Put the Lime in the Coconut Oil

Coconuts! Ah! Just thinking of them conjures up their smell in my mind. Inciting a flood of sensory day dreaming with images of waves gently crashing on the beach, cool salty breezes, soft sand on my toes, and of course, the whining sound of the line on my fishing pole being taken out by an unknown but obviously formidable foe!

I did say day dreaming...

Though I'm sure coconuts might conjure up similar images for you, lackadaisical days on the beach is not what I will be discussing today. Instead, I'd like to talk about the benefits of coconuts to your health and well being.

Coconut Palms are extremely versatile plants with various aspects of it being used to create buttons, ropes, sacks, brooms, mats, containers, brushes, makeup, potting compost, bridges, drums and other musical instruments, small canoes, toothbrushes, food stuffs, charcoal, and even fuel - just to name a few. Most importantly and scarcely known though, are the health benefits from the ingestion or topical use of coconut, specifically coconut oil.

For years coconut oil has been considered one of the "bad" oils because of it's high content of saturated fat. However, not all saturated fats are created equal. All fatty acids (including "good" monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats) have a classification based on the molecular size within itself. In lamen's terms, each fat is broken down into how physically long the fat is, when looked at under a microscope. Fortunately, scientists were at least nice enough to label them simply: short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA), long-chain fatty acids (LCFA), and very-long-chain fatty acids (VLCFA). The typical human diet consists of saturated and unsaturated fats that are mostly composed of LCFAs, which have a negative effect on humans because they take longer to digest. LCFAs move through the body and deposit plaque (what we see as "fat") along the way, which contributes to increased cholesterol, clogged arteries, and of course, heart disease. However, SCFAs and MCFAs do NOT have a negative effect on the body, as they are absorbed directly into the blood and travel straight to the liver where their good nutrients are processed. Non-hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated coconut oil's saturated fats are mainly composed of MCFAs, ie: the good saturated fats. Early studies (dating back to the 1950's through the 1980's) used hydrogenated and partially hydrogenated coconut oil. This process actually creates synthetic trans-fats (lab created LCFAs), so it's no wonder that coconut oil had been demonized for so long!

The health benefits, uses and recipe listed below apply to unrefined (virgin, extra-virgin) and refined (RBD) coconut oil. (of course, unrefined coconut oil would be the healthiest option, with the most nutrients being available, but refined works just as well)


General Health & Wellness
Appetite Suppressant/Weight Loss - the fat in the coconut oil releases hormones that slow the movement of food through the digestive system, allowing the "full" feeling to last longer
Digestion - aids in the absorption of calcium, vitamins, minerals, & amino acids, controls parasites & fungi that cause indigestion
Metabolism & Energy - stimulates metabolism, improves thyroid function, and boosts energy and endurance, much healthier pick-me-up option over "5 Hour Energy"
Stress Relief - coconut oil massaged into the temples relives mental fatigue

Chronic Health Problems
when ingested (unless otherwise noted) it will aid in preventing, relieving or curing:
Acid Reflux (taken after a meal)
Acne (coconut oil is anti-bacterial & anti-fungal, applying topically & ingesting will reduce acne)
Alzheimer's (great article about the possibility of using coconut oil as a cure: http://www.coconutketones.com/whatifcure.pdf)
Blood Pressure Regulation
Cancer (shown to prevent colon & breast cancer in lab tests)
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Cholesterol
Colds & Viruses
Decongestant (same use as Vick's Vapor Rub, but healthier & cheaper!)
Depression
Diabetes (stabilizes blood sugar, helping cravings)
Eczema (works both internally and topically)
Gas
Glaucoma
Heart Disease
Hormone Regulator
Immune System Builder
Inflammation
Influenza
Kidney Stones (aids in dissolving them)
Menopause (reduces hot flashes)
Menstruation (reduces cramps, regulates flow)
Migraines
Osteoporosis
Pneumonia
Spider Veins
Stomach Ulcers
Thyroid Function
Urinary Tract and Yeast Infections (can also apply topically for relief in the later)

Sporadic Health Issues
Age Spots (applied topically will encourage fading)
Antacid (coconut oil and cinnamon alleviates heartburn)
Bites, Bruises, & Burns (applied topically will reduce itching, swelling, redness, reduces infection, & promotes healing)
Cuts & Scrapes (applied topically it protects the wound, kills bacteria & speeds healing process)
Food Poisoning
Impotence
Insomnia
Leg Cramps
Nausea
Nose Bleeds (apply topically to inside nostril for prevention of burns & cracks due to weather or allergies)
Oral Health
Snoring

Personal Hygiene/Care
After Shave (I make and sell these!!)
Body Scrub (I make and sell these too! They work!)
Chapstick
Dandruff
Deodorant
Eye Cream
Face Wash (guess what? I make & sell these too!)
Hair Conditioner
Hand Cleaner
Insect Repellent
Lubricant (not compatible with latex)
Makeup Remover
Moisturizer
Shampoo
Sunless Tan Lotion (mix coconut oil with used coffee ground. use as body scrub before your shower)
Toothpaste
Wrinkle Prevention & Reducer

Kitchen Uses
Butter/PAM Substitute
Ice Cubes
Seasoning Cutting Boards
Salad Oil (50/50 mix with EVOO)
Rust Preventer & Remover (for metal utensils, pots/pans, etc)
Squeaky Hinges
Sink (& Tub!) Cleaner (wipe thin layer on surface, wait approx. 10 min, clean with baking soda/vinegar mix. will remove soap scum!)

and so, SO much more!!!

One amazing woman did the research and compiled as list of 333 uses for coconut oil alone!!! You can read all 333 here: http://www.hybridrastamama.com/2012/08/333-Uses-For-Coconut-Oil.html

So now you know the benefits and are ready to run out and purchase some coconut oil; but if you're like me, there's probably one nagging thought at the back of your mind. Coconut oil doesn't become a liquid until 75*, so how do you ingest it? The answer is really very simple. Some people take it straight from the spoon. That's completely safe to do, but I am not personally a fan of that. Here are some of the ways my husband & I get our daily intake:

* Cook with it! I use it instead of butter now for just about everything that ends up in a skillet or pot! Frying eggs, veggies, and meats, or boiling noodles.

* Add it to blended drinks

* Use it in salad dressings

* Bake with it! I do most of my baking in the fall and winter months, so I haven't had an opportunity to actually go this route yet, but I will be shortly!

* Add to steamed or sauteed vegetables or potatoes prior to seasoning.

There are literally tons of ways you can ensure you get coconut oil in your diet! You're limited only by your own creativity!
One way worth trying is through homemade candy. This simple recipe came via www.hybridrastamama.com:

Ingredients

· 1 cup coconut oil, melted

· 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

· 1/2 cup honey

Directions

· Pour the coconut oil into a bowl, and sift in the cocoa, stirring to
blend evenly.

· Stir in the honey, and mix until smooth.

· You can pour it into a glass dish (lightly coated with coconut oil) or
silicone mini muffin cups and refrigerate until hard.

· If using a glass dish, cut into one inch squares.

For more information on coconut oil, it's benefits and uses, or to purchase some check out: http://www.tropicaltraditions.com/faq.htm