Uses for Coconut Oil

I recently got some coconut oil to try out Oil Pulling. I wouldn't say it is crazy expensive, but it's not cheap. So I thought, what else can I use it for? My research has lead me to this list!

1. Acne (when applied topically it is known for aiding, relieving or even curing these health issues)
2. Add 1 Tbsp to your smoothies
3. Add a few drops of eucalyptus essential oil for a vapor rub
4. Add a spoonful to your coffee
5. Add a spoonful to your tea
6. Add to dog’s water to freshen their breath
7. Adrenal fatigue (when taken internally it is know for aiding, preventing relieving or even curing some health issues.)
8. After Shave — coconut oil will help heal your skin after shaving without clogging pores. Great for razor burn!
9. Age Spots (also known as liver spots) — applying coconut oil directly to the age spot will help it fade.
10. Allergies/ Hay Fever (rub a little inside the nostrils, the pollen will cling to the oil)
11. Alzheimer’s/ Dementia (when taken internally it is know for aiding, preventing relieving or even curing some health issues.)
12. An Antioxidant (protects against free-radical formation and damage)
13. Anti-bacterial (kills bacteria that cause ulcers, throat infections, urinary tract infections, gum diseases, and other bacterial infections)
14. Anti-carcinogenic (coconut oil has antimicrobial properties so it effectively prevents the spread of cancer cells and enhances the immune system)
15. Anti-fungal (kills fungi and yeast that lead to infection)
16. Anti-inflammatory (appears to have a direct effect in suppressing inflammation and repairing tissue, and it may also contribute by inhibiting harmful intestinal microorganisms that cause chronic inflammation.)
17. Anti-microbial/Infection Fighting (the medium-chain fatty acids and monoglycerides found in coconut oil are the same as those in human mother's milk, and they have extraordinary antimicrobial properties. By disrupting the lipid structures of microbes, they inactivate them. About half of coconut oil consists of lauric acid. Lauric acid, its metabolite monolaurin and other fatty acids in coconut oil are known to protect against infection from bacteria, viruses, yeast, fungi and parasites. While not having any negative effect on beneficial gut bacteria, coconut oil inactivates undesirable microbes.)
18. Anti-parasitic (fights to rid the body of tapeworms, lice and other parasites)
19. Anti-protozoa (kills giardia, a common protozoan infection of the gut)
20. Anti-viral (kills viruses that cause influenza, herpes, measles, hepatitis C, SARS, AIDS, and other viruses)
21. Aromatherapy
22. Asthma (when taken internally it is know for aiding, preventing relieving or even curing some health issues.)
23. Athletes foot (when applied topically it is known for aiding, relieving or even curing these health issues)
24. Back pain/ sore muscles (when applied topically it is known for aiding, relieving or even curing these health issues)
25. Baldness — apply three times a day to affected area of hair loss. Coconut oil supports cell regeneration.
26. Birth Marks — can be used after a laser removal treatment to aid in healing. Can also be applied after an apple cider vinegar treatment to help support and aid the fading process.
27. Body Scrub — mix coconut oil and sugar together and rub all over! Rinse off and your skin will be super soft! You can add in essential oils if you would like a specific smell.
28. Boils or cysts (when applied topically it is known for aiding, relieving or even curing these health issues)
29. Bones and Teeth — coconut oil aids in the absorption of calcium and magnesium leading to better development of bones and teeth.
30. Bowel Function (when taken internally it is know for aiding, preventing relieving or even curing some health issues.)
31. Breastfeeding — for breastfeeding moms, consuming 3 tablespoons of coconut oil daily will enrich the milk supply.
32. Breastfeeding moms- put on nipples to avoid thrush and cracked nipples
33. Bronchial Function (when taken internally it is know for aiding, preventing relieving or even curing some health issues.)
34. Bruises — applied directly to the bruise, coconut oil enhances the healing process by reducing swelling and redness.
35. Burns — apply to burn site immediately and continue applying until healed. Will reduce the chances of permanent scarring and promotes healing.
36. Can clear up ringworm
37. Can help fight belly fat (eat 2 Tbsps. a day)
38. Can help with acid reflux (eat a Tbsps.)
39. Cancer (when taken internally it is know for aiding, preventing relieving or even curing some health issues.)
40. Circulation/ feeling cold all the time (when taken internally it is know for aiding, preventing relieving or even curing some health issues.)
41. Circumcision healing (when applied topically it is known for aiding, relieving or even curing these health issues)
42. Cold and Flu (when taken internally it is know for aiding, preventing relieving or even curing some health issues.)
43. Combine with tea tree oil to help Athletes foot, ring worm and other fungal infections
44. Constipation (when taken internally it is know for aiding, preventing relieving or even curing some health issues.)
45. Consuming a spoonful a day can help improve thyroid, digestion, boost immune system and even help migraines
46. Crohns Disease (when taken internally it is know for aiding, preventing relieving or even curing some health issues.)
47. Cuticle cream
48. Cystic Fibrosis (when taken internally it is know for aiding, preventing relieving or even curing some health issues.)
49. Deodorant
50. Deodorant — coconut oil alone can be used as a deodorant, but even more effective in combination with cornstarch/arrowroot powder and baking soda!
51. Depressions (when taken internally it is know for aiding, preventing relieving or even curing some health issues.)
52. Diabetes- helps keep blood sugar levels stable and helps with cravings
53. Diaper Rash Cream
54. Digestion – the saturated fats in coconut oil help control parasites and fungi that cause indigestion and other digestion related problems such as irritable bowel syndrome. The fat in coconut oil also aids in the absorption of vitamins, minerals and amino acids, making you healthier all around.
55. Ear Infection (place a few drops inside the ear twice a day for relief from pain. Also fights infection)
56. Epilepsy (known to reduce seizures)
57. Exfoliator — coconut oil mixed with sugar or sea salt is a very nourishing and effective exfoliator and safe to use all over the body.
58. Eye cream — apply under the eyes to reduce puffiness, bags and wrinkles. Use on the lids in the evening.
59. Eye makeup remover- put oil on cotton ball and rest on eye lashes for a few seconds then rinse with warm water
60. Face Wash/ Soap — mix equal parts coconut oil with olive oil, almond oil, avocado oil and castor oil and use in place of soap when washing your face. Wet face, rub oil in and leave on for two minutes, rinse and pat dry. One teaspoon should be adequate.
61. Face/ body scrub- combine oil with a tsp baking soda.
62. Feminine dryness
63. Fever (when taken internally it is know for aiding, preventing relieving or even curing some health issues.)
64. Fitness – coconut oil has been proven to stimulate your metabolism, improve thyroid function, and escalate energy levels, all of which help decrease your unwanted fat while increasing muscle.
65. For cooking, can be used instead of butter or vegetable oil
66. Frying eggs- add to the bottom of your pan instead of butter
67. Gallbladder (when taken internally it is know for aiding, preventing relieving or even curing some health issues.)
68. Gas (when taken internally it is know for aiding, preventing relieving or even curing some health issues.)
69. Hair Gel/ Defrizzer — rub a little between your palms and either scrunch into hair (for curly hair) or finger comb in through from scalp to ends (for wavy/straight hair).
70. Head Lice (when taken internally it is know for aiding, preventing relieving or even curing some health issues.)
71. Healing – when applied on scrapes and cuts, coconut oil forms a thin, chemical layer which protects the wound from outside dust, bacteria and virus. Coconut oil speeds up the healing process of bruises by repairing damaged tissues. Plus, it smells a heck-of-a-lot better than anything from the pharmacy.
72. Heath Disease (protects arteries from injury)
73. Helps reduce stretch marks
74. Helps with cradle cap
75. Helps with dandruff (used as shampoo and conditioner)
76. Hemorrhoids (can apply externally or internally twice a day)
77. Hives (when applied topically it is known for aiding, relieving or even curing these health issues)
78. Hot Flashes (when taken internally it is know for aiding, preventing relieving or even curing some health issues.)
79. Hydrates dog’s paw pads
80. Improves insulin secretion and utilization of blood glucose making it great for both diabetics and non-diabetic.
81. Infection fighting
82. Insect repellent- mix coconut oil and peppermint oil extract and rub it on exposed skin
83. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (when taken internally it is know for aiding, preventing relieving or even curing some health issues.)
84. Jaundice (when taken internally it is know for aiding, preventing relieving or even curing some health issues.)
85. Kidney Disease (when taken internally it is know for aiding, preventing relieving or even curing some health issues.)
86. Kidney Stones (when taken internally it is know for aiding, preventing relieving or even curing some health issues.)
87. Known to improve nutrient absorption (easily digestible; makes vitamins and minerals more available to the body)
88. Lip Balm
89. Liver Disease
90. Lotion
91. Lung Function — increases the fluidity of cell surfaces.
92. Makeup remover
93. Makeup Remover — use a cotton swab and a dab of coconut oil and you would be amazed at how well it works!
94. Massage Oil
95. Menstruation Relief (helps with pain, cramps and heavy flow)
96. Migraines (when used regularly)
97. Mix with baking soda for “Goo Gone”
98. Mix with cinnamon and oatmeal for a face scrub
99. Moisturizing and cleaning leather
100. Mole Remover — when applied after an apple cider vinegar compress for several weeks, moles have been known to u201Cslide offu201D or just disappear.
101. Nausea — rub some coconut oil on the inside for the wrist and forearm to calm an upset stomach.
102. Nose bleeds — coconut oil can prevent nose bleeding that is caused by sensitivity to weather such as extreme heat and extreme cold. This condition happens when the nasal passages become dry because of cold or dry air resulting to burns and cracks in the mucus membranes so bleeding happens. To prevent this just put coconut oil in you nostrils. Coat your finger with coconut oil and then lie down and coat your finger inside your nose. Doing this will strengthen and protect the capillaries in the nasal passages. A Vitamin C supplement will also help prevent nose bleeding.
103. Oil pulling with coconut oil offers a two for one health benefit!
104. Oiling wood cutting boards
105. Oily Skin Fix — prone to oily skin or an oily T-zone? Use a pea sized amount underneath makeup or alone to reduce the appearance of oil.
106. On toast instead of butter
107. Oral health- melt and swish oil in mouth for 10 to 20 minutes a day, make sure to spit out when done.
108. Overnight conditioner. Rub in dry hair and was hair as usual in morning.
109. Pancreatitis (when taken internally it is know for aiding, preventing relieving or even curing some health issues.)
110. Pets/ Animals: cuts, wounds, hot spots, dry skin, bites and stings (Check with vet, but the recommended dosage for animals is ¼ teaspoon for every 10 pounds of weight, twice a day)
111. Pets/ Animals: Arthritis (Check with vet, but the recommended dosage for animals is ¼ teaspoon for every 10 pounds of weight, twice a day)
112. Pets/ Animals: Digestive disorders (Check with vet, but the recommended dosage for animals is ¼ teaspoon for every 10 pounds of weight, twice a day)
113. Pets/ Animals: Hairballs and coughing (Check with vet, but the recommended dosage for animals is ¼ teaspoon for every 10 pounds of weight, twice a day)
114. Pets/ Animals: makes coat sleek and glossy and deodorized dog odor (Check with vet, but the recommended dosage for animals is ¼ teaspoon for every 10 pounds of weight, twice a day)
115. Pets/ Animals: prevents or controls diabetes (Check with vet, but the recommended dosage for animals is ¼ teaspoon for every 10 pounds of weight, twice a day)
116. Pets/ Animals: Skin conditions (Check with vet, but the recommended dosage for animals is ¼ teaspoon for every 10 pounds of weight, twice a day)
117. Pink Eye (when applied topically it is known for aiding, relieving or even curing these health issues)
118. Polish Furniture
119. Polishing Bronze
120. Pop popcorn in it (if you have a stove top popper)
121. Pour into bath
122. Pour on top of popcorn instead of butter
123. Pre-Shave — coconut oil will prep skin for the pending damage caused by shaving.
124. Put on a cold sore/ canker sore and it will go away faster
125. Replace butter for baking
126. Replace vegetable oil for baking
127. Rub on eyelashes to strengthen them
128. Rub on sunburn to help sooth it
129. Season a cast iron pan
130. Seasoning animal hide
131. Shaving Cream
132. Skin Problems — coconut oil relieves skin problems such as psoriasis, dermatitis, and eczema.
133. Smooth dry hair- Use a tiny big to smooth and shine up hair
134. Soap making
135. Sooth bee stings and bug bites
136. Sooth inside of nose when suffering from cold or allergies
137. Stomach Ulcers (when taken internally it is know for aiding, preventing relieving or even curing some health issues.)
138. Stress Relief — relieve mental fatigue by applying coconut oil to the head in a circular, massaging motion. The natural aroma of coconuts is extremely soothing thus helping to lower your stress level.
139. Swimmers Ear — mix garlic oil and coconut oil and put a few drops in affected ear for about 10 minutes. Do this 2-3 times a day and it usually works within one or two days.
140. Tattoo Healing and Moisturizer — continued use of coconut oil on tattoos will help keep the pigment from fading. Used on new tattoos, coconut will hasten the healing process and decrease the chance of infection.
141. Tooth Decay (when taken internally it is know for aiding, preventing relieving or even curing some health issues.)
142. Toothpaste- equal parts coconut oil and baking soda. Sweeten with stevia and can flavor with essential oils.
143. Use instead of Neosporin
144. Use on dry feet (make sure to put on socks)
145. Use on plants instead of leaf shiner products
146. Use to get gum out of hair or carpet
147. Vitamin and nutrient absorption
148. Wrinkle Prevention and Wrinkle Reducer — rubbing coconut oil on winkles and sagging skin helps strengthen the connective tissues to bring back that youthful look!

Sources:
http://survivalsherpa.wordpress.com/2012/09/10/160-reasons-to-stock-coconut-oil-in-your-larder/
http://wakeup-world.com/2012/03/02/160-uses-for-coconut-oil/
http://www.swansonvitamins.com/blog/natural-health-tips/using-coconut-oil?mobile=off
http://thefrugalgirls.com/2012/07/coconut-oil-uses.html