6 Healthy Uses for Coconut Oil

Dry skin, a paper cut, maybe even a tummy ache? Try a drop of coconut oil. Offering a myriad of health benefits, coconut oil is affordable, readily available and completely natural. Here are six reasons to give it a try:

1. Skin Care: Wanna look like you just came back from an hour of yoga? Coconut oil works wonders as a moisturizer for all skin types, especially dry skin and aging skin, leaving you refreshed and looking wide-awake. No headstand required! The fat in the oil helps reduce the appearance of wrinkles without any irritation. Coconut oil can also help with skin problems like psoriasis, dermatitis, eczema and other skin conditions. In fact, the oil is frequently used in expensive skin care products. Try our easy, inexpensive recipe for a great honey and coconut oil moisturizer.

2. Stress Relief: Long day at the office, kids won’t stop screaming and your dog left a little “present” on your vintage bedspread? Relieve mental fatigue by applying coconut oil to the head in a circular, massaging motion. The natural aroma of coconuts is extremely soothing thus helping to lower your stress level.

3. Digestion: The saturated fats in coconut oil have anti-bacterial properties that help control, parasites, and fungi that cause indigestion and other digestion related problems such as irritable bowel syndrome. The fat in coconut oil also aids in the absorption of vitamins, minerals and amino acids, making you healthier all around. Try this delicious vegan, creamed spinach recipe.

4. Fitness: Coconut oil has been proven to stimulate your metabolism, improve thyroid function, and escalate energy levels, all of which help decrease your unwanted fat, while increasing muscle. Because of this, coconut oil has shot to popularity by being the world’s only natural low-calorie fat. Sign me up!

5. Healing: When applied on scrapes and cuts, coconut oil forms a thin, chemical layer which protects the wound from outside dust, bacteria and virus. Coconut oil speeds up the healing process of bruises by repairing damaged tissues. Plus, it smells a heck-of-a-lot better than anything from the pharmacy.

6. Hair Care: $20 hair conditioners? I don’t think so! Coconut oil is one of the most nutritious products you can put on your hair. Massage a bit of the oil onto your scalp and presto – no more dandruff. Since it provides the essential proteins required for nourishing damaged hair, it’s used in a ton of over-the-counter hair products anyway. Why not cut to the chase and skip all the unnecessary chemicals? Check out our easy conditioning recipe.

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Alexandra O.

8:49AM PST on Feb 1, 2012

I use coconut oil for skin care and my face and body have never been softer, not to mention looking better. After my shower, I put it all over, from head to toe and at night, I put a nice thick layer on my face and when I wake up, I look and feel great. I also give it to my dogs twice a week. They love the taste and it's good for their skin and coat. I've got one dog that has digestion problems and this helps a lot with that.

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Rebecca S.

6:05PM PST on Jan 16, 2012

awesome thank you. I just bought some organic coconut oil for lotion and other bath/beauty products today :) I'm excited to go all natural with body products.

june k.

6:52AM PST on Dec 17, 2011

hmmm, i learned all this from my grand parents. too bad you all are now finding out about all the benefits of coconut

Sherri M.

5:58PM PST on Nov 9, 2011

Wow, can't believe all the benefits I've been missing out on by not using coconut oil sooner! Thanks for posting!

jay l.

4:39PM PDT on Aug 4, 2011

Because of the scent and lubricant values it makes the best sexual lubricant....

Jennifer C.

5:21PM PDT on Aug 3, 2011

Thanks for the info.

Mary Beth M.

11:55AM PDT on Apr 14, 2011

I cook with coconut oil, but never tried the other uses-thanks!

Dorothy C.

1:28PM PDT on Mar 31, 2011

Thanks for the article - I love coconut oil, I use it all the time.

Carolyn M.

7:52AM PDT on Mar 27, 2011

Yes, yes and yes to coconut oil. I use it as a moisturizer and also consume some daily. Truly wonderful stuff.

Vanessa A.

11:06PM PST on Feb 11, 2011

I actually use coconut oil for deoderant. You feel great, and it works the same or better than most natural deoderants on the market (which usually are not good, to be honest). Reapply every 12 hours and you're good to go.