Virgin coconut oil is not just a food supplement. Apart from cooking, there are other ways to use VCO.
Coconut oil is known as a super-food. It is rich in fatty acids that can help boost heart health, fat loss, and overall health. Still, did you know that you can use it as a mouthwash?
Read on for more ways to use virgin coconut oil and take advantage of its long list of benefits.
VCO for oil-pulling
Oil-pulling is the ancient practice of swishing oil in your mouth, as you would with a mouthwash. That practice helps remove bacteria and promote oral hygiene and overall health. Other benefits include reduced inflammation, migraine relief, allergies, and more.
What you need to do to oil pull is to put a tablespoon of coconut oil in your mouth on an empty stomach. Then swish it around for 20 minutes, making sure you do not swallow it. Once the 20 minutes is up, spit out. However, not on your sink, though, as it could clog the drain when it solidifies. After that, you may brush your teeth as you would normally do.
Virgin coconut oil as lip balm
You can also use coconut oil as a lip balm mainly because it has natural moisturizing and healing properties. Here is what you need to make your own coconut lip balm: a teaspoonful of coconut oil and one teaspoon of petroleum jelly. You may add lipstick for color.
Simply melt the petroleum jelly and then mix it with the coconut oil. Then, pour the mixture into a container and put in the freezer for about 30 minutes.
Shaving with VCO
VCO is packed with free fatty acids that make it a great moisturizing agent. It is best to use as a pre- and after-shaving cream. As pre-shaving cream, you need to wash the area where you will apply the oil on. Once the skin is cleaned, you may start applying a thin layer of coconut oil on that area. Then just allow it to be naturally absorbed by your skin.
You may apply your favorite cream or soap before shaving. Then after you are done shaving, you may rinse the skin with warm water or wipe it with a towel. Then re-apply the coconut oil.
VCO as a deodorant
Coconut oil has antifungal and antibacterial properties, which make it ideal as a base for deodorant. Not only will it help keep body odor away, but it also helps keep your underarm skin moisturized.
Here is what you need: baking soda (¼ cup), arrowroot powder (¼ cup), coconut oil (4 tablespoons), and essential oils (¼ teaspoon). Just mix all the ingredients and then put the mixture in an airtight container.
If you are worried about it staining your clothes, well, remember that you don't need to apply too much. You can also wait until the skin fully absorbs the oil before getting dressed.
Scrub with virgin coconut oil
Body scrubbing makes skin soft and glowing by removing dead skin cells. Coconut oil can help you achieve that without the added chemicals or fragrances. And DIY coconut oil sugar scrub is easy to do (yes, it's going to be a sweet concoction).
Let's start! Mix sugar (½ cup) and coconut oil (¼ cup) in a bowl. Then put the mixture in a container. To use, simply rub the mixture on your hands or feet with a scrub. Easy peasy, right?
Check out this vid for more tips.
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