Coconut Oil
Health Benefits

Coconut Oil Benefits, Side Effects and Reviews

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.
Skin Issues
Posted by Renee (El Dorado, Kansas) on 06/21/2007
★★★★★

Dry Skin and Virgin Coconut Oil: I purchased a jar of this a few days ago and am totally hooked. From the first application (topically) my skin let me know it was finally happy. I've not had supple skin since before puberty but I know I will all the rest of my days. Also using it on my hair for a few hours before shampoo'ng. Even the damaged part (ends) of my hair have shown improvement.


Skin Issues
Posted by Holly (Fort Lauderdale, Florida) on 06/30/2007
★★★★★

I just love coconut oil! It's simply my every moisturizer! I used it as a hair oil and face moisturizer for a while now, but when I moved closer to the beach a few months back I noticed my skin always seemed dry..so I tried using it all over my body! WOW! its been 2 months now and each day that has passed I noticed I use less and less oil..it curing my dry skin! This stuff is the things dreams are made of! I love, love, love, it. Try it, tell you family and friends there is nothing naturally better for your skin, it affortable (a little goes a long way) and so multi fuctional as coconut oit!


Skin Issues
Posted by Ray (Charleston, SC) on 07/23/2007
★★★★★

I started taking Virgin Coconut Oil a few months ago at a rate of 2 to 3 tablespoons a day and applying it lightly to the face, arms, and legs I noticed skin tone improved and my skin that was always dry to the point where it itched if I didn't apply lotion right after a bath (and I don't use strong soaps that help to dry out the skin, I use the one advertised as 1/4 cleansing cream) was gone. I didn't notice the weight loss but I did have the small white headed pimples on my face and a few on my chest as some others have had. I think this is cleansing effect. It two made me worry about applying it, but I continued (I only apply at night before bedtime)and the white headed pimples left after about 4 to 7 days. I ran out of coconut oil and actually waited for more for about a month (UPS said the oil spilled, so they ordered another one). I started applying again and the white heads were there the next morning after my first night's application, this time in a smaller amount and instead of 4 to 7 days before clearing it cleared in 2 days. This time I also noticed my bodyfat has dropped. I hope I won't run out of Virgin Coconut Oil again.


Skin Issues
Posted by Dan (Arizona) on 08/07/2007
★★★★★

I first read about using virgin coconut oil (VCO) from _______'s book "_________..." I was quite skeptical, but thought this is something I could experiment with. The promises were great, and I had little to lose. Having been very skeptical, I am reporting only what I know to be a true, reproducible result of using coconut oil.

I began using it about 4 months ago. Beginning with about six teaspoons per day, I immediately noticed an improvement in my skin. I had less acne and my skin became smoother. There was also less oil on my skin and scalp. Since the age of 16, and I'm 38 now, I've had a problem with EXTREME oiliness of the skin and hair loss. The oiliness was also associated with itching and scalp irritation, crusts developing around the corners of my nose and in the skinfolds of my ears, including flaky ear wax. Other symptoms I had, whether or not related to my skin problem, were body odor, bad breath, weight gain and an extremely high appetite. Most likely it all was due to a Candida Ablicans infestation.

The VCO tempers most of these symptoms quite a lot. I'm sure VCO is directly responsible for lowering my scalp irritation, lessening scalp itching, reducing acne, eliminating the crusty, flaky skin anywhere and everywhere it accumulated and making my skin much smoother. Blackheads were a big problem for me, and they seem to be reduced somewhat. What hair I do have on the top of my head is thicker and more lustrous.

VCO does seem to somewhat temper my extremely high appetite.

In addition to VCO, I do have about 400mcg of Selenium per day. Selenium seems to completely eliminate body odor, almost completely arrests the falling out of my hair and helps lessen the extreme amount of oil accumulation on my scalp and skin.

I should mention that nearly all of these symptoms went away when I was on a very low carbohydrate diet and without the use of coconut oil or selenium. Again, this shows that mine is probably a Candida (Yeast) related condition.

Back to the Coconut oil. Here are things associated with VCO that I have not experienced: I've not noticed any weight loss, nor increased metabolism. It does not seem to help my sleep patterns. I have not concluded whether it improves my bathroom regularity. My digestion has always been impressively great, so there's nothing to improve along these lines.. Sometimes I do experience a higher energy level than I'm used to while using VCO. Historically, I'm a pretty low energy person. VCO may change that, but it remains to be seen.

Rest assured that taking VCO orally does improve the skin and it happens right away. In my opinion, VCO may fight Yeast infections and Candida related problems. Best of luck.


Skin Issues
Posted by Amelia (Adelaide, Australia) on 01/23/2008
★★★★★

Hi, i was on the phone to my mother last night and she has always been one to test and try every anti-aging, wrinkle reducing cream on the planet and never had any success. However when calling me up she kept ranting on about this miracle coconut oil and how she read about it in one of her anti-ageing books. She remarked that while she was watching tv my younger sister kept looking over at her, but my mum just ignored this, then she noticed that my sister was staring at her the next day. Eventually my sister asked "what are you using on your face?" to which my mum replied "nothing..." My sister then asked well have you got makeup or bronzer on..and again mum said "no". She told my sister that she had been swallowing 3 teaspoons a day of organic coconut oil. My sister couldnt stop remarking how young my mum looked, with all her wrinkles reduced by over 50%. Well now my sister who is only 16 is addicted to the stuff. Coconut oil really is a mircale.


Skin Issues
Posted by Jennifer (Mesquite, Texas) on 03/08/2008
★★★★★

I LOVE virgin unrefined coconut oil as a daily moisturizer! I can see a huge difference in my skin on my face as well as everywhere else on my body. Here's a great place to find it cheap, and yes, it is virgin unrefined organic. Soaperschoice.com. You have to buy 7 lbs at a at a time, but it costs only $3.88 a pound! I use it for cooking and find it to be a wonderful taste in vegetables! Even my kids like it!. It clears up acne, diaper rash, and dandruf. Here's my natural beauty regimine: My face and body wash is a natural coconut oil based castile soap mixed with baking soda as a natural exfolient. The soap I use is planet brand dish soap. Innexpensive and completely natural ans safe for the environment. I also use the soap as a shampoo. (They have a great website. Go visit it.) I use hydrogen peroxide 3% as a facial toner. then I use the Coconut oil as my daily moisturizer for face and body. I use only a light dusting of mineral makeup, if any at all. I brush my teeth with hydrogen peroxide 3% and a baking soda sea salt mix. This has been the best stuff for my teeth I've ever used! My teeth feel increadibly clean My complexion has improved 100% since using the oil. I have had roseca type spots on my cheeks which have greatly diminished over the past 2 weeks since I started using the oil. I can see fine lines on my face disappearing! I usually only wash my face in the morning then apply the oil. At night, I just put more oil all over my face before going to bed. My skin is naturally normal-dry, so this might be too much for someone with oily complexion. Experiment for yourself. Remember, anytime you need natural products like this, dont pay retail. There are plenty of candle and soap supply places that carry this stuff in bulk for great prices, and are available to the public....including essential oils. Do your homework and start making your own natural homemade beauty products!There are thousands of recipes all over the web. It's not hard. Thanks to earthclinic for being here on the web and for everyone who posts their stories! God bless each one of you, and feel free to email me with any questions.

Skin Issues
Posted by John Smith (Battle Creek, Michigan) on 03/10/2008
★★★★★

I see a lot of people still preaching sun avoidance. If you will only think about it, you will realize nothing could be more unnatural than avoiding the sun. The most important thing is to moisturize with a good plant based oil. I use EVOO, and though it takes considerably longer than more popular oils to absorb, once absorbed it does a much better job healing. Conventional wisdom says there is no such thing as a protective base tan. Reality shows there is.You do need to build up slowly, but a half hour a day of full body exposure is really quite minimal, and will pay benefits in terms of natural Vitamin D production. Don't hide from the sun, you will make yourself sick. Use moderation, and moisturize, and you will be much happier and healthier.


Rash
Posted by Donna (Tunnel Hill, GA) on 02/11/2007
★★★★★

The rash I had lasted for almost two years -- tried everything--natural--I do not like the medical field at all--so a friend of mine who is very much so into alternative medicine started researching about skin--well needless to say she came across and Idia site that said mix tomato juice(organic) and coconut oil(organic) to the rash--the rash was all over my body--I was in so much pain from the rash I was crying--so I mixed it in the blender--put towels down in my bathtub--so as not to make a mess--my husband bless his heart--took a big cooking spoon and pored it on me--as he was pouring I was rubbing it in--yes it had a very much so tingling effect--but we didn't stop--we did this for about 15 minutes--then I didn't wash it off we just kind off blotted it--put on some clothes I didn't mind messing up--the next morning the rash was almost gone--I did the treatment one more time--as of this day which has been about a year--I have seen no signs of the rash--hope this will help someone else--Donna


Rash
Posted by Amanda (Dover, DE) on 01/29/2008
★★★★★

I used coconut oil on my son's diaper rash. It went away in one night after I had been trying other creams for days and it just got worse. The exact measurements I used: well I put my fingers in the jar and scooped some out and rubbed it on!


Psoriasis
Posted by Christine (VERNON B C, CANADA)
★★★★★

I take extra virgin coconut oil every day, internally and topically, I swear by it, My psoriasis has all but cleared up, and my skin has improved, I just feel better when I take it.

Psoriasis
Posted by Stephen (Cannelton, Indiana) on 03/11/2008
★★★★★

I decided to try Coconut Oil to see if it would help me lose some weight. It never, but I had another interesting side benefit. It has almost completely healed up my severe case of Psoriasis. It has at least taken it to the point that I can pay little to no attention to this ailment that has dogged me for almost 40 years now, since I was 7. I started off with two tablespoons of extra virgin coconut oil, one in morning one late afternoon. After the short break that proved it was the coconut oil having an affect on my skin, I started using coconut oil capsules 1000mg twice a day, but had to up the dose to 2 1000mg twice a day. I have not experienced any flare ups yet and it has been more than a few months almost completely (old scars starting to fade)clear now.


Prostate
Posted by Olivia (Brooklyn, New York) on 02/10/2008
★★★★★

Coconut oil reduced my husband's swollen left testicle about 85 percent in one week of light massage. My husband is terrified of seeing a doctor. There is no negotiating with him. The answer is a resounding no. For the past two months I have been giving him a combination of saw palmetto and pygeum tablets for prostate problems. He had terrible dribbling of urine and waking up many times per night. I gave him two of each tablet twice per day and within three days his bathroom runs were reduced to twice per night from four or five times. After about six weeks was reduced to once per night. I was therefore in shock when one week ago I noticed one testicle was three times its size and hard. He had been hiding it because he was afraid I'd insist on him going to the doctor. He said there was no pain. I was terrified of the thought of testicular cancer but he said he did not care he was not going to the doctor. He is 63 and cannot remember the last time he saw a doctor. Well I prayed and the thought of massaging it with coconut oil came to me. It has been one week since I'd take some oil in my hand and massage lightly from groin to under and around both testicle area. I'd then take another generous helping of oil and cup the swollen testicle in it while praying. The swelling has gone down about 85 percent in one week. I will continue doing so even after all the swelling leaves because I am hoping for a complete cure of the dribbling, which is also much better. I forgot to mention that I also started giving him two ounces of noni juice and two ounces of goji juice per day. I was so scared that I tried everything. I think the coconut oil is key though. I give one juice in the morning and the other at night.

Primary Complex (Tb of the Lungs)
Posted by Marites (Manila, Philippines) on 09/12/2007
★★★★★

After I read all those comments and feedback...so I decided to send my feedback...my daughter (2years and 3 months old) got a good results to her VIRGIN COCONUT OIL. i think its last year it was prescribed by her pedia and I hesitate I always think that if its safe to her then maybe it is safe coz it was what my pedia said....finally I gave her VCO.... last week of august until now, and I discover the effect...my daughter has a history of PRIMARY COMPLEX....her lungs is very weak....and her pedia said...try VCO she said it is good to her lungs daw....then I tried...ITS REALLY FANTASTIC...all her phlegm has been blown....she always make spit with phlegm ....before....after she got cough (a severe cough) the next will be cold...and next is fever....then I always rushed her to her pedia....and as always ANTIBIOTICS....ANTI ASTHMA....SALBUTAMOL.......CARBOSISTEINE.....what else....she always take med....thats the usual...when she had a COUGH...her hard phlegm makes her weak...then finally I found the best remedy for cough...I think ah...and as far as my daughter experience is concern... eventhough she does not have a COUGH right now....she always make spit with PHLEGM...and finally I don't heard any sounds HALAK to my child...THANKS TO GOD...because I always pray what should I do...I always think to my child for her condition and her health is so weak because of her lungs...and now VCO... is her "so called" VITAMINS.....10ml a day before she sleep and it mixed with her milk.......i always pray to GOD and I'm always thankful...for the VCO...and now I'm also using it for my face, hands and elbow so far....im saying this as a feedback and comment not an ADVISE....so please consult first to her doctor before taking it....thanks

Pores
Posted by Sandy (Bangalore, India) on 11/29/2007
★★★★★

I drink coconut oil 2 teaspoons in the morning with my breakfast, and my facial open pores have shrunk completely.Sometimes I drink 2 teaspoons in the morning with breakast, and 2 teaspoons in the afternoon with my lunch.


Perioral Dermatitis
Posted by Cain (VA Beach) on 01/20/2006
★★★★★

I recently started using coconut oil on my skin. I have really bad acne and i tried almost every acne product you can think of and spent hundreds of dollars on medications and nothing worked. I came across some information on coconut oil and decided to try it. I started using the coconut oil two weeks ago. My skin has improved greatly. The texture of my skin is no longer dry and flaky, plus my pores are much smaller. My face looks so much clearer and I actually have been getting compliments on my skin and how healthy it looks. I want to mention that I have perioral dermatitis which in the past I had to use a steroid to get rid of this condition but as soon as I stopped the steroid the condition would come back much worse. I applied coconut oil on the affected area, and now I have no signs of dermatitis present. Coconut oil has worked for me so far.



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