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.
Broad Benefits
Posted by Green Augustine (North Wales Uk) on 01/15/2014
★★★★★
I started researching coconut oil last year to help my sister with Alzheimer's. I also started using it myself as I was borderline under active thyroid and found my basal temperature went up from 36.1 to 36.6 on regular basis. For 2 years I'd suffered with sore eyes that felt as if grease was smeared across sometimes so badly I couldn't see to drive. My optician and my doctor both said it was dry eyes and gave me drops but they didn't help. I then went to a Consultant who diagnosed it as post menopause hormonal imbalance which meant my tears were not viscous enough to stick to the surface of my eyes, so I was given Visco tear drops which helped. About the same time I started taking the coconut oil and after about 5-6 weeks realised I was no longer having to use the visco tear drops. I ran out of the oil for 7 days and on day 5 I had to use the artificial tears again. Once I re stocked with Coconut oil, my eyes became problem free again. I was amazed. I can only think that the boost to my thyroid helped balance my hormones. And I no longer have pains in my joints which I put down to allergies! I recently got a stomach virus and doubled my oil intake plus having Kefir and lacto fermented vegetables like sauer kraut and I was was better within 4 days whereas most friends that had it were 12 days or more. For more good ideas read Mary Enig and Sally Fallon's Nourishing Traditions, full of life changing knowledge and research.
Asthma
Posted by Tinkerbell (Austin, Texas) on 03/07/2010
★★★★★
I have been taking coconut oil mainly because I heard it helps UTI's and i got them chronicly. I never expected it to help my asthma! Iv been taking it a few months and I noticed I wasn't useing my asthma meds. I couldn't believe it. Iv been studying coconut oil like crazy for a week now and found that this stuff is incredible! I eat a lot less cause the oil suppress my hunger, my chronic UTI's are gone, I have way more energy, my asthma is going away, my skin is clearing up, dry skin is gone, candita symptoms are gone, chronic headaches are gone. Coconut oil has given me hope for a new life! Don't take it from me! Educate yourself. There is a ton of science behind this stuff, and research that can help you understand what it does and why.
Canker Sores
Posted by Sandy (New Windsor, MD) on 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
Burping
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!
Candida
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.
Appetite Suppressant
Posted by Mary (Boston, MA) on 10/30/2014
★★★☆☆BETTER BUT WITH SIDE EFFECTS
I have two tablespoons of coconut oil a day in my morning smoothie which also includes greens, coconut water, a fruit and coconut milk.
It really cuts my appetite for the day (noticed big time when I missed two days and had a ravenous appetite those days)
There is one draw back though that maybe you can answer. Following the smoothie, about 10 minutes later I get really nauseaus and it lasts a good 20 minutes. I know it must be the coconut oil ...what makes that happen and why and should I make it two smoothies with half the oil. Thanks
Mary
Appetite Suppressant
Posted by Lou (Tyler, Tx) on 02/08/2015
Try taking coconut capsules separate from your juice. They go into the intestines and open up. I believe they bypass the gallbladder. I have trouble ingesting straight coconut oil and the capsules are fine for me.
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.
Bladder Infections
Posted by Beth (Pembroke Pines, Fl, Usa) on 11/18/2011
★★★★★
I can also vouch for coconut oil clearing up a chronic bladder infection. I had all of the symptoms of interstitial cystitis (IC), and I found by accident that if I took coconut oil daily, the symptoms completely disappeared. I have been symptom free for well over a month now. I am about to do an experiment and stop taking coconut oil for a period of time to see if the symptoms return or are truly gone for good.
Cholesterol
Posted by Victor (San Antonio, Texas Usa.) on 11/15/2011
★★★★★
Hi everyone I'm 53 years of age and my significant other is 57 when I first met her she look so vibrant and healthy until a few weeks into the relationship she decided to get really sick on me, well it turned out she had really high cholesterol and acid reflux, I myself had been suffering from high cholesterol for years but did not want to take medicine. One day after getting her home from the hospital I decided to research for a home remedy and I ran into the organic virgin coconut oil I ordered 4 quarts and started her and me on one teaspoon in the morning after a great cup of coffee and 4 months later after a followup with the Doctor- Amen! Cholesterol and Acid Reflux was gone thank you for your time. I recommend this to anybody that is not allergic to COCONUT, GOD BLESS America and all of us.
Body Temperature, Menstruation
Posted by Jake (Chicago, Il.) on 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.
Antibacterial, Antifungal
Posted by Bill (San Fernando, Luzon, Philippines) on 02/11/2011
Hi R... I normsally take a tablespoon of virgin coconut oil (VCO) 2-3 times a day with my coffee. You also needn't worry about VCO clogging up your blood or being stored as fat in your body. The fatty acids in virgin coconut oil are mainly
medium chain triglycerides(MCTs), whereas vegetable oils are wholly made up of mainly
long chain triglycerides(LCTs). LCTs (veg oils) in excess are normally always stored as body fat and can cause problems in the blood and intestines, whereas MCT's are handled completely differently. MCT's are more easily absorbed into the lymph from the intestines and then
all of the MCT's are taken to the liver where some MCT's are converted to glycogen and any excess MCTs are then immediately and directly excreted back into the intestines via the liver. MCTs are not stored in the body tissues as fat like LCTs. Whenever energy is needed by the body, the liver glycogen is quickly converted into ketone bodies and then converted and used in the cells eventually as glucose. No insulin or any glucose regulation involved, the liver controls it all. This is why VCO is so useful for diabetics -- and virgin coconut oil never gets stored as fat in the body. In fact, when I used VCO in my own candida cure, VCO was one of the major reasons why I lost weight. I've been cooking with and using VCO now for over 4 years. My wieght has not and increased and I've never felt healthier.
Regarding HIV therapies, perhaps the best, simplest and one of the most successful is Dr Foster's Selenium HIV therapy. Dr Foster discovered that a major and important enzyme in the liver -- Glutathione peroxidase (protects the liver and body from oxidant damage) -- was heavily depleted in all HIV AIDS patients because the AIDS virus uses it, along with Selenium, amino acids Glutamine, Tryptophan and N-Acetyl-L-Cysiteine (which all become depleted when you have HIV AIDs). Read his free ebook on his HIV AIDS remedy: "What Really Causes AIDS" by Harold Foster
With some small alterations and additions, Dr Foster's therapy is essentially the same as Dr Berkson's therapy for Hepatitis B & C, Cirrhosis and liver disease etc. This therapy simply involves taking Milk Thistle, Selenium, Magnesium and R-Alpha Lipoic Acid daily and is essentially a Triple Antioxidant Therapy to revive and greatly boost the liver, blood and immune system.
A third option is to just take the Chanca Piedra herb everyday (1000 mgs or twice a day). Chanca Piedra is currently undergoing trials against HIV AIDs and has been fairly successful at greatly reducing the viral load. Chanca Piedra is easily obtainable from any health shop and succesfully works to inhibit the reverse transcriptase enzyme in the HIV virus thus completely inhibiting viral reproduction. I know alot about Chanca Piedra -- one of my favourite herbs -- and is another herb that greatly boosts both the liver and the kidneys -- I can personally vouch for this. I grow Chanca Piedra in my garden and I have already used it quite successfully for treating friends and locals who had gallstones, bloating, diabetes, edema, gout, candida and arthritis.
All the above therapies have few if any side-effects and can be combined without problems.
Antibacterial, Antifungal
Posted by Bill (San Fernando, San Fernando, Philippines) on 04/29/2011
Hi Louise... To find out whether you are allergic to virgin coconut oil (VCO) spread some VCO on a small patch of your skin on say your forearm. If you are allergic to virgin coconut oil, the skin area will eventually become red or itchy.
If you are taking VCO, it is quite likely that your reaction is due to a die-off in your body. Sometimes, when the liver is insufficient or stressed, eruptions may occur on the skin to compensate because the skin is also an excretory organ like the liver. This can also be a way for the body to express and get rid of excess toxins. Your racing heart problems may also be due to the excess toxins released from any die-off or Herx reaction.
So if you want to continue with virgin coconut oil, I would try and give your liver more support by taking the Alpha Lipoic Acid(300 mgs twice a day at meals), Selenium (200 micrograms twice day at meals) and Milk Thistle (1000 mgs twice a day at meals) at the same time. Or simply take 1000 mgs Chanca Piedra capsules twice a day at meals. Both these are protective therapies for the liver and will act to help remove excess toxins from the blood quickly and will also spruce up proper liver function.
I would also begin the VCO therapy with a reduced dose, to help you cope with the die-off more easily. Stick to whatever dose you are happiest with. Start by taking one teaspoon VCO three times a day with meals --and work up slowly to at least two tablespoons a day(6 teaspoons) if you can. This should be enough to help provide benefit to your body.
Athlete's Foot
Posted by London (Sandusky, Ohio) on 08/08/2010
★★★★★
I massaged coconut oil once a day on my foot for a week and got rid of athlete's foot.
Autism
Posted by Kathie (Washington UK) on 01/01/2009
★★★★★
Many people who have autism may benefit from an emollient made from powdered epsom salts mixed with coconut oil and then massage with this cream.
Autism
Posted by K (New York, New York) on 05/13/2009
★★★★★
Epsom salts is magnesium (magnesium sulphate). Transdermal application of magnesium is more effective than oral ingestion, though magnesium chloride is better than magnesium sulphate. Magnesium has a significant impact on a variety of major health issues such as ADD, brain function, anxiety, high blood pressure, heart problems, athritis, migraine. Magnesium also protects the cell from poisonous metals like aluminum, mercury, lead, cadmium, beryllium and nickel, which can contribute to Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases multiple sclerosis, and learning retardation.
Magnesium is involved in over 300 processes in the body. Most people are severely depleted of magnesium. Just search magnesium on the web and you will see how crucial it is.
Coconut oil contains Lauric Acid, which both increases transdermal uptake of the magnesium sulphate and is beneficial to the brain and nervous system.
Good health primarily requires healthy saturated fats, adequate levels of magnesium and vitamin A & D in concert. There is a great deal of excellent information at The Weston Price Foundation, which is where I first learnt about the benefits of coconut oil.
http://www.westonaprice.org/splash_2.htm
Herpes
Posted by Peter (Kaitaia, New Zealand) on 07/24/2007
★★★★★
I was diagnosed with genital herpes in 1999. It was a shock to my system, in more ways than one. The nasty bleeding scabs, the weeping sores, the pain - and the horrible sensation on the thighs, like cats clawing at wet skin. (That's just my description.) I heard about coconut oil a year ago and decided to try it. I was guided to take it this way: A tablespoonful in a glass of clear warm water, mix it up, melt it, and drink it. I took it three times a day at regular intervals. I came off my medication, Ayclovir, and waited for the usual attack. (This was after a few months of taking the oil.) But nothing happened. In order to stimulate an attack, to force it, I ate my old 'enemies' - peanuts and bananas, in great quantities, both guaranteed to cause a herpes outbreak. But nothing happened. I have been clear of the genital herpes now for at least six months, perhaps more, and the only thing I want now is to have a blood test to be absolutely sure the infection has gone. Of course doctors will say that the virus is incurable, but something has happened here, something profound and unusual. I have an inner certainty that the virus has been battered about by the oil, to such an extent it has no power left. Of course, I may be wrong. But there is no sign of it.
Bronchitis
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.
Blood Pressure
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.
Blood Pressure
Posted by Brett RN (Hawaii) on 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.
Appetite Suppressant
Posted by Sandi (Wichita, Kansas) on 03/25/2015
I am overweight and I know that if I will not do anything about losing the excess pounds, it's going to cause more health problems in the future. I would like to try coconut oil to suppress appetite. Is there a normal daily dose for this? Should it be taken before or after meal? How many times a day? Is there any side effects that I should look out for?
Appetite Suppressant
Posted by Charity (Faithville, Us) on 03/25/2015
THE GUT ENZYMES are what makes us fat or thin, and then we feed them with what we eat, they affect our hunger hormone. This article is long, but educational.
I eat charcoal capsules at bedtime and my gut is improving . I also eat coconut oil daily and kefir .
http://m.motherjones.com/environment/2013/04/gut-microbiome-bacteria-weight-loss
I hope you find what works for you , we are all in the battle to overcome health issues
Broad Benefits
Posted by Kim (Columbus) on 01/23/2014
★★★☆☆BETTER BUT WITH SIDE EFFECTS
I started rubbing VCO on my lower back about 3 months ago. It gave me a instant relief! I was so thrilled but decided to keep it to myself. I was rubbing it all day as needed and on the third day I woke up with no back pain! I started emailing my family members and got some for my 87 year old mom. We all took it internally 1-2 tablespoons a day, we oil pull with it too. My mom had some remarkable results on her skin. A 25 year old bump on her forehead from a car accident subsided 60% after a couple days of rubbing on direct, after 2 months, it's gone. It seems to sooth her itchy skin and helped her curled toes to relax a bit.
Then going into 3-4 weeks, one of my sister stopped taking it because she was getting stomach pain. Then her old stretch marks started to darken, purple, red and bloody looking.
My other sister was having great results for almost two months with her leg pain and skin problems. Then she had to stop because it was making her constipated, zits under her skin on her face. She got scared due to the bloody wipe when she goes to the bathroom. She went off the oil and is ok now.
I have very mild back pain now after 3 months of taking it internally and using it as lotion after showers. Some day no pain at all but my legs were getting bumpy and itchy all day; extreme, miserable itch. Although VCO did a lot of good for all of us with a lot of little things, we now all stopped due to the side effects. I read up on the detox symptons and I waited over 3 weeks for the itching to go away on my legs which it didn't. Does detox takes this long? My mom had to stop cause she scratched her back to the point of bleeding and was getting boils on her head and bottom. I don't understand what went wrong, it was wonderful the first couple months. We all use virgin, coldpress, the purest coconut oil. My mom did stop for a week and said her itching is 50% better and the boil on her head is flatten. Anyone else that can shed some light on this? Ted, are you around?
Ringworm
Posted by Pam E. (SouthWestern California) on 01/10/2024 148 posts
I've found that the thing that worked quick for my cats on their ringworm was MSM ... in their food.
I gave them -1/32 tsp twice daily (in their meals) ... based on the fact that their weights are from 8.5 lbs. to 9.5 lbs.
Too much MSM will cause runny stool, so best start with a smaller amount than the recommended dose, then work your way up to what they can use (which will not cause runny stools)....
Within a few days their ringworm lesions were noticeably better, & began shrinking right after, until totally gone.... I can't fathom why not even holistic vets seem to know about it!!!
Body Temperature, Menstruation
Posted by Cheryl (Massachusetts) on 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.
Antibacterial, Antifungal
Posted by R (Dallas, Texas) on 02/11/2011
Bill thanks for this informing article. How much VCO would you think is needed, daily, to kill a Virus thats on your list (specifically hiv). I have taken it in the past, and had to stop because I was heavily detoxing, and maybe should have just cut my dosage back. I would like to restart, but dont want to over do it again. Any suggestions? And thanks in advance!
Antibacterial, Antifungal
Posted by Bill (San Fernando, Luzon, Philippines) on 02/11/2011
I forgot to add that VCO also contains both caprylic and myrysitc acid triglycerides(saturated oils). VCO contains 5% Caprylic acid and about 18% myristic acid -- and both these triglycerides provide significant defense either topically as well as internally against fungal and yeast infections. I know first hand how useful VCO is against candida. VCO cured my candida constipation rapidly but gently and my bloating symptoms disappeared within a week of starting to take VCO which was a significant player in my own candida cure.
Antibacterial, Antifungal
Posted by Bill (San Fernando, Luzon, Philippines) on 02/12/2011
Hi R... I forgot to fully address your heavy detox problems.
Whenever you have a detox overload problem -- more properly recognized as a Herxheimer Reaction by medical science -- it really doesn't matter whether you successfully kill alot of the pathogens causing your ailment if your liver is over stressed or becoming diseased because it cannot cope with removing and excreting the debris and toxins from the body. An example of this is Stage 4 cancer. You can successfully kill billions of cancer cells but if you liver is diseased and cannot clear the debris or poisons and toxins, then the liklihood is that the cancer victim may well die of cachexia(starvation), morphine overdose or from the cancer. All three of these outcomes can result from a weakened or diseased liver.
Various alternative therapists have recognized this as key to healing the body. If your excretory pathways are clogged and polluted, you're immune system will remain depressed and you will never heal. Dr Gerson from the Gerson Cancer therapy wisely recognized a healthy liver as a key factor in his cancer and tuberculosis therapies.
Dr Gerson did a famous experiment with two rats. One rat had bone cancer and the other rat was completely healthy. He connected up the arteries and veins of both rats so the blood of the healthy rat ran through the sick rat and vice versa.
The outcome was spectacular. Instead of the healthy rat catching the cancer as you might think, the reverse happened and the sick rat was completely healed.
This proved outright that with a healthy immune system, even cancer will be defeated. And the major organ that he focused upon to tune up the immune system was the liver -- which is the chemical factory of the body.
Which is why I have advised treating your liver with various simple but effective therapies in order to boost your immune system while simultaneously attacking and removing your pathogen problems. This will boost and quicken healing time as well as boost the immune system.
Source reference
http://www.doctoryourself.com/gersonspeech.html
Back Pain
Posted by Ellen (Arlington, Tx) on 09/22/2009
★★★★★
Coconut oil for back pain (pinched nerve)
Yes!!! It worked wonderfully. I rubbed a quarter sized amount of coconut oil on my back a little over an hour ago. It has made the pain go away. I don't know how long the relief will last but I will keep using it.
