How to Make 4 Great Coconut Oil Products

Coconut oil was very popular prior to the Second World War for cooking and for frying. During the war, our supply of coconut oil was cut off and shortening, made with hydrogenated vegetable oil, was used as a substitute. After the war, coconut oil was demonized by the media as being “unhealthy” and vegetable shortening took over. This is very ironic, since now we know that coconut oil is much healthier to use than hydrogenated vegetable oil that is high in trans fats.

Coconut oil contains medium chain triglycerides, which have been found to help brain function. Coconut oil is also high in lauric acid, capric acid and caprylic acid. Coconut oil boosts immunity, relieves stress, can help to reduce cholesterol levels, helps with weight loss, improves digestion, improves blood pressure, reduces blood glucose levels, improves dental quality and boosts bone strength. It also has antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-fungal, antibacterial and soothing qualities.

Countries with a high coconut consumption, also tend to have reduced risk for cardiovascular illnesses.

Coconut oil is not only good for consumption. Coconut oil can provide a base for many of the products that you use every day, with the added benefit of keeping things homemade.

Here are 4 “Do It Yourself” ways to make great coconut oil products:

1. Homemade Hair Mask - When your hair becomes dry, oils are a great way of adding moisture to get an amazing look. Applying oil to the roots is also known to boost the growth of longer and healthier hair, especially when applied with castor oil. This mixture of castor oil and coconut oil will give your hair the boost it needs.

Ingredients:
-1/2 cup Castor Oil
-1/2 cup Coconut Oil
*The equal ratio makes it really easy to add or remove quantities depending on how much hair you have.

Add the two ingredients and melt them over a low heat. You can also melt them in the sun. Mix well and make sure that the mixture cool enough to apply comfortably. From there, apply to the roots to allow the omega-6 fatty acids to help grow stronger, healthier hair.

You can also use it on the ends of your hair to keep the tips moist and full. The coconut oil keeps the castor oil from sticking to your hair, while still allowing the castor oil to do its job moisturizing and boosting growth in your roots and ends.

2. Homemade Toothpaste - Coconut oil is often used for a technique called oil pulling. It involves swishing the oil around in your mouth to remove toxins from your teeth and gums. It also whitens the teeth and strengthens the gums for an all-around polish! This makes it the perfect ingredient for a homemade toothpaste recipe.

Ingredients:
-½ cup Baking Soda
-5 tbsp. Sweetener (Xylitol or Stevia, avoid Splenda)
*You can adjust measurements based on concentration by adding more after you try the mixture
-¼ cup Coconut Oil
-2 or 2.5 tsp Peppermint Extract

The recipe is pretty simple. Just combine the baking soda and sweetener before mixing in the coconut oil and peppermint extract. Scoop it into an airtight container and you’re all set! It may taste a bit salty at first, so you can add more sweetener to counter that afterwards.

3. Homemade Sun Block - There are a number of commercial sun block brands that add dangerous chemicals to their products. Make sure you check to see if your sun screens and lotions are using harmful parabens as chemical preservatives, which can be associated with breast cancer. This mixture will give you all of the benefits a healthy sun block without any added worry.

Ingredients:
-2 tbsp. Coconut Oil
-4oz. Organic All-Natural Hand Lotion
-2tbsp. Zinc Oxide
Mix the ingredients into a bowl, then simply stir and apply!

4. Homemade Vitamin E Eye Cream - The skin around the eyes is very fragile compared to the rest of your face. It’s important to pay attention to what is being used on the eyes, and to make sure that it is being applied very gently to avoid damage. This homemade cream will do the job in a healthy way.

Ingredients:
-3 capsules of Vitamin E
-1 tbsp. Coconut Oil (Chill so that it isn’t completely liquid)
*Follow ratios to make more cream, depending on need.
Pop the capsules with a knife, and squeeze them into a container with your coconut oil. Stir and allow to sit overnight, away from any heat source.

These 4 homemade products will keep you free from any harmful chemicals that you may be introducing to your body with commercial brands. In the long run, they will also save you money and give you all of the healthy benefits of coconut oil that you would otherwise be missing.

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