ALL About Coconut Oil

Today's Muse will be on a beauty cum health sharing on the amazing health benefits of coconut oil.

This topic has been brought to Da Rabbit's attention by her friend - Samantha who claimed that Coconut Oil has many health benefits especially towards pregnant and nursing mothers... Also, Coconut Oil can aid in weight loss too!

Stay tuned to find out why...

What is Coconut Oil

Coconut itself is a tropical fruit from the coconut trees which are most commonly found in beaches.

Coconut Oil has been commonly used in tropical countries like India, Sri Lanka, Thailand etc. Coconut Oil can be applied externally for skincare / haircare and also ingested for internal well-being.

Health Benefits of Coconut Oil

Coconut Oil has many health benefits including but not limited to the following:

Haircare
Skincare
Maintain Healthy Cholesterol Levels
Weight Loss
Helps in diabetes, heart diseases, high blood pressure, HIV, Kidney Ailments and Cancer
Improve Dental Health and Bone Strength
Maintain good digestion and regulated metabolism
Boosts Immune System

The health benefits arise due to the presence of lauric acid, capric acid and caprvlic acid which have anti-fungal, antibacterial, antimicrobial and soothing properties.

Coconut Oil and Weight Loss

Coconut Oil contains short and medium chain fatty acids that help in taking off excessive weight. It helps to increase the body's metabolism by removing stress on the pancreas and hence more energy is being burnt which can result in weight loss.

Types of Coconut Oil and Recommended Usage

Expeller Pressed / Other types of Refined Coconut Oil: Suitable for external uses
Unrefined Virgin Coconut Oil: Internal Use / For consumption

Uses of Coconut Oil

Extracted from: http://wellnessmama.com/5734/101-uses-for-coconut-oil/
(Will highlight a few which Da Rabbit thinks is a good try below)

In cooking as a great oil with a high smoke point. Great for baking, stir-frys or as a dairy free replacement to butter.
As a coffee creamer when emulsified into coffee
On the skin as a basic lotion
In homemade lotion bars for soft, smooth skin
In homemade deodorant or deodorant bars
As an eye-makeup remover
As a cloth diaper safe diaper cream (just rub on baby’s bottom)
To lighten age spots when rubbed directly on the skin
To prevent stretch marks during pregnancy
Topically to kill yeast or yeast infections
As a delicious tropical massage oil
A tiny dab rubbed on your hands and then through hair will help get rid of friz
As an intensive nighttime anti-aging facial moisturizer
Mixed with equal parts sugar for a smoothing body scrub (use in the shower)
Rubbed on lips as a natural chap stick
Topically, can help skin heal faster after injury or infection
As an incredibly intensive natural conditioner- Rub into dry hair, put a shower cap on and leave for several hours. Helps reduce split ends too!
On feet to fight athlete’s foot or tor fungus
In place of Lanolin cream on nursing nipples to sooth irritation (also great for baby!)
Can help sooth psoriasis or eczema
With apple cider vinegar as a natural treatment for lice that actually works
Rub coconut oil on the inside of your nose to help alleviate allergy symptoms
Nursing moms can take 3-4 tablespoons a day (and Vitamin D) to increase milk supply and nutrients
There is some evidence that coconut oil helps digestion and may even kill intestinal parasites or yeast
Mix a tablespoon with a tablespoon of chia seeds for an all-day energy boost (do NOT take this at night!)
Blend a tablespoon into hot tea to help speed recovery from cold or flu
As a replacement for vegetable oils in any recipe as it is better for high temperature cooking than olive or vegetable oils
As a natural shave cream and after shave lotion
When used consistently on skin it can help get rid of cellulite
Apply onto mosquito bites to relief skin of the itch
Can be rubbed into scalp daily to stimulate hair growth
Mixed with salt to remove dry skin on feet
Can help speed weight loss when consumed daily
Can help improve sleep when taken daily
Can be used to speed healing of fungal infections when taken internally and used externally
A tablespoon melted into a cup of warm tea can help sooth a sore throat
To help sooth the itch of chicken pox or poison ivy
By itself as a natural deodorant
By itself or with baking soda as a naturally whitening toothpaste
For pets struggling with skin issues when used externally
As a safe cooking oil for deep frying
A tablespoon taken before each meal can help improve digestion
Can be taken in warm ginger tea to sooth heartburn or nausea
On hands after doing dishes to avoid dry skin
Mixed with catnip, rosemary, or mint essential oils as a natural bug repellent
Can be used on mom’s nipple and baby’s mouth to help treat thrush
Can be used internally and externally to speed recovery from Urinary Tract Infection
Can relieve the pain of hemorrhoids when used topically
Can boost circulation and help those who often feel cold
On cuticles to help nails grow
Rub into elbows daily to help alleviate dry, flaky elbows
Add to smoothies to give them a nutritional boost
Internally during pregnancy to help provide baby necessary fats for development (especially when taken with Fermented Cod Liver Oil)

Coconut Oil and Pregnancy

Yes, Coconut Oil is safe for consumption before, during and after pregnancy. So its every mother's best friend :)

According to this article: http://www.divine-mama.com/blogs/mamahood/8242857-the-benefits-of-coconut-oil-before-during-and-after-pregnancy the benefits of Coconut Oil for pregnancy is expounded as follows:

Before pregnancy

Regular coconut oil consumption can help balance hormones. Properly-balanced hormone levels make it much more likely for a woman to ovulate and to conceive.

During pregnancy

Coconut oil is rich in lauric acid, a rare medium-chain fatty acid that is also present in breast milk. Lauric acid is antiviral, antifungal and antibacterial. Increasing coconut oil consumption during pregnancy might help support both the mother's and baby's immune systems.
There is evidence that coconut oil – by helping to balance blood sugar – might help women avoid or control gestational diabetes.
Coconut oil can help alleviate symptoms of morning sickness. While taking the oil “straight up” might be too much for some women, it’s easy to stir some coconut oil into soup, hot cereal or a warm drink.
Rubbing coconut oil on your skin can help prevent or relieve the itching and discomfort often connected to pregnancy. Coconut oil’s moisturizing properties can also help prevent stretch marks.
Coconut oil is an excellent personal lubricant. It can help to alleviate the discomfort of vaginal dryness, a symptom sometimes present during pregnancy.

After pregnancy

Coconut Oil can be used on baby's diaper to treat diaper rash and cradle cap. It is non-toxic and very gentle on baby's skin.
If you’re breastfeeding, you might suffer from irritated or sore nipples. Applying coconut oil can help prevent and treat cracking and soreness.
The medium-chain fatty acids in coconut oil are reported to help increase milk flow. The body needs adequate fat in order to produce enough breast milk to support the baby’s needs.
The antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties of coconut oil continue to be of benefit after the baby is born. The lauric acid that is consumed in coconut oil will be directly passed on to the child via breast milk.
Coconut oil is perfect for massaging infants. Infant massages can help calm and relax babies, and has been shown to improve sleep. Improved sleep for baby means better sleep for Mom!

Where to Buy in Singapore

Organic Virgin Coconut Oil can be purchased from organic stores like Nature's Farm or you might want to try getting them from supermarkets like Cold Storage.

For the normal types of coconut oil for external / topical use, you can try getting them from Mustafa @ Little India - they are selling it a a more competitive pricing.

Conclusion

That's all about the Muse over Coconut Oil! Have fun exploring with the usage and recipes using coconut oil or if you are as ~~lazy~~ busy as Da Rabbit, simply just mix a couple tablespoons of organic virgin coconut oil into your beverage for daily consumption! Coconut oil smells great too :)

Adieus~

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