Coconut Oil
Health Benefits

Coconut Oil Benefits, Side Effects and Reviews

Blood Pressure

4 User Reviews
5 star (3) 
  75%
2 star (1) 
  25%

Posted by Kelly (Seattle) on 11/08/2021
★★☆☆☆

My blood pressure has been going up over the last 8 years or so...got quite bad about 4 years back, so they put me on losartan. Still, it would sometimes be all over the place -- as high as 175/92 and as low as 126/74. And most times at the docs it would be high, then 20 points lower later that night at home. I mentioned this to a friend and he said his blood pressure got into the HUNDREDS, until he STOPPED taking coconut oil. So I did the same, and it dropped down to an average 135/80 or so, which is fine for someone in their 60's. Until tonight -- I just took it and it came back 162/74! And what have I been taking again, but in smaller amounts -- caprylic acid (for candida), which is made from coconut oil! I'll stop it right away, go back to olive oil and will try to remember to post back again in a few weeks. Anyway, in my case -- and that of a good friend -- coconut oil RAISES our blood pressure.

Replied by Brett RN
(Hawaii)
11/11/2021

Systolic BP (the higher number) is an indication of acute stress. If coconut oil or caprylic acid is causing your systolic to go up it is likely due to some form of activity going on in the body that requires your heart to pump harder...(systolic is when the heat beats, diastolic is when the heart is at rest). If you are on medications you cannot tell what will cause issues. All other substances taken into the body are potential issues. Coconut oil is a powerful source of health promoting fats and phyto-chemicals that can react with your BP meds, so consider the question "why is my BP high in the first place?" BP medication treats symptoms NOT causes...

Have you heard of eating celery and celery seeds at every meal? That is a well known Chinese food medicine remedy for High BP. Even soldiers in Iraq: smokers, drinking heavily, under daily high pressure combat stress were able to get the BP back down to normal by eating celery and celery seeds with each meal. When they all started to stop the BP meds the officers (doctors) put a gag order on them all to stop it and stop talking about it. I know a Sargent who got himself and all his guys off the meds.

Sounds strange, I know, because in western medicine you are told to avoid all salt and salty foods. The proof is in the doing and seeing.

Michael
(New Zealand)
11/12/2021

Hello Brett RN from Hawaii

The Chinese recommend Hawthorn for High Blood Pressure but you didn't hear that from me. Schuss, keep it a secret.

Cheers from Down Under

Replied by KS
(IL)
11/17/2021

I think it's more complicated than using/not using coconut oil. Your medication increases potassium. If you eat foods with lots of potassium it may cause an imbalance. Too much salt or too much potassium could have you swinging with your BP, same with cholesterol, as you have noticed. https://www.getroman.com/health-guide/losartan-and-bananas/ Since medication is more powerful than food the BP pendulum will swing much further than with just food. Then the type of coconut oil you use is important. "Although heated coconut oil and indeed lots of other oil has been found to increase the level of blood pressure, virgin coconut oil, however, has been found to effectively lower the level of cholesterol, which is a risk factor to high blood pressure." https://www.greenworldfriends.com/coconut-oil-and-high-blood-pressure-does-coconut-oil-help/ Personally, I just use a good olive oil and occasionally a little Kerry butter, and only lean poultry, fish. I had dropped coconut oil just because it didn't go well with what I cooked. Of course, you have to have a good diet, with lots of vegetables and some fruit. So far, my BP has been good lately and refused meds when it was somewhat high a few years ago.


Blood Pressure
Posted by Shawn (Alexandria, Va) on 12/22/2016
★★★★★

Piggybacking on Beth's comments from 2011, I too was diagnosed with HBP and was given two different meds - Lisinopril and Amlodepine (spelling?) - then I read a book on coconut oil and have now been off those nasty meds for over a year now, and my pressure has been steady and normal. Do some deep diving on understanding exactly what these meds do to your body and it will motivate you to get off them as soon as possible. I recall asking the doctor what exactly is in these meds and they couldn't even tell you, they just tell you to take and if one doesn't work, they will give you another. Those meds used to make me dizzy and nauseous. It took my body a long time to adjust after I stopped taking them. I also take magnesium, sea salt, garlic, and raw or royal jelly honey with the coconut oil daily. I drink a ton of water everyday as well. I don't know if my regimen is "correct" or would work for everyone, all I know is that when I go to the doctor I have never stated that I stopped taking the poisonous meds and my BP is good, let's me know that it is working. I also use MCT oil (derived from coconuts) in my coffee. I did cut back drastically on my coffee intake as well, just a cup per day and some days none at all. I realize that each person reacts differently to different supplements, so, what works for me may not work for all. What I do know is that I tell EVERYONE in my circle about the benefits (the list is lengthy) virgin coconut oil.


Blood Pressure
Posted by Beth (Pembroke Pines, Fl, Usa) on 11/18/2011
★★★★★

I am amazed at how well coconut oil has worked to normalize my blood pressure. I am a very healthy and petite woman who was diagnosed with high blood pressure at the age of 27. My diet is clean and I exercise regularly and with high intensity, but nothing lowered my blood pressure except medication. It was about 160/90 without medication, but stayed steady around 110/70 so long as I took it daily. After I began taking coconut oil daily (just 1 Tbsp. A day does the trick), I noticed that my blood pressure was getting TOO low! I stopped taking my medication and kept an eye on my daily readings. The coconut oil keeps my blood pressure just as low as the medication did! I am surprised there aren't more reports here of coconut oil normalizing blood pressure (I have read that it also works for people whose pressure is too low).

I have been spreading the word of coconut oil to anyone and everyone! There are other benefits as well, but I'll post those in the appropriate sections. :) The next challenge I'm going to give it is trying it on warts (the banana peel remedy isn't working for me).


Blood Pressure
Posted by Brandy (Tacoma, WA) on 07/16/2006
★★★★★

I began using Coconut Oil as I heard it helps you lose weight and can lower your BP. My blood pressure has always been erratic, sometimes it will be as low as 117/70 or as high as 150/95. I exercise regularly, eat right, don't smoke, but still cannot get my BP under control. I started taking 1 tablespoon of the oil in the morning and at night. I noticed my BP was leveling off - but I also found I was gaining weight. I am not sure if it was due to the coconut oil, or if it was coincidental, but I put on 12 pounds! I stopped taking the coconut oil. I just purchased a bottle of organic Apple Cider Vinegar and hope this will aid in lowering my BP and get the 12 pounds off.


Body Temperature, Menstruation

1 User Review
5 star (1) 
  100%

Posted by Rhonda (Knoxville, Tn) on 02/16/2011
★★★★★

I have tried coconut oil so many times but everything I tried that made it easier to take- molasses, peanut butter, honey, baked goods- ended up causing me so many problems. I am on a low carb, high saturated fat diet that has helped most of my problems (acne, excess weight, constipation, etc) but I struggled to get enough sat fat and one problem that remained - I was always cold.

Eventually, I found a canned coconut milk that was much higher in fat than most I had tried. I started putting that in my coffee and gradually increased the amount to maybe 75% coffee/25% coconut milk. I noticed that when I was at my computer in the mornings I was not feeling cold like I used to.

Then I started taking coconut oil by the spoon, holding the hard blob of oil under my tongue (sublingual?) until it gradually melted. I did a teaspoon two or three times a day.

After a day of this I was going to the programmed thermostat to manually bump it down a degree, then another degree.

I have to mention that when I first started the the coconut oil/milk it always made my throat have this weird itchy/scratchy feeling. This gradually decreased and now I never have it. Previously, I would never get far enough into the coconut oil therapy to get past that feeling and kind of worried that it was a bad thing (allergy). Now I just see it as part of the healing process (thyroid?) and am glad I pushed through it.

After doing this for a few weeks I noticed my monthly cycle was longer. I had been in the 21-23 day range for about a year. This first month on the coconut oil it was back to a normal 28 days.

Replied by Jake
(Chicago, Il.)
11/06/2011

Thanks so much for that comment about the itchy scratchy throat because I've been getting that off and on too, as I have increased my Tablespoons of VCO per day. I thought as you did that it was an allergy, but have noticed it sometimes not coming on, so your confirmation leads me to feel comfortable that it will pass. BTW, I also notice my cold hands and feet disappearing.

Replied by Sheila
(New York, Ny)
03/20/2013

Yes, that's normal. It feels nasty though, but it goes away after a few minutes or when you drink something. I don't know why it makes you get that scratchy feeling in your throat like that, but what I had really hard time with, was when I first started taking teaspoon or tablespoons in it in the morning, I'd get quesy for a good 30-45 minutes and have to lie down. It's been a couple years and I take it every morning and that feeling has gone away somewhat but I still get it sometimes. Coconut oil will make you nauseated especially in larger amounts. That's why it helps to eat with it.

Cheryl
(Massachusetts)
06/01/2021

I don't eat a teaspoon or tablespoon at one time in my mouth. I do however use a heaping tablespoon when scrambling my eggs, and I use it in salad dressing, if I bake, use it on toast, etc. I also use it on my body, my lips instead of chap stick. I use it on my hair for moisturizing treatment as well. I have never had the scratchy throat issue or nausea.


Bronchitis

1 User Review
5 star (1) 
  100%

Posted by Carole (Peekskill, NY) on 07/07/2006
★★★★★

This is a cure from Jamaica. Rub coconut oil on the head and on the chest if anyone has bronchitis or congestion. I've found that coconut oil and Saw Palmetto tea are really excellent for this. Coconut oil is also a great fighter against candida.


Burping

1 User Review
5 star (1) 
  100%

Posted by Barbara (Tower, MN) on 01/26/2008
★★★★★

I had a horrible, embarrasing smelly belch! It only happened about twice a week, but it smelled like sulpher,ie: rotton eggs! I checked the internet for what horrid diseaes I may have and found a recommendation for coconut oil. Two meals of scrambled eggs cooked in coconut oil cured me! Permanently! For the last 6 years I only use coconut or olive oil for cooking, not more "smelly burping" ever!


Bursitis

1 User Review
5 star (1) 
  100%

Posted by Saysouda (Nashville, Tn) on 10/09/2009
★★★★★

Organic Virgin Coconut Oil for bursitis, joint pain.

I'm 36 yrs old and for 3 yrs I have bursitis on the should area and pain in my wrist. I decided after reading on earthclinic to give VCO a try. In one week I noticed the pain went away and I have more energy. It really really WORKS!

I take a 1 Tablespoon/day. Put in coffee, spread it on toast instead of butter, put some in my soup, add to my pasta sauce. I love the smell. I even use it as a cold cream to clean my face at night. I even give VCO to my dogs and cats and their coats are shiny and soft! I will continue to take this the rest of my life. I love VCO! Thank you earthclinic.


Candida

3 User Reviews
5 star (3) 
  100%

Posted by Beth (Janesville, Wi) on 12/08/2018
★★★★★

I was on a low carb diet years ago. Was also consuming about 2 tablespoons of coconut oil per day in coffee, just because of reading about benefits. One day I had a BM that looked liked a bunch of strings of string cheese. Same color too. Looked it up online. It was a yeast kill-off. So coconut oiled worked for me, though it was unintended and did freak me out a bit. Side note though, the CO did cause me to often wake up at night with a very rapid heart rate. I figured out over time it was from the CO, so I haven't used it since.


Candida
Posted by Bikermom (Corvallis, Or) on 04/01/2012
★★★★★

Coconut oil has helped eliminate my longstanding symptoms related to SIBO and/or candida. The symptoms were experienced in my head and most unpleasant. I am grateful.


Candida
Posted by Star Z. (London, UK) on 03/17/2008
★★★★★

I have been taking Organic VCO before meals for the last 2 days. A single heaped table spoon. It's yummy. I felt a tense pressure in my baby belly and my stomach has not stopped churning very low pain levels. There is also discomfort to my lower back. I was surprised to find a huge discharge below totay. I was unaware of the fact that I had trush. It disclodged and evacuated more discharge than the prescription medicine I take when I feel the discomfort of thrush. I have also been having an unusually thin poo, not watery, loser than the norm. After the display with the discharge I just wonder what is leaving my stomach! The fact that I didnt know it was there is not reassuring. This is the best detox I have ever done. I think in 3 weeks I will reduce to 1table spoon a day, as well as skin and hair application. This site does a fabulous job, somebody needs to tell Oprah. Star Z.


Canker Sores

1 User Review
5 star (1) 
  100%

Posted by Mmsg (Somewhere, Europe) on 07/02/2013

Coconut oil soothes canker sores. Don't know if it heals them but for me it takes the pain away for a while.


Canker Sores
Posted by Maddy (Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, UK) on 05/09/2008
★★★★★

I was suffering with mouth ulcers for some time and my GP gave me some cream to put on my tongue. The stuff was awfull and left a dry residue on my tongue. It did nothing for the pain. So I started using coconut oil. 1 Tablespoon, melted in microwave in a plastic cup (if you use glass the oil explodes and covers the inside of your microwave). Leave to cool enough so you can hold it in your mouth for approx. 1 minute, then swallow. I did this 2x a day for 2 days and my mouthulcers where gone. Maddy, UK

Replied by Sandy
(New Windsor, MD)
05/13/2008

Canker Sores: In response to Maddy from UK, VCO has a melting temperature of about 76 so it will melt quickly in your mouth or melt on low on your stove in a ramekin. Did you know that microwaves drastically change the composition of your food? There is probably somewhere in this site some good info on it. Blood warmed in a microwave can kill you, breast milk warmed in a microwave is detrimental to the baby, and studies done on blood samples from people after eating microwaved food shows deleterious effects

Replied by Maddy
(Nottingham, UK)
07/04/2008

Reply to Sandy in New Windsor, MD: Thank you Sandy for that information. I did not know that. Have not read it in any of the literature. I am sure the remedy still works using your methods. Maddy, UK


Cellulite

2 User Reviews
5 star (2) 
  100%

Posted by Veronika (Frankfurt, Germany) on 04/07/2008
★★★★★

I just want to quickly join this wonderful post and thank you all from the bottom of my heart for sharing your experiences. Recently, I started to use coconut oil internally and also as a moisturizer due to my dry skin and slight cellulite on my thighs. The cellulite disappeared within 2-3 weeks. What a joy! However, I got very ill. From your experiences I know now that the coconut was detoxifying my digestive system. I was miserable for two weeks, not knowing what was happening to me. I realize now how much I needed it. I salute to the coconut oil.


Cellulite
Posted by J (USA) on 12/05/2006
★★★★★

I saw a reduction (though not a total elimination) of the cellulite I've had on the back of my legs since I was 18 (I'm 28 now). I ate a very poor diet high in refined flours and no amount of high-intensity cardio and rigorous dieting would reduce the rolls on the backs of my legs. I saw results in about a month. I also used it on the tiny red bumps on my arms and saw results in a week. I just this week started using it as a moisturizer on my face -- I have painful cysts around my chin. I had been using Proactiv, which worked for about a year, but the cysts came back. Also, I was concerned about what I was hearing about benzoyl peroxide damaging the skin. So I've been applying a thin coat of Extra Virgin Coconut Oil to my skin morning and night. So far, the results have been... bad. I've had about a dozen tiny pimples and several old spots that I thought had healed flared back up. I'm not sure if my skin is healing itself and getting all sorts of junk out, or if I'm just clogging up my pores. I'm going to try to stick it out for another week or so and will update if it improves. I'm wondering which is worse... a few painful cysts around my chin or numerous tiny pimples all over my forehead and chin? Hmmm.



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