Confirmed or Busted? Coconut Oil Remedies

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
    but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Proverbs 31:30

I have gathered coconut oil remedies from around the web and from books. Do these remedies really work or is it just hype? Let’s determine which myths are CONFIRMED and which are BUSTED.

The islands and India have used coconut for food and medicine for generations.

If you have tried or are willing to try any of the listed remedies, let me know how it worked out. I will update the remedies with a confirmed or busted label. Let see how many we can verify or reject. Sometimes it’s not all about the studies. Sometimes our personal experience is just as  valuable.

Here We Go

effective against head lice – spray mixed with anise

softens skin – apply as a moisturizer (busted) I found it to be drying.

exfoliant – applied several times a day can help remove layers of dead skin

conditions and controls hair – 2 t. oil on hair at night or a few hours in the morning

Has a protective effect on hair when used as a pre-wash conditioner on both undamaged and treated hair. This is due to it’s ability to penetrate the hair cuticle and cortex.

controls dandruff

effective in removing hair dye from hair – maybe don’t use as conditioner if you like your hair color

eye makeup remover – put on cotton ball and wipe (confirmed)

makes a good deodorant (not antiperspirant) – mix with baking soda and arrowroot powder

calms diaper rash

use as body or facial scrub – mix equal parts with sugar or course salt to make scrub

calms/reduces eczema or psoriasis

effective on acne when used regularly

use as a carrier oil for essential oils Confirmed)

use on cradle cap – unlike other oils, this is anti-fungal (confirmed)

lip balm to soften lips (confirmed)

blood sugar stabilizer – having fat before or with a high glycemic foods slows glucose absorption into blood stream (confirmed)

use on skin cuts and abrasions for quicker healing

oil pulling – reduces plaque formation and plaque inducing gingivitis

oil pulling- reduces bad breath

use to make toothpaste – add baking soda

use as a sunscreen – it blocks about 20% of the sun’s rays

enhances metabolism and weight loss

gives an energy boost

lighten age spots on skin

prevent stretch marks during pregnancy

kills yeast infections

use as a massage oil

small amount rubbed on hands to eliminate hair frizz

reduces appearance of varicose veins

speed healing of sunburn (after heat subsides)

food poisoning – kills bacteria that causes it

season cast iron skillets

use as shaving cream to reduce skin irritation and ingrown hairs and bumps

add to diet to help lessen arthritis

reduce bug bite itching

soften skin on feet and elbows (confirmed)

eliminate cracked heels on feet (confirmed)

soothe sore throat (plausible)

eliminates cold sores – kills the virus, apply several times a day

cuticle softener

under eye cream

improves digestion

controls digestive parasites and fungi

healthy coffee creamer – on its own or throw in some ghee as well and use a stick blender for a creamy energy boosting treat (also known as bulletproof type coffee) (confirmed)

wrinkle reducer around eyes – use before bed (busted)

anti-fungal cream – treat skin fungus

make up brush cleaner – kills bacteria that collects, rub in, let sit a few hours and wash

vapor rub – combine with eucalyptus oil and rub on chest to open airways (confirmed)

rust reducer

constipation relief

reduces acid reflux if taken after a meal

athlete’s foot

jock itch

conjunctivitis/itchy eye – put around eye, or put drop of oil in eye (okay, I won’t be the first one to try that)

keratosis pilaris – use it as a scrub to eliminate chicken skin

clears impetigo

heals cracks on lips (confirmed)

 

for pets:

• soothe hot spots, wounds
• soothe itchy skin
• eliminates bad breath
• gives a smooth coat
• improves digestion

 

 

 

Did I miss any? Let me know if you have any to add to the list.

Help test these and let me know if they are confirmed, busted, or plausible/inconclusive.

What is your favorite way to use coconut oil?

 

 

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4382606/

http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs00431-009-0978-0

http://journal.scconline.org/pdf/cc2003/cc054n02/p00175-p00192.pdf

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15724344

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22279374

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17966176