4 Uses of Natural Coconut Oil and How to Prepare it

Natural coconut oil is very versatile and serves to hydrate the face, hair, to use in meals to give them flavor and also to lose weight. Due to its versatility and its properties, coconut oil is easily available in supermarkets or natural stores, and can even be prepared at home and is used for various purposes.
Coconut oil can be obtained from dried coconut or fresh coconut, being called refined or extra virgin coconut oil, respectively. Extra virgin coconut oil has the most health benefits, since it does not go through refining processes and does not lose nutrients.

Main Benefits of Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is very versatile so it has various uses and advantages. The main benefits are:

• Strengthens the immune system by  protecting the organism against microorganisms and preventing the development of diseases;

• It moisturizes the skin and hair, in  addition to preventing the appearance of wrinkles due to the high concentration of antioxidants in its composition;

• It helps to burn abdominal fat , because it makes it difficult for the deposition of circulating fat in the fat tissue;

• Increases the feeling of satiety , helping in weight loss.

In addition to this, coconut oil is able to improve cholesterol levels and improve the functioning of the intestine. See below how to use coconut oil and make the most of all its benefits:

1. Use Coconut Oil to Lose Weight

A study in adult women showed that changing soybean oil to coconut oil helps reduce abdominal fat and improve cholesterol levels, especially when that change is made within a balanced diet for weight loss.

To obtain this result, you should consume 2 tbsp of coconut oil per day, preferably the extra virgin, adding it in juices, salads, teas or coffee, and it is also possible to prepare eggs, meat and fish with this oil.

2. How to Use Coconut Oil for Cooking

Coconut oil can be used in various ways to cook, it can be added to rice, to make grilled meats, to sauté vegetables, to make fried foods and even to make cakes and cakes.

For this, you only have to replace the fat that you usually use, whether sunflower, corn or olive oil, with coconut oil. So if you normally use 2 tbsp of olive oil just replace them with 2 tbsp of coconut oil so you can get its benefits and always choosing the extra virgin. However, it is important to remember that coconut oil because it is a fat provides a large amount of calories, so your daily recommendation is 2 tbsp per day.

This oil can be easily prepared at home and for that you only need coconut water and coconuts with brown skin.

3. Use Coconut Oil to Hydrate Hair

Preparing homemade masks with coconut oil is very simple, being hardly necessary to choose some ingredients to make it and mix them with a few tablespoons of coconut oil so that your hair is more nourished, hydrated and strong. However, although coconut oil is very nutritious it should not be applied purely on the hair and should always choose to use extra virgin coconut oil, cold pressed and 100% natural.

See what you need to prepare homemade and natural masks with coconut oil:

• Coconut oil 3 tbsp + Aloe gel 5 tbsp + Honey 2 tbsp.
• Coconut oil 3 tbsp + 1 banana and 1/2 avocado + 1 tbsp mayonnaise.
• Coconut oil 4 tbsp + 4 tbsp olive oil.

The options mentioned above, are homemade masks ideal for moisturizing and nourishing dry, lifeless and brittle hair.

These masks should be applied on freshly washed and dry hair with a towel, leaving them to act for 20 to 25 minutes. After the time has elapsed, the hair should be washed again with shampoo to thoroughly remove all remaining residues. If you want to enhance the effect of the masks you can opt for the use of a thermal cap or a warm wet towel, as it will help increase its moisturizing effect.

4. How to use Coconut Oil to Moisturize the Skin

For use on the skin, coconut oil is very beneficial because it is a natural antifungal and bactericide, which has a high moisturizing power for the skin, being easily absorbed.

So if you have dry and rough skin you should try to put a little coconut oil on a cotton and gently rub it all over your face, placing a greater amount in the eye area, leaving it to act overnight. Another utility is that this oil can also be applied to remove makeup, even removing the waterproof eyelash mask and as a lipstick when it is in solid state.

This oil can also be used to disguise stretch marks, blemishes and imperfections on the skin, so it is recommended that this fat be passed daily in problem regions, especially in the morning and evening.

How to Prepare Coconut Oil at Home

Although it gives more work, preparing coconut oil at home is cheaper.
Ingredients

• 3 glasses of coconut water;
• 2 dried coconuts cut into pieces.

Preparation Mode

The first step to make coconut oil at home is to blend all the ingredients in the blender and strain to continue with the help of a clean cloth. Then place the liquid in a bottle and remain in a dark place for 48 hours. At the end of this period the bottle should be placed in a cool but sunless environment, for 6 more hours.

After 6 hours it is necessary to place the bottle standing in the refrigerator for 3 hours. With this the coconut oil will solidify and to remove it from the container you must cut the bottle at the site where a separation between the water and the oil is observed, taking advantage only of the oil that should be placed in a container with a lid.

Coconut oil is valid for 2 years and there is no need to store it in the refrigerator.