7 uses for Coconut Oil

Good afternoon, I hope everyone had an amazing holiday season and is looking forward to the new year! 

One thing that could make anyone's life a little easier in 2015 is getting rid of toxic, damaging products and finding natural alternatives that may end up saving time, money, and the environment all in one. Coconut oil is the most perfect example of this - it's so versatile that it can be used for nearly anything. Among all of it's uses for babies, pets, and household appliances, here are my 9 favorite uses for Coconut oil where it concerns the body and what's inside of it. 

1. Hair - Coconut oil's naturally moisturizing properties make for a deep conditioner like no other. If your hair oils easily and needs to be washed often, the Coconut oil should be used at most every other day for your whole head and in small amounts on the ends every day to prevent breakage and dryness. Coconut oil can also be used outside of the shower to fight through tough tangles and knots. All you have to do is dampen the tangle with water, massage the oil into the desired area, and brush through with a fine-toothed comb. 

2. Face - When massaged onto targeted areas daily, Coconut oil has been found to reduce the appearance of sun spots, wrinkles, dark circles under your eyes, and scars. I've heard claims that the oil can remove these impurities from the skin completely; however, this is not yet proven. It is also oftentimes used to treat skin conditions such as rosacea and can be applied to the lips as an effective SPF lip balm.
3. Nails - Every so often, it's important to nourish your nails if you want them to grow strong and healthy. Rubbing just a drop of Coconut oil over your nails can smoothen them out and give them the strength to grow. Over your cuticles, it can prevent hangnails and unsightly marks. Coconut oil can also be used to smooth down hangnails that have already formed and minimize pain.
4. Body - Coconut oil is one of the most incredible natural massage oils on the market. It's smooth, moisturizing, and when mixed with an essential oil can smell like anything you want. On targeted areas, Coconut oil can also be used to prevent stretch marks if applied twice a day.
5. Feet - Our feet are oftentimes the driest parts of our bodies, though they rarely get the care that they deserve. Coconut oil can be applied to the heels to reduce the appearance of dry, cracked skin and help heal the blisters that come from wearing uncomfortable shoes. The oil is also anti-fungal, and can be used as a natural defense against athletes foot. Whether or not you have athletes foot, if you're an athlete at all I would recommend this use wholeheartedly.
6. Food - My absolute favorite uses of Coconut oil where it concerns food are as an alternative to coffee creamer and as an alternative to oils and butter. Using just a small spoonful in your morning cup of coffee can add that sweet, but not too sweet, flavor that it needs. It's important to add the Coconut oil to your coffee when it is right out of the pot, otherwise it may not be hot enough to melt the oil completely. For cooking, Coconut oil is my absolute favorite oil to use. I grease all my pots and pans with it, and occasionally I'll include it in my recipes where oil is called for. It can also be used as a butter alternative and is excellent when spread over toast. For use as a cooking oil, I prefer refined Coconut oil as it removes the Coconut scent and has a longer shelf life.
7. Ingestion - When taken alone by the spoonful, Coconut oil can be used to prevent and/or cure many things. It can help with dry, heaving coughs, it can help calm an irritated or sore throat, it has properties which help maintain a healthy digestive track and reduce constipation, and it contains ketones which improve the memory and can oftentimes reverse the effects of Alzheimers. It is also claimed that Coconut oil can be used to lower cholesterol and therefore reduce the risks of heart disease.

Coconut oil is an absolute must-have, and if you're wondering where you can pick up a bottle I can help you with that. We carry the oil by a brand called Emerald Labs, which is based in La Jolla, California. It's only $18, and can save you so much more money than if you were to buy a separate product for each and every thing that Coconut oil can do. If you want to pick up your bottle, come by:

21 W. Gutierrez St.

Santa Barbara, CA 93101

XOXO

Danielle

Spa Coordinator at le Rêve Spa & Boutique