Coconut Oil (s/o of Nikki's lotion thread)

[KateD]

Heather mentioned in Nikki's thread that coconut oil is good for "lots of things"... and I've found that to be so true. I started to wonder what the other coconut oil fans out there use it for.

I got my first jar of coconut oil probably six months ago and it's slowly taking over as my "go to" solution for lots of things.

Besides cooking, I also use it in the kitchen to season my cast iron cookware and my bamboo cutting board. And if I really want my metal sink to shine, I'll buff it with a bit of coconut oil.

I've been rubbing it on the dog's skin where he's scratched so much his fur is gone and his skin is scabby... and he stopped scratching there right away. I read that feeding animals a bit of coconut oil daily will prevent a lot of skin issues. It seems to help when I remember to give it to him.

I use it as a skin lotion, and as a base for my homemade deodorant. This is a bit embarrassing to say, but I also use it on my girlie parts. I tried it as a natural remedy for a particularly stubborn yeast infection and it worked wonders. Cleared that one up and I haven't had another in months.

I also thought about trying coconut oil as a hair conditioner, but I color my hair with henna and oil will soften the henna so I don't think the color would last as long.

Ironically, I didn't like the smell of coconut when I first started using it. I've grown to really like the scent, though. Thankfully :)

Do you use coconut oil? What do you use it for?

[hollyxann]

I add it to my current hair conditioner and I use it on Kennedy's hair. It's really good to help strengthen hair and helps with hair growth.

[Nikki Epperson]

That is awesome.

I don't use it, but TMI, I was on antibiotics and got a yeast infection and thank goodness I had some old meds around for that. I would have loved to have another remedy.

You girls definitely have me interested though!

[KateD]

I add it to my current hair conditioner and I use it on Kennedy's hair. It's really good to help strengthen hair and helps with hair growth.

Hmmm, I wonder if it helps to re-grow hair. Maybe I should try giving my hubby scalp massages with coconut oil :p Nah, with my luck it would work and then I'd have to shave his head more often. :D

[tanyiadeskins]

My eldest uses it for skin lotion for everything! We found the cheapest place to buy it is whole foods, for 6 bucks for a decent sized jar ... the regular grocery stores are so expensive for it!

[MamaBee]

I have squishy love for coconut oil... :) So far I've only used it for cooking... and some skin type conditions. I would love to make my own deodorant with it... that is on my summer list to do...

[YepBrook]

My eldest uses it for skin lotion for everything! We found the cheapest place to buy it is whole foods, for 6 bucks for a decent sized jar ... the regular grocery stores are so expensive for it!

Good tip!

I use a few drops of coconut oil to work into the ends of my hair when they seems to be getting dry and frazzled. Works wonders.

[Darcy Baldwin]

We use it tons. Pretty much everything Kate uses it for plus as a part of the getting older kind of thing, when things tend to be less 'supple and smooth' down there, it's a great natural remedy for the occasional dryness that can happen everday. I know some use it as an alternative to K Y.

Because it tends to go soft at room temp, we store a bit in a jar in the cupboard and keep the rest in the fridge - thus we keep the deodorant in our fridge for use because I prefer a solid deodorant rather than it in lotion form..but even in lotion form, it's great, and you just the leftover on a rough patch :)

I've been using it at night for my feet, too.

One thing to note - virgin coconut oil is the preferred oil to use - it has not been hydrogenated the way common coconut oil has been (and t hus getting it's bad rap). I look for it on sale at Amazon to purchase.

I also forgot to add - because I haven't done it in about two months and need to get back to it - oil pulling - a way to use the oil to clean your teeth and gums in a way that brushing just won't do.

[mariewilcox]

I have been buying unrefined coconut oil by the tub for years. I use it for all kinds of cooking and we love to pop our popcorn in it. I have used it on my face and hands for years - it made my stretch marks disappear and it is helping to fade the age spots on my face and hands. We use it on the ends of our hair to help frizzies too.

[KateD]

We use it tons. Pretty much everything Kate uses it for plus as a part of the getting older kind of thing, when things tend to be less 'supple and smooth' down there, it's a great natural remedy for the occasional dryness that can happen everday. I know some use it as an alternative to K Y.

Yes, it works wonders down there. I wasn't quite sure how to phrase it, but "alternative to K.Y." describes it well. I'm pretty sure that's what's been keeping the yeast infections away.

I also forgot to add - because I haven't done it in about two months and need to get back to it - oil pulling - a way to use the oil to clean your teeth and gums in a way that brushing just won't do.

I've read about oil pulling and have been tempted to try it. Do you do it in addition to or instead of regular brushing/flossing?

[Jenn Barrette]

We use the organic extra virgin coconut oil around here for a lot of things. I add it to smoothies for the internal benefits, add a little tea tree oil to it for foot/antifungal lotion, treat yeast infection, full body moisturizer, treat Lilly's eczema, oil pulling (oil mouth rinse basically), homemade lipgloss/chapstick, make-up remover, sun burn relief, mix with a little baking soda for a toothpaste, and for getting the gooey stuff left behind from stickers.

[KateD]

I have been buying unrefined coconut oil by the tub for years. I use it for all kinds of cooking and we love to pop our popcorn in it. I have used it on my face and hands for years - it made my stretch marks disappear and it is helping to fade the age spots on my face and hands. We use it on the ends of our hair to help frizzies too.

Must try using it to pop popcorn! We're not huge popcorn eaters around here - maybe because we don't watch a lot of TV? It is a yummy snack, though, and would be fun to make when the boys get home from school.

I'm definitely also going to try it on my stretch marks! Thanks for the tip :)

[MamaBee]

we love to pop our popcorn in it.

oh yes!! My hubby uses it in popcorn maker inplace of other oil... very yummy!! I think I read somewhere that the movie theaters use coconut oil. :thumbup:

[heathergw]

yeah, I use it for pretty much everything mentioned already... and we use organic extra virgin, cold pressed...

also, I know that I'm known for praising it's use for lube... but I recently found out that it's not safe to use with latex... so something to be aware of if you use that kind of protection... otherwise, it's AWESOME!!!

and I've been using it on my c-section scars and I can tell it's really helped a ton :)

[Darcy Baldwin]

Yes, it works wonders down there. I wasn't quite sure how to phrase it, but "alternative to K.Y." describes it well. I'm pretty sure that's what's been keeping the yeast infections away.



I've read about oil pulling and have been tempted to try it. Do you do it in addition to or instead of regular brushing/flossing?

Even everyday dryness - cause it's a side effect of the hormonal shift as you get older - not just for the fun bits LOL

I don't floss with the oil pulling - it does a better job than flossing, but I do still brush my teeth. I come from a family of folks with really bad teeth, and it helps a lot, though I'll still have to have a ton of work done in the next year, it's really helped gum health, etc.

[heathergw]

yeah... I use it as an everyday moisturizer... even on my oily face... it's amazing how much it helps even the oily face... it just looks so much more healthy and has gotten rid of a lot of the ruddiness in my cheeks :) and I think it's also helped minimize the old acne scars :)

[webseitler]

I have one problem with the jar I recently picked up. It leaves behind a rancid smell on my clothes. Do you think that's due to the type of oil I purchased? It says it's organic, expeller pressed and refined. Or is it the nature of the beast?

[Keely~B]

I can't use it on my face as a moisturizer but it makes the best eye makeup remover. I cook with it, use it on my hair, as moisturizer on my hands, cuticles, I love using it after I shave. Good stuff.

[KateD]

Nicole, I have no idea what would cause that. The coconut oil I have is unrefined and only ever smells coconut-ty to me. If anything, the refined oil should be more stable and less prone to turning rancid.

...

I just did a quick search on google and saw one comment that said that coconut oil can smell rancid when used because it's pulling toxins out of the skin. I have no idea if CO does that or not, but I suppose it's possible. Maybe it's reacting with something that you use in the laundry?

[maryinaz]

When you use the CO on your hair, do you use it just like a conditioner after shampooing and then rinse it out? I'm trying to grow my hair out and it is taking forEVER, which is unusual for me. Except I'm a lot older than the last time I did it. And that just ruins everything. :p

One thing to note - virgin coconut oil is the preferred oil to use - it has not been hydrogenated the way common coconut oil has been (and thus getting it's bad rap). I look for it on sale at Amazon to purchase.

I bought a jar a while ago and it says it's "100% mechanically (expeller) pressed naturally refined organic coconut oil" - I have no idea if that is the one getting the bad rap or not.

[ripal]

I use CO for oil pulling, lotion, hair conditioning. DD have very frizzy hair, so she would condition her hair the night before she plans on washing her hair. That has helped a lot! Sometimes she would also apply to her hair after the wash, but just very light amount compared to what she would use before the hair wash.

Coconut oil has also been associated with memory improvement if taken internally on daily basis.
Here's the video with some more medical info:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iScs0uzQZFk