3 Uses for Coconut Oil That Don’t Involve Cooking

Coconut oil is a true food rock star. It is a popular staple in healthy eating plans and for good reason. Even though coconut oil is high in naturally occurring saturated fats, it contains medium-chain triglycerides, or medium-length fatty acids, which actually boost metabolism and help turn “bad” cholesterol into “good” cholesterol, according to the Journal of Nutrition. Coconut oil is also antibacterial and high in antioxidants.

With its powerhouse of nutrients, coconut oil has been associated with the improvement and prevention of conditions such as heart disease, cancer, gum disease and osteoporosis. Some experts also contend that coconut oil can help improve brain function, reduce inflammation, boost immunity, increase energy, aid in weight loss, improve digestion, eliminate yeast infections and even treat Alzheimer’s Disease.

How to Know Which Oil to Cook With

The cooking options for this oil are endless. Melt a slab in a pan and whip up some eggs or your favorite veggies. Add a teaspoon to your favorite smoothie. Spread it on toast instead of using butter. Put a dollop in your tea.

But, what makes coconut oil even more exciting is how versatile it can be out of the kitchen. Here are great ways to use coconut oil, when you are not cooking with it:

1. Smooth Skin
Coconut oil makes for a great everyday face and body moisturizer. The trick here is to use only a very small amount so your skin doesn’t look greasy. Try applying it right after a shower and letting it soak in while you do other tasks to get ready. Once your skin has absorbed most of the oil, you can finish getting dressed and even apply makeup if you’d like. Coconut oil is deeply moisturizing, especially on rough spots like elbows and heels. You can also dab some on your lips for a natural lip balm, smooth some on your legs as a shaving lotion, swipe some under your eyes to remove makeup and apply some to your underarms as deodorant.

How to Eat Your Way to Better Skin

2. Condition Hair
For a deeply moisturizing hair treatment, work a tablespoon of oil through your hair with your fingers, beginning with the ends. After letting your hair absorb the oil, be sure to thoroughly rinse your hair. If your hair is prone to getting greasy, it’s a good idea to use coconut oil at night, rinse it out and shampoo and condition in the morning as normal. If you have dry hair, you may want to use coconut oil on more of a regular basis, as your everyday conditioner. But, be sure to use just a small penny-size amount. You can also use a tiny amount applied to your hands to tame static, flyaways and frizzy ends.

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3. Oil Pull
Swishing coconut oil in your mouth is a great way to clean bacteria out of the mouth and to treat periodontal disease. The oil draws out bacteria, which will actually stick to it! In the morning or before bed, scoop a teaspoon into your mouth and let it melt. Then, swish with the coconut oil for as long as you can. Start oil pulling for five minutes at a time and work your way up to 15 to 20 minutes. Try setting a timer, and check some emails or pack your lunch while swishing. When finished, spit out the oil and rinse thoroughly with water.