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I love coconut oil. I have jars and jars of it sitting in my house. I use it for everything from skin care to cooking and everything in between.
Sometimes I feel like the father in My Big Fat Greek Wedding, who ran around spritzing people with Windex and professing its endless benefits. Instead, I’m grabbing my jar of coconut oil and dabbing, rubbing, or smearing it on someone.
Here’re Just a Few of the Unbelievable Uses for Coconut Oil
1. Stir It Into Your Coffee
I once read that ingesting just a tablespoon of coconut oil daily greatly reduces your chances of heart-related problems, reduces your chances for dementia and a whole host of other health benefits.
Once I read that, I started scooping a teaspoon into my coffee. Anything more than a teaspoon into a coffee mug tends to be a bit too much for my taste, but if you can tolerate the entire tablespoon, be my guest.
It doesn’t radically change the taste of my coffee or do anything funky with the cream I use. In fact, all I notice is the oily feel on my lips, which helps to keep them moist!
2. Smear It On Your Body
Instead of using baby oil to keep your body soft and supple, try using coconut oil.
After my shower, I scoop out a dollop and rub it into my damp skin and then towel dry. It keeps my skin so soft, better than ANY lotion I have ever used. I even use it on my face!
3. Remove Eye Makeup
Store bought eye makeup removers tend to irritate my eyes. Instead, I put a small amount of coconut oil on a cotton square and sweep it over my lids, then rinse. The oil dissolved every trace of makeup and moisturized the skin around my eyes.
4. Take The Itch Out of A Bite
It never fails, no matter how hard I try, I still get an occasional mosquito bite. When they itch, I dab a bit of coconut oil onto the spots. The oil’s natural immunity boosting and anti-inflammatory properties will ease the itch, reduce the redness and swelling and speed up the healing process – all naturally.
5. Make Your Baked Good Healthier
Did you know you can easily switch out butter for coconut oil when baking? Butter can be swapped out in a 1:1 ratio with coconut oil. Since coconut oil is a saturated fat like butter, your baked goods will remain moist and rich as usual, but with the added benefits of coconut oil medium chain fatty acids and immunity boosting lauric acid.
You can even use coconut flour and other coconut products to give your baking the boost it needs!
6. Use It On Your Pets Sores
The summer heat and humidity can cause painful sores or “hot spots” on your dogs skin. To heal the sores naturally, gently rub a dollop of coconut oil onto the irritated patches daily. The coconut oil will naturally kill the bacteria behind the sores, soothe redness and irritation and help to prevent future skin infections.
7. Waterproof A Wood Cutting Board
Sometimes wood cutting boards can look dry and dingy. The solution: Wash as usual, then with a clean cloth, rub a dollop of coconut oil into the wood. The oil will fill cracks and crevices in the wood, preventing any water from seeping into the board causing cracks or splits. The oil’s natural antibacterial properties will help keep the board sanitary. Repeat as often as necessary.
8. Get the Campfire Going
Before you head out to the beach, backyard or campgrounds for a campfire, soak a few cotton balls in coconut oil and pack them in a jar or plastic bag. When you’re ready to start your campfire, toss a few cotton balls in with the kindling and light. The oil soaked cotton balls will ignite immediately and burn for approximately five minutes – long enough to get the fire started.
9. Make Leather Look New
I tried this trick on my leather ottoman that was 15 years old and began to look its age.
To restore leather to its original finish, rub a small amount of coconut oil into the leather, then buff with a soft cloth. Make sure you test first in an inconspicuous area.
The oil’s lauric acid will break down dirt and stains while the fatty acids will condition and moisturize the leather.
Have you got any great uses for coconut oil? Let me know by leaving them in the comments section!
