Anyone else using coconut oil - For anything?

[Madrone]

I'm a recent user - only a couple of days and not long enough to be a convert. I'm cooking my first veggie stir-fry with it now. The dogs LOVE it. The cats LOVE it. They lick it up from it's solid state like nobody's business.

Put on my face for the first time last night. Feels nice.

[BlueIris]

1. OMG, mind-meld? I was going to start taking it as a supplement

for immune system health! Crazy!

[Madrone]

3. Ha! Me too.

I read somewhere where someone with CF said it gave them tons of energy. SIGN ME UP. I've been reading about it for a couple of weeks, and I finally got mine in the mail yesterday.

I haven't read one bad thing about it - pretty amazing. It was GREAT in my stir-fry!! (Potatoes, asparagus, broccoli and cauliflower w/ mill ground sea salt and garlic - dill, and white pepper.)

It's supposed to be amazing for animals too - I have a cat in kidney failure and a diabetic cat that both LOVE it. All cats and dogs in the house will eagerly lick it from a spoon.

I ordered a 16oz tub, and I've already ordered 2 more 29oz tubs. If I'm using it for cooking and skin and hair - AND giving it to all the animals I definitely will need some more.

[Ghost in the Machine]

5. I'd use it for cooking, but NOTHING beats pure, unrefined shea butter for skin care

and I *do* mean NOTHING...

:hi: Madrone

[Madrone]

6. I have to admit I haven't tried shea butter...

...but have YOU tried unrefined coconut oil? :)

:hi:

[Ghost in the Machine]

10. I've never heard of unrefined coconut oil..

unless that's just the pure oil. I think most of it is refined in lotions and such though, and even for cooking...

Some of the real fine chocolate manufacturers use shea butter in their chocolate, though it's been refined. You can use it in recipes that call for cocoa butter, too.

Jergens Lotion uses only 4% shea butter in their product, Bath & Body Works uses 1% to 2%... and it's been chemically processed and refined so much that it's lost 90% of it's natural healing and moisturizing properties.

This is what pure, unrefined shea butter looks like... we import 800 lbs into the country every 2 months: http://www.puresheabutter.org

[Madrone]

11. Nice!

Any coconut oil you find labeled "virgin" will be unrefined. It's solid at anything under 76 degrees. Here's a photo:



Something I read said that there is NO difference between virgin and "extra virgin" when it comes to coconut oil, that's mostly a marketing gimmick.

I'll have to find me some shea butter - I wouldn't mind trying that out too.

[Ghost in the Machine]

14. That looks good! I'll have to try to find some in my area...

I'd definitely give it a try...

As for finding the shea butter... I don't want to post a sales pitch on here, but there's a store on my site I linked to.. it says "Our Store" on the left....

If you find some locally, don't buy any that is white, or tan, in color. They're old and useless. It won't hurt you to use it, but it won't help you, either. If it's tan, it's over 3 years old... Also, if you can try a little before buying, if it's gritty, someone has tried to refine it... it should be smooth and "pulpy".... kinda like lumpy mashed potatoes.... good shea butter is a yellowish gold color... that's why it's called "karite gold"...

PEACE!

Ghost

[Madrone]

16. Oh!

I didn't know that was your personal site. Cool - I'd rather deal with a DUer - for purposes of authenticity and to help a like minded brother out!

[Ghost in the Machine]

19. Cool! I PM'ed you a link...

I have a few websites, as that's how I make most of my living since I got hurt and can no longer work. I wholesale to several distributors around the country with this. I'm hoping to work up to importing a ton at a time because it's actually cheaper that way... I'll get there eventually.

You can also melt this down to oil form with a candle warmer, or in the microwave, and it's easier to spread and it goes farther. If you do it in the microwave, just make sure it doesn't boil or it'll get rancid on you. This stuff is 100% natural. No chemicals, no perfumes, no additives, nothing. You can use it as a lip balm, in your hair, anywhere. It's safe for people with sensitive skin. Makes a great sunblock, too.

It'll also cure eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis and dry cracked bleeding skin such as that caused by diabetic feet & heels. It will remove scars, wrinkles, crows feet and stretch marks, also. It also prevents stretch marks if used during pregnancy.

If used on tattoos, it'll bring lines and colors out in old tats to make them look almost new again, and it'll heal a new tattoo in 2-3 days.

I know... I sound like one of the old snake oil salesmen, huh? I was skeptical at first myself, but I've done many tests with it on myself, family & friends. It works, and does what I say it will, backed by a money back guarantee. I believe in it that much.

I gotta get some sleep now, gotta get up in 6 hours. I sell two days per week at the flea market here... and sell $500 - $800 worth per weekend. I have folks that drive 90 miles here from Ga & Al just to get more.. I just recently got the site up and running, to save people gas & time...

PEACE!

Ghost

:hi:

[kentauros]

17. That's the brand I use and have been for about a year now

:)

I tend to cook with it mostly, and I am trying to get into the habit of eating some daily. I've read to consume between 2 and 4 tablespoons a day to regulate metabolism for weight loss. It's what's called a "medium-chain triglyceride" and is supposed to not turn into fat like other fats. It also does not require bile for digestion (I think that info came from wikipedia.)

I've read up on it, too, and here are a few links to more info, including diet:

Coconut Diet Diary
Coconut Oil: A Low-Calorie Fat By Bruce Fife, N.D.
Coconut Oil and Its Virtues By Ray Peat, PhD

Since I live on the top floor of a flat-roofed two-storey apartment, that 76F mark tends to get breached while I'm away and the a/c isn't running as much. But don't put it in the fridge if you want to be able to get it out of the jar! ;)

Although it does taste fine by itself, like from a spoon, I find the texture just a little too odd to eat like that, so I spread it on a slice of whole-grain bread

[lildreamer316]

2. My hair..

I slather it on before the shower. It's great treatment.

[Madrone]

4. I've been wondering about how to use it in my hair.

You think before shower is better than after?

[lildreamer316]

9. Well...

I slather it on in a decent amount before, and let it penetrate. Afterwards, when my hair is dry, if it seems to need a little moisture, I take a VERY small amount and use it just on my lower ends (I have waist-length hair).
Of course, YMMV, and it depends on your hair type. But it works well for me!

[devilgrrl]

7. Yes. I use it.

I mix it into smoothies. Use it as a moisturizer, to remove make-up, etc... It's a gift from above.

[puerco-bellies]

8. We use it has a surf accessory.

In our hair to protect from the salt, and after shower as a low cost moisturizer.

[havocmom]

12. I also use it in lip balm, with hazelnut oil and/or almond oil

Most commercial lip products actually dry my lips out. The coconut oil home brew does wonderful things for my lips. I also have melted down lipsticks with it to make colored gloss that is not as opaque as lipstick and much more emollient.

[grasswire]

13. what's it supposed to do for pets?

And is it high in cholesterol?

[Madrone]

15. Let me begin my saying not all coconut oil is created equal.

Hydrogenated / partially hydrogenated coconut oil = BAD BAD BAD.

Unrefined/virgin coconut oil is what we're discussing here - just to make sure there are no misunderstandings.

Here's a link discussing some of this, there's more to be found all over the internet.

http://www.westonaprice.org/knowyourfats/coconut_oil.html

Coconut oil is a saturated fat, but it *seems* to be (from my research thus far) a healthy saturated fat. As for cholesterol, I don't know how much if any the actual oil contains, but I have found many people discussing it online that have found they have not only lost weight but lowered their bad cholesterol while raising their GOOD cholesterol after using coconut oil.

For pets - is supposed to do many of the same things it does for humans. It's purported to be an immune booster, I read some studies that seemed to show improved kidney health and function in some animals that were fed it, it's supposed to help regulate blood sugar, it's full of antioxidants, it's a natural anti-viral anti-bacterial. It can be put on cuts and wounds for a healing effect, and you don't have to worry about your pet licking it off and making themselves sick. Helps with shedding and skin conditions. Glossy coat.

FWIW - I haven't found ANYONE saying that they've had any NEGATIVE effect from using the oil. There have been some that have said they haven't noticed much of a difference at all, but nothing negative.

[Connonym]

18. This site is cool, sells a fair trade only

http://shop.agbangakarite.com.

I got some shea butter and black African soap. Good stuff.

The only time I've used coconut oil is in the bedroom :blush:

[Madrone]

20. Thanks!

That looks interesting! What's the story with the african soap? How do you use it? Same as "store bought" soap? And how about the shea butter - is it in a hard block?

You need to bring the coconut out of the bedroom! Well ... don't bring it OUT, just expand it's horizons beyond that room. ;) lol

[Connonym]

25. black soap is really good for the complexion

it helps with eczema, zits, supposedly evens skin tone. I use it just on my face but I suppose you could use it all over. It's not pretty soap and some people find the smell off putting and you have to be really careful to store it in a dry place (i.e., in a container in the shower) or it will melt into a puddle. They recommend that you use it in conjunction with shea butter or some other natural moisturizer and that it's really all you need for your face. I got it because I've been getting eczema outbreaks on my face. It seems to be helping with that. Now if I could just find the right moisturizer for my face.

I did get some really rich 100% shea butter but I wouldn't want to use it on my face because it's kind of heavy but it feels like heaven on elbows, legs and feet. Like I said, this stuff isn't fancy, it doesn't have any perfumes or dyes or anything but you get real 100% shea butter instead of whatever infinitesimal amount they put in products that say "with shea butter". Good stuff

[Madrone]

27. Hmmm....

I'm going to add that to my "to buy" list. It sounds really interesting. I've also added shea butter to that list, but I'm going to order it from GhostInTheMachine upthread - it's always nice to help a DUer out.

Try some coconut oil on your face. I put it on an hour or so before bed, and then take a piece of toilet paper and very gently wipe any excess off before I crawl into bed. It's only been a couple of days, but it feels really nice. It's supposed to be great for eczema and it doesn't clog pores.

[mike_c]

21. I use it for medium heat sauteing and as a fat additive in recipes...

...basically as a substitute for butter or olive oil. Refined coconut oil withstands somewhat higher temperatures (but not really high heat) and has a nice flavor in some recipes. For example, I made Veracruz style fish last night with some halibut, and used organic coconut oil to saute the shallots, garlic, and capers before adding the tomatoes and other wet ingredients to the sauce. I'm gonna slow cook some beef short ribs tomorrow and will brown the flour dusted ribs in coconut oil before I add them to the crockpot. I sometimes put it into fruit/protein smoothies as an oil ingredient, too.

[astral]

22. I use it on my skin and I eat it

I have developed 'excema' last year, reasons why are another topic, but coconut oil works great as a moisturizer, and mixed about 1/2 and 1/2 with hydrated bentonite clay it makes a great thing to soothe dry or itchy skin, and I use this mix to clean my face -- rub it in an hour or two before I plan to wash my face, and then put some back on as a skin cream afterwards, also great when the excema on the eyes acts up.

I have replaced using butter with using the coconut oil, and it is fantabulous melted on hot rice with whatever you are having -- try it with chicken adobo, for example.

I use organic virgin coconut oil and bought a big bucket of it online on sale in order to be able to afford it.

I do not believe it has occurred to me to offer it to the cat! Long ago I offered it some cocoa butter, but neither me nor the cat liked the cocoa butter that much. I will have to try giving him some in the morning next to his canned food breakfast.

[Madrone]

23. Report back - I'm curious if the cat will like it.

From everything I've seen in MY house - it will LOVE it.

I am doing my night time animal routine (LATE) and my eldest should-be-dead-but-still-keeps-on-tickin' cat has bloody sores on his hocks. I just laundered his *gross* kitty beds and returned one fresh and warm from the dryer to him. While doing so I thought about the coconut oil, so I got some on a small spoon and used my fingers to apply some to his sore spots. I will be interested to see if they heal better now - he's been having major issues with them for weeks. He was very excited when he saw I had coconut oil, so after applying it to his sore spots I allowed him to have his fill from the spoon. The dog now starts drooling when he sees me with the tub. Haha!

I'm also interested to see what if any changes happen in my face from using it as a moisturizer. My skin has been VERY odd, dry, and patchy for awhile and nothing seems to help. I did just get a "borderline positive" lupus test, so I suppose I could be having skin issues related to that. Anyway, I'd love to not have those issues to contend with anymore.

[nemo137]

24. My dad likes it alot.

For the cooking, not for skin care. I like it alot, but it's a bit pricey for me at the moment, and I don't do enough frying to make it matter anyway.

[khashka]

26. Use it for...

tanning lotion, but I usually get burned.

Also lube. (Well you asked. Peanut oil is good for cooking, adds an interesting flavour.)

Khash.