A Sparkle Load (aka a crap load) of Uses for Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is the rock star of oils and I’m totally a groupie. This oil is amazing for a bazillion different reasons and it can be used in whatever number is greater than bazillion number of ways. It works for everything from cooking, frying, baking, moisturizing, cleaning your teeth, sunscreen and deodorant, just to name a few.

I talk often about this amazing oil and lately I’ve been getting a lot of questions about which brands are my favorite and how to use it. I will dive deeper into this subject in my newest course Improvisational Vitality: A 6 Week Transformational Adventure in Rejuevenesence for Ageless Jam Queens (Starting Sept 16th. Check out the program HERE). I feel like coconut oil is the greatest thing ever so I’m going to talk about it here too.

A Sparkle Load (aka a crap load) of Uses for Coconut Oil

1. Eat it for extra energy (recommended amount is about a spoonful)
2. Make your own body scrub with it
3. Condition your hair with it
4. Use it on your lips (upstairs and downstairs)
5. Most oils are unhealthy and turn rancid when cooked at high heats. Not coconut oil
6. Use it on your pits for a natural deodorant
7. When you’re shaving, use coconut oil instead of soap or shaving cream
8. When it’s bath time, add some to the tub with your favorite essential oils
9. Can be used as a makeup remover
10. If you get a yeast infection, it can help
11. Many vitamins are fat soluble so if you take them with coconut oil, it will help absorb them into your system
12. If you cut or burn yourself, put some on the wound to quicken your healing
13. Research has shown that taking up to five spoonfuls a day can improve your thyroid function
14. Put it in your smoothie
15. Use it around your eyes to reduce fine lines and wrinkles
16. Make a toothpaste out of it
17. Rub it all over your body
18. Rub it all over someone else’s body
19. Use it on stings and bites
20. Put it on your junk when it’s time for bedroom fun
21. Consume some with meals to aid in digestion
22. Use to grease up pans and baking dishes instead of toxic pan spray.
23. Blew a big bubble and got gum in your hair? Coconut oil to the rescue!
24. Experiencing heartburn, acid reflux or indigestion? Take some coconut oil
25. Use as a natural sunscreen (I don’t recommend this is if you have pale skin or are going to be in strong sun all day)
26. Melt it and put it on popcorn
27. Use it on our nails and cuticles to strengthen them
28. If you’re prone to allergies, rub some on the inside of your nose
29. Brush on your eyelashes to strengthen them
30. Use on pimples and acne
31. Put it on your toast instead of butter. Holy yum!
32. If your shower is getting a little yucky, put some on a damp cloth or sponge and wipe away. Then spray with white vinegar and wipe dry
33. Place some in your blender and whip up and amazing moisturizer
34. Have blemishes? Mix with nutmeg and put it on the blemish
35. Put it in your coffee to lengthen the energizing effects of it
36. Ingest a spoonful 20 minutes before meal time to curb your appetite (if it needs curbing)
37. Sooth your sore throat
38. Make homemade soap
39. Put it on your canker sore to help soothe the pain and speed up healing
40. Swish it around in your mouth for up to 20 minutes for healthy teeth and gums. It’s also said to pull toxins from your body

I’ll be jumping in head first into the world of coconut oil in my program Improvisational Vitality, sharing with you all my favorite recipes for internal and external use. Yay!! If that interests you, check it out HERE.

How to you choose which brand of coconut oil to use? Here’s an article that was published from thegoodtrade.com that says it all.

When it comes to oils—for cooking or for our skin & hair—the options are endless: olive, sunflower, vegetable, among others. But there is one that’s a cut above the rest when we’re talking nutrition, sustainability, and versatility: coconut oil. There’s a lot of information out there about coconut oil and the options can be pretty overwhelming, so we’re giving you the 101 on how to choose the best coconut oil for you, and the importance of organic and Fair Trade options. Let’s do this.

HOW IS COCONUT OIL MADE?
Let’s start with how coconut oil is made. Most oils use solvent extraction methods with hexane (a highly hazardous chemical that ultimately changes the flavor) to extract the oil from the plant or seed. Instead, coconut oils are made with cold-pressed or expeller-pressed techniques, which use heat-controlled environments (ideally under 120 degrees) and a mechanical press for the best results. While these techniques yield less oil than the solvent extraction method, you’re left with high quality flavor and nutrition value.

REFINED VS. UNREFINED COCONUT OIL
Generally, oil comes from the dried “meat” of the coconut, otherwise known as “copra”. Sometimes, this copra is refined to produce the oil. When it’s refined and processed at around 400 degrees, bleaching and deodorizing take place to remove its natural scent and flavor. Plus, these refined coconut oils may be partially or fully hydrogenated, which creates trans-fats that increase cholesterol. That’s why we suggested sticking with unrefined or “virgin” coconut oil.

Unrefined oil means it’s been extracted from fresh coconut meat rather than dried, using one of two methods: quick drying with a mechanical press or wet milling, which involves fermenting and separating liquids. Because it’s a quick process, it doesn’t require high heat, additives, or bleaching/deodorizing. Instead, you’re left with a truly authentic coconut flavor. (And is there a real difference between virgin and extra-virgin coconut oil? Not really. Unlike in olive oil, they are virtually the same.)

WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN BUYING COCONUT OIL
Lastly, let’s talk ethics: coconut olive oil can be organic, fair trade, non-GMO, etc. When you purchase organic coconut oil, you can be sure no pesticides were used, period. Otherwise, pesticides, chemicals, or additives can be involved at any part throughout the process. And why buy non-Fair Trade coconut oil when you can support the fair wages & treatment of the workers on the front lines of production for a similar price point? While Fair Trade certified oils may be harder to find, we already did the hard work for you.

Here are 3 organic and fair trade coconut oils that customers swear by. Whether they’re using it for a deep conditioning hair treatment, making the switch from butter in baked goods, or crafting a lip balm, these oils are multipurpose, long-lasting, and come with the delicious scent of a freshly opened coconut. Cheers to making the sweet, sweet switch.

Dr. Bronner’s

Dr. Bronner’s has been in the family business for a long time, creating certified organic and Fair Trade products that support consumers, farmers, and workers worldwide. Their Organic Virgin Coconut Oil is a testament to just that: this naturally processed and GMO-free coconut oil was made with coconuts farmed in Sri Lanka, where workers have safe working conditions and fair compensation. Perfect for cooking, baking, and sautéing, this white kernel coconut oil has a high smoke point (350 degrees) with a rich, nutty flavor that can infuse any dish from vegetables to baked goods. Want Whole Kernel instead, which uses the brown skin between the coconut and the shell? No worries, they offer both. And no matter when you buy, it’s sure to last for ages: it has a long shelf life and can be purchased in bulk. Time to make the switch to coconut oil for good—these benefits are too great to pass up.

Dr. Bronner’s Coconut Oil Review | “I’ve tried a couple dozen brands of coconut oil over the past few years, and this is my absolute favorite. The smell and taste are much stronger than most. When you open the jar, it feels like you just cracked open a coconut! I use this stuff so much that I’m starting to realize I’ll need to be buying bigger jars soon. It works great as a daily moisturizer, one of the ingredients for my daily body wash, massage oil, a tasty treat for my dog, and I love throwing it in baked goods when I want a nice coconutty flavor and aroma.” – Aubrey P.

Aunt Patty’s

Fair Trade Organic Coconut Oil – Aunt Patty’s Unrefined Virgin Coconut Oil
Ethics | Certified Organic, non-GMO, fair trade

In the market for coconut oil that supports people and the planet? Aunt Patty’s Fair Trade Unrefined Virgin Coconut Oil is your answer. This oil is certified Fair Trade supporting families in the Philippines with fair wages, community development, and high-quality working conditions. And it’s about as natural as it gets: it’s cold pressed, non-GMO, and unrefined. Because it’s non-hydrogenated, it’s also rich in acids that support our immune systems. Using it on your skin or hair? It’s also the perfect mask and massage oil, with its soft, sleek feel and naturally aromatic scent. Now’s the time to replace other oils and butters in your diet, especially if you have allergies or sensitivities—the ideal replacement is here.

Aunt Patty’s Coconut Oil Review | “I LOVE this stuff as a hair mask. I just put a small amount in my hands and it melts instantly and I run it through the ends. Let it sit for 30 minutes or so, and viola! Super soft hair after my shower. It’s also very good to use as an alternative to butter- which is the main reason I got it. I am lactose intolerant and needed a substitute, when I read the reviews I thought this would be the perfect thing to try. I’m super happy with the outcome as this coconut oil isn’t overly packed with flavor. The flavor is very light and mixed into anything it’s not noticeable. I like to add a little to my potatoes or use it in place of oil when I go to cook my eggs.” – sleepingbeauty, Amazon user

Nutiva
Organic Coconut Oil – Nutiva Fair Trade Virgin Coconut Oil
Ethics | Organic, Fair Trade, Non-GMO, Vegan, B-Corp

Stock up on all of your oil needs with Nutiva’s Organic Virgin Coconut Oil. Available in glass jars—yay, sustainability!—Nutiva offers coconut oil in bulk sizes (23 oz.) so you don’t have to make repeat trips to the grocery store. (And using glass jars ultimately is better than the plastic ones anyway, because oftentimes the oil becomes infused with a plastic taste.) Nutiva is a certified B Corp, crafting organic and Fair Trade goods that also give back. Because it’s unrefined, it’s not bleached or deodorized, so that smooth, sweet flavor is perfect for any use: add to your popcorn, make an exfoliating body scrub, or use in chocolate coconut brownies. (Want to balance out the coconut flavor in a more savory dish? Here’s a pro tip: use a pinch of salt!) With 100% less cholesterol than butter, it’s a nutritious, versatile, and downright delicious alternative.

Nutiva’s Coconut Oil Review | “Love love love this coconut oil. I love the size jar, too. It is the perfect size for my kitchen cupboards. It is not too large or heavy and can be grabbed easily from the cupboard. I have had larger size jars and they are cumbersome and awkward. As far as the flavor and texture, this coconut oil is great. It has a mild coconut flavor which you will taste in mild foods, but is easily overwhelmed by spicy foods. I will say, it is NOT covered up by cocoa or cacao flavor, though. I find that if I use it for making a chocolate cake or brownies, you still taste the coconut, although this is not a bad thing. We have even used this for making some homemade skin treatments as well. It works great mixed with other oils for moisturizers and for lip balm. I love it as a general all around coconut oil. My skin loves it too!” – Judith J.

There you have it!!! How do you use coconut oil? Did you learn a new use for the stuff? Leave a comment below.

If you’re interested in learning more about coconut oil and other things that grow in nature that promote longevity, you’ll love Improvisational Vitality. It’s a 6 week transformational adventure in rejuvenesence for ageless jam queens. Find out more and reserve your spot HERE. We start on Sept 16th.

The coconut oil lover in me sees and honors the coconut oil lover in you,