Coconut oil: Benefits, nutrition, and popular uses

Most people, when they think of coconuts, think of candy or coconut milk. Some think of coconut for baking, but few think of coconut being extremely healthy and useful for a myriad of things. Coconuts are good for "skin care, hair care, improving digestion and immunity." These are just a few of the benefits. 
Although most people associate coconuts with the tropics, the use of coconut oil is spreading rapidly throughout the world. Over 1,500 studies have been performed on the benefits of coconut oil.
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Benefits of Coconut Oil
1. Helps treat Alzheimer’s
A 2020 study demonstrated the potential of coconut oil and medium chain triglycerides in the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's disease.
2. Protects the liver and treats kidney infection
In a 2014 study, coconut oil was found to protect against liver damage.
3. Reduce arthritis and inflammation
In a 2014 study on animals, high levels of virgin coconut oil was found to be effective in treating arthritic rats.
Uses of Coconut Oil
1. Coffee creamer
Try using coconut oil in your coffee as a replacement for your creamer. The oil is naturally sweet, so sugar can also be eliminated.
2. Oil/Butter replacement
For everything from buttering your toast, using it as the oil in your frying pan, pouring it over popcorn and using it as non-stick spray, coconut oil works just as well as traditional oils and is healthier. He also recommends using the oil in baking instead of butter or other fats.
3. Lotion and diaper cream
You can apply coconut oil directly to the baby's bottom to act as diaper cream. Applying the oil directly to your skin after a shower or bath helps to lock in moisture and keeps you skin feeling soft and supple.
4. Prevents stretch marks
For pregnant women who worry about unsightly stretch marks, rub coconut oil into the skin where the marks are appearing. The oil should prevent the marks from spreading and, over time, reduce the appearance of existing stretch marks.
5. Treats cold sores
Applying a little bit of coconut oil to the site where you feel a cold sore coming on or after one appears may either prevent the sore from appearing or speed up the healing of the sore.
6. Cuticle cream
Rubbing coconut oil into cuticles and on the nail itself should help heal rough cuticles and help healthy nails to grow.
7. Natural sunscreen
For those who worry about getting too much sun, try rubbing coconut oil on the skin. It contains a natural SPF that will help protect against the sun's damage. If you get a sunburn, the oil should help soothe the burn.
8. Lip balm
Since the oil is both a natural moisturizer and SPF, try mixing 1 tbsp. (14.78 ml) of coconut oil, 1 tbsp. (14.78 ml) of beeswax, and 1 tsp. (4.93 ml) of olive oil or palm oil together to make a homemade lip balm.
9. Fly bites
Both people and animals suffer from various types of fly bites. Once bitten, rub some oil on the bites to sooth the irritation.
10. Itchy dogs
Some dogs have allergies that cause them to scratch themselves raw. Apply the oil to the irritated skin and feeding the oil to the dog. The recommendation is to start with 1/2 tsp. (2.5 ml) per day and work up to giving 1 tsp (4.9 ml) for every 40 lbs. (.45 kg) of weight. 
11. Wood polish
Coconut Mama recommends using the oil directly on wood to clean and shine the surface without leaving chemicals behind.
12. Removing chewing gum
Whether the gum is in the carpet or someone's hair, applying coconut oil to the gummy mess and allowing it to sit for two to five minutes should make the mess easy to slide off the carpet or hair. Wash the oil off the surface with a mild soap, and you're good to go.
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Nature is full of amazing things that can be used around the house and with animals and people. Before all the man-made chemicals were around, people had to work with what occurred naturally in the world around them. Sometimes what nature turns out is still best.
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RemedyDaily.com does not give medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.