What Are the Benefits of Virgin Coconut Oil?

Coconuts' milk, water, meat and oil have supplied indigenous tribes around the world with sustenance and medicine for years. Until recently, though, many people thought coconut oil, which is extracted from coconut meat, was unhealthy because of its high level of saturated fat. Not all fat is the same, however, and coconut oil has many benefits.

Identification

• Virgin coconut oil is made from extracting oil from fresh coconuts. There are two ways to do this: extracting it from the milk (called the wet process) or by taking it directly from the kernel (the dry process). Virgin coconut oil is the highest quality of coconut oil. According to Dr. Bruce Fife, a naturopathic doctor whose expertise is in researching and writing about the benefits of coconut oil, virgin coconut oil is the healthiest of all oils.

Function

• Coconut oil nourishes is a common ingredient in many hair-care products. A natural conditioner, it helps regrow damaged hair, controls dandruff and maintains the hair's natural proteins.

  As much as coconut oil does for hair, it does even more for skin. According to organicfacts.net, it prevents acne; controls eczema, psoriasis and rosacea; prevents wrinkles, sagging skin and age spots; acts as a natural moisturizer; and reduces inflammatory conditions.

Health Benefits

• According to experts such as Dr. Fife, coconut oil helps with digestion, relieves stress, helps with weight loss and weight management, has antifungal properties, and boosts energy and endurance--making it a popular resource for athletes. The fatty acids in coconut oil help with liver problems, kidney problems and diabetes.

  Coconut oil is an antiviral known for reducing the viral load of herpes, HIV, hepatitis C and the flu. It also has antibacterial properties, killing bacteria that causes sore throats, dental cavities, urinary tract infections, pneumonia, meningitis and gonorrhea.

Coconut Oil in the Kitchen

• Coconut oil has a longer shelf-life than most other oils, so it is a good substitute for canola or vegetable oil.

  You can use coconut oil in your morning smoothies or as a substitute for butter or margarine.

  Because of its higher smoking point, it's ideal for frying foods.

Where to Buy

• Coconut oil is found at major grocery stores and health food stores.