Coconut oil has gained a reputation as a superfood and a miracle product. It can be cooked with it, it can be used to moisturize the skin or as a hair conditioner, it can be cleaned and much more. But despite the many benefits everyone is talking about, there is still no scientific evidence for the benefits of coconut oil. However, why not try it!
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Eating
Step 1. Use coconut oil for frying or baking
Because coconut oil has a high smoke point and low aroma, it is good for frying. When frying, use the same amount as regular oil (olive, sunflower, butter, etc.).
To sauté vegetables in coconut oil, melt 1–2 tablespoons (15–30 g) of oil over low heat (or whatever amount is indicated in the recipe), then add the vegetables. Season and fry the way you like it
Step 2. Add coconut oil to coffee, hot tea, or hot chocolate
Just make your favorite hot drink and then add 1 teaspoon (5 g) of coconut oil before adding the cream or sweetener. The hot liquid will melt the butter quickly.
- Thanks to the coconut oil, the drink will be a little oily (especially on top) and will have a light coconut flavor. If you don't like it, then replace some of the coconut oil with butter, or simply put in less oil altogether.
- Should you make your morning coffee oily? May be. Some believe (although not certain) that coconut oil, among other things, lowers cholesterol, burns fat, kills harmful bacteria, and improves brain function.
Step 3. Add coconut oil to smoothies
Simply add 1-2 tablespoons (15-30 grams) of coconut oil to your other smoothie ingredients and blend in a blender. Chilled coconut oil can clump in the finished smoothie. If you don't like this, then melt some butter over low heat and then pour over all the ingredients in the smoothie before mixing.
Coconut oil goes very well with bananas and other tropical fruits
Step 4. Substitute coconut oil for other oils when baking
If your baking recipe requires liquid oil (such as sunflower oil or other), then simply substitute an equal amount of coconut oil. Chances are, you won't even notice the difference in the finished dish.
If you want to substitute coconut oil for hard fat (such as butter or margarine), use a 1: 1 ratio of coconut oil to the required hard fat, but reduce the amount of fat to 75% of the recipe recommended. For example, instead of 4 tablespoons (60 grams) of butter, add 3 tablespoons (45 grams) of coconut oil and butter in total, 1.5 tablespoons (22.5 grams) of each butter
Step 5. Spread coconut oil on bread and pancakes instead of butter
Coconut oil softens and melts as it heats up to 24 ° C, which means you can spread it instead of butter. Try it, it's very tasty and unusual!
Or, melt 1–2 tablespoons (15–30 g) of coconut oil and pour over the popcorn
Method 2 of 4: Moisturize your skin
Step 1. Buy organic extra virgin and unrefined coconut oil
Try to use as natural and unprocessed coconut oil as possible. Don't buy coconut oil that says bleached, hydrogenated, refined, or deodorized. If the packaging says "cold pressed" is very good, as it is the most natural way to extract the oil.
Try to buy coconut oil from health food stores. It is usually sold in glass jars and looks like a white gel or white paste
Step 2. Massage in 1 teaspoon (5 g) of coconut oil after cleansing
Wash your face with a cleanser, rinse off the remaining product with water and pat dry with a clean towel. Take approximately 1 teaspoon (5 g) of coconut oil and massage into the skin in circular motions. Repeat the procedure daily.
- Body heat will melt the oil and so the skin will absorb it.
- Coconut oil is great for dry to normal skin. If you have oily skin, it is better to use other natural remedies, for example, you can use argan oil or sunflower oil.
Step 3. Use coconut oil for a moisturizing mask
Melt 1 tablespoon (15 g) of coconut oil over low heat, then stir in half a mashed banana and add a pinch of turmeric. Apply the mask to your face and leave it on for 15 minutes, then rinse with cold water and pat dry. Do this mask regularly if desired.
This mask moisturizes the skin well and reduces acne. Bananas also moisturize the skin, and turmeric has anti-inflammatory effects
Method 3 of 4: Hair Conditioner
Step 1. Take 1 tablespoon (15 g) of coconut oil congealed
If you have short hair, then you will need less oil, perhaps only half of the indicated amount. Buy unrefined organic extra virgin coconut oil.
Store coconut oil in a glass container at temperatures below 24 ° C, this is the temperature at which it will have a solid, solidified form
Step 2. Melt the coconut oil over low heat or in your hands
Place a piece of butter in a saucepan and place over low heat. When the butter has melted, let it cool slightly to keep it at a comfortable temperature.
You can also melt a small amount of coconut oil in your hands and massage it into your hair
Step 3. Massage the oil onto the hair in strands
If you have long hair, use a comb and bobby pins to separate it into strands. Then dip your fingers into the melted butter and massage them into the scalp with your fingers, trying to distribute from the roots along the entire length; repeat the procedure with all strands.
If you are using unmelted butter, just take a little oil, which will be enough for one strand, rub this piece of butter with your fingers for 15-30 seconds until it melts, and then massage into the scalp and hair
Step 4. Wash your hair with shampoo after 30 minutes, or better later
Ideally, wait two hours for the coconut oil to absorb better, and then wash your hair with shampoo. Use your regular shampoo when shampooing. Simply apply it to your head and hair, and then rinse and dry as you normally would.
You can even apply the oil to your hair at night. To avoid staining your pillow, just wrap your head in a towel. You can also wear a shower cap
Method 4 of 4: Cleansing with Coconut Oil
Step 1. Remove stains with coconut oil and baking soda
Mix equal parts coconut oil and baking soda - for example, 1 cup (240 g) each. Apply the mixture to stains on carpet, walls, or other surfaces, let it sit for 5-10 minutes, then wipe off with a damp cloth.
Like any stain remover, this product can damage or discolor some surfaces, so try to test on an inconspicuous area first and then apply to the entire surface
Step 2. Use coconut oil to polish your furniture
Melt 4 tablespoons (60 g) coconut oil in a small saucepan over low heat. Add 4 tablespoons (60 ml) white vinegar and 2 teaspoons (10 ml) lemon juice. Then pour the mixture into a spray bottle. Shake the bottle and spray the mixture onto wooden furniture, then wipe with a clean, soft cloth.
- First, test the product on an inconspicuous area of the furniture to make sure it doesn't react with the surface or ruin it.
- Use the mixture right away as coconut oil hardens at temperatures below 24 ° C.
Step 3. Clean and treat leather with natural coconut oil
Take some coconut oil and apply to a clean tissue. Wipe the leather product with this cloth in a circular motion. If you want to clean a part of the garment, add more oil and rub more on this area.
First, test the coconut oil on a small piece of skin in the least visible area. The risk of skin discoloration is small, but it still exists
Step 4. Remove sticky stains with coconut oil
Take a small amount of coconut oil, dab it on a clean cloth and wipe the sticky spot with it. The oil will help remove sticky residues. When finished, wipe the surface with a clean cloth.
- Try using coconut oil to remove sticky carpet stains or sticky residue from a price tag or other sticker.
- But be sure, as always, to remember to test the coconut oil on a small, inconspicuous area of the surface.
Advice
- If you are afraid that the taste of coconut will be too intrusive, you can reduce the taste by mixing coconut oil with equal parts sesame and olive oils. In these proportions, coconut oil still retains its beneficial properties.
- There is still no clear medical evidence for the benefits of coconut oil. However, there is a possibility that it improves brain function, lowers cholesterol, kills harmful bacteria and burns fat, and also has other beneficial properties.