Coconut oil

Coconut oil has become extremely popular in recent years for many good reasons; several experts agree that it can be used for weight loss, better skin and hair, and even improve our brain function!

In this article you can read about the following:

40 ways to use coconut oil

1. Weight loss: Coconut oil can both increase metabolism and reduce hunger and can therefore be used for weight loss. Read more about this further down this page.

2. massage oil: Coconut oil relaxes tired and sore muscles. As a massage oil, it can be mixed with other of your favorite oils.

3. Antifungal: Coconut oil has an antifungal effect and can be used against Candida fungus, among other things. Other oils also have antifungal properties and can therefore be used in combination with coconut oil. These include tea tree oil and oregano oil.

4. Pimples/acne: Coconut oil has a mild inhibitory effect on the bacteria that cause pimples (acne). The procedure is simple: pour a little oil on a cotton pad or similar and dab it directly onto the pimples.

5. cleanses the skin: Coconut oil has a cleansing and soothing effect on the skin. The oil can be used on the skin daily to remove impurities.

6. Stretch marks: During pregnancy, you can apply coconut oil to the abdomen daily to prevent stretch marks.

7. Calluses: If you have calluses on your hands or feet, for example, this can be removed by applying coconut oil daily. Do the following daily: Lubricate the hard skin with oil and cover it with a patch.

8. Moisturizing: If you have dry, rough or slightly damaged (not open wounds etc.) skin, this can often be remedied with coconut oil. Apply the oil to the affected area until the skin normalizes.

9. Exfoliation of the skin: The skin can be exfoliated using coconut oil as follows: Mix the coconut oil with baking soda, sugar, cinnamon and oatmeal. Use it as a regular exfoliating cream.

10. Dandruff: Dandruff can be both removed and prevented with coconut oil by rubbing the oil thoroughly into the scalp. This can be done as needed.

11. appetite suppressant: A teaspoon of coconut oil before a meal reduces appetite and feelings of hunger.

12. wrinkles: Wrinkles can be reduced with coconut oil because the oil moisturizes and nourishes the skin.

13. Sore throat: If you have a sore throat, you can consume a little coconut oil because it lubricates and protects the sore throat. It also improves the condition of the mucous membranes and actively fights infections in the throat. The procedure is as follows: Put one teaspoon of coconut oil in your mouth and let it dissolve there. The coconut oil must flow slowly down the throat to work optimally.

14. Lips: If you have dry, chapped or damaged lips, you can apply a small amount of coconut oil to normalize the skin on your lips and protect them from future dryness. There are also lip balms with coconut oil – we particularly recommend this one:

15. cold sores: cold sores often tend to recur. If you suffer from cold sores, try applying a little coconut oil to them (this should be done as soon as the symptoms appear).

16. tick remover: Ticks can cause various diseases (especially Lyme disease, but also TBE) if not removed quickly. Coconut oil can be used to remove and kill ticks.

17. Pets: Coconut oil can be used for many types of body care for pets such as dogs and cats. Examples include cleaning ears, grooming, improving bad breath, treating and preventing ticks, lice and fleas, etc.

18. barley grain: Barley corns (Hordeolum) are small benign nodules that occur in the eyelid. Barley corns can be lubricated with a little coconut oil to help the healing process, but of course you have to be careful not to get the coconut oil in the eye!

19. scars on babies: Coconut oil can be used to remove scars on babies' scalps. The oil is applied directly to the scab, which is then removed with a comb.

20 Red buttocks in babies: For babies with red “blenums” (but not open or oozing sores), coconut oil can be used to reduce redness.

21. bruises: Applying coconut oil to bruises will speed up the healing process.

22. Liver spots: Coconut oil can reduce the appearance of liver spots, making them less visible. This phenomenon is possibly due to coconut oil's high antioxidant content.

23. Natural shaving foam: Coconut oil makes the razor blade glide effortlessly over the skin and can therefore be used as a natural alternative to shaving foam. The skin conditioning properties of coconut oil also make it an ideal replacement for normal shaving foam. There are also shaving foams with coconut oil – we particularly recommend this one:

24. beard rash: Beard rash and other skin irritations associated with shaving can be avoided by applying a little coconut oil to the skin after shaving.

25. Natural toothpaste: You can make a natural toothpaste as follows: Mix coconut oil with baking soda in equal parts. Also add a few drops of peppermint oil to improve the flavor.

26 Chickenpox: Chickenpox is intensely itchy and mainly affects children, but in rare cases can also occur in adults. Although the old folk remedy of applying zinc ointment to chicken pox works, you can also apply coconut oil, which both reduces the itching and promotes the healing process.

27. make-up remover: Coconut oil can be used to remove oil-based make-up (such as mascara). A plus here is that coconut oil also conditions and nourishes the skin.

28. conditioner: Coconut oil revitalizes, strengthens and repairs the hair and can therefore be used after regular shampooing (as a conditioner). Leave the oil in the hair for 10 minutes before rinsing it out.

29. furniture oil: Coconut oil can be used as furniture oil to treat solid wood furniture. The oil makes the furniture shine, giving it more color and life. Always remember to test a small area in an inconspicuous place before treating the entire piece.

30. Energizing: Coconut oil is rich in medium-chain fatty acids, which are a quick source of energy for the body.

31. Dark circles under the eyes: If you have black or dark circles under your eyes, you can apply a little coconut oil to them. This reduces the appearance of dark circles but also has a calming effect on any puffiness. There are also special eye creams with coconut oil – we particularly recommend this one:

32. Eczema: The symptoms of some eczema conditions can be alleviated with coconut oil. For example, some patients with psoriasis benefit from coconut oil.

33. Hemorrhoids: The pain and discomfort associated with hemorrhoids can be reduced by applying a little coconut oil.

34. Nosebleeds: Nosebleeds caused by cracks in the nose can be treated and prevented by lubricating the nostrils with a little coconut oil. Other nasal problems (such as small sores in the nose) can also be prevented in the same way.

35. Blisters: Blisters are small, painful, open sores that appear in the mouth and on the tongue. Applying coconut oil directly to the blisters reduces the pain and speeds up healing. Another advantage of using coconut oil for blisters over other remedies is that the oil tastes significantly better!

36. Heartburn: Heartburn and acid reflux can be reduced by consuming one teaspoon of coconut oil with the meals that trigger these symptoms.

37. Breastfeeding: When breastfeeding, the skin on the nipples is easily damaged. Creams and the like should not be applied to the nipples due to the risk of transferring harmful substances to the baby. Therefore, you can use coconut oil to care for and repair the damaged skin.

38. Bones: Coconut oil makes it easier for the body to absorb calcium and magnesium, two minerals that are important for keeping our bones and teeth healthy.

39. Chewing gum remover: Chewing gum stuck to hair, clothes, etc. can be removed with coconut oil.

40. Healthy gastronomy: Coconut oil contains a number of fats that we in the West do not normally get in our daily diet. Therefore, you can use coconut oil as a substitute for some of the fats (e.g. butter or oils) you normally use. This creates variety in the diet, which most experts agree is healthy.

Coconut oil in hair

Because coconut oil consists mainly of medium chain fatty acids, it penetrates deeper and faster into the hair than other oils. In the hair, coconut oil can be used in several different ways, of which the two most sought-after are reviewed here:

Coconut oil as a deep conditioner

Click here to read more

Coconut oil for dandruff

Click here to read more

Coconut oil on skin

Coconut oil nourishes and moisturizes the skin and can therefore be used by almost everyone.

Dry skin

If you have dry skin, the oil can be used after washing the skin – such as after a shower in the morning or on the face before bed at night.

You only need to use small amounts as the oil is easy to spread. Even a very small amount of oil can cover a larger area of skin. For use on the face, for example, a ¼ teaspoon is usually sufficient.

The procedure is simple; take a small amount and spread it on both palms. The body heat will melt the semi-solid oil. Gently massage the oil into the desired skin areas. Leave it on for 5-10 minutes and wipe away any excess oil with a cotton pad or similar. The skin should only be covered with a very thin layer of oil.

Oily skin

If you have oily skin, be careful when using the oil – or at least make sure you apply it correctly – otherwise you risk problems with blemishes (blackheads and pimples).

For oily skin, the procedure is as follows: Wash your skin with warm water and a mild soap. Apply the oil to the skin and leave it on for about 15 minutes. Then wash the skin with warm water and dry with a soft towel. Repeat for several days. Some people experience a slight flare-up of acne for the first few days, but this can be ignored if it's not too severe. After a while, the skin's sebum production will in many cases reduce, which is desirable when you tend to have oily skin.

Is saturated fat from coconut oil healthy?

There has long been a debate about whether saturated fat is healthy or unhealthy. The general opinion has been that unsaturated fatty acids – and especially polyunsaturated fatty acids – are the “healthy” fatty acids, while saturated fatty acids are “unhealthy”. However, this theory is disputed by many experts. Several studies have also shown that there is no link between a high intake of saturated fatty acids and the incidence of cardiovascular disease.

Coconut oil (or coconut oil) contains 90% saturated fat and should therefore – according to the traditional view of the effects of fats on the body – be very unhealthy. But it's not that simple:

A 1981 study examined cholesterol levels in the populations of the Pukapuka and Tokelau archipelagos of New Zealand, where a very high proportion of calorie intake (63% and 34% respectively) comes from coconuts and coconut oil. The study found that although the Tokelau population consumed more saturated fat from coconuts than the Pukapuka population, cardiovascular disease was very rare in both populations. The study also concluded that a high intake of saturated fatty acids in these populations had no adverse effects on health.

This phenomenon was also confirmed in a 1993 study that examined the health of the population on the island of Kitava in Papua New Guinea. The people of this island live mainly on root vegetables, fruits, fish and coconuts. The study showed that stroke and ischemic heart disease were not prevalent among the population and that they knew nothing about heart attacks, for example, which are common in the West.

Another aspect of the fat discussion is that coconut oil does not contain the same saturated fats that we typically consume (such as those found in meat or cheese) and that this may be part of the explanation for the results in these studies.

Another point of view could be that a varied diet is always the healthiest diet and that by consuming coconut oil, you get some fatty acids that are otherwise not found in many of the foods we normally eat. So from a nutritional perspective, it makes sense to consume coconut oil once in a while.

Can coconut oil increase fat burning?

As we mentioned in the section above, there are different types of fatty acids that affect the body differently. Coconut oil contains medium-chain fatty acids (MCTs) in particular, which are broken down in a different way to the long-chain fatty acids that normally dominate our diet.

One study has indicated that replacing long chain fatty acids with medium chain fatty acids over longer periods of time can lead to weight loss. Another study has shown that replacing long-chain fatty acids with medium-chain fatty acids can increase fat burning. A third study showed that consuming between 15 and 30 grams of medium-chain fatty acids per day can increase energy expenditure by around 5% – and thus the amount of calories burned. This corresponds to burning around 120 extra calories per day.

The effect of coconut oil on harmful microorganisms

Lauric acid makes up almost 50% of the fatty acids in coconut oil. When lauric acid is digested, a substance called monolaurin is formed. Both lauric acid and monolaurin can kill harmful microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses and fungi. For example, studies have shown that lauric acid and monolaurin can inhibit the bacterial species Staphylococcus aureus and that coconut oil can be used to treat fungal infections caused by the fungi of the Candida genus.

Ketones' effect on appetite and epilepsy

Coconut oil can reduce appetite, which may be related to the way it is metabolized: the medium chain fatty acids found in coconut oil, for example, go directly from the digestive tract to the liver, where they are converted into so-called “ketones”, which are a source of quick energy.

The effects of ketones are still being researched by scientists and are not yet clear, but there are several interesting studies on their effects in the body. A 2007 study examined the effects of two different diets on “mood, hunger and other self-reported symptoms”. The diets included a low-carbohydrate ketogenic diet and a low-fat diet. The study showed that both groups experienced a significant improvement in symptoms, but that participants on the low-carb ketogenic diet experienced less hunger than those on the low-fat diet, among other things.

In addition, there is still a lot of research into the effects of ketones on children with epilepsy. Ketogenic diets have been used to treat children with epilepsy since the 1920s. However, it is important to emphasize that such a diet must be done in consultation with a doctor.

The effect of coconut oil on blood cholesterol

As mentioned in the introduction, there has long been a debate about which fatty acids are healthy and which are unhealthy. Whether the fatty acids in coconut oil are actually healthy will not be discussed further, but their effect on blood cholesterol is worth mentioning:

The widespread consensus on cholesterol is that there is “healthy” cholesterol and “unhealthy” cholesterol, with HDL cholesterol considered healthy and LDL cholesterol considered unhealthy. However, as with the fatty acids, there is disagreement among experts as well as the general public.

Coconut oil can increase the level of HDL cholesterol in the blood, but also help convert LDL cholesterol into a less harmful form. A study on the effects of coconut oil on obese women found that “supplementation of coconut oil in the diet appears to reduce abdominal obesity“.

In addition, several studies on rats have shown that coconut oil can reduce blood levels of triglycerides and LDL cholesterol and increase levels of HDL cholesterol.

Frequently asked questions

Here are some frequently asked questions about coconut oil:

Where can I buy coconut oil at a low price?

Coconut oil is now available in most health food stores and even in some well-stocked supermarkets. In addition, coconut oil can be purchased online, where prices are generally low. Especially the largest health webshops have low prices.

When buying coconut oil, remember to look at the quantity in relation to the price. For example, if a jar of 200 grams costs DKK 100.00, this corresponds to a kilo price of DKK 500.00! You can easily find a good coconut oil with a price per kilo of DKK 150.00 – 200.00 (such as those recommended on this page).

Is it worth buying cheap coconut oil?

However, you should be aware that the quality of coconut oil can vary greatly. The manufacturing process greatly affects the quality of the oil – both in terms of consistency and nutrient retention. Therefore, we do not recommend going for the cheapest oil you can find, as you will often end up with a low-quality product.

As mentioned above, you can usually find a good oil if you choose one in the price range of DKK 100.00 – 200.00 per kilo. Of course, if you choose more expensive oils, the quality may be higher, but you also run the risk of paying too much.

Is coconut oil healthy?

There is no clear answer to this question, but most experts today agree that coconut oil is healthy if it contributes to a varied diet. However, there is no doubt that coconut oil is healthy for the skin and hair.

Is there organic coconut oil?

Yes, coconut oil is available both organic and non-organic.

Is there virgin coconut oil?

Yes, coconut oil is named after its manufacturing process, with virgin coconut oil being the least refined oil. The wording might get a little confusing here, but the least refined coconut oils have the highest quality because they undergo the least amount of processing from coconut to finished oil. Read more about this here. 

Is there unflavored coconut oil?

Yes, there is unflavored coconut oil, which is especially suitable for baking and frying (or if you don't like the taste of coconut!).

Can I use coconut oil on my face (facial cleanser)?

Yes, coconut oil can be used on the face to cleanse, moisturize and nourish the skin. It can also be used for impure skin and acne. There are also facial cleansers with coconut oil.

Can you use coconut oil for the body?

Yes, coconut oil is excellent for body care and can be used to nourish the skin. In addition to regular coconut oil, there are also body care products with coconut oil.

Is there a coconut oil scrub?

Yes, in addition to the homemade scrub mentioned in point 9 above, we recommend these coconut oil scrubs:

Is there deodorant with coconut oil?

Yes.

Is there a coconut oil shampoo?

Yes, we recommend these coconut oil shampoos:

What is the calorie content of coconut oil (kcal)?

100 grams of coconut oil contains 862 calories (kcal), which equates to approximately 9 calories per gram. This is the normal calorie content of most fats.

Can I have a coconut oil allergy?

Yes, all essential oils can cause allergies in humans, which is partly due to their potency. If you suspect that you are allergic to coconut oil, you should seek medical advice.

Does coconut oil contain omega 3?

No, coconut oil does not contain omega 3 (omega 3 is a fatty acid found in fish).