Coconut Oil Benefits, Side Effects and Reviews

For internal use: I soften it & pour it into those little candy molds & chill it, then eat them. My dog comes running when she hears me getting it out so she can have her VCO. (I saw a recipe here that mixes it with cocoa & honey) In the summer I use it before sun exposure - and gently tan without peeling.

You should only buy the Virgin Coconut Oils like Nutiva. If you're going to bother doing it, use the one that will give you the most benefits and have best quality.

http://nutiva.com/products/10_coconut.php find it on Amazon, Swanson, Vitacost etc.

I swallow a spoonful as if it were a pill. Down the hatch and there you go!

I used two drops of grapefruit seed extract in about three tablespoons of water for a facial wash. I guess I put too much G.S.E. in not-enough water because my face was burned by it....my skin was dry, dry, dry for almost two weeks....coconut oil helped tremendously. It's great for so many uses! I <3 it.

You ask some good questions. I agree that there is not a one size fits all solution to health problems. I find it fascinating that here at EC, different people respond differently to the same things. It is one of the beauties of EC; lots of people sharing a variety of experiences and options.

The “what to eat” issue is huge. There are so many options, so many opinions. And I don't think there is just one answer. I think different diets are appropriate at different times. Even nature tells us this. For example, a baby cow drinks cow milk, exclusively. As an adult, she eats grass. (Well, cows are fed lots of things, but her natural diet is grass.) Baby humans do best on human milk for many months. Sick or convalescing people need gentle diets. Sedentary people need less food than those who are active.

I don't think there could be a “perfect” human diet. Human beings live all over the globe in different climates with all sorts of different availability of food. Different cultures have different values, beliefs, etc that affect what they eat. My understanding is that people living near the North Pole would eat things like seal and blubber. They won't have much availability for fresh fruits and vegetables, but still the culture lives on. And living in that climate people will need the extra fat to stay warm. The ladies there probably won't look like Barbie, but Barbie would freeze to death living there. I get nervous when I hear about the perfect diet “X.” It is often expensive and not available to many people. I don't think good health is only available to the wealthy who have internet access. If I have to get all of my food online to get the ““best, ” that makes no sense to me. Until recently, it was normal for people to live on local food. So I think a variety of diets will sustain a variety of peoples quite nicely. Sally Fallon's book, Nourishing Traditions has oodles of fascinating stories of people eating an unprocessed local diet. It seems to work out quite nicely for them.

Regarding fats, I agree that processed oils are not healthy. Olive oil is a food that has been used for food and healing for thousands of years. I think it is tried and true. Having seen coconut oil heal my son of mono a few years ago was pretty convincing to me of its health benefits. Should people be taking large amounts of it daily? Well, I am not sure. Most cultures did not have access to that until recently. So, when I consider what local options for fat I would have, it might be possum or raccoon fat. Oh, dear. I am not ready to go there! :)

I think sometimes our problems come in with eating mostly processed foods, eating too much food, getting too little exercise activity. I don't mean at all to imply that anyone with a weight problem or health problem is a lazy glutton. Not at all. It is much more complex than that. Chemicals from a variety of sources (foods, cleaning supplies, vaccines, mercury fillings etc…) can affect our health in a bad way. Overprescription of modern drugs is also affecting health poorly.

But I am not a purist in my food choices. I like to cook and eat healthy and like to use natural medicines. But for me there is a balance in that and being able to enjoy life. While eating potato chips on the couch in front of TV is not usually relational, often meals are a relational activity. To be unable to enjoy a meal prepared by someone else for you because of the fear of its contents will affect relationships. I am not suggesting celiacs eat gluten, nor diabetics sugar but the pursuit of a perfect diet tends can make some people obsessive and fearful, which isn't fun or healthy. I know because I have been there.

I do think food choices affect health. But I also think activity level, attitude and environment and lots of other things affect your health a lot too. Just my very wordy two cents! :)

~Mama to Many~

I have been using coconut oil for 4 months now on and inside my body. I will say first off that I do not believe in this systemic candida issue and these "die-offs. " I do, however, believe in eliminating processed foods from my diet, while eating locally, organically, and sustainable. It is a learning process. So organic virgin coconut oil is great stuff. Here is what I have used it for.

Yeast infection: I am currently suffering from repeated yeast infections... Check that... I am just not getting rid this yeast infection completely. I have tried the prescription pills and OTC creams. Coconut oil is great for relieving symptoms and the infection temporarily. It has been more effective than the creams or prescriptions thus far. My infection has always been minor/mild. I am getting insurance in a few weeks, so I have not been to the doctor recently, so it is undiagnosed, and I am very well aware that I could be misdiagnosing (but after hours and hours and months of reading, I don't think that I am). It began with diagnosed BV and antibiotics (so I know the difference).

Put some coconut oil in a glass, and put that glass in a stopped sink with hot water (about an inch worth). The oil will melt pretty quickly while you brush you do your bathroom routine. Dip an organic cotton tampon in, swirl it around in the oil, and put it on up there. It is pretty much instant relief for me. I leave it in 2-6 hours. After doing this for three days my symptoms will disappear but always temporarily. Basically it gets rid of the problem on the surface but not entirely.

May I suggest that EVERYONE read the V Book. There is a crazy amount of misinformation on this site. Read this book. The chapter on yeast infections is online so just google it. Learn about your body apart from only second hand naturopath advice which, if you understand the complexity of scientific experimentation- studies, you will understand that a naturopath (though sometimes helpful) is not a substitute for a doctor... Meh.. But to each their own. If you have reoccurring yeast infections, put some coconut oil up there to get you through and insist on a culture from your gyno.

Please do not get into these year/s long extraordinarily restrictive diets that drive you to the point of thinking every ache and pain is the candida monster thriving inside of you. Eating a little sugar does not cause yeast infections... Now, if you are drinking a liter of pop a day and over a quarter of milk with a bunch of cookies, etc...well...

Moisturizer/stretch marks: Coconut oil makes a great moisturizer. My boyfriend loves it. I would like to use it as a sexual lubricant as well.

After a month of regular use there is no noticeable difference in my stretch marks.

I do use it on my face and upper shoulders where I have the occasion pimple break out. Coconut oil does not reduce nor cause pimples as far as I can tell. I definitely do not breakout from coconut oil, but it does not seem to have much of an effect on existing pimples. Things are pretty much as they ever were, though I have received compliments on my skin.

Toothpaste: Google a recipe. I have been using it as a homemade toothpaste base for only a week now. Nothing incredible to report, but I do not think that I have bad breath.

Shaving cream: I only shave with coconut oil now! I put a little melted oil on my legs and shave away. It is great! Razor burn is not completely eliminated, but definitely greatly reduced.

Consumption/Internal Use: Okay... I have added 1-3 T in my coffee for... 4 months now, every morning. This does _not_ eliminate yeast infections. It does absolutely nothing as far as preventing/stopping yeast infections. No changes whatsoever from ingesting.

Eating this stuff does increase your metabolism. This means your heart rate will increase and your body temp increases so you will sweat more. I hate this. I have not lost weight (getting back into my yoga routine now.. Exercise and eating right is the only way to lose weight... There is no special tonic). The increased sweating (especially at school or in work when I tend to be more nervous) is terrible. I don't like it. I don't smell great from it either.

This is not a herx reaction or any kind of toxin die off. People that throw out "herx" every time someone has a negative reaction (most of them either allergic or due to severely depriving oneself of carbohydrates/sodium/sugar) make me insane. Look up coconut oil. It raises metabolism and heart rate. I do not have a mysterious systemic candida condition that everyone has and every single doctor ever attempts to mask from their patient's eyes in order to line their pockets with more yeast money. If you are sensitive to raised heart rates (I am and the first day was kind of rough so I had to start smaller and build up the dose) then start with just a little and work your way up. I am going to work my way back down on this one as I am not sure that a little increased energy is worth the sweatiness and warm sensation all day. We will see.

But most importantly, eating coconut oil does not do anything for yeast infections... At least not for mine. I will say that topical application as described above has worked better than Apple Cider Vinegar (did nothing... I started using Apple Cider Vinegar for everything and it did nothing for anything, but I do use it to cook), garlic (did nothing... Ingested and stuck some up there overnight a few times), yogurt (did nothing), probiotics (love for digestion but as suppositories they do nothing for me, and I have tried all of the most recommended brands made especially for vaginal flora harmony).

Really, sunflower oil and corn oil are not real traditional cooking oil.

The traditional cooking oils are:

Olive Oil
Coconut Oil
Sesame Oil

which can be used in any amount in cooking.

In India, the medical industry persuaded Coconut is rich in Cholestrol and convinced people to use sunflower oil.

But, cocounut oil is rich in Vitamin E which promotes proper blood flow in the body, prevents oxidation and balances the cholestrol. Foods cooked in coconut oil is very delicioius when compared with sunflower oil.

IT IS ALL BECAUSE OF SCAM, PEOPLE LOOSE THEIR TRADITIONAL VALUE ALL OVER THE WORLD.

Then I read about taking it internally and decided to try that for the other health benefits as well. I weigh 45 kilos, so Ive been taking only a tablespoon VCO a day in the morning.

The first day I felt nothing, the second I broke out on the right sid of my face something bad. It was a cluster of pimples that refused to surface and just sat there under the skin! It was very painful. The third day, I had more painful spots along my jaw and the left side had two more painful pimples. But I stuck to the oil, halved my carbs intake and kept up a topical application of VCO. By day four, the pain was less, and it kept getting better throughout the day! Now it's day five and the pimples are coming to a head, are completely painless and my complexion has brightened! Over the last year my skin had gotten pretty dark and I thought maybe it was the coconut oil that was pushing the day's tan along. But today, suddenly, my face is three shades lighter! It's strange, I was even in the sun all day today! I guess it's the internal coconut oil working to push out toxins.

Now that I'm taking the VCO internally, I find I have a lot more energy, my skin has a healthy (albiet, pimply) glow and I feel great! I apply VCO on my face and rub it in gently, leaving it on overnight and washing in the morning.

My teeth are whiter too! I simply brush with coconut oil every day, no Western toothpaste for me, haha! I had a problem with pretty yellow incissors and now they are slowly becoming whiter and whiter and my mouth feels super clean!

I love VCO!

My man noticed I changed my recipe for brownies by using coconut oil in place of the usual bottled, vegetable oil. He said they were moist, chewy, and delicious! He's the kinda guy that rarely says anything about a great meal, but I know after 15 years together, if he eats "it", he loves "it"! So, any form of a compliment means "it" gets a "5 star" rating.

My cat began enjoying coconut oil about 2 months ago when he began licking my hands after I applied the oil to moisturize my face and hands. I knew cats had been given coconut oil to remedy ailments but I knew my cat was not going to allow me to introduce anything to him. He's Top Cat and he decides! Now, gets his tablespoons full of coconut oil whenever he tells me. His coat is definitely sleeker and he seems more relaxed. I look forward to seeing more health benefits of his consumption of coconut oil "candy"!

My entire 55 year young, entire body, is showing signs of coconut oil benefits, too. I use to moisturize my face and hands after I use hydrogen peroxide as an astringent. I try to eat a tablespoonful of oil daily, and it is so satisfiying as it melts in my mouth. Yum!

Recently, I've started having this itchy scalp which has so called 'degenerated' into dry flakiness as well! I've tried every anti-dandruff shampoo there is available - the bottles line my shelf in the bathroom, believe me! - yet I'm still scratching my itchy flaky head like mad! Anyhow, last night, I've decided that I'll massage coconut oil to my scalp each night and shampoo my hair in the morning daily and see how it goes... Today's the first day after a coconut oil hair treatment and the itching is less intense. At least I got by today's work without having to scratch my head silly behind closed doors!!!

Watch this space, folks... and to all you consumers of coconut oil, I hope you're enjoying a better quality of life now...

Time to give my head that coconut-oil massage now... :)

Let me also add that feeding this to your cat, dog and/or horse will help their teeth and breath also in addition to being very good for their coats and digestion.

Today, I got regular coconut oil by mail, and also found to my surprise that a local grocery store carried it, but it is more expensive than the mail order.

I am a female who is 38 years old, I was put on simvastatin for high cholesteral, and was having really bad side affects, then I started researching "statins" on the internet and could not believe the potential damage they can do to your body, including destroying muscle tissue! I quit taking the cholesterol pills.

Here are some benefits I have had from taking the coconut oil pills so far:

Menstrual- My period started early, usually painful, this time it was not, however my "flow" was heavy, and only lasted 4 days! I am happy about that.

Reduction in hunger-Often, at night I would wake up hungry, that does not happen since I have started taking the coconut oil pills. I believe I have also lost some weight as well. My hunger is not as "demanding" as it was before.

Sinus Issues-I while back I was diagnosed with chronic sinusitis, and had sinus infection and general problems on a regular basis, my sinus issues have pretty much stopped entirely since starting on these pills.

Acid Reflux/Bad Digestion-Gone! I have had this problem for a LONG time, now it is gone. After trying different enzymes, prevacid, and tons of other stuff, no more stomach problems! It is hard to believe.

When I first started taking the pills, I did experience a feeling that kind of fit the term "brain fog", I have since started only taking them later in the evening after I eat dinner, (since I experience problems with insomnia, I am also seeing if they help with that)and that seems to be a better time for me to take them.

I am trying the new oil on my hair and skin, before I shower, as I type this.

The oil tastes so much better than I expected! It is expeller pressed, so there is no overly strong coconut scent, it is a very lite, slightly creamy taste, and is less expensive. I will def. eventually try cooking with it as well.

I have had diarrhea twice since starting to take the COP's, however, this is something I have had off and on before, and at the first sign of it, I took two charcoal pills, and it did not continue.

I am going to also experiment and see if I get different results from the straight oil versus the pills.

You are confusing terms, and also propagating another myth as bad as the cholesterol myth, and one that goes back even farther.

A glycerol or glycerine 'backbone' can attach one (mono), two (di), or three (tri) fatty acids, and each of those can be any degree (short, medium or long; un-, mono-, poly-)of unsaturation. Saturated fats are NOT bad for you in any amount or way or shape or form, and there are zero properly conducted scientific studies ever done that show them to be bad! If they were bad, then there would have been no 'primitives' living on the tropical islands for Dr. Weston Price to study in the 1920's for their superior health! They used coconuts almost exclusively for their dietary fat.

Coconut has MCTs, medium chain triglycerides, which are shorter than 'long chain', and MCTs are burned preferentially by the cells for energy. The reason is that the body uses the saturated fats as an essential building block in such things as cell membranes. But note that in the table in the link, coconut oil is very predominately composed of saturated fatty acids (over 90 %)!

Yet the tropical residents whom Dr. Price studied were among the very healthiest he'd ever seen,and especially compared to the First World people in the USA, Britain, etc. Of course since then the average First Worlder diet has gone way downhill, and there are almost no peoples extant still living the simple unprocessed food life that Price found quite common in the 1920's.

If anyone there is suffering from herpes virus, please try applying coconut oil on the affected area. Even if you don't have an outbreak you can still rub coconut oil on the affected areas twice daily to stop an outbreak. Coconut oils are easily available in any Indian shops. You can also make it at home. Take some milk from coconut and boil it under high temperature. Keep boiling until all the milk evaporaes. Squeeze the white substance that is left and you will get pure coconut oil. Please try, this oil treatment it really works. You don't have to spend so much money on antibiotics and it is harmless to your body. Goodluck and best wishes

Now for the most important fix: sex drive! I was taking magnesium citrate at about 50 mg daily then worked my way up to 200 mg daily internally. I also have ibs and had a low tolerance to Mg as it caused diarrhea. In order to get more Mg, I started MgCl oil and rub it undiluted on my legs and arms and belly just before bed. Most people wash it off but I guess I'm too lazy and just go to bed. If it itches- cuz sometimes it does, I rub on lotion or coconut oil. After about a month, my sex drive started to return. Sex is more enjoyable- no tightness or discomfort of low hormones like before, and the Big O is easier to achieve than ever. The magic of magnesium is worth every penny. And that is not counting the deep sleep, improvement in insomnia, and the reduction of muscle tension I never realized I had. The chiropractor had been adjusting me three times a week since the adjustment just wouldn't stick. Now he adjusts me once a week and only a couple spots compared to all over my back and neck before. I started each supplement individually due to my extreme sensitivities to supplements and foods.

I must say I also have a lot less spasms in my GI from IBS and food sensitivities since taking magnesium!

Ps. I have found this site tremendously helpful and only hope to give back!

Oh yea. Too much benfotiamine can cause diarrhea. I could only tolerate the 150 mg daily although the studies I read used up to 600 mg daily.

Good luck on finding your health and my God bless and heal you.

K back to the fever... My nephews fever was at 102.3 when I looked up on this site what to use, he was feeling horrible with a really bad ache in his leg and his skin was so sensitive he didnt want us touching him. I found the egg white remedy and sent my mom to get four egg whites from downstairs, had him put on socks and soaked them in the eggwhites then bagged his feet so he could lay in bed. After an hour his fever just barely dropped so I got back on wondering what I did wrong... the socks had absorbed all the eggwhites so I got four more eggwhites and poured those into the baggies and this time put a second pair of socks over the bags to keep the egg whites on his feet. His fever started dropping in about 20 min to (99.4) then he got up and started playing with his cousin... so far its been about 45 min since adding the extra egg whites and he is feeling lots better, I cant account for the temp though because he's been running around playing lol. Right now its 101 but I think its cause hes not laying down and resting... I will post back later as to how long it took for his fever to break, I know it hasnt yet since he isnt sweating.

I'd like to share my modification of Lisa's recipe:

VCO Chocolate Truffles:
3 T VCO
1 1/2 T Cocoa Powder*
3/4 t powdered sugar (10x Confectioners)

Blend VCO, powdered sugar, and cocoa powder until thoroughly integrated. Form into 3 balls; roll balls in cocoa.

The above recipe will provide a daily recommended dosage of 3 T of VCO. If using the ratios in the above recipe, you can increase the amount to make several days of recommended daily dosages.

*Because I like dark chocolate, I used a special dark chocolate cocoa blend for the truffles and rolled the truffle balls in regular cocoa.

Note: Most special dark chocolate cocoas are a blend of natural and dutched cocoas and therefore have less antioxidants than natural cocoas.

Drawback - This may make it difficult to consume ONLY the daily recommended dosage of VCO.