Coconut oil has almost limitless uses and should be a part of both your first aid kit and your stored preps. Just as when purchasing essential oils and the natural wonder tea tree oil, there are various grades of coconut oil. The expensive versions of coconut oil might be ultra-fabulous, but the $2.50 jars of organic oil I but at Aldis work so well I have never been tempted to dig deeper in my pocket and try the more costly varieties.
In addition to all of the many great edible uses for coconut oil, the natural white substance also is believed to have healing and moisturizing properties as well. Medium level fatty acids abound in coconut oil. This type of fatty acids are known to be able to delve deep into the fungal membrane and kill the invading fungus while stimulating healing.
Coconut oil also possesses lauric acid. When lauric acid and glycerol are combined, monolaurin is formed. A multitude of studies have reportedly shown that monolaurin prevents the “lipid envelope” of the virus which causes cold sores, to spread. Applying coconut oil to sores on and around the lips several times each day will help heal the sores quickly and reduce discomfort.
Organic cooking oil is also great to use when frying. It has a high some point, making in great for stir frying. The oil can be used as a dairy-free replacement for butter when baking. There is virtually no difference in taste and since unopened coconut oil has a long shelf life, using it for baking purposes can help stretch the milk garnered from your milk cows and long term food storage dehydrated butter during a SHTF scenario.
Other Uses For Coconut Oil
- As an ingredient in mineralizing toothpaste.
- Rubbed directly on cracked or sunburnt skin. During the winter my hands crack to the point of bleeding due to washing them so often after completing the daily animal chores and being outside in the weather at the barn. After trying literally thousands of home remedies and store bought lotions, I am have now become an absolute believer in coconut oil as a cracked and dry skin relief agent. I will look no further for the best way to avoid constantly sore and torn skin on my hands and fingers. During a SHTF situation, even small cuts can become deadly. Rubbing coconut oil on my cracked hands feels as good as a sipping on a glass of ice cold water during a July afternoon.
Used as a main ingredient in lotions and soaps. - As a coffee creamer.
- Added to soft drinks or in food for an energy burst.
- Coconut oil is also considered a safe and easy way to remove eye make-up.
- Diaper rash is no fun for baby during a normal day, let alone during a long term disaster when going to a grocery store, which would likely have empty shelves anyway, is not an option. Gently rubbing coconut oil onto the diaper area is a great way to cure and prevent diaper rash.
- Want to look younger? Rub some coconut oil on age spots and under the eyes to reduce the discoloration and crows feet.
- Use the oil to prevent stretch marks during pregnancy. The oil is reportedly safe to rub directly onto the perineum after birth to promote healing and to decrease the risk of infection. The oil can be rubbed onto sore nipples of nursing mothers, the oil is not supposed to cause any harm to baby – consult your physician before trying.
- Once baby has arrived, keep a jar of coconut oil in the cabinet to get rid of cradle cap. Gently massage a dime-sized amount of coconut oil onto the skin, let it remain for a few moments and then wash away with a warm cloth. Blot baby’s forehead dry.
- Coconut oil has also reportedly been used successfully as a topical treatment to kill yeast infections.
Working outdoors and completing heavy indoors chores can result in sore muscles. Use coconut oil as a massage oil to ease the discomfort and help prepare the body for the tasks on the agenda the next day. - Frizzy hair, especially during warm weather, is a problem for many women. Skip the expensive hair treatments at the salon and simply rub a small amount of coconut oil on to your, especially the ends, to get rid of unwanted frizz. To moisturize dry hair, rub some of the oil onto the hair, cover with shower cap, and allow it to work its magic for several hours. No need to wash hair after the treatment.
- Coconut oil is also a common ingredient in homemade laundry soap. It helps remove dirt and grime while leaving clothes smelling fresh.
- Tough stains on your crockpot or other-cast iron cookware? Scrub with coconut oil to remove baked on goods.Coconut oil can also help soothe eczema and psoriasis. The oil can be used to season cast iron cookware as well.
- Some researchers believe that regularly ingesting coconut oil can help to reverse or prevent Alzheimers disease.
Mix equal parts coconut oil with apple cider vinegar to treat lice infestation in the hair. - Rubbing coconut oil inside your nostrils may help to reduce allergy symptoms. Rub coconut oil on the inside of your nose to help alleviate allergy symptoms.
- Coconut oil may be helpful in reducing reduce bad cholesterol and increase good cholesterol. High-density lipoproteins or HDL, are the “good” cholesterol. Low-density cholesterol, or LDL is the “bad” cholesterol you want t decrease. Due to the lauric acid levels in coconut oil, the substance is believed to boost HDL and possible help curb or prevent heart disease.Ingesting 1 1/2 teaspoons of coconut oil per day is recommended to keep cholesterol levels in check.
- Rubbing coconut oil onto the skin will keep away pesky insects. Coconut oil rubbed directly onto livestock fur or used in homemade fly sprays can help keep the horseflies and mosquitoes at bay while out on the trail or when grazing in the pasture.
- Stir on teaspoon of coconut oil into herbal tea to help soothe sore throats.