Benefits of Virgin Coconut Oil For Skin, Hair & Overall Health

While most of us are familiar with coconut oil often described as the “healthiest oil on earth”, virgin coconut oil is rapidly gaining popularity throughout the world.  Moreover, known for its fragrance, taste, did you these benefits of virgin coconut oil for skin, hair & overall health?

Benefits of virgin coconut oil for skin, hair & overall health

What is Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO)?

VCO is quite different from ordinary coconut oil mainly in the source, method of extraction & benefits. Ordinary coconut oil is extracted by fermentation of dried coconut kernels. Also, the moisture content of around six percent and may involve application of heat. In comparison, virgin coconut oil is extracted from the fresh and mature kernel of coconuts by cold compression methods. Moreover, there is no application of heat and it is not refined. 

Hence, this process ensures the natural goodness such as high content of vitamin-E and minerals. In addition, the shelf life of virgin coconut oil is much longer than any other edible oil and does not go rancid easily.

Virgin coconut oil benefits

Benefits of Virgin Coconut Oil for Overall Health:

Coconut oil has been part of Ayurvedic medicine for centuries. A diet high in coconut oil reduces the risk of heart disease. Also, its is nature’s richest source of lauric acid which protects your heart by reducing total cholesterol and increasing good cholesterol. Additionally, the high lauric acid content in virgin coconut oil also supports the immune system. Furthermore, it helps keep diabetes in check by improving insulin secretion.

Although virgin coconut oil is a Fat, the healthy medium chain fatty acids present unlike other fats do not circulate in the bloodstream. Moreover, they are directly sent to the liver and processed into energy. As a result,  the body does not store the fat and VCO actually aids in reducing weight. 

Capric acid, Caprylic acid, caproic acid, myristic acid and lauric acid found help in eliminating Candida albicans – an opportunist fungus that causes infections in humans. 

Further, when applied externally to bruises, forms a protective antibacterial layering. 

Also read: How to use coconut milk for healthy skin & nourished hair.

Image Source: Groupon

Oil pulling with Virgin coconut oil benefits:

Swishing virgin coconut oil in your mouth for several minutes a day may have many benefits. As a matter of fact it helps in whitening your teeth and preventing tooth decay. Also, people with bleeding gums and cracked lips can benefit from oil pulling at night.

Studies reveal that consumption of virgin coconut oil nourishes the brain by improving cognitive function. Furthermore it stalls or even reverses neurodegenerative diseases in their early stages. Adding VCO to smoothies or homemade energy bars is a good way to start its intake. One can also try taking a teaspoon of VCO everyday on its own.

According to research, due to the presence of high amounts of Lauric in VCO which is formed into monolaurin in the human body, the prospect of using VCO in aiding the treatment of AIDS is also being explored since monolaurin is the anti-viral, antibacterial, and antiprotozoal monoglyceride used by the human body to destroy lipid coated viruses such as HIV, herpes, cytomegalovirus, influenza, various pathogenic bacteria.

Benefits of Virgin Coconut Oil For Skin:

Virgin coconut oil can replace quite a few things in your beauty kit. It is very effective as a moisturizing agent and also serves as a lip balm, makeup remover and Frizz fighter as it retains moisture.

Mix it with oatmeal and create a gentle facial scrub. Moreover, you can mix virgin coconut oil and sugar to create a body scrub.  VCO can also be used as an improvised shaving cream.

It has anti-aging properties as it is rich in antioxidants and also used for cuticle care as the emollient nature of the coconut oil keeps the cuticles soft.

Love rosy lips? We suggest a fun D-I-Y lip balm. Crush a few pomegranate seeds & strain into a small clean pot, add some VCO and mix thoroughly and refrigerate. This natural and organic lip balm stays good for up to a week.

Benefits of Virgin Coconut Oil For Hair:

Applying it to the head followed by gentle massaging helps relieve stress and therefore very popular as a massage oil.

You can use it as a pre-poo conditioner for shinier, healthier hair.

Also, applying it on your hair helps control frizz.

So, how do you like using virgin coconut oil. Do let us know in the comments section.