Coconut Oil Benefits, Side Effects and Reviews

Broad Benefits

Posted by Sharon (Pace, Florida) on 04/22/2008
★★★★★

I wrote in the past that I used coconut oil to treat my cats Rhino Virus and ringworm. For myself I take 1 Tbs orally. I have used in on my hair before I wash it. My hair is so soft afterwards.It's great for dandruff. As for my cats I treated the ringworm topically and the rhino virus was treated orally. My cats seem to really like it. They get about a tsp orally. They like it liquid so I run it under hot water. My dogs get about 1 Tbs and they love it too. It has helped Yeast on the skin and allergies. I work as a groomer so I try it for several skin problems.

Yeast

Posted by AC (West Midlands, England) on 04/21/2008
★★★★★

I read about Coconut oil on this site and went to my local health store to ask if they had any. They said no, but they suggested I take caprylic acid, which is in coconut oil and helps cure yeast overgrowth. I purchased it to help cure my athlete's foot and stomach discomfort.

I purchased it and I took one 350MG tablet daily as per directions. It did not cure my athlete's foot like I wanted, but I felt less hungry, less tired, and my stomach felt better. I also lost weight without serious effort. I've been taking it for two months now.

Warning: I experienced two things while taking this: stomach discomfort and a slightly yeasty odor coming from my body for a week or two.

The yeasty smell rubbed off on my washcloth and towels. I discovered by accident that putting a capful of hydrogen peroxide (the regular kind from the pharmacy, not the food grade kind) in my bathwater stopped this. It stopped me from emitting the yeasty smell and from transferring it to my wash cloth and towels.

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!

Broad Benefits

Posted by WAYNE (TRELAWNY, JAMAICA) on 03/20/2008
★★★★★

I DISCOVERED THE SITE JUST A WEEK AGO AND MADE SOME VCO, I HAVE FOLLOWED THE ADVISE OF SOME OF YOUR CONTRIBUTORS BY USING THE VCO IN MY FOOD PREPARATION,I HAVE NOT YET STARTED TO TAKE IT IN IT RAW STATE BY THE TBL. SPOON AS YET, HOWEVER, I HAVE NOTICE SOME LEVEL OF IMPROVEMENT WITH ME.

1. I HAVE BETTER BOWEL MOVEMENT.
2. I HAVE MORE ENERGY DURING THE NIGHTS
3. I FOUND MYSELF SNEEZING FOR THE FIRST FEW NIGHTS AND A BURNING SENSATION IN ONE NOSTRIL
4. I HAVE LOST A FEW POUNDS.
5. PERSON HAS BEGAN TO TELL ME THAT I LOOK FRESH AND RELAX.
6. I SLEEP BETTER THROUGH THE NIGHT.
7. I FIND MUCUS CONSTANTLY COMING TO MY THROAT.

TRY THIS:
MAKE TOAST BUT FIRSTLY START TOASTING THE BREAD (WHOLE WHEAT),BEFORE ITS DONE TAKE THE BREAD OUT APPLY SOME VCO AND PUT IT BACK TO FINISH TOASTING ITS TASTE GREAT

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.

Hair

Posted by Mary (Chicago, IL) on 02/08/2008
★★★★★

Of all of the remedies/cures I've tried on this board my ALL-TIME favorite is Coconut Oil, prefer Barlean's but also have used Garden of Life's version. Why? Because ever since I started using it on my hair it's become silky smooth without being greasy. It has made my once dry, unruly curly hair extremely manageable. Nothing has worked on my hair like coconut oil and I've tried every brand of conditioner known to man to make my hair manageable. Also, it's a great moisturizer on your face, especially if you live in a harsh climate like I do in the Midwest. I use it in the morning and at night. Also, I use it on my legs. It has reduced the dermatitis and itching I get in the winter. So definitely go to the health food store and buy this product, it's definitely worth it!

Hair

Posted by Sharyg (Miami, Fl, Usa) on 01/13/2012
★★★★★

For hair, I use enough to cover the entire head until all the hair is saturated. About 2 or 3 tbsp. I cover with a shower cap or plastic bag for 30 minutes to an hour. If I'm cleaning the house that day I'll leave it in till I'm done. I then wash it out with a sulfate free shampoo. Love Peter Lamas shampoos. They are 100% vegan and they are the only sulfate free shampoos that I've found to lather real well, and not leave hair feeling like straw (wich castile soap does). After washing all the oil out I put in my regular conditioner for 10 minutes. Rinse, put in a little leave in conditioner and voila!!!! Beautiful amazing hair. Not only does it look healthy, but it looks so thick!!! Super shiny, and it is soft like silk. I was never before able to achieve hair like that. And I've spent thousands of dollars since my teenage years, in expensive hair treatments. This is it! The miracle I've been looking for!!!

Glands

Posted by Karen Sheridan (Essex, England) on 01/30/2008
★★★★★

Coconut Oil: Has really helped me with my thyroid condition and has given me energy when it has not been functioning that has really helped.

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.

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.

Cheap Coconut Oil Sources

Posted by Nevada (Smithfield, Pa) on 12/27/2011

We buy our coconut oil from Vitacost.com and I believe it is the lowest price you will find for a 54 ounce size.

Broad Benefits

Posted by Bill (San Fernando, Philippines) on 11/19/2007
★★★★★

re: Jock Itch and Candida: I had jock itch for years and years - tried everything and nothing worked. When I moved from UK to the Philippines I started researching this problem. Interestingly I found out that jock itch was a well known expression or symptom of Candida which worried me. So, I looked for natural remedies for Candida and came across the humble coconut. Much of the current research on coconut oil may be found on this site: http://www.coconutoil.com/research.htm

So, the gist of this was that I started to take 3 tablespoons of coconut oil everyday. The results were astonishing. Not only did the jock itch disappear,my eczma disappeared, my bowel movements became more regular, I had less indigestion and I sleep more soundly now. I was so impressed, I now cook everything in virgin coconut oil - I think it is far more healthy than any processed vegetable oil on the market. I've since also learned that coconut oil has been used in baby food for the last 30 years and people in hospital with intestinal trauma have their food cooked in coconut oil as a matter of course. The only other natural remedy I take is Ted's Alkalizing Remedy (Lemon bicarb water) which is available elsewhere on this site.

Mono

Posted by ROB (JUSTICE, IL) on 11/08/2007
★★★★★

coconut oil for mono... my niece had mono about 3 mos. ago... the doctor said all she could do is rest. he told her it would be about 6-8 weeks before she would start to feel better. i immediately called my brother and told him to get some coconut oil. within 2 days she was up walking around and had an appetite again... within 1 week she was back to normal---eating, playing with her friends, and feeling 100 %. it definitely works wonders... the kicker to the story---my other niece is a nurse at a local hospital... i asked her if she told the doctors about her sister being cured of mono by using coconut oil-----she did---to which one of the doctors replied "we know it works, but because we can't prescribe it and make money from it, we don't tell people". he summed up what our health care system is all about...

Make Your Own Coconut Oil

Posted by Whisperingsage (Northern California) on 09/07/2015 45 posts
★★★★★

In my studies, I learned that coconut oil is not a significant spurce of vitamin E. It is great for a lot of things but unfortunately E is not one of them. I have a horse in that race as I need a quick source of high dose E for emergency when my mother goats have not had rice bran during their pregnancy and give birth to a "floppy Kid" , in lambs it is "white muscle disease". Cured first by first aid keeping them warm and tubing their colostrum into them, but then placing a fingerful of red palm oil into their mouth. Highest form of natural E I have found so far. It makes them little legs get strong in days and makes them smart enough to start nursing on their own. Feeding rice bran to Moms is tons easier.

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.

Lung Conditions, Thick Mucus

Posted by Mama To Many (Tennessee) on 06/07/2016

Michael, good for you for taking charge of your health and making so many positive changes!

Plenty of people do report aches and pains (sometimes headache or flu like symptoms when adding new supplements.) It certainly seems like a possibility.

You might try some baking soda baths or epsom salt baths (1 cup per bath) to help your body with any detoxing (which can cause pain) and also helps with joint and muscle pain. Adequate hydration is also important to keep pain down.

Keep us posted on your progress!

Thanks!

~Mama to Many~

H.Pylori

Posted by Jaki (Small Town, NM) on 08/07/2007
★★★★★

I have been using coconut oil for several weeks, initially for weight loss. A few years ago, I heard of using it as a remedy for so many things, but when I tried it, my face broke out, so I stopped using it. I quit smoking (YAY!) almost 4 months ago, and not only gained weight but was told by a doctor that my distended belly was the result of h.pylori bacteria. I can't believe I aquiessed, but took the prescription for double dose antibiotics I was given. I have rarely taken any antibiotics, and don't like them at all. They caused a Candida imbalance, and a return of intestinal parasites. Then I came across a jar of organic VCO in my fridge, and figured it was worth a try. Amazing results; my energy level rose immediately, my belly started disappearing after a week, and I seem to crave "good" food, while being relatively uninterested in unhealthy food. An unexpected benefit was how clear my sinuses became; even 2 months after stopping smoking, my head and ears were stopped up. I am now experiencing some minor break out on my face, but am beginning to suspect this is a cleansing reaction from candida die-off, parasite die off and tobacco cessation. I think it is important that the VCO be ORGANIC. Thanks for the site!

Cheap Coconut Oil Sources

Posted by Stephanie (Odessa, Missouri) on 07/19/2008
★☆☆☆☆

My suggestion is never to buy EVCO, supplements, vitamins or organic foods from Walmart or any other chain store with the exception of Whole grocers. I pay 15.00 for my 12 oz jar of EVCO once a week. It is well worth it. I have severe psoriasis from my scalp to my toes. I use head to toe twice a day. I use spectrum for my skin (organic only). I also cook and take veggie tabs with EVCO two a day.Internally I use Harvast bay and Artisana which gives 1% back to the rain forest. Any name brand item that states it is organic be very cautious. There are certain items you should never skimp on in your life. Food, water, anything that touches your skin or hair, supplements, vitamins, and the air you breathe. Cut cost now pay later. With that said, please take your own green bags to the grocery store to sack your groceries. The feeling you get from this good deed lasts all day.

Cheap Coconut Oil Sources

Posted by JB (New Iberia, Louisiana, USA) on 03/26/2009

I am new to this website and I think it's fascinating. Can't wait to try some of the remedies. I bought some virgin coconut oil capsules yesterday and was reading everything I could about it. I saw the reference to LouAna oil. It's a Louisiana product, and although it's an old and trusted brand for cooking made from soybeans and possibly cottonseed, I can definitely say that there are no coconuts growing anywhere around here and I wouldn't think they would import something so heavy. For what it's worth.....

Cheap Coconut Oil Sources

Posted by Glenn (Springfield, Ma) on 04/15/2014

I had purchased LouAnn Coconut oil before learning more about coconut oil because it said 100% pure and the only ingredient listed on the label was coconut oil. Realizing that even refined coconut oil can be said to be 100% pure, while still being degraded by the high heat used during processing, I wrote to the company. While ALL coconut oils are organic (I have no idea whoever came up with doubts about this) LouAnn Coconut Oil is refined coconut oil. They use fire to burn off the husks and subject the meat and oil to high temperatures which destroys any enzymes present (enzymes are killed at anything above 104 degrees). They also said - During the refining, bleaching and deodorization process however, some of the naturally occurring vitamins and minerals are removed so some of the nutritional benefits of virgin oil are not seen in the RBD coconut oil. From my own experience, refined coconut oil like LouAnn has the following characteristics - It is odorless, and does not smell like coconuts at all. It has a yellowish tint in solid or liquid form. It is harder in solid form than unrefined coconut oil. One article I read also indicated that refined coconut oil has little if any Lauric acid in it due to the high heat used during processing. It can be heated to 450 degrees before smoking which makes it ideal for cooking. Refined coconut oil is intended for cooking, hence ingesting, because of its ability to handle higher temperatures before smoking or catching fire. Obviously, it will NOT harm you if you ingest it, but you just might not be getting all of the benefits that you could be getting as LouAnn mentioned in their note in response to my questions. Cold Pressed unrefined virgin or extra virgin coconut oil is what you want. This is coconut oil that is processed from raw coconut meat within a couple of hours of the meat being removed from the shells. It is never heated. Some of the characteristics of Cold Pressed Virgin Coconut oil - It smells lightly of coconut. It is far softer than refined coconut oil when it's in solid form. It is also completely clear in liquid form. It begins smoking at 350 degrees which makes it less desirable for cooking. It contains all the enzymes of the original coconut and up to 54% Lauric Acid. One last thing - there is no standard that has ever been determined by which coconut oil can be categorized as "virgin" or "extra virgin". This is totally up to the company to decide what to call their coconut oil. So whether it's called "virgin" or "extra virgin" it's the same thing. What's important is that the label clearly says "Cold pressed" and "Unrefined". As long as it says "Cold Pressed, Unrefined" on the label, you've got the right stuff whether they decide to say it's virgin or extra virgin which is just for marketing purposes and has nothing to do with the quality of the product itself. Hope this clears up much of the confusion I've seen in other posts.

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!