The Unparalleled Health Benefits of Coconut Oil

June 4, 2009 · Filed under General Information

Recently I opened a brand new container of Tropical Traditions Organic Coconut Oil, and I have to say I was not disappointed. It’s flavor, texture, and aroma are unlike other coconut oils I’ve tried. It is rich, creamy, and a bit “smokey” in smell. This coconut oil was used in an Asian stir-fry my husband made last week with ground beef, ground ginger root, orange peel, and the following vegetables: broccoli, red pepper, onion, and steamed collard greens. Recipe will be posted on this site soon. It was fabulous!

Tropical Traditions coconut oil products are produced in the traditional way with “a method the older generation used to extract the oil by grating the fresh coconut, extracting the coconut milk, and then letting the coconut milk stand in a covered container for about 24 hours. After about 24 hours, the oil naturally separates from the water producing a crystal clear oil that retains the full scent and taste of coconuts.”  In this way, the flavor and health benefits of this amazing health food are preserved and safely delivered to your kitchen in a glass bottle.

Coconut oil is one of the most nutritious, stable oils you can eat, and its versatility seems infinite. Eating coconut oil is a great way to maintain health, support sustainable products and living, and a brighter future to our planet.

Here are some uses for coconut oil:

1. Use all over your body as  replacement for “lotion”. You’ll never use cosmetic skin lotions again after using coconut oil.
2. Use in cooking and food preparation – use for scrambling eggs, baking meats (such as chicken or steak in the oven), or frying on the stove or grill, making popcorn, baked goods, sauces, and salad dressings.
3. Cuts, abrasions, sunburns, and bruises. Coconut oil is very healing and soothing.
4. Feel stressed out or have a headache? Massage a little coconut oil into your temples and forehead. The amazing aroma and properties of the oil absorbing into your skin will provide some relief.
5. If you have dry skin or dandruff, massage coconut oil into your scalp. Coconut oil proteins also help protect and nourish damaged hair. If you have ever noticed all the products you can purchase which contain coconut oil, you will understand why so many companies use this oil.
6. Improves the use of blood glucose and insulin secretion.
7. Reduces inflammation in the body which can lead to disease.
8. Protects against osteoporosis.
9. The good saturated fats in this oil  have anti-bacterial properties that control fungi, lice, tapeworms, giardia, and parasites in the body responsible for problems with digestion like diarrhea, indigestion, and irritable bowel syndrome. This oil also enables your body to absorb nutrients and amino acids necessary for health.
10. Can help protect against breast, colon, lung, and other cancers.
11. Guards the body against the development of free-radicals which are responsible for the development of degenerative diseases.
12. Aids in keeping the body from premature aging.
13. Aids in the absorption of calcium and magnesium and keeps bones strong.
14. Improves energy and endurance, and is especially useful for athletes and those who exercise vigorously.
15. Helps to lower stress on the pancreas and enzyme systems in the human body.
16. Eliminates viruses that cause herpes, influenza, hepatitis C, measles, AIDS, SARS, and others.
17. Removes bacteria responsible for causing throat and urinary tract infections, ulcers, gingivitis and periodontal disease and dental caries, gonorrhea, pneumonia, and others.
18. Kills yeasts and fungi that can cause athlete’s foot, ringworm, candidiasis, diaper rash, thrush, vaginitis, and other infections.
19. Helps control symptoms associated with pancreatitis and diabetes.
20. Helps to prevent diseases of the liver.
21. Can dissolve kidney stones.
22. Helps the skin by supporting its natural chemical balance.
23. Is lower in calories than all other fats.
24. Promotes weight loss by improving metabolic function.
25. Supports kidney, thyroid, and bladder function.
26. Reduces and eliminates skin disorders such as eczema, psoriasis, and dermatitis.
27. Used by the body to give energy and is not stored in the same way that other fats are stored.
28. Helps to reduce the risk of enlarged prostate (which can lead to cancer).
29. Prevents wrinkles, age spots, and loose or sagging skin.
30. Has a high smoke point making it very useful for all types of cooking (can tolerate high heat).
31. Can be left unrefrigerated and is very stable, thus possessing a lengthy shelf life, and will not go rancid quickly.

Coconut oil provides numerous health benefits to the body without toxic, expensive personal care products, which are almost always full of other ingredients you don’t want absorbing through your skin like parabens, emulsifiers, and waxes. It is cheaper than these other expensive products as well because it is concentrated and a little goes a long way. Coconut oil is finally making its way to the top of the list of nutritious, health foods that work wonders on myriad of ailments and illnesses. For more information on this fantastic oil, visit Tropical Traditions.

Here are two recipes from the book, Virgin Coconut Oil:  How it Has Changed People’s Lives, and How it Can Change Yours!

Lime Cumin Sauce

Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon lime zest
• 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon of sea salt
• 1 dash of Tabasco sauce, to taste
• 3 tablespoons of extra-virgin coconut oil
• 1/4 cup of minced red onion

1. Whisk first 4 ingredients of lime cumin sauce (pepper sauce to taste) in a small bowl. Whisk in extra virgin coconut oil until smooth; stir in onion
2. Serve immediately

Serves 4

Can be used on meats or as a dressing for salad

Coconut Chicken Salad

Ingredients:

• 2 chicken breasts
• 1/4 cup unsweetened, raw coconut flakes
• 1/4 cup ground almonds
• 1/4 cup ground flax seeds
• 1 pasture-raised egg, beaten
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin coconut oil
• 4 cups mixed greens

Directions:

1. Rinse chicken and pat dry. Cut chicken into strips and set aside.
2. Mix coconut flakes and ground almonds together on dinner plate. In medium bowl, beat egg. Dip chicken strips in egg and roll each strip in coconut-flax mixture.
3. Heat oil in pan and saute chicken strips until completely opaque through center.
4. Serve over bed of mixed greens with lemon-olive oil dressing or your favorite vinaigrette. Optional – garnish with red onions slices and lime wedges.

Note: You can make a nice, healthy dressing with a good extra-virgin olive oil, your favorite vinegar (I like balsamic!), or lemon and lime juice, salt and pepper to taste. Use a 2:1 ratio of oil to vinegar. Whisk together in a small bowl.

Here are some additional recipes using coconut flour and coconut oil from Agriculture Society:

Strawberry Frosted Cocount Cupcakes

Da-da’s Sunny Yummy Popcorn

This post is part of Food Renegade’s Fight Back Fridays. Please go and visit this site and read the other great real food posts there.