Coconut oil. Useful properties, recipes for use in cosmetology, medicine and cooking

Coconut oil is a part of caring cosmetics, it is added to food products, and is used for medical purposes. All thanks to a wide range of properties that can solve problems with skin, hair and joints.

Composition

Coconut oil contains fatty acids that are not synthesized in the body, for example, oleic, palmitic, lauric. Lauric acid has a particularly beneficial effect on the body, it strengthens the immune system.

In addition, the oil contains:

• vitamins E and K;
• iron;
• choline.

The calorie content of coconut oil per 100 g is about 900 kcal.

Useful and medicinal properties

Coconut oil is extracted by cold and hot methods, it depends on how useful the product will be in the application. With the cold pressing method, little product is obtained, but it has a greater nutritional and biological value. During hot pressing, some of the nutrients are lost.

The product has the following properties:

• moisturizing (thanks to oleic acid);
• restoring;
• antimicrobial (due to lauric acid);
• anti-inflammatory;
• softening;
• anti-aging;
• soothing and relaxing;
• normalizing bowel function (caprylic acid works).

It is also beneficial for the body that coconut oil is completely absorbed, does not go into fatty deposits, but is converted by the liver into energy.

Dangerous properties of coconut oil:

• Unrefined coconut oil has comedogenic properties, so it is not recommended to use it undiluted if the skin is prone to oily and acne.
• Due to its high fat content, the consumption of oil in food can irritate the gastrointestinal tract, as well as exacerbate chronic diseases such as pancreatitis and cholecystitis.

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The use of coconut oil

In medicine

For the cardiovascular system... Eating coconut oil helps to lower blood pressure, reduce the risk of atherosclerosis and blood clots. In addition, coconut oil thins the blood and strengthens the walls of blood vessels.

For the digestive tract... The oil has an enveloping and wound-healing effect, therefore it has a beneficial effect on stomach and duodenal ulcers, contributing to recovery. In general, any mucous membranes of the gastrointestinal tract are healed. Coconut oil can also be used in complex therapy for the treatment of ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease.

For immunity. Kills fungi and bacteria, relieves inflammation.

Used to treat:

• viral and bacterial infections;
• herpes;
• candidiasis.

For teeth, bones, joints. Since the oil promotes more efficient absorption of calcium and magnesium, its use in food has a beneficial effect on the condition of tooth enamel, bones, joints.

Plus, coconut oil:

• normalizes blood sugar levels in diabetes mellitus;
• speeds up metabolism, thereby reducing the risk of obesity;
• prevents the formation of kidney and bladder stones;
• has a beneficial effect on the endocrine system;
• due to antioxidant properties, it reduces the risk of cancer.

The healing properties of the oil are actively used for skin diseases. Coconut oil treats all kinds of skin damage, including psoriasis, eczema, dermatitis.

For hair care and hair loss

Indications for using coconut oil for hair:

• damaged, dull hair;
• split ends, brittle ends;
• frequent staining;
• hair loss;
• slow growth;
• dandruff, as coconut oil has antifungal properties;
• harmful effects of UV rays, salt water, wind, chemistry, heating devices.

With systematic use, the hair becomes shiny, strengthened, and its structure is restored. They become silky to the touch, thanks to the formation of a protective film that not only protects the hair, but also nourishes it.

Coconut oil is used in masks before shampooing. The mixture is applied with massage movements, left for a while, then washed off with shampoo. A small amount of oil can be applied to hair just like that, for example, on wet ends, it will be absorbed and will not leave a greasy shine.

For hair care at the roots, refined coconut oil is used, it is recommended to apply unrefined oil to the ends.

Here are some coconut oil masks:

1. Dandruff... 15 g of fine salt is combined with coconut and grape oil (5 g each). Apply to hair, and after 7-8 minutes wash off with warm water with vinegar diluted in it.
2. From falling out. In a water bath melt 1 tbsp. coconut oil, add 1 tsp. olive oil and 20 g of horseradish grated into gruel. Then, with massage movements, the mass is applied only to the root zone. Put on a plastic cap. After 30 minutes, wash off with shampoo. The course is 2 weeks.
3. For dry hair... 10 g of homemade cottage cheese is combined with 1 tbsp. coconut oil, 1 tsp. peach butter and 2 tbsp. real chamomile broth. Apply to damp hair. The exposure time is 20 minutes. Rinse off with water acidified with lemon juice.
4. For oily hair. In a water bath, melt 10 g of butter, mix with 15 ml of yogurt, add 15 g of white clay, 5 g of corn starch. You need to apply before washing your hair. After 30 minutes, wash off with shampoo with the addition of lemon juice.
5. 1 tbsp. coconut and burdock oil is heated in a water bath, add 30 g of grated ginger root and 2 egg yolks. The mass is mixed until smooth and applied to the hair. Put on a plastic cap on top and blow hot air over your head with a hair dryer. After 30 minutes, wash off with chamomile decoction.

Coconut oil also has a beneficial effect on eyelashes. With regular application of the product, they strengthen, thicken, their loss stops, the hairs begin to grow thicker than before.

It is most convenient to apply the product with a clean mascara brush. Moreover, the product is applied only to the ends and not too abundantly so that the oil does not get into the eyes. It's not dangerous, but unpleasant. Wash off the oil 2-3 hours after application.

For face care

Coconut oil helps with:

• flaky dry skin;
• wrinkles;
• acne;
• burns;
• microdamage;
• irritation;
• loss of tone.

The product gives an effect after the first application making the skin soft, silky and smooth. However, an allergic reaction test should be done before using the oil. It is suitable for removing eye makeup, protects against frost, soothes inflamed skin.

Cosmetologists recommend using oil as part of homemade face masks:

1. For dry skin care. Melt butter in a water bath, add 20 g of yeast, mix the composition until smooth, add vitamin E. Apply it on the face for 20 minutes.The mask is washed off by wiping the face with a cotton pad dipped in milk. Course - 15 masks, 2 times a week.
2. Another mask for dry skin. Take 2 tsp. melted coconut oil and liquid honey. Stir with a beaten egg yolk fork, add 3 drops. any essential oil. Apply on the face for 15 minutes, then remove with warm boiled water. The course is 12-15 procedures.
3. From wrinkles. Coconut oil in an amount of 50 ml is mixed with 1 tsp. solution of vitamin E. The mask should be done a couple of hours before bedtime, applying with hammering movements. Remove the composition from the face with a napkin.
4. For the treatment and prevention of acne the mask with coconut oil and lemon helps. It is prepared like this: 1 tbsp. coconut oil is mixed with ½ tsp. lemon juice, 1 tsp. honey, 2 drops. lavender oil and 3 drops. tea tree oil.
5. Moisturizing mask. You need to mix in 1 tablespoon. coconut oil and honey, add 2 tbsp. chopped avocado pulp. The mixture is applied to the face for 10 minutes and then washed off with warm water.

It is not recommended to apply the oil in its pure form on oily skin, because it clogs the pores, which causes inflammation.

However, the oil can be used as a cleanser.

For lip skin care, use a balm prepared according to the following recipe: mix coconut oil, shea butter and beeswax. The proportions are 2: 1: 2. After 6 hours the product is ready for use.

For body

If you use unrefined oil correctly, you can keep your skin in perfect condition.

Recommended:

• rub oil into the skin after taking water treatments;
• take care of the décolleté area with oil to avoid a decrease in skin tone;
• use unrefined oil as a hand cream - in this way you can strengthen nails and soften the skin;
• rub oil like a cream into the skin of the feet and put on socks on top at night;
• use as a massage oil - it will help moisturize the skin well.

If you do not like the scent of coconut, you should choose a highly refined oil, it will practically not have a characteristic sillage.

For stretch marks

According to women, coconut oil helps to get rid of stretch marks, especially after those that have formed as a result of childbirth or weight loss. To achieve the effect, it is necessary to bring the product to a liquid state, heating in a water bath, and apply to problem areas with massage movements.

A good effect is obtained by adding a few drops of essential oil, for example, lavender, rosemary, orange, lemon.

For tanning and sun protection

On the one hand, coconut oil protects against harmful UV radiation and prevents redness and can be used to protect skin from the sun in tanning salons and on the beach. On the other hand, coconut oil applied to the skin contributes to a beautiful bronze tan. In addition, it can be applied if the skin is sunburned, the oil will moisturize the skin and have an analgesic effect.

During pregnancy and lactation

Coconut oil contains lauric acid, which is also found in breast milk. And it is this substance that strengthens the child's immunity. Nutritionists recommend including coconut oil in the diet of lactating women. For women during pregnancy, the properties of coconut oil to prevent stretch marks and strengthen hair are relevant.

Slimming

Despite its high calorie content, coconut oil is suitable for weight loss, because it is not stored in fat cells, but is completely converted into energy. It helps to activate metabolic processes, reduce cholesterol levels.

Apply it like this:

• 1 tbsp coconut oils replace breakfast;
• 1 with t. the product is taken in 20 minutes. before meals 3 times a day.

In cooking

Coconut oil is a quality fat, as it contains a lot of fatty polyunsaturated acids. Thanks to polyunsaturated acids, the product can be stored without a refrigerator, while it does not oxidize or rancid.

Coconut oil is a great substitute for margarine and butter in cooking. It can be used for deep-frying, and it does not acquire carcinogenic properties in the process and does not lose its taste when heated.

Used in the preparation of any dishes:

• porridge;
• soups;
• snacks;
• salads;
• stewed vegetables.

Due to the fact that the chemical composition of coconut oil is somewhat similar to that of human breast milk, it is added to artificial baby food. Also, coconut oil is added to milk dishes, such as milkshakes, hot chocolate. You can use it in the traditional way, just spreading it on bread.

But it is especially suitable for adding to baked goods, making them tasty and extending the shelf life.

Here are some recipes for coconut oil:

1. Granola. You need to mix 3 tbsp. hercules, 1 tbsp. nut crumbs (for example, walnuts, peanuts, almonds), 70 ml of honey, 2 tsp. cinnamon, ½ tsp. salt. Then the coconut oil is melted in a water bath and all the ingredients are poured into it. Stir. Spread the mixture on a baking sheet and bake in the oven at 180 degrees for 5-7 minutes, then the same amount at minimum heat.
2. Coffee with coconut oil. Such a drink will be more energetic, and its structure will become creamy. Add 1 tsp to a glass of coffee. butter, no need to melt. The hot coffee will melt the oil on its own.
3. Chia Seed Energy Snack with Coconut Oil... These two products complement each other wonderfully. To prepare the mixture, you need to mix seeds and oil in a 1: 2 ratio. It is allowed to dilute the mixture with water, then you get an energy drink.

Coconut oil has many useful properties, which is why it is so widely used in medicine, and in cosmetology, and in cooking. To be sure of the result, you need to choose a quality product.

Video about the properties and uses of coconut oil

Useful properties and uses of coconut oil:

How to use coconut oil: