How to use an exotic product called coconut oil?

The population of Thailand, India, Indonesia has been using coconut oil for cooking for a long time. And its healing properties have been known for a long time: in Indian medicine or Ayurveda, it is traditionally used. Known for her charming appearance and unfading youth, Cleopatra took milk baths with coconut oil. Residents of the countries of Southeast Asia followed her example, maintaining their beauty and attractiveness. Why don't our contemporaries follow their example?

Properties and uses of coconut oil

The source of the product is the fruit of the coconut tree. It is extracted from the pulp and prepared in two ways: hot and cold pressing. Hot pressing loses most of its beneficial properties, but this method is more widely used. All valuable properties are retained with the cold production method, but it is disadvantageous, since the oil yield is only 10%. Naturally, the cost of such a product is much higher.

The oil is a semi-solid vegetable mass that resembles whitish-creamy bars of soap. When heated above + 26 ° C, it becomes liquid and transparent.

Coconut oil (Cocoes oleum) has a wide range of uses. It is used:

• in cooking, where they can replace traditional sunflower oil; with its use, dishes acquire a unique, refined taste;
• in medicine for the treatment of a number of diseases;
• in cosmetology to improve condition, hair, nails, skin.

Since coconut oil is becoming available to all of us, why not use an overseas remedy to improve the appearance, prepare a delicious dish or normalize some of the body's functions?

Its role in the treatment of various ailments is significant:

• affecting the brain, stabilizes the condition of people with epilepsy and Alzheimer's disease;
• has an antioxidant effect: inhibits aging processes and the risk of developing cancerous tumors;
• reduces the level of "bad" cholesterol, increasing the amount of "good";
• improves vascular elasticity and plays a role in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases;
• increases the protective immune barrier;
• helps to restore the normal functioning of the thyroid gland;
• fights various infectious skin diseases: dermatitis, eczema, shingles and others;
• is a protective agent against herpes;
• heals wounds, bruises, small lesions on the skin;
• positively affects the gastrointestinal tract: heals the mucous membrane, helps with heartburn.

For external use, a compress is applied on its own; for internal use, a specialist consultation is needed.

Coconut oil: benefits and harms

Coconut oil is a valuable source of polyunsaturated fatty acids that the human body needs. In addition, it contains calcium and phosphorus, as well as beauty vitamins: A, C, E. Lauric acid is also important, which plays an important role in metabolic processes.

The product improves fat metabolism, normalizes digestion processes due to better absorption of nutrients, removal of excess water and toxins. Since the oil is well absorbed and reduces hunger, it is used in various weight loss diets.

It is a building material for cells of the brain and nervous system, restoring and nourishing nerve cells. Its use in food increases energy, performance, endurance in stressful situations.

It helps the body produce interferons, proteins that protect the internal environment from foreign cells. It successfully fights various types of infections both on the surface of the skin and inside the body.

Cocoes oleum is a natural product that is prepared without the dyes, flavors, fragrances and other chemical components that have become an integral part of most of our products.

If you consume the oil in moderation, no more than 3 tablespoons a day, then it will not cause any harm. The only contraindication is individual intolerance. For children, it is used from infancy: to remove diaper rash and crust from the head, eliminate itching after an insect bite.

The use of coconut oil in cosmetology

The exotic product preserves youth and beauty due to the content of fatty acids and vitamins. It is introduced into the composition of a wide variety of cosmetic products, and is also used in its pure form.

Coconut oil has the following effects on the skin:

• slows down aging and the formation of wrinkles;
• has a moisturizing, softening and nourishing effect;
• relieves inflammation and irritation on the epidermis;
• protects against destructive environmental factors;
• relieves the condition after hair removal;
• when applied to the sun, the tan lays down evenly.

A cosmetic product is used to prepare masks at home or is added to other products as an additional component. The beauty industry often uses unrefined coconut oil with a rich spectrum of nutrients.

Coconut oil for face

If the skin is rough or excessively dry, with signs of peeling, then an overseas remedy will come in handy. When wilted and flabby, it will help in maintaining elasticity. The composition covers the skin with an invisible film, maintaining optimal moisture inside, and eliminating the negative effects of external factors from the outside.

The use of coconut oil for the face as a mask is suitable for owners of dry, aging and problem skin.

Preparing a mask for dry skin. We take 20 g of yeast and add the main ingredient, melted in a water bath, to form a pasty mass. Add a vitamin E capsule to the composition. Apply the mixture to the face and neck area for 20 minutes. Wash off with a cotton pad dipped in warm milk. The procedure is carried out twice a week up to 15 times. "Parchment" skin becomes soft and supple.

We rejuvenate the skin with the following composition. Beat the chicken egg into a strong foam, add 1 tbsp. l. liquid honey and ½ cup melted coconut oil. We continue to beat until a creamy composition is obtained. Transfer the mixture to a jar and refrigerate. Apply the cream mask in the morning for 10 minutes. to tone the skin. The prepared mixture will last for 7 days.

If the skin is problematic, often inflamed and covered with acne, then the following recipe will help solve the problem. Mix 1 tbsp. l. Cocoes oleum with ½ teaspoon lemon juice, 1 tsp. honey and add 3 drops of tea tree oil. Soak for 10 minutes and wash off with warm water. In 14 days, when applied twice a week, the skin will look healthy, since the mask has an antibacterial effect.

The unrefined product smells unusual for us. Due to its creamy state, the smell is quite intense. But the scent is not harsh, just a little unusual. You quickly get used to this smell.

How to use coconut oil for hair

The overseas product is suitable for all hair types. It is appreciated for its ability to moisturize and nourish curls, restore them after various chemical or thermal manipulations, and smooth recalcitrant strands.Its effect on the scalp is also beneficial: it relieves inflammation, itching, stops the development of fungal infections, and helps in the fight against dandruff.

Before using Cocoes oleum, be sure to warm it up in a water bath or rub it between your fingers. So the product is consumed more economically, is better absorbed, penetrates into the epidermis of the scalp.

Coconut oil for hair is used in a special way:

1. Apply a homemade mask to dirty hair before washing. Some masks or natural oils are left on overnight for optimal results.
2. To make the composition work intensively, we put on a warming cap (hat, scarf, towel) over the polyethylene.
3. Rub carefully into the ends, as they are usually drier and more brittle. For oily hair, retreat 10 cm from the roots and lubricate the strands.
4. Rinse off the mask thoroughly with shampoo. Using a balm is not necessary as the oil does this by making the hair manageable and easier to comb.
5. We apply the composition with our hands, rubbing it into the strands and massaging the scalp.

If the product is heated frequently, then most of the nutrients will be destroyed, so measure the amount you need, melt it and add it to the cosmetic product. The unused part should be kept in a cool place.

Various recipes for hair masks with coconut oil have been created: for example, an oil mask for hair growth, a vitamin mask against hair loss, a mask for the treatment and prevention of dandruff.

We offer a variant of the exotic mask "Incredible Effect", which creates the effect of a salon procedure. After using it, the hair looks beautiful, well-groomed and shiny. The composition includes:

• 2 tbsp. l. coconut oil;
• 1 banana;
• 2 tsp lemon juice;
• half avocado.

Take out half of the pulp from the ripe avocado and put it in a cup. Add banana and knead the contents. Add oil and lemon juice and bring the composition to a homogeneous state. Apply to the scalp and scalp and rub in thoroughly. We put on a warming cap and leave the nutrient mixture for 2 hours, then rinse.

The express mask option is convenient. It is applied to the hair in 30-40 minutes. before shampooing and consists of pure Cocoes oleum or with the addition of honey. Application before shower, protects hair that is not damaged by drying and brushing. The oil is added directly to the shampoo: about 2 tablespoons per bottle or a few drops per single use.

Coconut body oil

Cocoes oleum is an excellent body moisturizer. It is advisable to apply it after a shower: pour a couple of tablespoons of warm oil into the palm of your hand and apply over the entire surface with massage movements, and then gently blot with a towel. To take a bath, it is enough to add 1-2 tbsp. l. "Magic remedy" (for very dry skin, the amount can be increased). Provides an even tan when used during passive sunbathing.

Coconut oil helps with stretch marks during pregnancy, but this is not a professional remedy, but a preventive one. The moisturizing qualities of the product and the presence of vitamin E help to regenerate the skin and restore its elasticity. How to use coconut oil for stretch marks? It is rubbed into problem areas after a shower with gentle massage movements.

Coconut oil is used for massage to relax the muscles. In addition, the overall condition of the skin improves: it becomes softer and softer. The anti-cellulite effect of the universal product has also been noticed.

Mixing butter with fine salt or brown sugar makes a wonderful scrub. It is used on hardened areas of the skin: on the elbows, feet, or applied to the whole body.

How beneficial is coconut oil for food?

EIt is a delicious food product that is used in dietary nutrition, for gastrointestinal diseases or to combat obesity, to prevent a number of pathologies. It is also suitable for a daily diet.In the heat treatment of products, refined coconut oil is used, which has a poorer composition.

Edible coconut oil is used for baking, frying, or stewing. If the olive oil is thermally unstable and starts to "burn" in the pan, then Cocoes oleum will withstand high temperatures.

Food uses of coconut oil:

1. Chefs prepare hot dishes from it: soups, side dishes, vegetable, meat and fish dishes, hot sauces and snacks, used for deep fat. Coconut oil is ideal for frying because it does not break down at high temperatures and does not contain carcinogens, which is important for a healthy diet. It does not go rancid, and even deep-fried it is used repeatedly.
2. Add instead of cream to cereals, mashed potatoes, pasta. It gives simple dishes or side dishes a unique flavor.
3. Since the product becomes liquid at room temperature (+ 24- + 26 ° C), salads are seasoned with it.
4. Cooked pastry keeps freshness and splendor longer. Moreover, it is perfectly absorbed and is not stored in the form of fatty deposits.
5. Suitable for stewing various vegetables or preparing vegetable stews, which gives the dish an extra flavor.
6. Food manufacturers use it as a food additive in the production of margarine and cake fillings.

Overseas vegetable fat is most beneficial when added 1-2 tsp. in green or fruit salads unrefined.

How to store coconut oil?

Tourists buy Cocoes oleum in Thailand or Sri Lanka. Here it is cheap and it will not be difficult to find a quality product. The oil is usually unrefined and contains all the useful components.

It is better if the product is packaged in a dark glass container with a tightly screwed cap. It is believed that the composition does not oxidize in air, but it is better to play it safe. If the container is transparent, place it in a cardboard box or in a dark place.

Unrefined oil is stored for no more than a year at t + 7 ° C in the refrigerator. If it is used as a food product, then no more than six months. Storage is allowed at + 20 ° C, but the shelf life is significantly reduced. Before use, the required amount is heated in a water bath to a liquid, transparent state.

If the oil is spoiled, then this is determined by the following criteria:

• a strange smell, similar to the smell of smoked sausage (slightly rancid);
• yellow when the natural color of the fresh substance is white;
• bitter taste, indicating oxidation.

With such signs, the exotic product will have to be disposed of.

Where to Buy Coconut Oil?

For travelers to Southeast Asia, purchasing valuable oil will not be difficult. Its choice is great, and the price is low. It is sold everywhere: in supermarkets, markets, pharmacies and back streets. It is clear that it is better to buy it at a pharmacy.

Although handcrafted, it contains all the beneficial substances, but it also contains less beneficial ingredients. Therefore, experts are dubious about such products and recommend their use only as a cosmetic product, but not for oral administration. This oil costs 50 baht per 150 ml and does not smell very pleasant.

Now there is an opportunity to purchase a valuable substance in specialized online stores. The price does not bite too much and depends on the manufacturer and the degree of cleaning. On average, 180 g costs from 400 rubles. With more volume, the price will naturally rise. The purchased product is accompanied by instructions for use, which indicates the manufacturer, the degree of purification and for what purposes it is intended.

In conclusion, I would like to give readers some useful advice:

• if the temperature in your apartment is below + 24 ° C, then the oil will be solid and resemble pieces of soap in consistency;
• the shelf life will not increase if you store it in the freezer;
• Close the lid carefully after use to prevent the oil from going rancid on exposure to air;
• bring an exotic product from your trip as a gift to your family or friends.

The cosmetic and food market is overflowing with a variety of oils, each with its own unique properties and benefits. And it is quite possible that coconut oil will turn out to be “not to your taste”: you will not like the smell, the appearance, or will not work as a source of beauty. But Cocoes oleum is worth a try. Maybe this is the same "magic elixir" that you have been looking for for so long?

The use of coconut oil - video