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 Sheanna (Douglasville, Atlanta, GA) on 11/25/2008
★★★★★
I take 3 teaspoons of coconut oil a day, 1 teaspoon before each meal. I notice that it lowers cholesterol. Also, I have less headaches and feel awesome. I have also lost 20 pounds taking the coconut oil. Guess what - I still eat what I want! I haven't changed any eating habits. I also drink 6 to 8 glasses of water. I also use this as a hair care product on my scalp. I used to have two bald spots that have been growing like crazy. I have tried everything on my bald spots and nothing has worked but coconut oil. Extra virgin coconut oil is a blessing in my life.
How to Take Internally
Posted by Karen (Santa Clarita, CA) on 08/13/2008
★★★★★
I've just started taking Extra Virgin Coconut Oil for psoriasis. I always use a pendulum to assess proper dosages when taking herbs or supplements. You can use anything that dangles (I've even used my key chain) and I've made pendulums from a paper clip or safety pin attached to a thread. Hold the item in your left hand and hold the pendulum in your right hand over the object as you ask the question for a "yes" or "no" response. If the pendulum swings from left to right as when a person motions "no" the answer is no. If the pendulum swings from north to south as in a person motioning "yes" then the answer is yes. Or if the pendulum swings clockwise the answer is "yes" and if it swings counterclockwise the answer is no. Simple. In the case of EVCO I first asked "Would it be beneficial for me to take this EVCO now?" The answer was "yes". Then I asked if it would be beneficial to take 1 Tbs. The answer was "no". I asked if it would be beneficial to take 2 tsp. The answer was "no". Then I asked if it would be beneficial to take 1 tsp. The answer was "no". From there I knew I had to take either more than 1 Tbs. or less than 1 tsp. So I asked if it would be beneficial to take 1/2 tsp. and the answer was "yes"! I had my correct dosage for my body. Interestingly, after taking 1/2 tsp. EVCO I had a queasy stomach, but didn't get sick. Imagine how I would have felt had I just gone ahead and taken 1 Tbs. without checking with the pendulum! I will continue with the 1/2 tsp. dosage until my body tells me to increase or decrease the dosage. I hope this will help you too. Karen
Gum in Hair
Posted by Terese (Cedar Rapids, Iowa) on 05/23/2008
In the past for gum in hair, I have used peanut butter, crisco oil, vegetable oil and have done the freezing method with ice cubes. That is a mess in comparison and takes forever. I have a 16 year old daughter with hair down to her bottom. I know about gum in hair. Nothing has ever worked for me like extra virgin coconut oil and in half the time. I wish I would have known about it 16 years ago. :0D
Snoring
Posted by Kelley (Perry, UT) on 05/11/2008
★★★★★
Every night before bed, my husband and I put a little coconut oil up in our nostrils/mose. Ever since we started doing thtis, he has a lot less trouble with allergies, and he says that I no longer snore! Not that I ever was a real loud snorer, but whatever heavy breathing that blockage or congestion was causing, it is now gone! It only takes about 1/4 tsp. - just a tiny bit on your fingertip for each nostril.
Tumors
Posted by Anita (Augusta, GA, USA) on 04/20/2008
★★★★★
I started taking coconut oil (virgin for eating and regular coconut oil for cooking) and in 3 months a tumor I had in my ear that I was suppose to have removed by a surgeon, shrunk to almost nothing, the doctor mentioned he had never had a patient were a tumor in the ear shrunk that fast, so I guess the coconut is working!
Skin Issues
Posted by Cured (Niceville, Fl) on 01/05/2010
★★★☆☆BETTER BUT WITH SIDE EFFECTS
Just had to add my two cents as I am fairly pale (white as ghost in winter though I tan well in summer) acne prone 31yr old female. I have suffered acne since puberty.
About 4 months ago I started using ACV as a toner which started to clear acne. I started turmeric capsules (i make these from the spice) and VCO as a face moisturizer about the same time (a month ago) so not sure which is giving me good results as they both work for acne. The first few week I experienced clearer skin but I did break out even more the second and third but now it is starting to get under control and the last few days it seems any break outs are not as severe and skin is almost blemish free.
Most likely it is a detox effect and will pass as I now believe I have some candida die-off symptoms. Try it on a different part of your body say hands or a small patch on your back. As I read these testimonials of side effects--it is sad for the ones that stop (most I read sound like candida die-off) seems they are the ones that can benefit the most. I agree there are a few that should not take it--do your own research on the internet and treat the advice of at least american dr's like a grain of salt. This is the information age--do your own research! No--nobody wants to deal with diarrhea, vomiting, embarrassing acne, flu like symptoms, brain fog and other possible side effects. These are temporary side effects of toxins that are in the body--and the body needs to expel them in some way or another. Start with a small amount--and start as young as possible (i read it is good for diaper rash) before you develop ailments that one by one rob you of YOUR life!
Energy Booster
Posted by Gislain (Phoenix, AZ) on 02/29/2008
★★★★★
I've had Coconut Oil sitting around my house and only used it for cooking. I heard it was a great alternative to Hydrogenated Vegetable Oils. But since reading about the health benefits from Coconut Oil on this website, I thought it would be good to try for my depression and lack of energy I feel mainly in the mornings. Sometimes, I just cannot move or do anything! I ate a tablespoon and managed not to gag from the texture or lack of taste. Within a HALF-HOUR, I went from not wanting to be around and lethargic to INSTANT ENERGY! I was doing chores, showering, moving about and realizing that the Coconut Oil helped me start my day. It felt like I drank two cups of coffee! Throughout the day, my heart was beating pretty heavy so I will try taking half a tablespoon in the upcoming days. This is a WONDER FOOD!
Glands
Posted by Melynda (Niagara Falls, Canada) on 01/29/2008
★★★★★
I have had a chronic thyroid condition including goiter and hypothyroidism for years. I have been taking thyroidisine prescribed by my doctor, 1.75 mg per day for 1 1?2 years. The weight loss was slow and I always feel as If there is something stuck in my throat. I would often start coughing and throwing up, because of the condition. my T3 levels were at 90, after a year they are at 3, finally. However I now take coconut oil reliving the constant pain in my neck, therefore i take it everyday. it makes me feel alive, after many years. The weight loss has been slow, I will mix a tablespoon in my coffee in the morning. I spread it on bananas, just so I am getting the desired amount. I find it still hard to swallow, and when I combine my thyroid prescription with the oil, It makes all the difference in my comfort level of my neck area. Slowly, the goiter is shrinking. i will continue to buy coconut oil, the benefits are very great. It still often uncomfortable and I have weight to loose, It is a slow process, but the oil makes a great difference in my energy and throat irritation.
Herpes
Posted by Mike (Spokane, WA) on 01/02/2008
★★★★★
I have suffered from fever blisters (herpes simplex) on my lips for many years. I read that VCO reduces viral loads in the body so I gave it a try. Have had spectacular results (better than lysine) and no more outbreaks for 9 months. Regarding some of the negative feedback, I was shocked to read of the problems people have had with VCO - I guess because my experience has been so positive. My suggestion is to add some butter along with the VCO. Not sure why this works but it also works to stop repeat when taking fish oil.
Cheap Coconut Oil Sources
Posted by Mousehouse62 (North Richland Hills, Texas) on 02/27/2012
I also buy my VCO from Vitacost and through Amazon in which I can get some great deals! Yes, it does come in plastic, havent found it in glass yet but I use it after I shower, in all my cooking and have made desserts using VCO instead of the "oil" that was called for. I get compliments on my skin all the time and my son loves to snuggle up to me smelling like a coconut. I wont use anything else to cook with or slather with!
Hair
Posted by Danielle (Atlanta, Georgia) on 09/03/2007
★★★★★
I am a black woman with fine hair. I have never been able to have the shiny beautiful hair I wanted so I wore weaves and braids for many years because my "real" hair was sooo hard to take care of and it always seemed to break off. recently I took my weave out, and I was worried because my hair is down my back and I thought it would break off, but I discovered VCO and have been using it, my hair that was once dull is now shiny, it doesn't tangle, it doesn't come out in huge amounts when I comb it like it did before, and the ends look wonderful. I don't have to use any of the expensive products for my hair anymore. I only need the shampoos. It works great and even protects your hair from heat of blowdrying and flat ironing. I will use this for the rest of my life and I am going to start using it on my body and eventually eating it to see what it does for my entire body. It smells good, and it is really lightweight on your hair. I love it!!!! You will too.
Cheap Coconut Oil Sources
Posted by Daphne (Brunswick, Georgia) on 11/19/2008
Extra Virgin and Virgin Coconut Oil are the only coconut oil's with health benefits I was told. If you spend $7 you could spend $10 and get better health results. I have the caplets and I love them. They are helping with my Hypothyroidism. I already feel so much better.
Hair
Posted by Jill (MH, USA) on 07/04/2007
★★★★★
I have been also been heating up virgin coconut oil and putting it in my hair as a hot oil treatment. It washes out easily. Leaves my hair shiny and I don't use expensive hair products anymore. Since doing this my hair has stopped coming out in huge amounts anymore. I have a low thyroid and have suffered hair loss. But now my hair is coming back thicker and Im not losing it anymore at a high rate. Plus its cured me of a dry itchy flaky scalp also.
Hypothyroidism
Posted by Rischa (Seattle, WA) on 06/23/2007
★★★★★
coconut oil. I started taking it because I read it could help regulate my thyroid. Even tho medicated for my hypothyroid, I continue to have symptoms. I began coconut oil and found I had to reduce my levothyroxine by 1/3 2 weeks after starting taking about 3 tbsp daily. I am hoping it will continue to get better!
Teeth
Posted by Lucille (Jersey City, USA) on 04/23/2007
★★★★★
Wow! I just read this cure [oil pulling] for the first time and decided to try it with my organic coconut oil. I still can't believe it but the chronic sensitivity I had in two of my teeth is gone! It's hard to tell which teeth were hurting! And my teeth feel different.
Hypothyroidism
Posted by Carolyn (Lorain, OH) on 02/25/2007
★★★★★
I have been taking virgin coconut oil for eight months now because I read it will help regulate my thyroid.I am hyper-thyroid and have been on medication for the past four years.Last month I stopped my meds.because I was told my thyroid is in remission now.I believe the oil is what helped me.
Hormones
Posted by Pam (Ocala, FL) on 01/30/2007
★★★★★
I started taking coconut oil when I saw Doctor that wrote, "The Cure," on Rachael Ray Show. It is supposed to help with hormones. I have to admit, I'm not using as much progesterone cream since I've been using the virgin Coconut Oil. I put about a tablespoon in my morning oatmeal.
Hormones
Posted by Cat (Washington, Dc Usa) on 05/18/2010
★★★★★
I started supplementing my diet with coconut oil (3 tbsp 3x day) one week ago to help with weight loss ... and I've had a wonderful and unexpected side effect. I've been dealing with perio-menopause and hot flashes for the past six months. Interestingly, within 24 hours of beginning my coconut oil dosing, the hot flashes that I had been suffering from have all but stopped! I have gone from having about 20 hot flashes a day to maybe one or two, at most. Most days now I don't have any! Also, I am not always good about taking all my doses and one day I even missed all of them and the hot flashes did not immediately return.
Glands
Posted by Michelle (Rock Springs, WY) on 01/13/2007
★★★★★
I had a low functioning thyroid, very dry hair and skin. Since taking the Virgin Coconut Oil I no longer need my thyroid meds. My hair is soft and silky and my skin has dramatically improved. I cook with it and I also put it on my face 2x per day. What a miracle, I have also noticed an increase in energy. Other cure I found for it was diaper rash. My baby had a really bad rash while teething, her bottom would bleed and none of the creams at the store seemed to do anything at all, so I tried the coconut oil and with one application her bottom cleared up dramatically and the next day it was completely gone!
Digestive Issues
Posted by Irene (Bayville, NJ) on 12/20/2006
★★★★★
Coconut Oil cured my IBS and Bowel Distention. It was a little tough getting used to the taste tried all sorts of ways to get used to it but I actually don't mind it in my morning coffee. It has also made my skin very soft and my nails are growing like crazy. I will keep this one in my diet I feel so much more energy and it has only been a week!
