it at all... My only explanation for this is the Master Cleanse and getting some toxins out of my system. So, good luck!

Using coconut oil now for about a month with great results, my gums are much improved, are healthier, also helped cure my recent cold faster and I sleep better and feel rested in the morning. Coconut oil is really quite remarkable!

That sounds like the right kind of coconut oil, but I agree that organic is best. At cooler temperatures it is a solid like you stated, but as it gets warmer it will turn to a clear liquid and that is normal.

It's best to use Organic Extra Virgin coconut oil. Walmart sells a brand but it just says Organic coconut oil. I have bought it before and it doesn't really have a coconut-ty smell. I went back to my regular oil and feel like it works better.

Need to know if coconut oil is only found in a solid state, what I found is Organic, in a jar and its white with a texture like soft lard. Its good for Med/High heat frying, baking, and for body use as well. Is this the right product, does it have to be Organic or anything else special? Thanks in advance

Hello,
I have a question about Virgin Coconut Oil. I saw "Pure Coconut Oil" on the shelf in a local supermarket, and wondered if this is the same as Virgin. Could any coconut oil connoisseurs tell me the difference? Thanks, Lia in NC

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

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

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

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

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.

To Stella from CA. IM a 28 year old man, Im a cosmetic and diet freak. I started using everything available. Then I went the natural way trying everything you can imagine from aloe to shea butter, ACV, molasses, soy... I basically have used everything you can think of, even those awful nivea for men. So I started putting EVCO and I also got initial break outs. It felt oily, I wasnt really feelin it. But my mother tried it and said it was wonderful, I came back to read the testimonials and I gave it another try. After few days, all teh dead cells and dry skin in my T zone are gone, I have a light rosacea also and its gone, I have uniform tone. I have read somewhere that coconut oil is detox. It reaches the under layers in skin and cleanses pores, getting rid of dead cells and dirt. Wash his face with warm water, exfoliate. Pat dry. Apply EVCO, massage it throuly for 5 min. Rince with hot water. Remove excess oil and dead cells with a towel. Now skin will be glowing. Apply a thin layer of EVCO again and you are done. Give it a week. New skin will come out after few days, light young smooth skin.

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 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

Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil, Cold Pressed, unrefined. Nutiva Brand..... 54 oz... SOLID....... At "The Vitamin Shoppe"
Online for $22 Plus S&H..... Great deal.

I am so, so thankful for being informed about coconut oil. I am 63 YO, and am on a restricted diet to reverse diabetes and eating coconut oil has changed my lief and I am told I look 5 years younger, my skin is smooth and NO wrinkles, and it glows, my hands are soft and smooth, not wrinkled, and I walk with zest, and spunk, and enjoy everyday with energy and now I am not afraid that I will have memory problem or Alzheimer's as I get older. Thank GOD, Merryanne in Central FL

In response to Sharmila from Vacoas, Mauritius. It is true that Coconut oil is a saturated fat but like most anything there are good and bad saturated fats. A forty-year old study showed that HYDROGENATED Coconut oil did raise blood cholesterol and caused heart disease. This is simply because the process of hydrogenation creates "trans fatty acids", which are toxic substances that enter cell membranes, block the use of essential fatty acids and hinders cell function. Trans fatty acids also raise blood cholesterol.

However these substances are NOT present in natural coconut oil. On the contrary, natural coconut oil may be very beneficial in preventing heart disease rather than causing it. In addition, Coconut oil is very easy to digest and quick to convert energy which means that these types of fatty acids are less likely to cause obesity because they are immediately used by the body and have no opportunity to be stored. So is Coconut oil really bad for you? NOT AT ALL.

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....

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.

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

Hi Crain, I think you will find the health food store has organic extra virgin coconut oil. The supermarket tends to sell the refined version. The unrefined isn't heat treated, chemically treated etc. Extra Virgin is the first pressing of the nut to extract the oil. Much the same as olive oil. Hope this helps. Lily

After reading all of the wonderful posts on this website, I decided to purchase some Cocomut Oil and try it. The grocery store in my area only sold one type of coconut oil. It does not say "Virgin", but it is Organic. Also, that it is naturally refined organic coconut oil and non-hydrogenated.

Is this a good choice?

From my reading "non-hydrogenated" is preferred, as is "expeller pressed". But it is refined. What is difference in Refined vs Unrefined? What is difference in Virgin vs what I bought?

Is what I bought a safe and effective choice? Any comments would be greatly appreciated. I am new at this and trying to learn as much as possible.

This is for Extreme dry skin and possibly dermatitis. I had a allergy patch around my neck. After two weeks I go to the doctor(Tried ACV which helped but did not cure). They suggest fungal medicine until the test results come back in two weeks. After two weeks, we find out it is not fungal and they prescribed Steroids.

On the sameday someone suggested Coconut Oil. I applied it all over my face and neck(At this point my face was full of dry skin and dark circles due to skin allergy under my eye). Amazing. Its been five days now and its almost gone. Dark circles are better but still there, patch around my neck has healed but still have the scar. I also soaked my feet in Epsom salt at night. Drank Cinnamon tea at night. I think Coconut Oil might be the cure for lots of ailments. I will have to wait and test it out on my other issues.

PS. A year ago when I tried to intake coconut oil I had loose stools and I also thought I was allergic to coconut oil. That might have been something else.

Now about the Doctor I went to: Barely checked me, kept suggesting products, did not check me for issues I had mentioned to the nurse, did not even look at the two big moles the nurse thought looked curious. He scanned my chart, suggested products and allergy tests to be done for a week with three doctors visit($120 copay and of course later for checkups and visits). I think the medical business needs to be checked into by some experts. This is not the first time I see this kind of a scam. Somebody's got to stop this human abuse and exploitation. I should add here that I do have wonderful doctor friends and family and my above statement is only for those who exploit general public.

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

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......

Hey Cathy, I don't know why some say not to put it on your face. I clean my face with 1/2 strength acv, I use cotton pads soked in it and rub my face really briskly all over, and don't forget your nose, then rinse with warm water, let dry, then take a pea size piece of Virgin Coconut Oil and melt it in my palm. Rub my hands together and put it on my face, neck, hairline, behind my ears, and take Q-tip and clean my ears, etc, etc get the picture- and if my hair is dry after that I rub both hand over my hair. All on one pea size vco, I eat 2 or 3 Tablespoons a day on my food, I am 63 and have no wrinkles- other women my age hate me :)

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?

Peter is wrong. BOTH mineral and vegetable oils degrade latex condoms. Neither should be used. Only a water-based lubricant (such as K-Y) should be used with latex condoms.

That's not true. Oil does work with latex condoms, so long it's not mineral oil. Vegetable oils won't affect latex condoms.

Just be aware that oils and latex (ie. Latex condoms) don't mix.

Try, "Castor Oil", it works great and you can also use it for massages, makes you skin smooth. Find it at health stores under 10 dollars. I have not had any bladder infections using this. My husband and I love it!

What a great idea.... I wanted to avoid the ones you buy in a bottle because you don't know what they put there but I never thought of VCO. I tried some vaginal pills you buy in the health shop but I didn't like them because either you insert them too early and they melt and run out, or too late and they haven't melted yet.... Terrible! My problem is different from yours, because of the aging process everything gets a bit drier (53) and I was getting a lot of bladder infections which are now more or less gone. Simple solution...... I only have one a year and that only when I don't drink enough!

How do I put this delicately? My boyfriend has a rather large penis. After months of vaginal tearing, doctor visits with no results, and pain I heard that virgin coconut oil can be used as a lubricant. It works like a charm. I cannot praise it enough. In addition to working well it's all natural (unlike the bottled lubricants you find) and it smells great!

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!!

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

BETTER BUT WITH SIDE EFFECTS

One month ago I started using organic extra virgin coconut oil both internally (2 tbs a day) and externally to help with my dry skin. Since that time, I have noticed a huge difference in both the appearance and texture of my skin. Dry skin has been a problem for me for close to 10 years now and I feel like I have tried every lotion/moisturizer under the sun including other natural oils such as avocado and jojoba oil. I am 31 years old, and after one month of using the evco, I would say my skin looks 3 to 4 years younger and fine lines (from dry skin or aging?) are starting to diminish. My skin also feels much softer, my pores are smaller, and my cheeks are rosier.... Literally. The other thing I have noticed is that I have a lot more energy. Before using evco, I used to feel sluggish most days and needed to start each day with a large cup of coffee. Now that I spread coconut oil on my toast each morning, I no longer feel like I need the coffee to get going (although, coffee with cream and a little sugar still tastes sooo good! ). So for dry skin and energy, I would definitely recommend coconut oil as a remedy.

There have been minor side effects on a few occasions such as stomach issues and an initial acne break out, but I would say based on how I look and feel in general, these are indicators that the coconut oil is cleansing my skin and body. I also gained five lbs, but once again, I think the weight gain is good because it has always been hard for me to maintain a healthy weight!

Wow. This sounds SO good. I will be writing it down and trying it. Thanks! Carly (drooling) ;)

Crush garlic and wait 15 minutes
Boil 2-3 eggs
Chop 1/2 red onion and saute in 3 swirls of coconut oil
Finely chop 3 leaves of kale and add to pan when onions are soft
Turn off heat when kale turns bright green and add garlic and mix in (so garlic is just lightly heated)
Put veggie mix on to plate. Sprinkle with turmeric, dill (happen to have), any spices you like
Goat cheese (optional)
Slice eggs on top. I drizzle sweet chile sauce for chicken on top (found in asian stores)
And add tabasco (loovvee it)

And you are good to go!

I have been reading a lot of your instructions on food and the use of oils, I find it all very informative and have been on a vegan diet and low fat and low sugar diet, and like it: but my question is: is it healthy to use small amounts of Lard to stir fry in a iron skillet or use olive oil to stir fry in the iron skillet. I do use coconut oil in my vegetables when steaming and sea salt, Thank you from Merryanne

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 Dori-don't ever apologize for asking questions! This site is all about sharing and learning..... We take what we need and leave the rest! I use coconut oil to wash my face every night by wetting a washcloth then scooping up about 1/4 teaspoon of solid coconut oil-as soon as it hits your face, it'll liquify; it removes makeup well and leaves my skin very soft... I don't rinse, just allow it to absorb; I have not had a problem with breakouts from using it.... I tend to suffer from adult acne, but this treatment does not aggravate the acne at all.... Try it, I'm willing to bet you'll LOVE it :)

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.

Hello Jeanine, I am 38 and I care about my health. Just last week I found out the health benefits of this coconut oil. I just started using it for cooking this week. You mentioned in your email that people get sick when they first start using it. Is it diarrhea sick? I ask because I had a bout of diarrhea today, twice in the morning. I ate my lunch and this time it stayed with me. How long do I have to wait for this to pass? Your thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks!

I read on another site written by a doctor who researched VCO that although it IS high in saturated fat it is a Medium Chain Fatty Acid, which means the saturated fat does not get ingested into our system. It is processed in our bodies as energy and then whatever is left is flushed out and takes all the bad stuff (toxins) with it!!

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.

I massaged coconut oil once a day on my foot for a week and got rid of athlete's foot.

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.

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, 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.

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.

I've been oil pulling with organic virgin unrefined coconut oil for one week. I couldn't wait to report! How wonderful this discovery is! I have more energy, deeper dreams, whiter teeth, and more regular elimination. The most dramatic change is less mucus in my sinuses. I overhauled my diet and started using a neti pot with salt daily two months ago. This is because seven years ago, I became afflicted with allergies and sinus issues. I went to a specialist who recommended over-the-counter relief. Every season, I had to choose a new medicine because the previous one stopped working. Finally, two months ago, I had a horrible sinus infection which caused me to be put on three medications. That's when I said, enough is enough, no more medicine (which I suspect was having an adverse effect on other areas of my body, namely my liver). That's when I implemented a diet change and started using a neti pot. However, using the neti pot was time consuming because often I was unable to get any of the water to pour out of one or both nostrils due to mucus. Still, I persevered and used it every day. I have not had a migraine headache or had to use any allergy medicine since that time. Since oil pulling with the VCO, my neti pot time has been cut in half or more! The water pours out of each nostril easily. No more mucus plugs! It's unbelievable. I am even more confident that using the neti pot, oil pulling and eating a clean, basic, meatless diet will allow me to fully overcome my allergies and sinus issues. I also started using the coconut oil on my face with outstanding results. My face was becoming dry and dull, I guess due to age and hormonal changes (I'm in my 40's). Now, it's as smooth as a baby's bottom! I use a tiny bit in the morning on a clean face and massage it in completely. It does take a while to absorb so do it when you first get up unless you want an oil shine. I can't wait to use it on the rest of my body (need to buy it a gallon at a time from an online source). Lastly, I was immensely skeptical of using the coconut oil as a deodorant. However, yesterday, I did it for the first time since I didn't need to leave the house and live alone, hahaha. I have to say that it worked perfectly. And, I actually did end up going out in the summer heat. It worked then and all through the night into this morning! I just used a small portion and massaged it under my underarms. I'm not a fan of the smell of coconut oil (others love it) and it took about an hour for the smell to subside when used on the face and under the arms. So, I just have to get up earlier so that it's gone by the time I leave the house. I have no idea of how strong the VCO is as a deodorant since I didn't do too much; I'll rotate it along with the other natural deodorants I use.

Graham: Not true!
http://www.scientificpsychic.com/fitness/fattyacids1.html

You are confusing terms, and also propagating another myth as bad as the cholesterol myth, and one that goes back even farther.

A glycerol or glycerine 'backbone' can attach one (mono), two (di), or three (tri) fatty acids, and each of those can be any degree (short, medium or long; un-, mono-, poly-)of unsaturation. Saturated fats are NOT bad for you in any amount or way or shape or form, and there are zero properly conducted scientific studies ever done that show them to be bad! If they were bad, then there would have been no 'primitives' living on the tropical islands for Dr. Weston Price to study in the 1920's for their superior health! They used coconuts almost exclusively for their dietary fat.

Coconut has MCTs, medium chain triglycerides, which are shorter than 'long chain', and MCTs are burned preferentially by the cells for energy. The reason is that the body uses the saturated fats as an essential building block in such things as cell membranes. But note that in the table in the link, coconut oil is very predominately composed of saturated fatty acids (over 90 %)!

Yet the tropical residents whom Dr. Price studied were among the very healthiest he'd ever seen,and especially compared to the First World people in the USA, Britain, etc. Of course since then the average First Worlder diet has gone way downhill, and there are almost no peoples extant still living the simple unprocessed food life that Price found quite common in the 1920's.

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

I was taking 8 or more tums daily. I started to take organic apple cider vinegar and within weeks didn't have acid refux. Virgin coconut oil is also good for that. Virgin coconut water and coconut milk is also great for you. My wife started take acv and vco in the morning and evening. It's been almost 2 months and weight is dropping consistently. Probably about 15 lbs or more. Depression is gone, allergies gone, more energy, and she feel much better.

It should say Organic Virgin Coconut Oil... Unrefined Cold or Expeller Pressed is good.

At room temperature it should be solid and completely white with no dark coloration at all. It will start to liquify at 76 degrees or more. For this reason, the oil will come in a jar with a wide mouth lid for scooping out.

Regardless of what you get... do not get refined, bleached, deodorized (RBD) oil. Any oil for that matter.

i have a coconut oil that say 100% pure ingredients: coconut oil (anti-oxidant tbhg 0.01%) what does that mean? i assume that this should be better than or is the same as extra virgin coconut oil? I just took a teaspoon tonight 4 the first time. Did i take the correct one or did i take cooking oil?

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

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.

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.

The reason you had MORE pimples is because coconut oil is a potent antibiotic, antiviral, and antifungal. The action of your body to create more acne is its way of expelling toxins through your skin.

...the coconut oil is good,,,but if it was me I would also use vineger to wash the head 2 times a week,,,wet the head with the vingar and wrap in a towel and let it stay on for 15 miniuts,,,this will kill fungus,,I believe the smell is coming from a fungus, also use some fungus creams for really itchy spots..but vinegar is good to kill fungus..

OMG! I have been obsessed with this problem for years! I called beauty shops, beauty schools, talked to others about it & NO ONE knew anything & looked at me like I was crazy! I call/called it "hat head" as guys I knew seemed to really reek when they removed their baseball type hats.

My daughter just returned from Iraq last Dec. & I realized she had a bad case of "hat head" that left "that" odor on her pillows. She has very long hair & is very clean with daily showers. I figured it to be from sharing helmets & such with other soldiers out in the field. Must be some new epidemic I needed to get over & learn to live with, yuk!

The only suggestion I ever got was Tea Tree oil shampoo that did not work! I too get "that" smell after about 24 hours of shampooing. (picked up the bacteria somewhere even though very paranoid & careful about that).

This might seem like & is a silly issue but has been driving me crazy for years! Thank you soooo much for posting this. I'm very relieved to know I'm not crazy & this actually works. Makes perfect sense to me once you think about it. I'll be passing this remedy along to every stinky head from now on, & keeping gallons of VCO on hand....LOL!

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. :)

I am new at this so hopeful this makes sense. I really need some information on using VCO. I have a skin condition that is like psoriasis, but worse. Having tried so many prescription medication that did not work (now I don't take any prescription medication for the condition), I wanted to try a natural remedy. I have been using VCO for about a week all over my body. At first my skin seems to get smoother. Now it is tightening and then swelling. If you can imagine having a bump with a head on it that is being squeezed, well that is how my face and neck feels. The VCO seems to be drying my skin. I have been applying the VCO literarily day and night.

1. Can you use too much VCO on the skin?
2. Have anyone's condition gotten worse before seeing results with VCO?
3. Should I take the VCO internally?
4. What are the side effects, if any, of using VCO externally?
5. How long should I be using the VCO before I see postive results?

I use coconut oil on my skin after showers, it amounts to about 3 tbs. Once absorbed, wouldn't it be the same thing? no need to ingest it as your skin is a large organ.

Keep using it externally and internally. Mix 2 teaspoon in the food you cook. see the results in 2 weeks..

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!

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

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.

I loved the way the coconut oil felt on my body but I had a hard time putting it on. (I live in a colder climate and it was hard as a rock). I always take a bath at night so I scoped some out, put it in a plastic container and while I am drawing my bath water, I float the container. It melts quickly and perfect for application when I get out. If one took a shower one could put it in the sink with hot water while showering.
It is doing wonders for my dried up, sun damaged skin.

If I am going to be in the sun for long, I still put on sun screen over the coconut oil. It seems to lock in the coconut oil. I do the same at night (put other creams over it) and it locks in the moisture. The next morning my skin feels like a baby.

Thank you Earth Clinic, you have opened up a new world for me.

I started supplementing my diet with coconut oil (3 tbsp 3x day) one week ago to help with weight loss ... and I've had a wonderful and unexpected side effect. I've been dealing with perio-menopause and hot flashes for the past six months. Interestingly, within 24 hours of beginning my coconut oil dosing, the hot flashes that I had been suffering from have all but stopped! I have gone from having about 20 hot flashes a day to maybe one or two, at most. Most days now I don't have any! Also, I am not always good about taking all my doses and one day I even missed all of them and the hot flashes did not immediately return.