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.
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
Cellulite
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.
Circulation
Posted by Jamie (St. Petersburg, FL) on 01/31/2008
★★★★★
My boyfriend was tired of seeing me uncomfortably cold all the time. He became uncomfortable knowing that I couldn't relax from always being so cold. He did some research and discovered that my body temp. was averaging 96.8 F. He suggested I take Coconut Oil for a while to see if it would help. We honestly can't believe it! I, for the first time, am not constantly cold. Yes, I do occasionally get cold but nothing like I use to. I'm actually relaxing now. It's has made such an improvement to my life. Would definitely suggest it for anyone with a similar situation.
Cholesterol
Posted by Pegiot (Leavenworth, KS) on 12/01/2007
★★★★★
My cholesterol was a little high (212) although my ratio of low to high density cholesterol was fine. I was already using a low carbohydrate diet and I added 1 tablespoon of extra virgin coconut oil daily. After 3 months, my blood work was re-done. My total cholesterol had declined to 187.
Circulation
Posted by Deloris (Covington, GA) on 07/06/2007
★★★★★
My husband suffers from cold hands and feet, but since he's using the Extra Virgin Coconut Oil(Organic) he has not had any problems since. I use it on my hair and it makes it look healthier and stronger than it has in years.
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.
Athlete's Foot
Posted by Dianne (Mansfield, MA) on 07/02/2006
★★★★★
within 2 days of using my athlete's foot has totally cleared. My husband has also had the same results.
Blood Pressure
Posted by Michael (New Zealand) on 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
Blood Pressure
Posted by KS (IL) on 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.
Insomnia
Posted by Maureen Davis (United States) on 07/02/2019
★★★★★
I've googled for this but I haven't found any thing about using coconut oil externally and sleeping better. Since I hit full blown menopause a couple of years ago getting a good night's sleep has been a problem. I've had, at times, difficulty getting to sleep and staying asleep. Quite by accident I noticed that on the nights I used coconut oil to moisturize my leg, feet, hands, and arms I would fall asleep within 20 minutes instead of my hour or more of tossing and turning. I tested using it and not using it and consistently the nights I used it I fell asleep effortlessly. So, one night when I had something I was worrying about I woke up at 4:00 in the morning and was unable to go back to sleep. I thought to myself, well why not try rubbing on some coconut oil. I couldn't believe it when I found myself waking up at 7:00 fully refreshed. Like I said, I haven't seen this anywhere else on the internet so I hope it helps someone else.
Make Your Own Coconut Oil
Posted by Jean (Ontario, CA) on 01/04/2015
★★★★★
It is easy to make coconut oil. Get 1 coconut (dried with husk removed), grate the coconut, pour some water on and squeeze out the milk. Boil that until you see a custard base with the oil floating on top. That my friends is the purest form of coconut oil you will ever get. Do it out on the barbecue outside, it smells. Saw my grandparents making it in the country in jamaica when I was a child. The custard is the best sauce you can taste, goes with any meat or fish..superb!!
Broad Benefits
Posted by Stephanie (Philadelphia, Pa) on 05/16/2014
★★★★★
I have very good results with coconut oil. Grew back my hair with hot oil treatments, great for heartburn, great for weight loss. I mixed with my yogurt, oil pulling/teeth. Forget teeth whiteners! Bye bad breath. Good for sunburn..stay indoors, while sweat to death. Great for colds. Add a spoon to some tea. Lighten your complexion by mixing a little with shea butter once a week. Great butter substitute. Recently tried for asthma. Perfect results. Added and drank hot tea three times during an attack, completely disappeared...not even a wheeze. I swear by this stuff. My cat loves it to. great for her constipation/anal sac issues. I let her lick a little off a spoon. She's too smart for me to add it to her food. My only downside is that the more I drank it, the more I passed kidney stones. I had to slack off a little. I would like to use it for hemorhoids, but need to figure a how to?
I do have a question. Any reviews for Trader Joes coconut oil. It's the only one I use and it's the cheapest.
Broad Benefits
Posted by Greta (Kamloops, Bc, Canada) on 01/16/2015
They symptoms as described above must have been horrible!! And I really empathize with each one of the ladies. Rather than an allergic reaction to VCO, it sounds more like a response - something being kicked out of the body. Quite possibly parasites.
The boils, zits, itching, stretch marks darkening, constipation and bloody wipes all sound indicative of parasites and I can only imagine how terrible the itching might have been. Naturally the symptoms would eventually cease once the VCO is discontinued however, the original problems would still exist. When one says they are fine, I would question what that means. Constipation would occur if there is a large mass of material in the bowel that was dislodged from the effects of the VCO and perhaps an enema would have helped solve the problem. Bloody wipes can occur from material being excreted from the bowel was not excessive, this would be sporadic until the material (parasites?) was eliminated.
The first thing that comes to mind when one incurs symptoms such as above is a bowel cleanse.
I really hope others experiencing similar symptoms will look at doing a bowel cleanse.
Broad Benefits
Posted by Dianne (Houston, Tx) on 09/02/2012 6 posts
★★★★★
I have been using virgin organic coconut oil, for several months now. I have been taking a teaspoon of it twice a day. It's properties are anti-bacterial, anti-fungus and I love the taste, and I keep finding more uses for it. My last visit to my general practitioner surprised both of us, my blood pressure was lower than it had ever been 120/60 and I am 70 years old. The only thing I have changed since I saw her last was the addition of coconut oil to my diet. I am now using it instead of moisturizer, and use it instead of conditioner for my hair. The results are miracleouse! Additionally my german shepherd who is 12 years old has been scratching and driving me crazy. I took her to the vet and thought possibly she had parasites. After spending $300, and several tests -- they could not find the cause of it. I starting giving her a teaspoon of coconut oil once a day, and just realized she is no longer itching. Additionally, she has lost her "doggie odor. " As there is not a lot about coconut oil on your site -- I wanted to share this. I believe it is one of the "miracle" foods!
Circulation
Posted by Merona (Bellevue, Wa) on 04/29/2012
★★★★★
My temperature has always lower than normal. Having a subnormal temperature causes one always to run colder, than most, I dealt with it by wearing silk underwear, super long ski socks, and layers of clothes, covering my ears wearing cashmere hat, scarf, shawl, I always thought it was because I was so thin but then my dr pointed out that I was subnormal. I started taking organic coconut oil and that has helped tremendously.
Broad Benefits
Posted by Pattyc (Milwaukee, Wi) on 02/12/2011
★★★★★
I have "accidentally" found 2 cures using Coconut Oil. The first was when I had a terrible case of bacterial vaginosis. Every over the counter remedy I tried did not work and I was going on one month of having this infection, trying different medications and finally before I decided to go to the doctor to get a prescription, I tried some coconut oil in place of the other medicines, and the next day it was gone.
The 2nd instance of a cure was for my minor hemorrhoids, which are an occasional reminder of being in labor for 12 hours. Usually a little Preparation H will take care of it, but the most recent incident, the Preparation H was working only slightly, and this went on for almost 2 weeks. Usually this medicine works in a few days and it's gone but not this time. So I thought "what the heck" and tried some coconut oil on the hemorrhoid, and it was gone by the next morning... AMAZING!
Bursitis
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.
Broad Benefits
Posted by Elisabeth (Encinitas, Ca) on 09/11/2009
★★★★★
My acupuncturist recommended I use Virgin Coconut Oil as a more stable cooking oil than olive oil and for it's is generally beneficial qualities. I loved it so much I started using it on oatmeal, on salad, in smoothies, on toast. Probably about 2-4 Tbsp a day total for the last 7 months. I also started buying organic coconut milk to make rice with and smoothies, fresh coconuts for the water and meat and ice cream made of coconut milk. Although I am extremely active my weight rarely fluctuates down - to my surprise I lost a few pounds after the first month of gorging on coconut products and it never came back. My recovery time (lactic acid pain) after sports has completely vanished and my joint/tendon issues are much shorter and less painful. I also used to have extraordinarily fragile skin and hair from years of medication and am noticing much less bruising, tearing, scarring etc and overall better tissue strength suppleness.
Hypothyroidism
Posted by Robert Henry (Ten Mile, Tn.) on 07/22/2016
Mmsg, as usual, you gave our friend Namaw good advice. There is a second way and that is to spray your body down with MgCl about 20 minutes prior to a shower. You really can do this even without a shower. You can do this on your arms and legs anytime.
The guy who told me about this had AFIB and this technique helped his situation.
=========ORH========
Hypothyroidism
Posted by Mama To Many (Tennessee) on 07/25/2016
Dear Namaw,
I have been thinking about your cramping issue and the need to not have things that irritate your ibs.
I know you have tried many things, but have you tried a banana before bed at night? My husband used to take banana before bed to ward off cramps if he had been sweating a lot in the day. I also give banana to kids who are cramping from dehydration with a stomach virus. Bananas tend to have a binding effect, for most people that is...
Have you tried turmeric? I do not see it listed on the cramp page as a remedy, but perhaps it hasn't been tried. According to my Nutritional Herbology book, turmeric is high in potassium and magnesium, both good for cramps. And turmeric is a great diarrhea remedy. A typical dose would be 1 teaspoon in water or milk or yogurt or whatever. Some people take that even 2-3 times each day for different ailments.
Also, red raspberry leaf is high in magnesium and potassium and also a anti-diarrhea herb. You would want to make a strong tea of it, taken at bedtime or in the evening.
Just a few thoughts...
~Mama to Many~
