Of course using it as food is obvious. Besides having "antiviral," "antibacterial," and "anti-inflammatory" properties,₁ coconut oil is an excellent source of medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA). Unlike long-chain fatty acids (LCFA) found in meat and vegetable oils, MCFA are quickly broken down by the body and used as an energy source, meaning that the simple act of replacing LCFA with MCFA could "produce weight loss if energy [caloric] intake remained constant.”₂

Use coconut oil for desserts, cooking, or as a butter replacement. Add it to smoothies, cereals, and homemade granola, or try this delicious recipe for Chocolate Nut Ganache!  

Our coconut oil is truly raw, unrefined, extra-virgin, organic, and non-GMO. Minimally processed with no added ingredients, it has the perfect balance of delicious flavor without any excessive aromas or taste overtones.

And now for the unexpected – 30 ways to use Coconut Oil beyond food!  

Beauty & Personal Care

Moisturize: Apply coconut oil topically on your body and face to keep skin supple. Use a thin layer around the eyes to smooth out wrinkles and reduce sagging skin.

Exfoliate: Mix half coconut oil and half coconut palm sugar in a bowl or jar and scrub dry skin before a shower.
 
Remove Makeup: Ditch that store bought makeup remover for pure coconut oil. Moisten a cotton ball and add a dab of oil to remove your makeup. Then use a damp washcloth to remove any excess.
 
Cleanse Your Face: Apply coconut oil onto your face and neck, remove with a damp washcloth and pat dry.
 
Make Your Own Facial Scrub: Mix ½ cup coconut oil with 2 Tbsp coconut palm sugar. Stir until you get a gritty, spreadable consistency. Then squeeze 1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice and mix. Store in a glass jar for 2-3 weeks.
 
Shave: Use a thin layer of coconut oil and shave as usual. This is excellent for sensitive skin. The antibacterial potential of coconut oil₁ will also help soothe small cuts from your razor. You can even use a small amount as an aftershave lotion.
 
Take a Coconut Bath: Add coconut oil to a hot bath to soothe dry, itchy skin, plus it smells wonderful. Be sure to scrub the tub after to prevent slipping.
 
Coconut Nail Care: Apply a small dab of coconut oil on your cuticles to moisturize dry areas.
 
Pregnant or New Mom? Try massaging coconut oil onto breasts and belly to help prevent stretch marks. It is gentle enough to use on baby’s skin to soothe diaper rash, and for use as perineal massage before and after birth.
 
Massage: Since we’re on the topic, give a loved one a massage with coconut oil.
 
Deodorize: A small amount of coconut oil applied directly onto your armpits can help keep odors away, again thanks to its "antibacterial" properties. ₁
 
Lip Balm: Simply apply coconut oil to your lips, or try combining with shea butter for extra creaminess.
 
Oral Health: Try mixing coconut oil with baking soda and a tiny amount of hydrogen peroxide as a toothpaste. You can also try the Ayurvedic remedy of oil pulling (swishing) with coconut oil for up to 20 minutes. Research has shown that oil pulling caused a "reduction in the S. mutans [bacterial] count in plaque and saliva,” concluding that this method “can be used as an effective preventive adjunct in maintaining and improving oral health."₃
 
Insect Repellent: Apply coconut oil to help keep insects from biting. One of our staff members says this worked even in the mosquito-laden jungles of Costa Rica!
 
Hair Care: Massage coconut oil onto dry hair an hour before your shower, or even overnight with your head covered to protect your pillow. You can also use it to tame any frizz or fly-aways before you leave the house

Stress Relief: Massage coconut oil to your head in a circular motion and breathe in the sweet, nutty aroma to relieve stress.
 
Clean Your Ears: A tiny dab of coconut oil at the end of a Q-tip can help gently remove wax.
 
For Fido Too: Apply coconut oil to your pet’s coat if they are experiencing skin issues.
 

 
Household Uses

Clean Wooden Furniture: Use coconut oil to clean and condition wooden surfaces. Be sure to test a small area first. You can even use it on your wooden cutting boards when they start to look dry.
 
Metal Polish: Use coconut oil to make metals shine. Again, be sure to test a small area first.
 
Detail Your Car: Apply a small amount of coconut oil to a soft cloth and clean your car interior. Be sure to wipe off any excess with a clean cloth.
 
Season Cast Iron: Use coconut oil to season cast iron pots and pans.
 
The Squeaky Wheel Gets the…Coconut Oil: Ditch the WD40 and use coconut oil on squeaky hinges and bicycle chains.
 
Zippers, Too: Coconut oil can help unstick stubborn zippers.
 
Get Artistic: Coconut oil is great to lubricate your guitar strings. Also use to clean your paintbrushes, as well as your hands after using oil based paints.
 
Soap Scum Be Gone: Apply a small amount of coconut oil to a wet cloth and scrub that tub. Then spray with hydrogen peroxide and wipe dry with a clean cloth.
 
Shoe Polish: Use coconut oil to shine your shoes.
 
Residue Magic: Coconut oil is excellent for removing chewing gum from any surface, including carpets and hair. You can also use it to remove residues from labels if you like to reuse your glass jars.
 
Clean Your Mouthguard: – A little coconut oil can help sanitize your mouthguard or retainer. Rub it on in the morning, let it sit throughout the day, and then rinse in the evening.
 
Even Plants Love It: Coconut oil will give a glossy finish to indoor plants when you use a small amount on a soft cloth and wipe the leaves.

 
All of this in one jar of coconut oil! How many household and beauty products can you replace with this one superfood?

Sources:
1 - “Coconut: In Support of Good Health in the 21st Century.” Mary G. Enig, Ph.D., F.A.C.N. 1999
2 - “Thermic effect of medium-chain and long-chain triglycerides in man.” American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Nov 1986.
3 - “Effect of oil pulling on Streptococcus mutans count in plaque and saliva using Dentocult SM Strip mutans test: a randomized, controlled, triple-blind study.” Meenakshi Ammal Dental College, India, 2008