Five Uses for Coconut Oil – That Don’t Involve Food

Coconut oil is all the rage these days, a touted panacea to help improve everything from Alzheimer’s symptoms to the inability to lose weight. Truth is, I love coconut oil, but I only eat it sparingly – a couple of tablespoons per week, tops. It is, after all, a saturated fat and high in calories! That said, the lauric acid in coconut oil has some amazing benefits, including being anti-viral and anti-bacterial, so it really is tops in our house.

Here are some ways I use coconut oil a little less conventional ways.

As an all natural makeup remover. There is really no need to spend oodles on chemical concoctions to remove makeup. Coconut oil works really well for this. There are two ways to go about this: 1) Use it on a cotton ball, just as you’d use a liquid make up remover and “spot remove” or 2) Smear your face with a thin layer of coconut oil, and then heat a washcloth under hot water until you get it fairly hot, and wring out. Place the cloth over your entire face and let it sit there until it cools off, and then wipe any oil residue off with the cloth. I prefer the second method – it really leaves your entire face feeling soft and hydrated.
As a moisturizer with built in sunscreen properties. Just spread a thin layer over your face and neck in the morning after your shower. If you use makeup, you’ll need to wait 5-10 minutes for the oil to absorb before applying any makeup products, or, they really won’t take. Do this for a month and you really won’t believe how soft your skin is.
For healthy teeth and gums. Oil pulling is really coming into the general public’s knowledge, and, while it sounds ludicrous, I believe it really does work! I have had a nagging issue with a tooth that had a root canal for over a year. Nothing has been able to eliminate the consistent toothache – likely caused from bacterial issues – except for oil pulling with coconut oil. I was on some pretty serious antibiotics over the summer with my whole kneecap debacle, and even those antibiotics didn’t resolve the tooth issue. One week of oil pulling and the pain was gone – and has stayed gone for months. Oil pulling is touted for whitening teeth and improving gum health. This one really sounds like hokum, but, you don’t have much to lose by giving it a try!
Scar reduction. I have been applying a thin layer to a 6” incision I have on my left knee from surgery to repair it after I broke it last summer, and the scar has visibly reduced. Someday maybe I’ll share a picture with you guys…but, for now, you probably don’t want to see that!
‘Goo’ remover. Coconut oil is good at getting sticky things off of solid surfaces. Just smear on a dab on the sticky offender, wait a minute, and then wipe off the sticky!

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Comments

Pamela | 3.04.2014 22:48
I have been using it on my cuticles and in my hair as a conditioner. Seems to be working.
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- Angela | 3.04.2014 22:49
  That is great!
  Reply
TaraElisabeth | 3.04.2014 22:49
I use coconut oil to shave my legs, with epsom salt as a foot scrub, as a hot oil treatment….so many uses!
I was wondering though – do you think it would take the glue residue off old jars?
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- Angela | 3.04.2014 22:50
  Hi TaraElisabeth,
  You know, I think it’s worth a shot! What I usually do with jars is soak them in a sink full of hot water for several hours to soften up the sticker, and then scrape it off with my fingernails. But, if you have stubborn glue residue, I do think it could help pull it off! If you give it a try, let us know!
  Angela
  Reply
Patricia | 3.04.2014 22:50
What is “oil pulling” in regards to teeth? My husband and daughter are both having problems and I have a nice large jar of Coconut oil. thanks
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- Angela | 3.04.2014 22:51
  Hi Patricia,
  You just take out about 1/2 teaspoon to 1 teaspoon of oil and melt it in your mouth, and then swirl it around like you are using mouthwash for 5-20 minutes, and then spit it out into the trash (not the sink!). You do this on an empty stomach, so first thing in the morning, after brushing your teeth. The experts recommend doing this for 20 minutes a day, but truthfully, I usually do it while I’m making breakfast, so maybe 10 minutes. The idea is that it pulls the bacteria out of the crevices in your mouth. I have seen recommendations to use olive oil, sesame oil, or coconut oil. I like coconut oil because of its antibacterial properties, and it doesn’t really “taste” when you’re using it.
  If you want to read more, Bing or Google “oil pulling” and you’re sure to get a lot of articles – it is really becoming popular right now!
  Angela
  Reply
Carole | 3.04.2014 22:51
Should I buy a different Coconut oil for baking/cooking?
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- Angela | 3.04.2014 22:52
  Hi Carole,
  Nope, you can use the same coconut oil for baking/cooking. I keep one jar in the kitchen and one in the bathroom so they don’t get cross-contaminated.
  Angela
  Reply
Carol Imber | 3.04.2014 22:52
I tried the coconut oil on my face as you suggested. It works great. Thanks.
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- Angela | 4.04.2014 22:53
  That’s great, Carol, thanks for letting me know!
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debbie T | 10.04.2014 22:54
Angela, thank you! I’ve been a faithful user of coconut oil for years, but never knew it could help take glue off jars!
I tried it the other day, and wow it worked! I save most of the glass jars for reuse and sometimes when the paper labels are removed, it is impossible to get the glue off, and it’s forever “sticky” and miserable to reuse.
I’m thrilled to find a non-toxic answer. Thank you Thank you Thank you!
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- Angela | 10.04.2014 22:54
  That is fantastic, Debbie! ? It sure beats goo-gone, huh?!
  Reply
debbie T | 10.04.2014 22:55
Oh and I forgot to mention I’ve been using a mixture of coconut oil and baking soda for my toothpaste for a few months. It’s great!
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