Coconut oil is a staple of a well-stocked, holistically-themed pantry. It is an oil that is widely celebrated for its extensive uses beyond being merely used as a tasty cooking oil. This tropical oil is extracted from mature coconuts and presents an incredible profile of healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals.
While it’s mostly known for its use in the culinary arts, bulk coconut oil can be used in ways that go beyond the kitchen. It can also be used in matters of health, beauty, and even household chores and maintenance.
In this article, we’ll explore the many creative and innovative uses of bulk coconut oil. Discover just how much this multifaceted oil can enrich your life and the lives of those around you.
The Many Facets of Coconut Oil: A Deep Dive
Coconut oil is used for so many things. Here is our extensive list of items coconut oil excels at:
The Culinary World
Bulk coconut oil is valued for its high smoke point and flavoring, and it is a commonly used choice for cooking and baking. It’s used for sauteing veggies, frying tempura shrimp, and much more.
Coconut oil has a distinct, slightly tropical aromatic profile that gives it just a hint of sweetness to the dishes it is utilized in. It’s also commonly used as a dairy-free alternative to butter, making it a vegan’s best friend when it comes to baking.
Skin and Hair Care
Coconut oil is moisturizing, and is a common ingredient in skin care products of all kinds. When used in a topical manner, it acts as a natural emollient (a substance that softens) that hydrates the skin.
Everything from smoothing over dry patches to removing makeup, coconut oil is a multi-used beauty aid. It can even be used as a natural alternative to most chemically-saturated hair conditioners on the market.
Natural Remedies
Coconut oil is used in many traditional medicine systems for its various healing properties and therapeutic benefits. It has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, making it a great remedy for many different illnesses.
It also is great for healing small cuts and burns, as it provides a barrier between the skin and air, which speeds up the healing process. Additionally, when it comes to diet, coconut oil is thought to give support to digestion and help boost the immune system.
Oil Pulling
A practice specific to Ayurveda but gaining traction in the holistic medical field, oil pulling is the utilization of oil (coconut, olive, or sesame) to improve gum and tooth health. Coconut oil is a prime choice for this practice due to its highly microbial properties.
According to Ayurvedic practitioners, by merely swishing coconut oil in the mouth for 15-20 minutes per session, one can whiten their teeth more, make gums healthier, and have fresher breath due to toxin removal from the mouth. Once you’re finished swishing, you simply spit out the remainder of the coconut oil into the trash (not your sink!)
DIY Beauty Concoctions
With some creative know-how, bulk coconut oils can be made into many beauty products. You can make body scrubs, lip balms, and much more; the possibilities are endless.
Massage Therapy
Coconut oil’s smooth texture and pleasing yet light aroma make it great for massage therapy practices. It can be used by its lonesome or mixed with an essential oil for added aromatherapeutic properties. It’s a perfect oil for massage, as it glides over skin and muscles with relative ease.
Also, its hydrating properties leave the skin feeling beautiful after a long massage session.
Household Uses
Coconut oil can also be handy in a pinch around the house. It can be used to polish wooden furniture, lubricate hinges, and remove viscous residue from surfaces. It’s natural, economical, and chemical-free, making it a great addition to your holistic housecare arsenal.
Leather Care
For those who have leather goods, coconut oil provides a more natural and effective conditioner. Applying a tiny amount to leather bags, shoes, or furniture can help to revive the item and restore some of the leather’s shine. This extends their lifespan greatly, which ends up being more cost-effective for you in the long run.
Pet Care
Our furry companions can benefit from coconut oil’s uses just like we do. It can improve an animal’s coat if added in small amounts to their pet food. Additionall, massaging coconut oil into their fur can provide fast relief for dryness and itching if they suffer from it.
Some Things to Keep in Mind About Coconut Oil
Coconut oil can be a lot of things to people depending on their needs, but it’s not something that can help all woes in life. Here are a few things to keep in mind about this versatile oil:
It Can Vary Greatly in Quality
Coconut oil composition can vary drastically in quality depending on how it is manufactured, processed, sourced, etc. For the best health benefits, we recommend organic, virgin, or cold-pressed varieties of coconut oil (like this one), as they contain the highest nutrient profiles and levels of antioxidants.
It’s Not Suitable for All Types of Skin
If you have acne-prone skin then it’s possible that coconut oil might not be the best skincare oil for you to use. Coconut oil is comedogenic, meaning it has the capacity to clog pores and make acne even worse in some individuals.
If you’re interested in trying out coconut oil but are concerned you might have a reaction to it, do a patch test of the oil on a small section of skin first. If you have any kind of breakout, look for another natural remedy for your skincare needs.
Bulk Coconut Oil: Nature’s Gift for Us All
The uses of bulk coconut oil are legion. From vivifying culinary endeavors to nourishing skin and hair, this treasure of the tropics offers a vast selection of benefits in many avenues of daily life. Whether incorporated into routines done daily or for special occasions only, coconut oil is symbolic of the bounty of nature and its ability to enhance our lives in a manifold of ways.
