Virgin Coconut Oil Bonanza
Imagine finding a completely natural product that you can eat,
and use to help strengthen and moisturize your hair, skin, lips,
and nails. Also, depending on the temperature, it can be solid
or liquid, thus facilitating its ease of use. What is this
versatile ingredient?
This extraordinary ingredient is virgin coconut oil, and it's
loaded with vitamin E, antioxidants, fiber and smells just like
a freshly opened tropical coconut. The color is white, the
texture varies from a clear liquid, which is easily applied to
the skin and hair, or is solid white when the temperature is
below 76 degrees Fahrenheit. The wonderful news about virgin
coconut oil is that whether in butter or liquid oil form, the
good qualities just don't diminish!
Virgin coconut oil has a long shelf life, up to three years, and
the list of uses for it proves how versatile this vegan and
vegetarian friendly oil really can be. Virgin coconut butter is
something that has been used to keep skin and hair in prime
condition for centuries. Oftentimes it's the simplest
ingredients, such as coconut butter or shea butter, that, when
used daily, can make a big difference in how our skin looks and
feels. Unrefined, unbleached and undeodorized coconut butter
contains its naturally distinctive aroma; along with high levels
of skin-loving vitamin E. Also, you can be assured that no
chemicals are used in the growing or processing of the coconuts.
Virgin coconut oil comes from the fresh coconut milk and is
pressed without heat or only with a small amount of heat that is
about the same temperature as the air in a tropical country, so
that none of the vital ingredients are diminished.
Refined Coconut vs. Virgin Coconut Oil
Many commercial coconut oils are refined, deodorized and
bleached (RDB), and this is evident when you smell it, as they
there is absolutely no odor. Refined coconut oil will also be
able to remain solid until at least 92 degrees Fahrenheit, and
there are others that can remain solid up until 110 degrees
Fahrenheit. The coconut is oftentimes solvent extracted, and
done so at temperatures of up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit, which
means that all the vital proprieties have been eliminated.
Refined coconut also hails from the copra, which is the dried
coconut meat.
Virgin coconut oil hails from fresh coconut meat by a
wet-milling process. The meat from recently harvested coconuts
is pounded by hand in wooden mortars to express the "coconut
milk". Then, the coconut milk is allowed to ferment for about
two days, which allows the water to separate from the oil. The
oil is removed from the fermented mixture, heated slightly for a
brief time to remove moisture, and then it's all filtered. After
this natural method of extraction where all the properties
remain intact, the result is a clear coconut oil that keeps the
distinct scent and taste of coconuts.
Uses For Virgin Coconut Oil
Unless you're allergic to virgin coconut oil, the uses for it
externally and internally are numerous and beneficial. Skin - As
coconut oil is high in vitamin E, it helps your skin feel soft
and supple skin. It's also recommended for suntanning both
before and after sun exposure. Coconut oil is excellent to use
as a massage oil as its nonsticky and absorbs quickly.
Hair - One of the best natural conditioners out there is your
friendly jar of virgin coconut oil. This is a way to make your
hair feel softer and smoother and it can even help decrease
tangling. Massage into your scalp and comb through to the ends.
Some people prefer only massaging directly onto the scalp for
about 20 minutes at a time as they feel too much can clog pores.
Other people can allow the virgin coconut oil to remain on their
scalp and hair for much longer periods of time.
Nails - Use virgin coconut oil to help strengthen your nails and
keep your cuticles in great shape. Idea - if you bite your
nails, try using pleasant smelling virgin coconut oil on them to
prevent you from doing so and to remedy any previous damage.
Lips - Virgin coconut oil applied to the lips can help prevent
chapping and naturally moisturize them.
Animals - Cats, dogs, and other mammals can appreciate the
external and internal benefits of virgin coconut oil. On a
personal note, my cat greatly appreciates her daily dose of
virgin coconut oil, which is applied to her sides so it can be
licked off. Her fur is very thick, smooth and shiny. Adding
virgin coconut oil to her fur was the direct result of too many
feuds with other cats and she was left scratched and with
missing fur. By applying coconut oil to those injured areas the
wounds healed within days and the fur grew back thick and
strong. Before rushing out and offering your pet coconut oil,
remember it's wise to consult with a veterinarian before adding
this to your pets' food bowl.
Cooking - People have been cooking with virgin coconut oil for
centuries. Those people usually don't live in northern climates
but in the locations where coconut palm trees flourish: the
Philippines, Africa, Jamaica, Southeast Asia, and India. Cooking
with virgin coconut oil means that you can enhance the flavors
of the foods you're frying with the rich and sweet aroma and
taste of coconut. This healthy oil is suitable for children and
senior citizens, as well as vegans and vegetarians as it's easy
to digest. Recently, there have been many studies showing that
virgin coconut oil possesses natural fatty acids that are vital
to our internal comfort, along with giving us an ability to help
us burn calories at a faster rate. As virgin coconut oil
contains no trans fatty acids, just medium chain fatty acids
that are not stored as a fat but utilized by your body right
away.
Next time you want to recharge your energy or soften/soothe your
skin, think about your friendly tropical coconut - and
conveniently packaged in a jar.