If there were an award for Mother Nature’s greatest creation, the humble coconut would surely have a podium finish.
There’s nothing that could make a person cry more with relieved joy than if they were stranded on a desert island surrounded by palm trees bearing coconuts aplenty.
There are literally hundreds of uses for a coconut. The outer parts can be used to make rope, bedding, boards, instruments, netting, planting mats, brushes, filters and extremely uncomfortable bikinis. You can even grow plants hydroponically using the husk. The edible coconut meat and water are some of the most nutritionally sound foods you can consume, and from these milk, butter, unrefined sugar, flour and vinegar (and more) are created. This is also where coconut oil comes from.
Coconut oil is having a moment. It’s everywhere. We’ve been told numerous times about the benefits of cooking with coconut oil or dropping a spoonful in our morning smoothie but what about outside of the kitchen? Coconut oil can be used for soap, deodorants, natural sunscreens, toothpaste, specific insect repellant; even bio-diesel! Thanks to its antimicrobial, antifungal and antioxidant properties, it’s a good topical treatment for things like athlete’s foot, nappy rash and… ahem… haemorrhoids.
If you want to include more coconut oil in your personal hygiene and cosmetic routine, read on for some super simple, cheap and effective ways to use it. Switching from your current products to coconut oil can save you a fair bit of cash! Here are our favourite daily ways of using it.
Face cleanser and makeup remover: just put some on a ball of cotton wool and use in the same way as your regular products.
Hair conditioning treatment: dry hair, thinning hair, split ends? Coconut oil may help with these. Massage into your scalp and hair and leave for a minimum of twenty minutes before washing. Preferably leave overnight for silky, shiny tresses.
Massage oil: get the person kneading your knots to use this – or treat a lucky someone to a rub down.
Night-time face moisturiser: especially great for dehydrated and dry skin.
Body lotion: not only will you smell divine – like a certain popular coconut-flavoured chocolate bar – but the concentration of vitamin E can help to make your skin amazingly soft and supple long term. (Remember, if your skin is a big issue for you and an external treatment alone isn’t enough, Vitamin Buddy offers a Vitamin E supplement as part of its bespoke plans.)
Lip salve: keep your pout soft without the potential harmful effects of petroleum jelly.
DIY vapour rub: mix coconut oil with a few drops of peppermint essential oil and you’ll have a comforting chest rub just like the one Mama used when you were ill as a child.
Coconut oil really does deserve its status as a true superfood. Try it today!
{Please note, like any oil, some people can be sensitive to coconut oil and can experience reactions. Such reactions are relatively uncommon but may still be experienced by highly sensitive individuals. Always do a patch test first overnight if using the oil on your skin or scalp for the first time. Reduce your risk of reactions by sourcing the best quality oil you can find – cold pressed, extra virgin, and organic.}