11 Beauty Uses for Coconut

Why Should We Use Coconut Oil Internally?

Coconut is highly nutritious and rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals. It is classified as a “functional food” because it provides many health benefits beyond its nutritional content. Coconut oil is of special interest here because it possesses healing properties far beyond that of any other dietary oil and is extensively used in traditional medicine among Asian and Pacific populations. Pacific Islanders consider coconut oil to be the cure for all that ails them. I couple it for my clients with an organic cold extracted greenlip mussel oil supplement in capsule form, in order to augment the benefits of the coconut oil by incorporating the unique array of anti-inflammatory Omega-3 fatty acids which this marine source is rich in. See MoxxArt.com for more information about greenlip mussel oil and its synergistic potential for people and animals when combined with coconut oil.

The beautiful, bountiful, coconut palm is highly valued by most island people as it is known to be both a source of food and medicine. It has been known as “The Tree of Life.” Modern medical science has recently unlocked the secrets to coconut’s amazing healing powers, according to the Coconut Research Center.

Coconut Oil is Brilliant Topically

Coconut oil topically acts as a wonderful moisturizer for all types of skin, including dry and aging skin. Coconut oil is a safe solution for preventing dryness and flaking of skin and it makes a perfect massage oil, as well. It is known to delay the onset of wrinkles, and sagging of skin which normally become prominent with age. Coconut oil also helps in treating various skin problems including psoriasis, dermatitis, eczema and other skin infections. Coconut oil should and does form the foundation ingredient of various personal care products such as soaps, lotions, and creams. Coconut oil also helps in preventing premature aging and degenerative diseases due to its antioxidant properties.

The nutritional benefits of coconut oil are said to include hair care, skin care, stress relief, maintaining healthy cholesterol levels, weight loss, increased immunity, proper digestion and metabolism, relief from kidney problems, heart diseases, high blood pressure, diabetes, HIV and cancer, dental care, and bone strength. These benefits can be attributed to the presence of lauric acid, capric acid and caprylic acid, and its properties such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, antifungal, antibacterial, soothing, etc.

How to Use Coconut Oil in Our Daily Routine

To use coconut oil in your daily routine, it’s as simple as applying pure coconut oil all over your body and then stepping into a steaming shower or tub. And then how about using a homemade coconut oil scrub to exfoliate your skin?

Scrubs offer a fantastic opportunity to remove dead skin and make you feel invigorated in the process.

Here is my recipe for a homemade Coconut Oil Sugar Scrub, that is easy to make and store:

Coconut Oil Sugar Scrub

1 cup organic coconut sugar
1/3 cup fine ground Himalayan Chrystal or pink salt
1/2 cup cold or expeller pressed, virgin, organic, coconut oil
2-3 tablespoons almond oil
1 tablespoon vitamin E oil
1 or 2 drops of lavender essential oil (or you can use rose essential oil)

Since you might have a nice jar with lid on hand which you may have saved from the recycling bin you can start with your own recycled jar, or buy a “Ball Jar,” add the Himalayan Chrystal or pink salt, coconut oil and then add the rest of the ingredients and stir with a wooden spoon. (I like to keep a small wooden spoon in my shower or next to the tub to stir the scrub and spoon it into my hand for easier application.)

For an all-natural moisturizer after bath or shower, pure coconut oil is my favorite. It’s a beauty-fuel moisturizer and a potent source of the beneficial fat lauric acid. I put a tablespoon in my herbal tea and sip this before, during or after my bath or shower. Your thyroid gland loves coconut oil as it helps to nourish it. One of the symptoms of hypothryroidism is dry skin so we get double the benefits when we use coconut oil internally and externally as often as possible.