21 unique uses for coconut oil:
1. Pulling – teeth whiter and stronger Coconut oil has antifungal and antibacterial properties. Gargling for 20 minutes with a spoonful of oil first thing in the morning (a.k.a. oil pulling) can help clear up germs in the mouth, leading to fresher breath, whiter teeth, and healthier gums. I have personally noticed my smile is whiter and shiner after just a couple of months of ‘pulling’.
2. Pre-shampoo Hair treatment – the no-poo movement is becoming a revolution, seeing men and women alike switch out traditional shampoo methods for apple cider vinegar. You can use hot coconut oil as a pre-shampoo treatment to soothe dry hair and also cleanse an oily scalp (oil attracts oil). Leave in for at least an hour for an allover moisturising treatment.
3. Natural Make-up remover. Even the most resistant waterproof mascara doesn’t stand a chance against coconut oil. Dip a cotton ball or pad into slightly warm liquid coconut oil to remove stubborn eye makeup.
4. Face cleanser. Apply it directly to the face as an oil cleanser, or let it sit on your skin with a cotton pad. Makeup will melt away. This is the same principal as with the shampoo, oil attracts oil.
5. Shaving substitute. coconut oil provides a better base for shaving as it prevents shaving burn and nicks, plus due the added moisturizing benefits you are doing two treatments at once.
6. Cheek bone and brow highlighter. Add some glam and use coconut oil as a finishing touch over makeup or use as a natural alternative to make-up to highlight your features. I love using coconut oil as a lip balm as well.
7. Natural nit (head live) remedy. Most of us have had nits or know someone who has had nits at least once. Start this all-natural lice treatment with a rinse of apple cider vinegar. Once the vinegar has dried, apply coconut oil to the entire head and let it sit for 12 to 24 hours. Brush through hair with a fine comb, then shampoo. The coconut oil will help to remove the nits gently.
8. Stretch mark prevention. Expectant mums should keep a jar of coconut oil nearby to help ward off stretch marks, but anyone can use this as a topical treatment for scars. While the oil won’t fade any marks, it can help prevent dark spots and stretch marks forming in the first place. Prevention is better than cure.
9. Run out of toothpaste? Grab the closest jar of coconut oil and add baking soda for a quick fix. Everyone will wonder how you got such a white smile. Like with ‘pulling’ the coconut oil works by getting rid of bacteria in the mouth and on teeth.
10. Deodorant. Most of us use deodorant religiously, would we do so if we knew what was in it? I even know some people that not only use it in the morning but also before bed!? For a healthy alternative DIY deodorant: mix coconut oil with arrowroot powder, cornstarch, baking soda, and a scented oil for an aluminium free fix.
11. Cold sore treatment. Prone to cold sores? Dabbing coconut oil on them can help speed up healing time, alleviate pain and reduce the risk of scarring or discoloration on and around lips.
The three fatty acids in coconut oil act as a disinfectant and have antimicrobial properties, helping to protect against as well as heal microbial infections.
12. Detox Bath. A good detox bath is a great way to eliminate toxins while allowing your body and mind to unwind. Create a simple detox bath with coconut oil by adding ¼ cup of Epsom salts to ¼ cup of coconut oil into a hot bath.
13. Nappy rash guard. New mums know how frustrating nappy rash is for babies. Most use paw-paw or vaseline which have chemicals. For a more natural, antibacterial approach use coconut oil on baby’s skin to ease the pain, itch and redness of diaper rash. Use about a tablespoon over affected areas.
14. Sun block and sun burn soother. What? Huh? Most of us remember the good old 90’s when we would slather oil on our skin to achieve that golden glow or burn. Coconut oil has a natural spf of 4 so actually helps to protect the skin against the sun. There are lots of recipes for DIY natural sun care with coconut oil as the base. Follow my quick DIY sun care recipe, easy to make and very effective.
15. Natural Insect repellent and insect bite soother. Put down the toxic chemicals and make your own repellent to keep insects at bay. Follow this receipe for my easy DIY Natural Insect Repellent Recipe (great for travel).
16. Dandruff relief – Dry, flaky scalp? Using coconut oil for hair and scalp will keep the area moisturized, discouraging dandruff growth and keeping hair looking shiny. If you have dry ends as well, rub some oil on them to provide deep leave-in conditioner. This is really addressing two common hair issues.
17. Weight management (of course this is to compliment a healthy balanced diet and regular exercise). Coconut oil can help boost metabolism. Since it travels directly to the liver, it is used for energy and not stored as fat. It also helps a feeling of satiety and can assist in weight loss.
18. Digestive health and prevention of candida overgrowth in the gut. Coconut oil’s concentration of beneficial fats makes it helpful for digestion. Its antimicrobial properties can help fight irritation and infection in the gut from Candida.
19. Immune Support. The MCTs (including lauric acid, capric acid and caprylic acid) have antifungal, antibacterial and antiviral properties that make it beneficial for immune support. Take three spoons daily before meals.
20. Remove dead and dry skin on feet and prevent foot odor. Mix a tablespoon of coconut oil with tea spoon of sea salt and scrub feet. Scrub feet concentrating on the soles until sea salt has dissolved. Both of these ingredients are anti-bacterial and will help with offensive foot odor.
21. Increase bone density naturally. Coconut oil can increase bone strength by allowing better absorption of calcium, vitamin D, and other minerals. This is especially important for women as bone density can decrease rapidly with age.
I hope you’ve learned some unique uses for coconut oil. If you have tried any of these or other unique uses for coconut oil I would love to hear below.
