One of my favorite threads to browse was the coconut oil thread... so here's another!

How do you use coconut oil?

I use it for a bizzilion things!

I like to spread a couple drops on my damp hair and bun it for a big boost of moisture.
I like to soak my hair in it over night for a deep oil treatment.
I oil my hands, and run them down my braids to add gloss.
I slather it on my face for super soft skin the next morning!
And when I'm gonna be in water, I'll thoroughly oil my hair, then braid it, and oil the braid again... that seems to keep unwanted chemicals out for at least a little while.

I grab a table spoon and put a bunch on, then slide a lot off so I have just a bit more than a filled one.

Smear that in my hair and preferably let sit overnight in a bun. Works wonders for my hair :)

It makes the most amazing moisturizer!!!! I use it on my legs right after I shave, and I don't get nearly as much stubble as I did before. I also use it on my tattoos, it helps keeps the color brighter. I use it on mild burns, I cook in the kitchen a lot, sometimes it happens, it really helps. I use it as a facial moisturizer as well. Eye make up remover. As well as of course, on my hair. :)

I use it after washing as a light leave in, and reapply repeatedly as needed. I also use it for scalp massage, either alone of one of the formulations with herb extracts in.

I do long soaks with it......apply it so heavily it looks wet and leave it days before washing, topping up morning and evening to keep it saturated.

I use it as a light after washing moisturiser, and slather it on before bed and do a bit of a facial massage.

I oil my nails and cuticles with it. And moistirise my hands.

I cook with it.

And i miosturise my body skin with it.....oooooh and my underarms to prevent post shave rash and keep them deoderised.

I do all the stuff the previous posters do & then some! I add it to SMT's, Take off my make up with it, add it to my bath water, and use it on any area that has dry skin & occassionally I even cook with it.:p

What, some of you guys COOK with it????


Goodness. What a thought!!!

*grin!*

It's quite yummy you know! :)

What, some of you guys COOK with it????


Goodness. What a thought!!!

*grin!*

Try it with the virgin stuff next time you cook a curry.....it's delicious!

I use it as an overnight oil, face moisturiser, I eat 2 tablespoons a day normally in my morning porridge or on toast, great in a jacket potato too. It helps get rid of candida of the gut and is very good for people with thyroid problems. I couldn't lose weight for love nor money started to eat it and have lost 9lbs in 3 weeks and I guess anything which is good enough to eat is good enough for my hair!

i will get back with a link

eta link - http://www.naturalhealthweb.com/articles/vandenbrekel1.html

I normally use it as a pre-conditioner. I put it on the total length and then go about doing chores for awhile and then wash as usual.

I also use a small amount to smooth through to keep static at bay.

Mostly as a leave-in after washing and conditioning. Sometimes I mist and add some more before I do an updo or braid too but in the winter I use avocado a lot more for that.

Wow! I had no idea you could use coconut for so many things! I need to use it more, looks like. Think I'll try the moisturising leave-in idea first... :)

One of my favorite threads to browse was the coconut oil thread... so here's another!

How do you use coconut oil?

I use it for a bizzilion things!

I like to spread a couple drops on my damp hair and bun it for a big boost of moisture.
I like to soak my hair in it over night for a deep oil treatment.
I oil my hands, and run them down my braids to add gloss.
I slather it on my face for super soft skin the next morning!
And when I'm gonna be in water, I'll thoroughly oil my hair, then braid it, and oil the braid again... that seems to keep unwanted chemicals out for at least a little while.
my hair is really greasy as is so i seldom add oil... but there is nothing better for my legs (ive got a skin condition that causes tiny bumps on my skin).. i once tried to put a tiny amount of the oil on my face and woke up with the worst most painful acne on my face... the pimples were deep and im still waiting for them to go away a week later. ugh i look like a highschool freshman with all these zits on my face...
i do like to sometimes use coconut oil with my camellia oil for a hot oil deep treatment.

I use it in my mister along with aloe,distilled water and a drop of some EO.I'm with the many others that use it for heavy oilings.I prefer a light light oiling of coconut after I wash to anything else.

My hair doesn't like coconut oil.....and I can't stand the way it smells so I don't use it at all!! Wish I could, though.....

My skin loves the stuff. :o I mix it with a little Sweet Success Oil and add it to my hair in small amounts every now and then.

I make a mixture of coconut oil with some rose oil in it and use it as a pre-wash conditioner (less than I use pure shea butter, though), and as a leave-in/smoother on my freshly washed, damp hair. For non-hair uses, I use it all over my face and body. I use a lot of high strength chemical exfoliators on my face and the coconut oil with rose is very soothing and healing.

The coconut oil, by the way, is virgin. Refined coconut oil has a completely different (bad) effect on my hair and skin.

Here are some interesting articles on the benefits of coconut oil that I had bookmarked:

http://www.coconutresearchcenter.org/

http://www.coconutoil.com/ray_peat_coconutoil.htm

Here is an interesting article on the benefits of coconut oil that I had bookmarked:

http://www.coconutoil.com/ray_peat_coconutoil.htm
Oooh! Speaking of! I read that and a few other articles on the benefits of coconut oil about a year ago and started taking three tablespoons a day. My body temperature is regularly lower than "average" and I've always had a problem with steady, consistent energy levels. Anyway, after only a couple of weeks, I noticed a HUGE difference in my body temperature (I thought I was going crazy or having hormonal swings for no reason!) and I was no longer practically falling asleep in the afternoon. I found that losing weight got easier, too. I'd read about it and while everything made sense to me, I was skeptical about how it would affect me. I won't go without it now. Also, my cholesterol improved a bit (not much room for improvement, but I did get lab work done that indicated that the coconut oil was definitely NOT adversely affecting me). I won't be without the stuff anymore. Love it.

Oooh! Speaking of! I read that and a few other articles on the benefits of coconut oil about a year ago and started taking three tablespoons a day. My body temperature is regularly lower than "average" and I've always had a problem with steady, consistent energy levels. Anyway, after only a couple of weeks, I noticed a HUGE difference in my body temperature (I thought I was going crazy or having hormonal swings for no reason!) and I was no longer practically falling asleep in the afternoon. I found that losing weight got easier, too. I'd read about it and while everything made sense to me, I was skeptical about how it would affect me. I won't go without it now. Also, my cholesterol improved a bit (not much room for improvement, but I did get lab work done that indicated that the coconut oil was definitely NOT adversely affecting me). I won't be without the stuff anymore. Love it.


Stephanie, that is all good to know. I edited to add an additional link , I think we were posting at the same time. I have a friend who has done some research and she claims that coconut oil is responsible for keeping the people of the south seas looking young.

I use coconut oil everywhere: hair, lips, hands, face, legs. It's quite the all purpose moisturizer.

I haven't gotten around to eating it, though. I haven't found a way to incorporate it into my diet. Maybe I'll put it in my oatmeal.

I apply coconut oil to the length of my hair, comb it out, plait it and then wash it out a couple of hours later. Sometimes I leave it in overnight and I also cook with it.

I apply it to fairly wet hair, comb through, plait, and then pin it up and leave it. I try to do this for 24 hrs minimum. I use quite a lot too, by hair seems to soak it up.

I like it for knees and elbows too.

Stephanie.....my sister has been taking it it porridge almost every day and has lost i think 3 dress sizes, but she's definately alot slimmer than before. Unfortunately i don't really like porridge so the only way i gret to eat it is in curries.....but i'm hoping to find a way to eat it daily, it's apparently good for diabetes too and boosts the immune system and healing rate, both of which i could do with.

Oooh! Speaking of! I read that and a few other articles on the benefits of coconut oil about a year ago and started taking three tablespoons a day. My body temperature is regularly lower than "average" and I've always had a problem with steady, consistent energy levels. Anyway, after only a couple of weeks, I noticed a HUGE difference in my body temperature (I thought I was going crazy or having hormonal swings for no reason!) and I was no longer practically falling asleep in the afternoon. I found that losing weight got easier, too. I'd read about it and while everything made sense to me, I was skeptical about how it would affect me. I won't go without it now. Also, my cholesterol improved a bit (not much room for improvement, but I did get lab work done that indicated that the coconut oil was definitely NOT adversely affecting me). I won't be without the stuff anymore. Love it.

Coconut oil is made up of MCTs- medium chain triglycerides. For the first week or so of regular consumption, your body *does* process them slightly differently than other fats/oils and there is a small metabolic increase. Your body adjusts after about a week however and there is no more actual boost.

Still, if you were short on healthy fats to begin with, it will still help you that way.

I apply to damp hair after a wash, leave it there until my next shampoo.
I eat a tablespoon on toast with a little sugar, its the only way I can stand to eat it. I have since run out and need to get a new jar, I noticed that I was never sick, while taking it, but once I stopped I did get sick, so I must get back to eating it every day.

Stephanie.....my sister has been taking it it porridge almost every day and has lost i think 3 dress sizes, but she's definately alot slimmer than before. Unfortunately i don't really like porridge so the only way i gret to eat it is in curries.....but i'm hoping to find a way to eat it daily, it's apparently good for diabetes too and boosts the immune system and healing rate, both of which i could do with.

Its great in a lot of foods Jacket potatoes, mixed in veg, as a spread on toast/bread, in smoothies you can put it in anything some eat it straight off the spoon!

Its great in a lot of foods Jacket potatoes, mixed in veg, as a spread on toast/bread, in smoothies you can put it in anything some eat it straight off the spoon!


I have been thinking about doing this for a long time... but do you eat the virgin, or the unrefined?

I usually use it to take off makeup at night. Sometimes I use it in my hair to detangle. Sometimes I use a lot of it in my hair as a pre-wash treatment. I tried it as leave-in but it was either not effective or made my hair look oily. I couldn't seem to find a middle ground there. But I love the stuff and always have it on hand since first trying it about a year and a half ago.

I use it as a leave in applied to wet hair. I warm a tiny bit in my hands and apply it by smoothing it on to my wet hair concentrating on the last few inches of hair. I also use it on my hands, elbows, and feet. At night I use it as an overnight eye oil. Someone over at TBB said it helped with her dark circles and I'll try anything to diminish mine.

Coconut oil mixed with Shea butter is the best thing ever for my skin and for overnight treatments on my hair.

I use it to pre-poo overnight
In my deep conditioner and homemade recipes
on my wet ends to define my curls and keep my hair soft
To moisturize my skin
And for scalp massages

I've read that raking a couple of tbsp a day can help with weight loss, anyone every tried this?

I use it to pre-poo overnight
In my deep conditioner and homemade recipes
on my wet ends to define my curls and keep my hair soft
To moisturize my skin
And for scalp massages

I've read that raking a couple of tbsp a day can help with weight loss, anyone every tried this?

http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/showpost.php?p=1357&postcount=25 ;)

It's not going to do anything magical for weight loss. There's a small metabolic boost while your body adjusts to processing the medium-chain triglyceridies that make up coconut oil, but it passes after about a week once your system catches up.

That said, it's a healthy fat and if you have trouble getting enough fat in your diet, it's a yummy way to take it in.

I have been thinking about doing this for a long time... but do you eat the virgin, or the unrefined?

the virgin is supposed to be better, its worked for me. I got diagnosed with borderline hypothyroidism and nothing worked for me until i tried this not only has it been good at reducing my weight but my skin and hair feels much softer. It takes about 2 weeks to kick in and you might put a few pounds on before as your body adjusts but they come off with more besides. I have much more energy and my cholesterol has dropped from 9 to 4!

also you may get a few spots at first, but again they go its just adjusting.

^^Thank you Elfling, sorry I usually answer first then read the whole thread, I didn't have enough post to edit it after I saw your answer :o

I soak my hair in it as a pre-poo. If I am bunning, I will use it in my hair. My hair drinks it up. keeps it very soft.

^^Thank you Elfling, sorry I usually answer first then read the whole thread, I didn't have enough post to edit it after I saw your answer :o

Oh pish, no problem! I didn't mean to come off know it all, either- I've just been really up on coconut oil lately.

Because I have fine and thin hair I can't really use loads of oil, and heavy oilings don't work for me. I use coconut oil after every wash on wet hair that isn't dripping wet. I take about two to four drops, rub in my palms and then gently massage into my hair from the ears down. Sometimes when my hands are extremely dry I use coconut oil as an overnight moisturiser.

I soak my hair with it before shampoo. Not every time though.

I usually oil my hair with it. I also mix it with my deep conditioners.

I put a light amount on my hair after washing, I use it on my skin - especially on my legs after shaving. It seems to help prevent or at least minimize, those ugly red bumps from shaving. I usually put a vitamin E/A&shea butter balm on my lips, but sometimes at night I put coconut oil on my lips instead. It smells so great and I taste yummy when DH kisses me. ;)

Hmm, after shaving is a cool idea.

I guess I never posted how I use it!

-deep conditioning coconut oil only treatments
-deep conditioning coconut oil/conditioner mix treatments (these always give me awesome results)
-lip balm, especially before bed
-healthy dietary fat

I always buy the coldpressed, extra virgin stuff that actually smells like coconut. It's delicious.

I had it on hand long before I joined this group because I cook with it. Now I use it for many things already listed by others.

Now that I think of it, I've always had a very well stocked kitchen with various oils, spices, herbs, etc. But my kitchen has a way of slowly creeping up the stairs into my bathroom as I use many things I cook with on my hair and to bathe, etc.

So does anyone want to hear about the time I turned myself a fine orangey/golden oompa loompa color with turmeric?

I use coconut oil in my hair as a prewash oiling, sometimes as long as overnight (on both damp and dry hair), a pea sized amount on my damp ends after washing, and a little on ends at night to make it easier to braid. I also use it on my very dry feet and ankles at night, with socks on so my sheets don't get all greasy. :p


have since run out and need to get a new jar, I noticed that I was never sick, while taking it, but once I stopped I did get sick, so I must get back to eating it every day.

After reading this, I think I might start cooking with it! I wonder if I could use it for a toast spread if I mixed it with peanut butter or something to hide the texture... I am assuming this is the unrefined stuff, right? All I have right now is the refined.


So does anyone want to hear about the time I turned myself a fine orangey/golden oompa loompa color with turmeric?
Me! Me!:lol:

Unfortunately, my hair and face do not like coconut oil. It makes my hair stringy, crunchy, frizzy, and makes my face breakout.
It's an awesome body moisturizer. I swear it makes me sleep better when I apply it before bed.
It's very good on toast and popcorn. I tried putting it in my protein shake but that was a disaster. It wouldn't blend with the rest of the ingredients so I was drinking coconut oil chunks.

So does anyone want to hear about the time I turned myself a fine orangey/golden oompa loompa color with turmeric?

Lol yeah :P

[quote=TammySue;404]I normally use it as a pre-conditioner. I put it on the total length and then go about doing chores for awhile and then wash as usual. [quote]

I use coconut oil as a pre-conditioner too.

One-fourth teaspoon from "Wilderness Family Naturals" Coconut Oil. This is a really good product. It smells good too. This is the first coconut oil that I really like.

Elenna

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb144/elenna_2007/Elenna-10-14-2007-4mos-LHC-small.jpg

I had it on hand long before I joined this group because I cook with it. Now I use it for many things already listed by others.

Now that I think of it, I've always had a very well stocked kitchen with various oils, spices, herbs, etc. But my kitchen has a way of slowly creeping up the stairs into my bathroom as I use many things I cook with on my hair and to bathe, etc.

So does anyone want to hear about the time I turned myself a fine orangey/golden oompa loompa color with turmeric?

Lol yeah :P


Well, let me start by saying that I'm often willing to be my own human guinea pig . . . I use my own body for many experiments that later end up benefitting my family . . . at least the successful ones.

So early this fall I was looking into many different natural bathing methods and also a way to use an abundance of turmeric I had on hand for cooking. I read how in India turmeric is mixed with oil and used as a face/body scrub that not only exfoliates but the turmeric itself has properties that is healing to skin. I believe I also read something about it also being used to remove unwanted hair.

Now I will admit that I did read somewhere a caution about fair skinned people taking on the yellowish color of the turmeric but that this wasn't a huge issue for dark skinned people. But I reasoned . . . how bad could it be?

So I jumped into my shower with my turmeric and oil body scrub and applied it to my dry skin - A L L over. I do yoga so I had no trouble reaching all those difficult areas on my back . . . I'm nothing if not thorough.

After I really worked and scrubbed and felt I was polished clean, I began the rinsing.

OMG, there was a vivid yellow wash running off my body, hitting the walls and shower curtain and running down the tub. My bathroom tub, tiles and curtain is white . . . well, it WAS white. But I wasn't all that concerned, it would wash off. But I was amazed how the yellow just kept coming. The more I rinsed, the more the yellow river flowed. I though there would be no end to it.

Finally, blissfully, I got to the point where the water was running clear. There were some yellow stained areas at the bottom of the tub and on the tiles and curtains but I knew that would come off with bleach if I had to resort to that.

Then I drew back the shower curtains and looked across at the mirror over the sink for the 'reveal'. I shouldn't have been surprised and yet, somehow I never quite imagined it. I expected, perhaps, a bit of a yellow glow. But I was more of an orangey-golden tone and nearly glowing with it. Oompa Loompa came to mind and I actually started playing the little Oompa Loompa song in my mind as I gazed in amazement at my new complexion.

It truly was funny as all get out. Thank heavens I was home alone. I jumped back in the shower and began washing again with lots and lots of lathering and scrubbing.

When I emerged again I was still a pale yellow but nothing that my husband even noticed. He is a man . . . not the most observant creature on the planet.

So I had a private chuckle and a good story to share with my friends who already know me as a crazy old lady because my motto is, "I'll try anything once, twice if I like it."

I use it mainly as a skin moisturizer. It works wonders when combined with shea butter.

I rub a very tiny bit into the length of my hair for added sleekness during the day, although I prefer almond oil when I have it. I also use loads of coconut oil in a braided bun if I'm going to be swimming.

Silver & Gold...you are a riot. :rollin:

I guess I didn't even know coconut oil existed. Where can I get some, and how much can I expect to pay? The stuff sounds amazing! :p

I buy Spectrum Naturals Organic Virgin Coconut Oil at the grocery store. It's hidden quite well in the same section I find olive oil.

I use it pretty much the same way others do: on my face, in my hair, on my body, and in food.

I particularly like to mix it with a little jojoba oil and slather it on my body & face while I'm in the sauna. The heat really helps it penetrate and I have really, really soft skin.

I also make a mixture of coconut oil, shea butter, mango butter and just the tiniest bit of honey and pour it into the little tiny jars that mineral makeups came in (thoroughly cleansed, of course), and I use that stuff for lip balm, hand & cuticle moisturizer, for taming the frizzies and for lightly oiling my ends after washing.

I buy Spectrum Naturals Organic Virgin Coconut Oil at the grocery store. It's hidden quite well in the same section I find olive oil.

I use it pretty much the same way others do: on my face, in my hair, on my body, and in food.

I particularly like to mix it with a little jojoba oil and slather it on my body & face while I'm in the sauna. The heat really helps it penetrate and I have really, really soft skin.

I also make a mixture of coconut oil, shea butter, mango butter and just the tiniest bit of honey and pour it into the little tiny jars that mineral makeups came in (thoroughly cleansed, of course), and I use that stuff for lip balm, hand & cuticle moisturizer, for taming the frizzies and for lightly oiling my ends after washing.

Can we get a recipe, please?

Can we get a recipe, please?

Well, of course!! Why didn't I think of that myself???

Equal parts coconut, shea and mango butters ( I used about a teaspoon each). A little honey. For this quantity I literally used a drop out of my little honey bear squeezie bottle.

Warm the whole thing up and blend it really well, then pour into the little wee containers and stick them in the freezer for 10 minutes while you clean up.

Beware though, this liquefies at body temperature, so don't stick the little wee container in your pocket or you'll have a real mess (kinda like when my "water" bra sprung a leak!!! uh-huh, really!!! I discovered that a water bra contains NO actual water).

I'd love to find a way to make this much more solid, like a lotion bar, so if anyone has suggestions, I'm listening.

I guess I didn't even know coconut oil existed. Where can I get some, and how much can I expect to pay? The stuff sounds amazing! :p

Your grocery store might carry it in the oils section, or in the 'natural/organics' section if it has one.

If that fails, your local health food store should have it, or be easily able to order it for you.

I know several on here order it off the itnernet, so that's another option.

Which ever way you choose, you want to look for 'cold expeller pressed, virgin coconut oil', it will be solid below 76 degrees F. and smell very coconutty!

I'd love to find a way to make this much more solid, like a lotion bar, so if anyone has suggestions, I'm listening.

Perhaps melting some beeswax and coco butter would help? That's what I do for making lotion bars.

Silver & Gold...you are a riot. :rollin:

I'm glad someone gets a kick out of my silly @ss.

I can be a moron but I'm seldom boring.

I use it on my hair mixed with olive oil as a pre-shampoo treatment. I read somewhere that it actually works better with olive oil than alone, but I'm not sure if it's true. I think I read it on beautybrains.

I mix it with honey and spread it on toast. It's delicious with honey. Sometimes I sprinkle a little cinnamon on top too.

I use it for the KP (little bumbs) on the backs of my arms. I read on wikipedia that it heals KP and I was skeptical, but the bumps went away two weeks after using it with daily use. Who knew?

I use it on my legs after shaving. I love how it feels on my skin. It makes it really soft and smooth.

I use the extra virgin unprocessed kind. It smells wonderful. Love it. Never want to be without it.

I guess I didn't even know coconut oil existed. Where can I get some, and how much can I expect to pay? The stuff sounds amazing! :p

If you don't find it at the store, you can get it on Amazon. I use Nutiva and I love it. It's fantastic. I rave about it so much that they should pay me for advertising.

I get it at Meijers..

I use coconut oil in several ways... as a moistrizer on my skin post bathing, a tiny bit in my hair after washing, but mostly the hibiscus tea is my leave in.. and in FOOD...

I can't have dairy, and coconut oil is a wonderful replacement for butter in a ton of items, it even works in baking more like butter..

as a dietetics student, there are a lot of good and bad health things about all oils, and coconut oil has some benefits and some detriments, as far as I am concerned- everything in moderation. I do keep seperate containers in the bathroom and the kitchen though, so I don't have to worry about contaminating the stuff I cook with!

unrefined is best on body, refined works well in the kitchen if you don't want the slight coconutty flavor... and my hubby appreciates it too.. he's even started cooking with it!

Amie

Nothing fancy here... I cook with it sometimes and use about 1/4-1/2 teaspoon in my hair while it's still a bit wet after a washing.

What, some of you guys COOK with it????


Goodness. What a thought!!!

*grin!*Try it with the virgin stuff next time you cook a curry.....it's delicious!

Virgin coconut oil is part of what gives Sri Lankan curries its distinctive flavours. With curry leaves, of course. :) VCO is wonderful as a cooking oil with a higher smoke point than most other oils and a lovely flavour. It's the only cooking oil we have in the house, and we use it for everything, including deep frying and sometimes in baking in the place of butter or margarine.

We also use VCO for machine oil. You know, locks that are rusting and such or hinges that squeak. :) That, in addition to using it on hair and skin, which is traditional here.

I have been thinking about doing this for a long time... but do you eat the virgin, or the unrefined?
The virgin coconut oil is unrefined. And yes, eat the virgin coconut oil. I wouldn't eat refined coconut oil if I were paid.

I'd love to find a way to make this much more solid, like a lotion bar, so if anyone has suggestions, I'm listening.Beeswax will do the trick very nicely. I've made an UnPetroleum Jelly before using... 8 parts oil to 1 part beeswax. Had to check. The ratio can be varied, of course, depending on the oils you use and how solid you want it to be, so experiment, but this will give you a starting point anyway. :)

I use coconut oil mainly as a body moisturizer, and occasionally as a face cleanser on its own. I only started doing that recently though, so I'm trying to work out if it gives me breakouts.
I would love to use it on my hair, but every oiling experiment I've tried has not worked out well, so I'm more than happy to use it for my skin. I've had the same jar of unrefined oil for six months, it's amazing how far you can stretch it.

Silver and Gold.....that shower image of the yellow never ending had me laughing out loud!
Thanks for that :D

Does anybody else find that coconut oil smells really WEIRD after a couple of hours if you put it on your face? O_O

It's fine if I use it on hands, body, hair.... but on my face it starts to smell very very strange indeed after a while!

I use it lightly on my ends, after a wash. I use it for skin moisturizer especially on the nail cuticles, I also use it on the body during winter when my skin is quite dry, also use it for head massage. Love the coconut oil!

I pretty much just work a bit into damp hair after showering, especially if I've decided to forgo conditioner. Works wonderfully! Also if my ends are being a bit crunchy, I'll dampen them and work in some coconut oil, which softens them right up.

Does anybody else find that coconut oil smells really WEIRD after a couple of hours if you put it on your face? O_O

It's fine if I use it on hands, body, hair.... but on my face it starts to smell very very strange indeed after a while!

Funny you say that, i find it the other way around, on my face and body (i sometimes use it as a deoderant on my underarms) it stays that nice fresh coconut smell....but in my hair it can after a night with it in, develop a slightly different smell, until i slap more on.

I hope this doesn't sound like a dumb question, does coconut oil have protein in it? I would like to try this stuff on my hair.

I use it on hair, face and body. Also oatmeal, fry my morning egg with it and as "butter" on popcorn. It tastes better than butter to me and I do have a problem with not getting enough fat. Well, did. The 4 eggs a week and twice a week popcorn have pretty well fixed that.
For body and hair uses I like to add almond oil. It's my favorite smell!

per the USDA- there is NO protein in PURE coconut oil.. and most oil we talk about here is pure.. to be sold as an oil it has to be in the states.

On the other hand, coconut meat- raw, has 3.33 g of protein per 100 grams, but even that isn't much. And coconut milk as a generic category has 2.02 g per 100grams

Amie

Thanks Khyricat! I saw some coconut oil at walmart so I guess I will pick a jar up when I have extra money.

Besides on my hair, I slather it on my DRY body before getting in the shower, seems to really help with my dry skin. Be careful though, can make your bathroom floor really slippery! After my shower, I also apply it sparingly to damp skin to seal in as much moisture as possible.

Wow I just applied coconut oil in my hair and I am in love. This stuff works wonders for my hair and I hope it will stay that way. :cloud9:

I use it alot for almost everything. Hair, lips, body which has seen the most improvement with this oil. I now use it while in the shower I apply it generously to my wet body then blot dry with a towel. I havent had any dry skin problems on my body this whole winter which is very unusual for me.

I bought refined coconut oil that needs to be refrigerated. Do ya'll just scoop some out and put it in a container and let it warm up in the microwave or should I just leave the whole jar out until some of it starts melting?

I just store it at room temp, no problems, and if its liquid thats great, if not, I take some out and rub it in my hands, then use.. (for body applications) for cooking, I use it solid like I would butter if I used that.. actually I use coconut oil in place of butter in a lot of things.. since i can't eat things made with butter without killing myself.

I use coconut oil for practically everything, can't get enough of the stuff! I adore the scent, carries me off to more tropical destinations, far away from rainy england!
* Use it on lengths of damp hair as a leave in
*Melt it and mix thoroughly with aloe vera and apply to skin and dry hair as a de-frizzer
*Put on my hands and feet overnight (with socks on) (my feet, not hands!)
*Use it to wash my face using oil-cleansing method
*Put a dollop in the bath, soak, then when I get out, i'm covered with a light coating all over
*Put pure oil on dry elbows and knees
*Overnight heavy hair oilings

Did try eating it and loved it but never really got into the habit. Must try again!

I'm really lucky because a healthfood shop at the end of my road sells organic virgin CO quite reasonably.

I usually use the token "fingernail size" on my damp length. I've recently started using a bit more than that to see if it makes a difference.

I would like to use it as a cleanser but my face is prone to break-outs and blotchy bits if it gets too oily.

I tried eating it but felt almost a bit "grainy" to me and seemed to bother my throat. Not long after I got a throat infection, which may be why it was bothering me (and I can't imagine it caused it, but who knows). I was told to be careful because the funny texture in my throat MAY be allergy-related, but since I use it on my hair and hands, and I continued eating it mixed with peanut butter it and it didn't bother me, I don't suspect an allergy.

I doubt it caused it, but there are different types, and the ones that are grainy, I won't use in the kitchen.. but they are fine on my body..

My hair doesn't like coconut oil.....and I can't stand the way it smells so I don't use it at all!! Wish I could, though.....



The first stuff I bought was from the grocer's and has no smell at all.

The virgin c. oil I bought at a health store definitely has a coconut smell to it.

Isn't it the yummiest on toast?

I use LouAna's for external use and plan to get some virgin to cook with and eat...although I have tried taking a TBL in mid-morning and afternoon to fight munchies and it works really well. And my energy level i up also.

I prefer cheaper stuff from the Asian grocer's that actually smells like coconut to cook with.
Try it with some scrambled eggs. I put it over rice with kimchee, if I have leftover rice.
Sounds gross, but packs a tasty wollop in the morning.

I don't as yet, but I'm about to go wash my hair and use it as a conditioner! First time coconut oiling!! *excited but a little nerous*

I melt a 14 oz container of coconut oil in a bowl of hot water. Then I add in:
2 oz EVOO
1/2 oz jojoba oil
5ml my favorite BPAL

I pour it into a sterile glass bowl that has a lid and let it solidify.

I use a clean spoon to scoop some into a smaller glass jar that I use, so I'm not dipping my fingers into the big container. I use this blend for lots of things:

I have very dry skin, so after bathing I moisturize with regular lotion and then "seal" it in with the oil blend. I also rub the oil blend into my damp hair after a shower. No matter how much I use, it all absorbs in by the time my hair is dry. I also use it on dry hair to detangle, before BBB'ing. It's scented beautifully, so I rub it into the wood on the inside of my dresser drawers to help perfume my clothes while keeping the wood conditioned. To smooth my feet, I use one of those metal cheesegrater type callous removers, then glob tons of moisturizer on my feet and follow it up with lots of my oil blend. Then I put on a pair of socks and sleep with them on. Next morning, my feet are sweet smelling and soft! If my scalp is very dry, I dabble my fingertips in the oil blend and massage my scalp with it. I also use the oil on my cuticles and to help remove henna from my fingernails.

I also use plain coconut oil in my henna blends. It makes application much smoother, and possibly helps prevent dryness.

I melt a 14 oz container of coconut oil in a bowl of hot water. Then I add in: 2 oz EVOO, 1/2 oz jojoba oil, 5ml my favorite BPAL. I pour it into a sterile glass bowl that has a lid and let it solidify.


What a great idea! I love the semi-solidness of coconut oil. I never thought of mixing it with other oils and scents. Thanks.

I use it in a similar way to Girltron, minus the EVOO. But now I may add that in...

I use a very, very strong cleanser for my skin (10% benzoyl peroxide, I think), and I use kimberlily's cononut butter mix on my skin to moisturize it at night (it makes me skin too shiny to wear during the day). I also put some on my skin prior to cleansing.

I obviously use the mixture in my hair too, after applying a leave in.

I eat 2 tablespoons a day normally in my morning porridge or on toast, great in a jacket potato too. It helps get rid of candida of the gut and is very good for people with thyroid problems. I couldn't lose weight for love nor money started to eat it and have lost 9lbs in 3 weeks and I guess anything which is good enough to eat is good enough for my hair!http://www.naturalhealthweb.com/articles/vandenbrekel1.html

Jojo, thanks so much for this information. I had no idea it was healthy. Makes sense!
Feralnature, I just came across the sites that you also posted. SO interesting! I love learning these new (old?) exciting ideas.

I use coconut oil all over my body and face, nommmms.

I happen to be hypothyroidic, but I've never tried using coconut oil internally to help that. Thanks for the links, I'll definitely try it :)

I tried coconut oil on my hair, no success. it gets a crunchy dry look. so I used it on my skin and I use it in the kitchen it tastes yummie!

I use to use only coconut oil on my hair first but now I mix it with castor oil for my hair. I make banana chips in coconut oil. And I also use it on my 2 yr. old son ,for his hair and also on his body .

RE: using it on the face: has it made anyone break out?

The thought of any kind of oil on my face scares me. I don't have super oily skin (more like combination), but I do get the occasional zit or two.

Coconut oil is my favourite. :cheese:

I use it on dry hair:
* I lube my comb with it, before combing my hair through
* I use it as a deep treatment before washing
* I oil my ends with it whenever I feel like they need it

And on wet hair:
* I put a bit of it in my ends and lengths after washing

And I use it also for the skin:
For my face and body I prefer Jojoba oil, but
* I slather it on my lips as a lip balm :silly:

OH, YUM! I tried it on toast today with honey. Wow. Can't believe I've been missing THAT treat all my life. I'm thinking I'm going to get a jar just for the kitchen now.

RE: using it on the face: has it made anyone break out?

The thought of any kind of oil on my face scares me. I don't have super oily skin (more like combination), but I do get the occasional zit or two.

I have oily-ish skin (I honestly don't know whether it's oily or combination, but I digress) and after I use an acne cleanser, I appy it to my face.

It's made my acne better than making it worse. I don't use my acne prescription anymore and my skin is more clear than it was when I was using it.

I will use a dab here and there to help with fly aways.
I will soak my ends in it for a hot oil treatment.
If my scalp is being ornery, I'll rub some onto my scalp with the pads of my fingers. This also helps me relax quite a bit.
I'll add a small amount to my ends after a shower to keep them happy.

I use it as a skin moisturizer and a leave in conditioner.
I also cook with it on occasion!

I usually use it in a deep treatment, over something more watery like conditioner or aloe juice.

I use it after washing as a light leave in, and reapply repeatedly as needed. I also use it for scalp massage, either alone of one of the formulations with herb extracts in.

I do long soaks with it......apply it so heavily it looks wet and leave it days before washing, topping up morning and evening to keep it saturated.

I use it as a light after washing moisturiser, and slather it on before bed and do a bit of a facial massage.

I oil my nails and cuticles with it. And moistirise my hands.

I cook with it.

And i miosturise my body skin with it.....oooooh and my underarms to prevent post shave rash and keep them deoderised.


Does it really keep the armpits from getting smelly? I seem to stink no matter how many times I wash my armpits and put on deodorant, I even use baking soda sometimes to keep the smell at bay but it doesn't last long.

As for my methods I just tie my hair up, slather the ponytail in coconut oil, then bun it up and wear it all day at work.

Tonight was my first try with organic evco and I already love it. I like it much more than evoo for my ends. I put jojoba on my scalp and evco on the ends.

I hope the co does not break my neck out or face, because I will be sleeping tonight with it in my hair. I do the oil cleansing method using a mix of castor and sweet almond oil with wonderful success. I hope the co won't cause facial skin problems. IF it did, I still like it so much that I'd use it during the day and wash before going to bed.

Here are some interesting articles on the benefits of coconut oil that I had bookmarked:

http://www.coconutresearchcenter.org/

http://www.coconutoil.com/ray_peat_coconutoil.htm

Wow!! I'm gonna go to my local health food store to get me some VCO, I had no idea coconut oil had so many good uses! I'm glad I ran into this thread! I used to eat raw coconuts regularly growing up in Puerto Rico (it's the best snack ever) and I was always healthy! Maybe moving to the states and changing my eating messed me up, I always get sick (colds, allergies, digestive problems..) I'm going to try this oil and I will let you guys know if it makes a difference.
I have some Parachute coconut oil here I use on my hair from time to time, I'm going to try using it regularly also.
Thank you for the info!!!:cheer:

LIke many others, I use a bit of coconut oil on my hair after washing. It also seems to improve my daughter's eczema and my husband's psoriasis. Not a cure, but the skin looks and feels better afterward.

I use it on the ends of my locks. Occasionally I'll use it as an ersatz night eye cream.

I use a fingernail's worth of it mixed with a drop of jojoba oil on wet hair, or a fingernail's worth on dry ends. I also use it as a lip balm (this is a new thing, though, I seem to like it).

I'm interested in learning more about cooking with it. I looked at the sites that said how good it was for you - but I'm taking them with a grain of salt because they seem to have been produced by the coconut industry, which would have a vested interest in more people buying coconut oil. Even if the research they're rebutting was funded by other oil industries, I'd rather see some data from an impartial source. And 3-4 tablespoons of oil a day seems rather excessive to me. That's up to a quarter cup, and that doesn't count any fat you might get from other dietary sources.

Does it really keep the armpits from getting smelly? I seem to stink no matter how many times I wash my armpits and put on deodorant, I even use baking soda sometimes to keep the smell at bay but it doesn't last long.

As for my methods I just tie my hair up, slather the ponytail in coconut oil, then bun it up and wear it all day at work.

Yup, well it definately does me.....and i remember other members said the same thing before. I must be honest though, i don't really suffer with BO, i can get away with not putting anything under my arms after showering and not smell the next day, but i also use a tea tree natural cleanser there too.
But seeing as coconut oil kills bacteria and the odour is caused by bacteria it makes sense that it would work. I should add, i use virgin coconut oil there.

btw- as a dietetics student- there are some very well known dietetics researchers who espouse coconut oil for its nutritional benefits.. given that, and that I had to watch a tv episode about it for one of my classes with an interview with a lady I find fascinating for all her other research, I think its a good thing..

one interview with mary enig:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-616494190219208343&q=mary%2Benig&total=2&start=0&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=0

She is talking more about transfats, but mentions saturated fats like coconut oil in this one..

and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_G._Enig
has a section on coconut oil especially

I do know that she is considered controversial, but her research is respected by others in her field.

I bought a tub of coconut oil the other day, haven't used it on my hair yet (am saving it til after I use up my cone conditioners) but i put some on my legs after shaving. It seems to keep the bumpies away. I am having a bit of trouble with the concept of 'melting' it. Doesn't it just absorb into my hands if I leave it to go liquid in my palm?

Yup, well it definately does me.....and i remember other members said the same thing before. I must be honest though, i don't really suffer with BO, i can get away with not putting anything under my arms after showering and not smell the next day, but i also use a tea tree natural cleanser there too.
But seeing as coconut oil kills bacteria and the odour is caused by bacteria it makes sense that it would work. I should add, i use virgin coconut oil there.

The jars I have don't say virgin, they say 100% coconut oil...is that the same thing?

well some will absorb into your hands, especially if they are dry, but they only take so much, the rest can go anywhere... I cover my entire body post bath with it...

The jars I have don't say virgin, they say 100% coconut oil...is that the same thing?


Ummm probably not....Virgin Coconut oil tends to like to make a big deal that it is ;)

It might still work though, best thing to do is give it a go.....the difference might only be that you smell of nothing there as opposed to smelling of coconuts.....but smelling of nothing is much better than BO hey, and if it works you could always add an essential oil or 2 for scent.

I use it as a finishing protector after my leave-in, a deep oil treatment and as part of my scalp massage oil. My hair loves coconut oil and I can apply it to both wet and dry hair for the same effect (which isn't true for other oils on my hair). I also use it on my face occasionally, and I use it to cook with.

I just purchased a jar and after I showered I put on my wet hair by just running my finger across the solid top. As soon as I touched it, it melted and got oily quickly. A a lil' goes a long way so the excess on my hands I rubbed on my just shaved legs. Then after realizing that felt nice, I got some more and rubbed all over my body left me smooth and glowy!! My skin just soaked it up so before I left the house I wish I had put more! Also when my hair dried I mixed some with my dove define texture molding cream and placed between my index and middle finger and flipped my layers. My dove texture cream is a thick cream so the coconut oil was a great addition, and it moisturized my ends all the while!!!


The jars I have don't say virgin, they say 100% coconut oil...is that the same thing?


My jar also says 100% Pure All Natural. I also says Non Hydrogenated 0g Trans Fat per serving does anyone know if it is Virgin Coconut oil? The brand is LouAna.

I use it on the ends of my hair before bed about twice per week. I use it to moisturize my face several times per week (I switch between this and vitamin e oil) and I use it in perfumes. I also use it as deodorant.

I just got a jar of 100% Extra Virgin Coconut oil this afternoon, and I have already covered my body in it. Seems like an excellent body lotion, as my skin absorbed it right away, and it seems to leave my skin really nice and smooth. I also put a little bit in my hairs ends (in dry hair), and I tried it also for my nails and cuticles.

So far, this oil seems like a really good all-round oil :)

Will try it later as a pre-wash treatment, by massaging my scalp and leave it over night. Will also try it as a leave-in for my ends after washing. Then I will apply when hair is still wet or damp. Excited to see the results!

(And of course I'll try it on my BF - that poor man, he has to live with me experimenting all this stuff on his hair and body... :D)

So far, I've only used it as a leave in from one wash to the next. However, I haven't figured out how to put enough on without it being too much.

I mostly use it as a moisturizer for my face.

I occasionally use it on my hair, mostly when my hair is wet. I've found that if I oil my hair when it's not wet, it takes multiple washes to get it all out. And even if I just suck it up and deal with the greasies so as not to disrupt my wash schedule, my hair ends up feeling sort of dry after that.

So I've found that just a tiny amount on damp hair every now and then is best for me. :)

Oh, and DUH, I use it to oil my horn comb.

(And I am so trying that suggestion to use it as an underarm deodorizer. Thanks, ChloeDharma!)

I use Spectrum Organics Unrefined Coconut Oil (http://www.spectrumorganics.com/?id=205)...

-for heavy pre-wash treatments
-for lightly oiling my ends after washing
-for a face moisturizer
-on my feet before I go to bed (I wear socks on top and this works like magic!)
-on my nails and cuticles

Coconut oil melts at 76 degrees centagrade so those of you who are having trouble with clumps just need to warm it a small amount...then it has a very nice texture for hair or eating. I take my oil by the tablespoon by mouth and it is nice and melty. If the house gets chilly, it hardens.

I use coconut oil by:
- adding it to my deep conditioners (often)
- moisturizing my skin with it (occasionally)
- as a pre-poo (occasionally)

Everywhere for everything. Hair, skin, makeup remover, to moisturize and keep my nails healthy, and it's awesome on popcorn :)

I use it as a treatment before washing my hair and I'll add a little bit to leave-in conditioners.

I miss my coconut oil.
When I finally get my car fixed, I'm going to have to go by the hippie store and get some to slather all over myself, mainly my hair. My hair misses it so much!!!!