While traveling through Thailand, my partner and I joked about buying a coconut plantation because it seems that everything nowadays is coconut based! Let’s see, you’ve got coconut oil, coconut butter, coconut shreds, coconut water, coconut milk and cream, coconut flour, and even coconut soy sauce (try it, it’s actually delicious)!
Coconut (C. Nucifera) belongs to the Arecaceae (Palmae) family and the subfamily Cocoideae.
The flesh of the coconut is very high in healthy fatty acids (1). The composition of fat varies depending on the type and processing of the oil. Medium-chain saturated fatty acids make up approximately 90% of coconut oil with a slight contribution of mono-unsaturated fatty acids and poly-unsaturated fatty acids.
Coconut Oil 101: What’s So Good About Medium-Chain Fatty Acids?
coconut oil, coconut oil uses
Medium-chain saturated fatty acids (MCFA’s) are easily digested, absorbed, and utilized by the body, while freely crossing the blood-brain barrier in its unbound form, which means it can be used by the brain as an energy source but also for neurological health. (2)
What’s also great is that virgin (unrefined) coconut oil is affordable, readily available, delicious and completely natural. It’s also…
Anti-carcinogenic (prevents the spread of cancer cells and enhances the immune system)
Anti-inflammatory (3)
Anti-microbial/ Infection-fighting (bacteria, viruses, yeast, fungi, parasites and protozoa)
An antioxidant (protects against free-radical formation and damage)
Improves nutrient absorption (easily digestible; makes fat-based vitamins more available to the body – ie. vitamin A, D, E, K)
Nontoxic to humans and animals
Coconut Oil Uses for Personal Hygiene and the Body
1. Age Spots
(Also known as liver spots). Applying coconut oil directly to the age spot will help it fade.
2. After Shave
Coconut oil will help heal your skin after shaving without clogging pores. Great for razor burn!
3. Baldness
Combine coconut oil with lavender, rosemary, thyme, cedarwood, Jojoba oil, Grapeseed/castor oil and a little cayenne pepper. Apply three times a day (or before bed) to affected area of hair loss and massage in. Coconut oil and these essential oils support cell regeneration. (4)
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