Health and Beauty Benefits of Virgin Coconut Oil

Virgin coconut oil is often hailed as the "miracle oil" due to its numerous health and beauty benefits. The label seems fitting considering that its source, the coconut tree, is often called "The Tree of Life." Much has been written on the amazing things that virgin coconut oil can do for one’s body because it is an affordable, multi-purpose product that can do so much.

The healing properties of virgin coconut oil can be attributed majorly to lauric acid. Lauric acid is very beneficial for the human body. Lauric acid is converted into monolaurin, a derivative that is said to help the body fight bacteria and viruses responsible for serious diseases such as influenza and herpes. It is even reported to help fight bacteria that cause HIV. This is why virgin coconut oil has been used by traditional medicine for a long, long time now. The traditional Indian system called Ayurveda uses coconut oil heavily for their treatments.

You only need to look at the healthy, glowing skin of women in tropical countries to get an idea how effective virgin coconut oil is in keeping the body healthy and young-looking. There are countries such as the Philippines that are fortunate enough to have abundant supplies of virgin coconut oil and have made it a daily part of their diet.

Here are some of the numerous health and beauty benefits of virgin coconut oil:

• Virgin Coconut Oil as Hair Conditioner

Aside from enviable skin, women from the tropical islands have strong and shiny hair that one can’t just get from commercial hair care products. Applied topically, the oil can get rid of lice and dandruff. Used regularly, virgin coconut oil can repair totally damaged hair.

• Virgin Coconut Oil as Skin Moisturizer

Virgin coconut oil is one of the most effective natural moisturizers around. It is often compared to mineral oil, but unlike mineral oil, virgin coconut oil does not bring side effects to the skin. People with extremely dry skin will truly benefit from using coconut oil. Because of its intense moisturizing properties, the oil can help prevent the early onset of wrinkles and skin sagging.

Coconut oil has also been proven to cure skin diseases such as eczema, dermatitis, and psoriasis. Lots of people with these diseases have turned to using the oil when commercial skin creams did not show improvement on their skin condition. This is why beauty products made from coconut have become a very lucrative industry especially abroad, which doesn’t have easy access to virgin coconut oil.

The oil is great as massage and tanning oil. Many swore that it is better than commercial tanning oil, because coconut oil does not have any chemicals and brings one beautiful, glowing skin minus the burning.

• Virgin Coconut Oil in Preventing Heart Problems

Many people shy away from coconut oil because of its high percentage of saturated fat. It is a common misconception that saturated fats are harmful for the heart. The thing is, the saturated fat present in coconut oil is actually good for the heart. The lauric acid helps in lowering high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels. Coconut oil has been proven to help prevent atherosclerosis.

• Virgin Coconut Oil in Promoting Weight Loss

Coconut oil contains fatty acids that help one in weight reduction. It helps the enzyme and thyroid systems to function properly, which is essential to effective weight loss. The oil helps in getting rid of the stress in the pancreas, which increases one’s metabolism. Look at those slim, healthy physiques of people in tropical areas. They have coconut oil as part of their daily diet; they often use it for cooking their meals.

• Virgin Coconut Oil as an Aid to Better Digestion

Aside from weight loss, another benefit of using coconut oil in cooking is that the oil helps improve one’s digestive system. People with irritable bowel syndrome will benefit greatly from regular intake of virgin coconut oil. The bacteria, parasites and fungi that cause indigestion are eliminated by the saturated fats present in virgin coconut oil. It also helps the body to absorb amino acids, vitamins, and minerals properly.

• Virgin Coconut Oil to Boost the Immune System

Coconut oil has lauric acid and anti-microbial lipids that help improve the body’s immune system. The anti-viral and anti-fungal properties present in these elements strengthen one’s ability to fight diseases. The monolaurin converted from lauric acid helps fight off harmful bacteria and protozoa.

• Virgin Coconut Oil in Eliminating Infection

The oil’s anti-viral and anti-fungal properties help in getting rid of viruses that cause diseases such as hepatitis, measles, influenza, and herpes. Virgin coconut oil can also kill bacteria that cause gonorrhea, urinary tract infections, throat infections, and ulcers. Not only that but virgin coconut oil is also effective in treating yeast and fungi that produces diaper rash, athlete’s foot, thrush, ringworm, and candidiasis.

• Virgin Coconut Oil in Fighting Liver and Kidney Diseases

Coconut oil contains fatty acids and medium chain triglycerides, which help prevent liver diseases. These substances help reduce the liver’s work load and stops fat from accumulating. The oil also helps dissolve kidney stones and prevent gall bladder and kidney diseases.

• Virgin Coconut Oil in Promoting Better Bone and Dental Health

Coconut oil has the ability to help the body absorb essential minerals such as magnesium and calcium. Since these minerals are important for healthy bones, consuming virgin coconut oil will help strengthen the bones and teeth. It helps prevent tooth decay. Middle-aged women should consider making virgin coconut oil a part of their diet to help prevent the onset of osteoporosis.