History of the Coconut

We do not have as much history as we would like on the coconut because the humid climate makes it hard to get a good fossil. We do know that it has been used by our ancestors for thousands of year, probably longer. The word coconut is derived from the Spanish word “coco”, which means head, or skull. The origins of the coconut tree is believed to be in the Americas. Some people also believed it originated in the Indonesian region. The trees themselves also produce fruits all year round.

How Coconut Oil is Made

The coconut is cracked open, then the meat is extracted using a coconut grater. Then the shredded coconut meat is dried slowly using fire, sunlight, or kilns. In this state, it is now called copra. From here it is pressed with a variety of methods to created the coconut oil.

Benefits of Coconut Oil

1. Activates brown fat

Coconut oil stimulates brown fat by activating uncoupling protein 1. The thing about this is that it upregulates metabolism, causing you to burn more fat.

2. Improves cholesterol levels

Coconut oil can help improve the LDL-HDL ratios. The ratios are what matter more than the actual levels. Anywhere from a 2-1, or 3-1 ratio is good. It’s not that LDL is bad, it’s the type of LDL itself, and if it’s in the presence of high blood glucose, or high inflammation. In this case, it will get converted in to VLDL (very low dense lipoprotein), which is the type that can get clogged in arteries.

3. Improve microbial health

Lauric acid makes up about 50% of the fatty acids in coconut oil, along with monolaurin, a byproduct of lauric acid digestion; can have powerful antimicrobial effects on unwanted microbes. This creates an environment that is more conducive to benefical microbes.

What is MCT Oil?

MCT (medium chain triglyceride oil) is fractionated coconut oil, concentrating the MCTs from it. This oil has the ability to help the body to generate ketones for a variety of purposes. It also has the ability to bypass the digestive process, so it acts as instant cell food. Generally, avoid the palm oil MCTs because it significantly contributes to deforestation. Also, start slow, with perhaps a teaspoon, and work your way up to avoid digestive distress.

Uses For Coconut Oil

1. Consuming it

Coconut oil is great for mixing in vegetables or other dishes. It can also be used for beverages like tea and coffee. When you do this, it also makes some of the nutrients more bioavailable because they are fat soluble. If you want to eat it straight, you always can add a little salt.

2. Sexual lubricant

Yes, this is great for the slippy slidey. You don’t want to be rubbing toxic chemicals into the most absorbable parts of your body. Coconut oil is also antibacterial, antifungal, antimicrobial, antiparasitic, and antiseptic, if you are concerned with that.

3. Fixing a creaking door

This works great for squeaking doors. I had multiple of them, and fixed them all with coconut oil. Start by washing the outside of the hinges with a natural all purpose cleaner. Then rub coconut oil all over all the hinges. This includes front, back, tops, and bottoms. Do not take it off, it’s not visible. I realize professionals will say to take the whole hinge apart to clean it, all I can say is that I have not had any issues in years sense following the above steps.

4. Moisturizer

This can serve as a moisturizer as well. Your skin is mostly made of saturated fat, so is coconut oil. The rich amount of natural antioxidants can benefit the skin. Some people may need to be careful when putting it on the face because it’s high on the comedogenic scale, meaning it’s quite think, and can possibly clog pours. Coconut oil also has a natural SPF of about 10, acting as a mild sun screen.

5. Oil swishing

This is an ancient Ayurvedic practice that has been done for thousands of years. It involves taking a tea spoon, to a table spoon of oil, and swishing it around your mouth for 10-15 minutes. The oils that are typically used are coconut oil, and sesame oil. This accomplishes a variety of things. It nourishes the gums, and pulls out impurities. We know that it whitens teeth, and clears the sinuses. This report shows how it reduces plaque, and gingivitis. This shows how it performed as well as an oral antibiotic.