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© 2006 by Lisa Maliga
Imagine finding a completely natural product that you can eat, and use to help strengthen and moisturize your hair, skin, lips, and nails. Also, depending on the temperature, it can be solid or liquid, thus facilitating its ease of use. What is this versatile ingredient?
This extraordinary ingredient is virgin coconut oil, and it’s loaded with vitamin E, antioxidants, fiber and smells just like a freshly opened tropical coconut. The color is white, the texture varies from a clear liquid, which is easily applied to the skin and hair, or is solid white when the temperature is below 76 degrees Fahrenheit. The wonderful news about virgin coconut oil is that whether in butter or liquid oil form, the good qualities just don’t diminish!
Virgin coconut oil has a long shelf life, up to three years, and the list of uses for it proves how versatile this vegan and vegetarian friendly oil really can be. Virgin coconut butter is something that has been used to keep skin and hair in prime condition for centuries. Oftentimes it's the simplest ingredients, such as coconut butter or shea butter, that, when used daily, can make a big difference in how our skin looks and feels. Unrefined, unbleached and undeodorized coconut butter contains its naturally distinctive aroma along with high levels of skin-loving vitamin E. Also, you can be assured that no chemicals are used in the growing or processing of the coconuts. Virgin coconut oil comes from the fresh coconut milk and is pressed without heat or only with a small amount of heat that is about the same temperature as the air in a tropical country, so that none of the vital ingredients are diminished.
Refined Coconut vs. Virgin Coconut Oil
Many commercial coconut oils are refined, deodorized and bleached (RDB), and this is evident when you smell it, as they there is absolutely no odor. Refined coconut oil will also be able to remain solid until at least 92 degrees Fahrenheit, and there are others that can remain solid up until 110 degrees Fahrenheit. The coconut is oftentimes solvent extracted, and done so at temperatures of up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit, which means that all the vital proprieties have been eliminated. Refined coconut also hails from the copra, which is the dried coconut meat.
Virgin coconut oil hails from fresh coconut meat by a wet-milling process. The meat from recently harvested coconuts is pounded by hand in wooden mortars to express the "coconut milk". Then, the coconut milk is allowed to ferment for about two days, which allows the water to separate from the oil. The oil is removed from the fermented mixture, heated slightly for a brief time to remove moisture, and then it’s all filtered. After this natural method of extraction where all the properties remain intact, the result is a clear coconut oil that keeps the distinct scent and taste of coconuts.
Uses For Virgin Coconut Oil
Unless you’re allergic to virgin coconut oil, the uses for it externally and internally are numerous and beneficial.
Skin – As coconut oil is high in vitamin E, it helps your skin feel soft and supple skin. It’s also recommended for suntanning both before and after sun exposure. Coconut oil is excellent to use as a massage oil as its nonsticky and absorbs quickly.
Hair – One of the best natural conditioners out there is your friendly jar of virgin coconut oil. This is a way to make your hair feel softer and smoother and it can even help decrease tangling. Massage into your scalp and comb through to the ends. Some people prefer only massaging directly onto the scalp for about 20 minutes at a time as they feel too much can clog pores. Other people can allow the virgin coconut oil to remain on their scalp and hair for much longer periods of time.
Nails – Use virgin coconut oil to help strengthen your nails and keep your cuticles in great shape. Idea – if you bite your nails, try using pleasant smelling virgin coconut oil on them to prevent you from doing so and to remedy any previous damage.
Lips – Virgin coconut oil applied to the lips can help prevent chapping and naturally moisturize them.
Animals – Cats, dogs, and other mammals can appreciate the external and internal benefits of virgin coconut oil. On a personal note, my cat greatly appreciates her daily dose of virgin coconut oil, which is applied to her sides so it can be licked off. Her fur is very thick, smooth and shiny. Adding virgin coconut oil to her fur was the direct result of too many feuds with other cats and she was left scratched and with missing fur. By applying coconut oil to those injured areas the wounds healed within days and the fur grew back thick and strong. Before rushing out and offering your pet coconut oil, remember it’s wise to consult with a veterinarian before adding this to your pets’ food bowl.
Cooking - People have been cooking with virgin coconut oil for centuries. Those people usually don’t live in northern climates but in the locations where coconut palm trees flourish: the Philippines, Africa, Jamaica, Southeast Asia, and India. Cooking with virgin coconut oil means that you can enhance the flavors of the foods you’re frying with the rich and sweet aroma and taste of coconut. This healthy oil is suitable for children and senior citizens, as well as vegans and vegetarians as it’s easy to digest. Recently, there have been many studies showing that virgin coconut oil possesses natural fatty acids that are vital to our internal comfort, along with giving us an ability to help us burn calories at a faster rate. As virgin coconut oil contains no trans fatty acids, just medium chain fatty acids that are not stored as a fat but utilized by your body right away.
Next time you want to recharge your energy or soften/soothe your skin, think about your friendly tropical coconut – and conveniently packaged in a jar.
http://www.everythingshea.com ~ Everything Shea offers a fragrant selection of designer glycerin soaps, lip balms, scented/unscented shea butter, Whipped Shea Butter, Shea Comfort, Baby Celebrations, Moringa from India, Virgin Coconut Oil, 3 varieties of Monoi de Tahiti, and samplers/gift bags. |
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