Uses for Coconut Oil

In my previous post, I shared some truly wonderful benefits of Coconut oil. There is an endless list of uses for Coconut Oil of which I am going to share a few.

Dietary:

• Eat a spoonful when you need an energy boost
• Use as a base for chocolate making
• Replace unhealthy oils in cooking and baking recipes
• Take a spoonful with vitamins to improve the absorption of vitamins and minerals
• Taken daily it will improve thyroid function
• Consuming Coconut oil will increase milk flow for nursing mothers.
• Eating a spoonful with meals will increase digestion
• Toss with hot air popcorn to flavor
• Eat daily to help with immune function
• Add to a smoothie for additional flavor and nutrition
• Use to detox the body during a cleanse
• Take a spoonful before mealtime to curb appetite 
• Add a spoonful to your dog or cats food dish
• Take to help reduce or eliminate migraines
• Take a spoonful for heartburn, reflux or indigestion

External Uses:

• Use inside nostrils to help relieve runny or bleeding nose and allergies
• Use on newborns bottom for diaper rash and to prevent meconium from sticking to bottom
• Massage into tired muscles
• Helps to sooth and heal hemorrhoids
• Mix with baking soda for a non toxic Goo Be Gone
• Use as a natural sunscreen
• Mix with a tiny bit of fresh lemon juice for a natural furniture polish. (Always test on a small area first)
• Season Cast iron pans
• Condition leather
• Use as an all over body moisturizer. Great on cracked heals.
• Use to condition hair
• Massage into nails and cuticles to strengthen them
• Apply to bug and bee stings to help sooth the skin
• Use as a make remover
• Use to treat acne
• Use on tissue around your eyes to help prevent wrinkles and sagging.
• Use on stretch marks to help reduce visibility
• Spread a thin layer on cuts and burns to aid in healing
• Use a massage oil, add in essential oil to make it even better
• Use on baby's cradle cap
• Add to bath water for a moisturizing soak
• Makes a great lip moisturizer
• Rub a little on your palms and apply to hair to moisturize
• Use as a conditioner for your hair. Apply and leave on for as long as possible and then shampoo out.
• Use to sooth skin irritations such as eczema, chicken pox and other skin rashes
• Use to treat athletes foot, yeast infections and other fungus
• Brush on eye lashes for an eyelash strengthener
• Use a little on a damp cloth to remove scum from the shower. Wipe with coconut oil and then spray with vinegar and wipe off.
• Use as the carrier oil in homemade baby wipes
• Use on warts and moles
• Mix up in your mixer for a creamy moisturizer
• Use with baking soda for a facial scrub
• Use to help relieve ear infections, melt and put a little drop in the ear
• Use as a base for homemade deodorant, soaps and lotions
• Use on plant leaves to shine
• Dab a little on canker sore to speed up the healing and to soothe
• Use to soothe pink eye infections, rub around the eye and drop a little in the eye
• Use to remove chewing gum from carpet
• After shaving face or legs, use to moisturize and soothe the skin
• Use to treat lice
• Use in homemade toothpaste - Jillie has a great recipe here
• Condition wooden cutting board and cast iron pans
• Homemade Vapor Rub: 3 Tbs. Coconut Oil – melted; 3-5 drops Tea Tree Essential Oil; 6-10 drops Rosemary Essential Oil. Place oil into a small container and add in essential oils. Then just rub on chest, under nose or on to feet.

I am amazed by all the uses of coconut oil. There are many, many more out there. 

I would love to hear from you, what do you use coconut oil for?

References
http://www.empowernetwork.com/dreamerchris/files/2012/07/Coconut-oil-Uses.jpg
http://www.deliciousobsessions.com/2012/01/52-uses-for-coconut-oil-the-simple-the-strange-and-the-downright-odd/

Benefits of Coconut Oil

The more I read about Coconut oil, the more impressed I become with it and its many uses. 

Coconut Oil Benefits:

• Anti Bacterial and Anti Microbial- it will aid in fighting off viruses and bacteria.
• Anti Fungal and Anti Viral
• Aides with weight loss by increasing the bodies metabolism and aiding in thyroid functions.  By substituting Coconut oil for other oils, individuals end up eating less because of the beneficals fats in Coconut oil naturally make you feel fuller.
• Moisturizes skin and hair.  Coconut oil is very rich in Vitamin E, which clears skin blockage and diminishes skin infections such as psoriasis, eczema and acne. It is also effect for moisturizing dry skin and eradicates skin flaking. Coconut oil also helps prevent face wrinkling and prevents skin sagging. It is widely used in soaps, creams and lotions. 
• Contains 50% Luaric acid which helps prevent various heart problems including high cholesterol levels and high blood pressure. 
• Aides in digestion and helps to prevent  various stomach and digestion related problems including irritable bowel syndrome. 
• Aides in the absorption of vitamins and minerals in the body.  
• Strengthens the immune system by helping to fight off  viruses and bacteria causing diseases.  
• Facilitates the absorption of calcium and magnesium by the body, which helps with strong teeth and bones. Coconut oil also stops tooth decay.
• Coconut oil helps in controlling blood sugar, and improves the secretion of insulin. It also helps in effective utilization of blood glucose, thereby preventing and treating diabetes.
• Anti Oxidant - protects against free radicals.
• Anti-parasitic - fights to rid the body of lice, tapeworms and other parasites. 
• Anti-inflammatory - appears to suppress inflammation and repair tissue. It may also contribute to inhibiting harmful intestinal microorganisms that cause chronic inflammation. 

Types of Coconut Oil:

• Virgin (unrefined) coconut oil tastes and smells like coconut and is great for cooking and baking where you want that flavor. Unrefined coconut oil has the most nutritional value and is superior to refined oil.
• Expeller pressed (refined) coconut oil can be used for anything. It does not have a coconut smell or taste. It is still beneficial to use but does lose some of it’s health properties during the refining process.

I have only touched on the amazing benefits of Coconut Oil. Look for my follow up post on the uses of Coconut Oil.

What is your favorite way to use Coconut Oil?

The Health Benefits of Turmeric

The spicy taste of Turmeric is well known to those that love Indian food. Not only does it add spice to an Indian dish, but it also provides many health benefits.  For decades Turmeric has been used as a digestive add and for liver problems. Studies continually discover new benefits of this amazing herb.  This herb is loaded with essential nutrients and vitamins that aid in good health.

Nutrients in Turmeric:

B Vitamins
Vitamin C
Vitamin E & K
Curcumin (may have anti-tumor, antioxidant, anti-arthritic, anti-amyloid, anti-ischemic, and anti-inflammatory properties.)
Antioxidants
Dietary Fiber
Choline
Niacin
Riboflavin
Calcium
Iron
Potassium
Manganese
Copper
Zinc
Magnesium

20 Benefits of Turmeric as found at http://www.healthdiaries.com/eatthis/20-health-benefits-of-turmeric.html

1. It is a natural antiseptic and antibacterial agent, making it useful in healing and disinfecting wounds, cuts and burns. 

2. Speeds up wound healing and assists in remolding damaged skin.

• Cleanse the wound and sprinkle with Turmeric powder and cover with a bandage. Take care not to get it on clothing as it will stain.

3. When combined with cauliflower, studies have been shown to prevent prostate cancer and stop growth of existing prostate cancer. 

4.  Prevented breast cancer from spreading to the lungs of mice. 

5. May prevent melanoma and cause existing melanoma cells to die.

6. Reduces the risk of childhood leukemia.

7. Is a natural liver detoxifier.

8. May prevent and slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease by removing amyloyd plaque buildup in the brain.

9. May prevent metastases from occurring in many different forms of cancer.

10. It is a potent natural anti-inflammatory that works as well as many anti-inflammatory drugs but without the side effects.

11. Has been shown to slow the progression of multiple sclerosis in mice. 

12. It is a natural painkiller and cox-2 inhibitor.

13. May aid in fat metabolism and help with weight management.

• Researchers at Tufts University say that curcumin stalls the spread of fat by inhibiting new blood vessel growth in the fat cells, reducing weight gain. The curcumin (active ingredient in Turmeric)  appeared to reduce the spread of these fat cells.
  Read more: Turmeric & Weight Loss | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/about_5438028_turmeric-weight-loss.html#ixzz2M0pY2oSb 

14. Has been used in Chinese medicine as a treatment for depression.

15. It is a anti-inflammatory make it a natural treatment for arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

16. Boosts the effects of chemo drug paclitaxel and reduces its side effects. 

17. May have an effect on pancreatic cancer.

18. Studies are ongoing in the positive effects of turmeric on multiple myeloma.

19. Has been shown to stop the growth of new blood vessels in tumors.

20. May help in treatment of psoriasis and other inflammatory skin conditions.

Turmeric can be taken in powder or pill form.  Alison's Pantry is a great place to buy Turmeric in the powder form. 



 

Contraindications: Turmeric should not be used by people with gallstones or bile obstruction. Though turmeric is often used by pregnant women, it is important to consult with a doctor before doing so as turmeric can be a uterine stimulant.


References:
http://www.livestrong.com/article/131481-vitamins-turmeric/
http://www.nutrition-and-you.com/turmeric.html

Tonic for Colds

In a desperate attempt to alleviate a cold this winter I turned to natural remedies. The following recipe is one I found on pintrest, so I thought why not give it a try.  Now it doesn't taste the best and I am sure that it would be great for weight loss as well as chasing away a cold. I didn't want to eat anything after taking a spoonful.

1/4 teaspoon Cayenne
1/4 teaspoon Ginger
1 tablespoon of Apple Cider Vinegar
2 Tablespoon Water
1 Tablespoon Honey
1 slice of onion (optional, not in the orgininal recipe but onion is great in breaking up mucus.)

In a small jar combine all ingredients and mix well.  Take one tablespoon through out the day as needed.  Shake the jar well before each use.

The Benefits of Honey

My boys love honey on everything from chicken nuggets to peanut butter and honey sandwiches. Not only does it taste wonderful, but it has many health benefits.  In an effort to help relieve son number 1's seasonal allergies, I give him a teaspoon of local honey daily starting before trees begin to blossom.  He says it seems to help, but then again he loves honey and doesn't mind that teaspoon a day.
I received an email from my mother with all the great benefits of honey. I am not sure who wrote this but I thought I would share anyway because of the great information.

"It is found that a mix of honey and Cinnamon cures most diseases. Honey is produced in most of the countries of the world. Scientists of today also note honey as very effective medicine for all kinds of diseases. Honey can be used without side effects which is also a plus.Today's science says that even though honey is sweet, when it is taken in the right dosage as a medicine, it does not harm even diabetic patients. Researched by western scientists:

 HEART DISEASES:

• Make a paste of honey and cinnamon powder, put it on toast instead of jelly and jam and eat it regularly for breakfast. It reduces the cholesterol and could potentially save one from heart attack.
• Also, even if you have already had an attack studies show you could be kept miles away from the next attack.
• Regular use of cinnamon honey strengthens the heart beat. In America and Canada, various nursing homes have treated patients successfully and have found that as one ages the arteries and veins lose their flexibility and get clogged; honey and cinnamon revitalize the arteries and the veins.

ARTHRITIS:

• Arthritis patients can benefit by taking one cup of hot water with two tablespoons of honey and one small teaspoon of cinnamon powder. When taken daily even chronic arthritis can be cured.
• In a recent research conducted at the Copenhagen University, it was found that when the doctors treated their patients with a mixture of one tablespoon Honey and half teaspoon Cinnamon powder before breakfast, they found that within a week (out of the 200 people so treated) practically 73 patients were totally relieved of pain -- and within a month, most all the patients who could not walk or move around because of arthritis now started walking without pain.

BLADDER INFECTIONS:

• Take two tablespoons of cinnamon powder and one teaspoon of honey in a glass of lukewarm water and drink it. It destroys the germs in the bladder.

CHOLESTEROL:

• Two tablespoons of honey and three teaspoons of Cinnamon Powder mixed in 16 ounces of tea water given to a cholesterol patient was found to reduce the level of cholesterol in the blood by 10 percent within two hours.
• As mentioned for arthritic patients, when taken three times a day, any chronic cholesterol-could be cured. According to information received in the said Journal, pure honey taken with food daily relieves complaints of cholesterol.

COLDS:

• Those suffering from common or severe colds should take one tablespoon lukewarm honey with 1/4 spoon cinnamon powder daily for three days. This process will cure most chronic cough, cold, and, clear the sinuses, and it's delicious too!

UPSET STOMACH:

• Honey taken with cinnamon powder cures stomach ache and also is said to clear stomach ulcers from its root.

GAS:

• According to the studies done in India and Japan, it is revealed that when Honey is taken with cinnamon powder the stomach is relieved of gas.

IMMUNE SYSTEM:

• Daily use of honey and cinnamon powder strengthens the immune system and protects the body from bacterial and viral attacks.
• Scientists have found that honey has various vitamins and iron in large amounts.
• Constant use of Honey strengthens the white blood corpuscles (where DNA is contained) to fight bacterial and viral diseases.

INDIGESTION:

• Cinnamon powder sprinkled on two tablespoons of honey taken before food is eaten relieves acidity and digests the heaviest of meals

INFLUENZA:

• A scientist in Spain has proved that honey contains a natural 'Ingredient' which kills the influenza germs and saves the patient from flu.

LONGEVITY:

• Tea made with honey and cinnamon powder, when taken regularly, arrests the ravages of old age.
• Use four teaspoons of honey, one teaspoon of cinnamon powder, and three cups of boiling water to make a tea. Drink 1/4 cup, three to four times a day.
• It keeps the skin fresh and soft and arrests old age.

RASPY OR SORE THROAT:

• When throat has a tickle or is raspy, take one tablespoon of honey and sip until gone. Repeat every three hours until throat is without symptoms.

PIMPLES:

• Three tablespoons of honey and one teaspoon of cinnamon powder paste.
• Apply this paste on the pimples before sleeping and wash it off the next morning with warm water.
• When done daily for two weeks, it removes all pimples from the root.

SKIN INFECTIONS:

• Applying honey and cinnamon powder in equal parts on the affected parts cures eczema, ringworm and all types of skin Infections.

WEIGHT LOSS:

• Daily in the morning one half hour before breakfast and on an empty stomach, and at night before sleeping, drink honey and cinnamon powder boiled in one cup of water.
• When taken regularly, it reduces the weight of even the most obese person.
• Also, drinking this mixture regularly does not allow the fat to accumulate in the body even though the person may eat a high calorie diet.

CANCER:

• Recent research in Japan and Australia has revealed that advanced cancer of the stomach and bones have been cured successfully.
• Patients suffering from these kinds of cancer should daily take one tablespoon of honey with one teaspoon of cinnamon powder three times a day for one month.

FATIGUE:

• Recent studies have shown that the sugar content of honey is more helpful rather than being detrimental to the strength of the body.
• Senior citizens who take honey and cinnamon powder in equal parts are more alert and flexible.
• Dr. Milton, who has done research, says that a half tablespoon of honey taken in a glass of water and sprinkled with cinnamon powder, even when the vitality of the body starts to decrease, when taken daily after brushing and in the afternoon at about 3:00 P.M., the vitality of the body increases within a week.

BAD BREATH:

• People of South America, gargle with one teaspoon of honey and cinnamon powder mixed in hot water first thing in the morning so their breath stays fresh throughout the day.

HEARING LOSS:

• Daily morning and night honey and cinnamon powder, taken in equal parts restores hearing."

HAIR LOSS:

• To prevent your hair from falling out, massage your scalp and hair with a paste of warm olive oil, one tablespoon of honey, and one teaspoon of cinnamon powder. Leave on for 15 minutes, then shampoo lightly and rinse.

INFERTILITY:

• Some men swear that two tablespoons of honey before bed cures impotence.
• And women who have difficulty conceiving often rub a pinch of cinnamon powder in half a teaspoon of honey onto their gums at frequent intervals throughout the day.

Just a word of caution: never place honey in the microwave as it will destroy all beneficial enzymes.  To ensure that your honey is 100% honey, purchase from your local honey store. Honey producers are allowed to put up to 60% corn syrup in honey to prevent it from crystallizing as fast.
My favorite place to purchase honey is Cox Honey. http://coxhoney.com/

Again as I said, I do not know the author or the resources used in creating this post, but I was amazed by all the benefits of honey.

Not only does it taste great but it is said to cure many aliments. What is your favorite way to use honey?  Leave a comment below.