The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
How to Take Internally
Posted by Grace (Manila, Philippines) on 12/01/2006
★★★★★
First, I would like to clarify what is the difference between Coconut oil and the Virgin coconut oil (VCO). Philippines national tree is the coconut tree, and coconut oil has been used by our people since time in memorial. anyway, coconut oil is being used for cooking alone. then there is another kind of coconut oil that is being cooked in our own kitchen that produces brown color, this oil is good for the skin and hair. Believe me i've been using this from child and i have the shiniest hair ever. Now, there's another coconut oil which is called Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO). The oil was extracted from coconut thru cold pressed. the opposite of the second coconut oil i mentioned. now, this oil can be drunk and applied on hair and skin. I used both the 2nd and 3rd coconut oil for my skin alternately. I always have insect bites that leaves ugly scars, and coconut oil heals it and the ugly scars will be gone. I also use this as my moisturizer. There are researches about coconut oil (VCO) ... it was said that coconut oil can cure cancer but i am not sure if this is already proven. I can say that Philippines produces the best coconut oil products. I guess, this is one of our secrets why we have beautiful and younger looking skin and very shiny hair :) by the way, since coconut oil solidifies during cold weather, we now have coconut oil in capsules.. just an FYI.
How to Take Internally
Posted by Manasvini (Maharashtra, India) on 07/02/2006
★★★★★
i came across your site by chance. for those of u who are using coconut oil, it is great for external skin. it is used for a whole body massage every week here in india. but i wouldn't recommend it for internal consumption. i have heard that the oil is high in cholesterol. it is the normal cooking oil that i am talking about. that's why we indians use til oil or sunflower oil for cooking. i am not sure what extra virgin coconut oil is. actually normal coconut oil is used to induce vomiting in case of accidental swallowing of poison ,etc. take precautions be fore taking internally.
How to Take Internally
Posted by Pinoy Ako (the Philippines) on 06/05/2006
★★★★★
please take only VIRGIN COCONUT OIL, and not just ordinary cooking coconut oil. The difference is in their processing. The former is good for your health--boost immunity, etc. The benefits are widely studied:
http://www.doh.gov.ph/sars/coconut_oil.htm
Diarrhea is a natural side effect. Coconut detoxifies your digestive system; after a while (two weeks for me), it normalizes and relieves your diarrhea problem.
How to Take Internally
Posted by Rhonald (Washington, DC) on 06/02/2006
★★★★★
This oil really helped my skin, which becomes dry in winter. It also helped my immune system and provides the best oil to cook with. I have known about coconut oil for some time now, recommended by Dr. Joseph Mercola, in IL., when I went to see him in 2002. Regretfully, I have run out for a while now, but will reorder. To all the people who experience(d) stomach upset and other flu like symptoms; this may be because the oil is noted for ridding the body of toxins. Anytime you ingest anything that attacks parasites, bacteria, viruses, etc., you are inducing a body cleansing. The body responds by making you feel sick, and the degree, which is an indication of the level of toxins in your body. If the body is not prepared for this, it reacts (cleansing reaction). I never personally experienced this and I would highly recommend that if you use this oil, your system needs to at least be very hydrated with pure water, vegetable juice, weak teas, and eliminate sugar and starchy foods or at least cut back for a week or so to see how you react. Help the body do its job.
Also, go to your local healthfood store and get pH papers. When I embarked on a 4 week deep cleanse a few years ago, the author was very firm with people to NOT cleanse until the pH was around the 6-7 mark, acidic/alkaline. If your body is too acidic, cleansing reactions will be worse. The body needs to be balanced before toxins are released into the system. The pH factor of body fluids (not stomach acid) is critical for overall good health, because disease thrives in an acidic environment. You might want to check out these pages at the end... it will explain all the benefits of coconut oil and all fats. It is the best oil for cooking, as its molecules remain stable under high heat. Beware, many commercial coconut oils are refined, bleached and deodorized (RBD) and contain chemicals used in processing. This you don't want, so ask the source how it is made. I hope this is helpful to those who became ill (cleansing reactions?) Note: some people may be allergic to coconuts, so that could have been the culprit? In closing, I would say research this and don't give up on the oil.
Below are some useful pages. http://www.mercola.com/2001/jul/28/coconut_oil.htm
http://www.mercola.com/2001/mar/24/coconut_oil.htm
http://www.mercola.com/2001/jul/28/coconut_health.htm
http://www.mercola.com/2002/aug/17/saturated_fat1.htm
I researched this and many other topics surrounding fats in general. I am now on cod liver oil, flax meal, and low mercury fish, which has to be ordered out of state.
How to Take Internally
Posted by Dave (Cambridge, MN) on 05/19/2006
★★★★★
Reply to Connie's inquiry on how others take coconut oil. I just started taking it, so i'm only taking 1 tsp a couple times a day. Trying to start slow to avoid problems others have had. I mix it in peanut butter and eat it on celery sticks and carrots. Has worked for me.
How to Take Internally
Posted by Pam (Salem, OR) on 02/27/2007
★★★★★
I have just recently read about the health benefits of virgin coconut oil but was having a hard time figuring out how to take it as I cannot stomach eating it off a spoon or in a shake. I used the air popper to make pop corn and put the coconut oil in the butter melter section, then poured it over my pop corn. If you eat it immediately it doesn't taste as good as if you let it sit for a little while. I made it after breakfast, used a little butter flavored salt on it, then I ate it for lunch. It is SO yummy.
How to Take Internally
Posted by Laurin (KC, MO, USA) on 03/12/2007
★★★★★
I have used coconut oil for years. I usually buy a large jar (long shelf life and stable) for cost purposes. The first thing I noticed is my nails do not break when I am taking it; if I run out they will begin to break again. I think it is the medium chain tryglicerides that help - we don't get enough of those in our diet. I use coconut oil with a small amount of olive oil for sautéing veggies, and sometime I will make a fudgelike dish using a little cocoa, a little sugar and coconut oil to help it go down instead of taking it plain on the spoon. But I also take it and spread it on a piece of Ezekiel bread (flourless bread) and add either a banana or a little jelly. To me it tastes great but I have trained myself over the years. Then I also use the coconut milk which is great in curries. It has the needed fat and I love Panang anything.
How to Take Internally
Posted by Christine (San Diego, California) on 04/06/2007
★★★★★
I have been suffering with the symptoms describing hypothyroidism. Last week I started the EVCO and added the ACV, of course, decided to throw in the molasses. I will keep you all posted on my progress, trying to feel better and lose the 40 pounds I have picked up. Today I write because I have come up with a great drink. It kills two birds with one stone. Here goes:
ONE LARGE MUG
2 BAGS OF LIPTON CARMEL TRUFFLE TEA
ONE TBSP EVCO [Extra Virgin Coconut Oil]
ONE TBPS BLACK STRAP MOLASSES
ONE HALF TO ONE TBSP HONEY
POUR BOILING WATER OVER THE INGREDIENTS IN MUG AND STIR GENTLY WHILE STEEPING TO MELT THE COCONUT OIL.
I could not stand the taste of the molasses, however it is so yummy in this tea. Hope you like it. I have noticed since the evco and acv that like most everyone else, my ENERGY has soared, skin soft, body temp up, hair and nails gowing, dry seriously cracking heels softer and healing (using oil dirrectly) no more claritin, sleeping better, brighter outlook. This is only my seventh day. At first I seemed to gain a little weight, but just today I noticed the scale is down 1 pound. I am keeping at it and will keep you posted. Christine
How to Take Internally
Posted by Mel (Waterford, Connecticut, USA) on 04/16/2007
★★★★★
I feel a better understaning has to be presented in regards to how much EVCO should be ingested at the very start of using this product. As I believe the best way to start using this product is in cooking only to see if you can tolerate its effects. After a couple of weeks, try weaning on a 1/8 tsp in food for a few days, then up it to 1/4 tsp, then eventually to one teaspoon. Move up gradually to a maximum of one tablespoon once a day. I feel once a day is enough to get the benefits of EVCO. Please make sure it's Cold Pressed Extra Virgin Coconut Oil ONLY! You will be safe if you will take these precautions. If you still have a problem digesting EVCO, you may be allergic to coconut products.
How to Take Internally
Posted by Jann (Sydney, Australia) on 04/29/2007
★★★★★
i have only just started tacking vco and with starting anything new for the first time i would highly recommend starting on the smallest dose possible to see if you have any negative reactions (healing crisis included). the desire to be healed quickly unfortunatley means we have a tendacny to take the maximum doseage first up. While this may be alright for some people, i would still proceed with caution. i have a very sensative digestive system - ibs, and have only started taking 5mls daily and have had no negative reactions.
How to Take Internally
Posted by Warren (Costa Mesa, California) on 09/23/2007
★★★★★
It seems odd that so many people have side effects from using vco. I've been using it for oil pulling since the taste is so pleasant. I use at least one tablespoon with a little honey with a jigger of ACV in the morning. No side effects for this 76 year old kid. Now if I could only cure my emphysema.
How to Take Internally
Posted by Jarrod (Fillmore, CA) on 10/16/2007
★★★★★
Coconut Oil -- This stuff is the truth!!! I used to take a tablespoon straight up, but that made me sick. So now I use it to cook my eggs. I also spread it on my toast with some local honey drizzled on there. mmmmmm.... I totally notice an increase with energy! And it's delicious!
How to Take Internally
Posted by Mellybag (Austin, Texas, USA) on 11/03/2007
I have noticed some of you have heart palpitations when you started vco. If newly using vco, start with 1/4 or 1/2 tsp for around two-three weeks, then gradually increase til you get 1 tablespoon. Those who develop diarrhea and acne, etc., your toxins are being expelled so continue using your vco it would eventually stop once your system is clean. Listen to your body, some have no problem having 1-2-3 Tablespoons of vco, while other have. LouAnna from Walmart and elsewhere uses hexane! That is an RBD oil which can be toxic because of the hexane. They steam to remove hexane, but how sure are you it all dissipated? Melly
How to Take Internally
Posted by KLF (New York, USA) on 01/06/2008
★★★★★
hi- i have been using coconut oil for nearly and year and have had near amazing results- i have recommended it to everyone i know. 2 tips, the first one is i always take it on a full stomach (taking it on an empty stomach caused me to become physically ill on more than one occasion, but since i have been taking it after eating i have been fine). also, for people who cant swallow it, i melt mine first, take a spoonful and chase it down with a small glass of oj. it is the only way i can get it down. but it works!
How to Take Internally
Posted by Helle (San Miguel, Mexico) on 03/04/2008
★★★★★
I cook with coconut oil. It's solid, like butter, and I use it as a spread. I don't like to use butter unless its raw and organic. I also use it on my body. I've never noticed any unpleasant side effects,and I eat a lot of it, five six tablespoons a day. It makes a great skin cream.
