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The humble coconut has become something of a superstar in recent years, with its water, milk, meat, leaves, husks, sap and – of course – coconut oil used in every industry from skin care to biodiesel.
No wonder the coconut tree is known as the ‘tree of life’! ????
Coconut oil is packed with nutrients and proves very beneficial for skin, hair and general health. Just one of the reasons why it’s a key ingredient in our award-winning WholyMe Relief Balm!
Today we are taking a closer look at these tropical fuzzy fruits, unearthing all you need to know about the benefits of coconut oil.
What is Coconut Oil?
Coconut oil is made by pressing the oil from coconut meat. At room temperature, coconut oil is a solid mass, although it melts into a smooth oil when heated. This is why it tends to be sold in jars instead of bottles.
Coconut oil can be applied directly to your skin and hair, and can also be used in cooking. This oil is rich in saturated fat although, providing you choose virgin coconut oil (not the refined stuff), it’s actually quite good for you. This is because it is packed with lauric acid, which has been shown to increase levels of good cholesterols in the body.
What are the Benefits of Coconut Oil?
There are many benefits of coconut oil. Skin care, hair care, pain relief… you name it! Here are just a few:
1. It is an excellent moisturiser
If you have dry skin, grab yourself a jar of coconut oil and prepare to restore some moisture! Coconut oil is an excellent moisturiser, although it is best used for dry skin on your arms, legs, hands and feet, as opposed to your face.
In particular, it can be great for repairing unsightly dry and cracked heels. Apply a thin layer to problem areas on your feet, then wear socks while you sleep and allow the oil to work its magic into your skin. Coconut oil will become your feet’s new best friend!
2. It can help improve skin disorders
In addition to its moisturizing properties, coconut oil contains high levels of lauric acid – making up around half of the fatty acids within coconut oil.
This lauric acid gives coconut oil antimicrobial and antifungal properties, which can make it an effective remedy for skin disorders such as psoriasis, eczema (atopic dermatitis), and even athlete’s foot, although more research is required to confirm this.
Positively, one 2014 study focusing on children with eczema showed that 47% of the patients treated with coconut oil noticed major improvements. Great news!
3. It can protect your hair
Fed up with split ends and breakages? Coconut oil can protect your hair! This is again down to the high lauric acid content, penetrating hair to a greater extent than other fats to leave it stronger and more flexible.
One study compared the effects of using various oils (coconut, sunflower, and mineral oils) on hair. It was only the coconut oil that considerably reduced protein loss from the hair, both in subjects with damaged and healthy hair.
4. It could protect against arthritis
While dietary saturated fat is a component in the onset of osteoarthritis, due to the changes it can cause in cartilage composition, the lauric acid in coconut oil is one saturated fat that may actually have a positive effect.
A study from Queensland University Of Technology showed that while long term use of animal fat, butter, and palm oil could weaken the cartilage, replacing meat fat with lauric acid found in coconut oil showed “decreased signs of cartilage deterioration and metabolic syndrome”, suggesting a protective effect.
5. It can help ease pain
Several studies have shown that virgin coconut oil has anti-inflammatory properties, once again due to the high lauric acid levels. This makes coconut oil a good choice for relieving painful joints and muscles, especially after sport.
Coconut oil is easily absorbed, so you can apply a thin layer directly onto joints and muscles, massaging into the affected area. You can boost your recovery by using our rejuvenating WholyMe Relief Balm, which includes 100% organic coconut oil as one of the 12 powerful ingredients.
Combined with other effective pain-relieving ingredients like organic arnica oil, rosemary oil, juniper oil and frankincense oil, this award-winning balm is a top-performing pain reliever.
As you can see, coconut oil has benefits for everything from skin care to joint health. No kitchen or bathroom cabinet should be without a jar!
