Raw Earth Living
Posted on 28 April 2012 | 3:02 pm
by Jennifer Hybrid Rasta Mama
So what’s the deal with coconut oil?
Offering a myriad of health benefits, coconut oil is affordable, readily available and completely natural. I have completely fallen in love with coconut oil and use it for EVERYTHING. Literally. I buy it in 5 gallon increments and keep it all over my house. I even have some in the car. So here is a little information to inspire you to check out this amazing oil including 80 uses for it!
General information about Coconut Oil
Coconut Oil Is:
· Anti-inflammatory
· Antimicrobial
· Antifungal
· Antiviral
· Improves nutrient absorption
Daily Dosage:
Here is a chart outlining the recommended daily dosage of virgin coconut oil for persons over the age of 12. Coconut oil may be consumed by children under 12 but it is advisable to check with a healthcare practitioner on the proper dosage. Any good naturopath will have the information at the ready.
Weight in pounds/kilograms | Number of tablespoons of coconut oil daily |
175+/79+ | 4 |
150+ /68+ | 3 1/2 |
125+ / 57+ | 3 |
100+/ 45+ | 2 1/2 |
75+ / 34+ | 2 |
50+ / 23+ | 1 1/2 |
25+ / 11+ | 1 |
Type to use:
· Expeller pressed coconut oil can be used for anything. It does not have a coconutty smell of taste.
· Virgin coconut oil tastes coconutty and is great for cooking and baking where you want that flavor.
· Food grade should always be used.
80 Uses for Coconut Oil
Personal Hygiene/Body
1. Moisturizer – simply scoop some out of the jar and apply all over your body, including neck and face.
2. Eye cream – apply under the eyes to reduce puffiness, bags, and wrinkles. Use on the lids in the evening.
3. Preshave – coconut oil will prep skin for the pending damage caused by shaving.
4. Aftershave – coconut oil will help heal your skin after shaving without clogging pores.
5. Deodorant – coconut oil alone can be used as a deodorant, but even more effective in combination with cornstarch/arrowroot powder and baking soda!
6. Hair Conditioner/Deep Treatment – use as a leave in hair conditioner by applying a teaspoon of coconut oil to your ends and then running your fingers through your hair to distribute the rest! For a deeper treatment, rub in a tablespoon of coconut oil onto your dry scalp and gently work through to the ends. Put a shower cap on to prevent transfer onto bed linens and leave on overnight.
7. Hair Gel/Defrizzer – rub a little between your palms and either scrunch into hair (for curly hair) or finger comb in through from scalp to ends (for wavy/straight hair).
8. Toothpaste – there are numerous recipes out there but I just mix coconut oil and baking soda and dab a little of the mix on my toothbrush.
9. Make up remover – use a cotton swab and a dab of coconut oil and you would be amazed at how well it works!
10. Chapstick – just rub a little into lips and it not only acts as a softening agent but it also has an SPF of about 4 so you get a little protection!
11. Massage Oil – pretty simple; grab some and rub!
12. Lubricant – it is an all natural, perfectly safe personal lubricant. Not compatible with latex!
13. Sunscreen – see my post on natural sunscreen for more detailed information.
14. Stretch Mark Cream – coconut oil is great at nourishing damaged skin. It may not be the magic stretch mark cure but it will help.
15. Nipple Cream – works great to nourish cracked, sore, or dry nipples. Apply to a cotton ball and leave on your nipples between feedings.
16. Diaper salve – very comforting on a rashy bum with no harsh chemicals. Also safe for cloth diapers.
17. Cradle cap – having issues with dry skin on your baby’s scalp? Coconut oil will not only nourish your baby’s skin, it also helps eliminate cradle cap. Just rub a teaspoon onto scalp daily.
18. Body scrub – mix coconut oil and sugar together and rub all over! Rinse off and your skin will be super soft! You can add in essential oils if you would like a specific smell.
19. Healing – when applied on scrapes and cuts, coconut oil forms a thin, chemical layer which protects the wound from outside dust, bacteria and virus. Coconut oil speeds up the healing process of bruises by repairing damaged tissues. Plus, it smells a heck-of-a-lot better than anything from the pharmacy.
20. Bug Bites – when applied directly to a bug bite, coconut oil can stop the itching and burning sensation as well as hasten the healing process.
21. Skin problems – coconut oil relieves skin problems such as psoriasis, dermatitis, and eczema.
22. Swimmers Ear – mix garlic oil and coconut oil and put a few drops in affected ear for about 10 minutes. Do this 2-3 times a day and it usually works within one or two days.
General Health and Wellness
23. Stress Relief – relieve mental fatigue by applying coconut oil to the head in a circular, massaging motion. The natural aroma of coconuts is extremely soothing thus helping to lower your stress level.
24. Digestion – the saturated fats in coconut oil have anti-bacterial properties that help control, parasites, and fungi that cause indigestion and other digestion related problems such as irritable bowel syndrome. The fat in coconut oil also aids in the absorption of vitamins, minerals and amino acids, making you healthier all around.
25. Fitness – coconut oil has been proven to stimulate your metabolism, improve thyroid function, and escalate energy levels, all of which help decrease your unwanted fat, while increasing muscle.
26. Nose bleeds – coconut oil can prevent nose bleeding that is caused by sensitivity to weather such as extreme hotness and extreme coldness. This condition happens when the nasal passages become dry because of cold or dry air resulting to burns and cracks in the mucus membranes so bleeding happens. To prevent this just put coconut oil in you nostrils. Coat your finger with coconut oil and then lie down and coat your finger inside your nose. Doing this will strengthen and protect the capillaries in the nasal passages. A Vitamin C supplement will also help prevent nose bleeding.
27. For breastfeeding moms, consuming 3 ½ tablespoons of coconut oil daily will enrich your milk supply.
28. Helps with weight loss & controlling cravings.
29. Helps keep blood sugar levels stable and/or helps with cravings in those with diabetes.
Health Problems (that coconut oil is known for aiding, relieving, or even curing when taken internally)
30. Eczema – in addition to taking it internally, many have success applying it externally, some don’t
31. Skin problems
32. Toenail fungus
33. Hot flashes
34. Bleeding hemorrhoids (can also be applied externally twice a day)
35. HIV
36. Head lice
37. Improvements in menstruation regarding pain/cramps and heavy blood flow
38. Migraines (with regular use)
39. Mononucleosis
40. Parasites
41. Thrush
42. Relieve gallbladder pain
43. Has helped some people improve symptoms of an underactive thyroid gland, results have shown subsequent thyroid blood tests becoming normal
44. Energy boost
45. Flaky, dry skin
46. May relieve acid reflux and indigestion when taken with each meal
47. Adrenal fatigue
48. Alzheimers
49. H. pylori
50. Candida albicans
51. Asthma, even in children
52. Autism
53. Cholesterol – improves HDL (‘good’ cholesterol) to HDL (‘bad’ cholesterol) ratio in people with high cholesterol
54. Chronic fatigue
55. Circulation/feeling cold all the time
56. Stronger immune system
57. Mental Clarity
58. Depression
59. Helps with inflammation in Crohns
Health Problems (that coconut oil is known for aiding, relieving, or even curing when applied topically)
60. Athletes foot
61. Back pain/sore muscles
62. Canker sores
63. Acne
64. Cellulite
65. Herpes (applied topically and taken internally)
66. Genital warts (through topical application over 6 weeks, and coconut oil enemas twice a day depending on the location of the warts)
67. Circumcision healing – although I am personally against circumcision, I have read that coconut oil is a really great healer for this.
Cooking
68. Use 1 cup to 1 cup ratio when replacing other oils/butter in recipes with coconut oil.
69. Replacement for butter/lard/Crisco/PAM in it’s solid form – greasing pans, pie crusts, etc.
70. Replacement for various oils in liquid form – baking, cooking, sautéing, etc.
71. Nutritional supplement – melt and add to smoothies.
Other Uses
72. Insect repellent – mix coconut oil with peppermint oil extract and rub it all over exposed skin. Keeps insects off better than anything with Deet! Tons safer too.
73. Great for dogs and cats for general wellness. Just add a teaspoon to their water bowl daily.
74. Goo Gone – just mix equal parts coconut oil and baking soda into a paste. Apply to the “sticky” area and let it set for a minute. Then scrub off with an old toothbrush or the scrubby side of a sponge.
75. Chewing Gum in Hair Remover – just rub some coconut oil over the stuck chewing gum, leave in for about 30 minutes, then roll the gum between your fingertip. Voila! It’s out!
76. Polish Furniture – coconut oil with a little bit of lemon juice to polish wood furniture. However, I recommend you test it first on a very small, unobtrusive part of your furniture to make sure it works the way you’d like.
77. Polishing Bronze – all you have to do is rub a little oil into a cotton towel and then wipe down the statue. It cleans and helps deepen the color of your bronze.
78. Seasoning animal hide drums
79. Seasoning cookware
80. Moisturizing and cleaning leather products
Did I miss any? Do you use coconut oil for something not on my list? Please add it in the comments. I am always excited to find new ways to implement coconut oil!
Blessings,
Jennifer
Read the Full Article Here: http://hybridrastamama.blogspot.com/2011/06/80-uses-for-coconut-oil.html
NOTE: Jennifer has revised this article and now has a list of 160 uses for coconut oil! Read it here!
The Goodies Glam Gossip Boutique How to Get Rid of Fleas Naturally
Posted on 28 January 2012 | 5:09 am
Steps
- Start by cleaning everything. Send the pet(s) outside, or confine them to the bathroom, so that any fleas they're carrying would not jump onto the surface you just cleaned. Throw all of the pet bedding in the washing machine, or use a hot dryer for about 15 or 20 minutes to kill adults larvae and eggs. That includes anything that the pets like to regularly lie or sleep on, which isn't always intended to serve as pet bedding. Vacuum everywhere, especially areas that don't get much exposure to sunlight (fleas like humid and cool spots), anywhere that you find dried blood and feces (flea debris), and upholstered furniture (lift up those couch cushions).
- Before vacuuming the carpets, sprinkle salt, Borax, or baking soda throughout. Work it into the base of the carpet with a broom. Let it sit for a few hours; all of these powders will cause the flea eggs that are tucked deep into the carpet to dry out. Don't let your pets walk on the carpet during this time, since they might get some stuff on their paws and lick it off, causing them to get sick. If there's a chance the pet will walk on the carpet, use baking soda (probably the least harmful) and be thorough when working it into the base of the carpet (so it doesn't sit on the surface and get on your pet's paws).
- When the vacuum bag is full, seal it in a plastic trash bag and put it in a covered trash container, preferably outside. Otherwise, the little buggers can crawl out and make themselves cozy again.
- Before vacuuming the carpets, sprinkle salt, Borax, or baking soda throughout. Work it into the base of the carpet with a broom. Let it sit for a few hours; all of these powders will cause the flea eggs that are tucked deep into the carpet to dry out. Don't let your pets walk on the carpet during this time, since they might get some stuff on their paws and lick it off, causing them to get sick. If there's a chance the pet will walk on the carpet, use baking soda (probably the least harmful) and be thorough when working it into the base of the carpet (so it doesn't sit on the surface and get on your pet's paws).
- Clean any outdoor areas where your pet might hang out, too. Trim lawns and weeds, and expose any cool, moist dark spots (which fleas love) to sunlight, or keep your pet away from those spots.
- Consider spraying flea control nematodes. These beneficial microbes work by killing them while in the developing stage, where they live in the soil. This disturbs their life cycle, lessening their numbers.
- Give your pet a bath. You can use a flea shampoo, but this article assumes you want to stay away from that kind of thing, so use any gentle shampoo. Wash the neck first so that the fleas don't jump up to the head during the bath. Be thorough; you'll probably see several fleas come off and float around in the water.
- Additionally, you can make your own herbal flea dip. Take two cups of fresh rosemary leaves and add them to two pints of water. Boil for thirty minutes. Strain the liquid, discard the leaves, and mix it with up to a gallon of warm water. Pour this over your pet until saturated. Do not rinse off, but allow your pet to air dry. This is something to do on a hot day only.
- After your pet is dry, use a flea comb (one that is specifically designed to remove fleas) to get rid of stubborn fleas that remain.
- Additionally, you can make your own herbal flea dip. Take two cups of fresh rosemary leaves and add them to two pints of water. Boil for thirty minutes. Strain the liquid, discard the leaves, and mix it with up to a gallon of warm water. Pour this over your pet until saturated. Do not rinse off, but allow your pet to air dry. This is something to do on a hot day only.
- Use yeast as a weapon. Supposedly, fleas don't like the taste of yeast. Although this has not been proven, many people swear by it. Buy some brewer's or nutritional yeast and rub it onto your pet's skin. You can also sprinkle a small amount onto their wet food and mix it in.
- Feeding your pet garlic is thought to have the same effect, but it can be irritating or even toxic to your pet, so use yeast instead.
- Feeding your pet garlic is thought to have the same effect, but it can be irritating or even toxic to your pet, so use yeast instead.
- Make a citrus spray. Citrus oils allegedly repel fleas, but they may also repel your pets, and irritate them if they ingest them, so use this solution with care. Slice a lemon thinly, add to a pint of water and heat to the boiling point. Let it sit overnight and in the morning, spray it onto areas where you suspect fleas hang out (beware of staining) and rub it over your cat's fur. Don't soak but dampen the fur. Do this once a month to combat fleas. Do not use a lot at first, and keep an eye out for signs of digestive discomfort in your pet.
- Make a 'flea collar'. Take the pet's collar or neckerchief and put on drops of eucalyptus oil, tea tree oil (DO NOT USE ON CATS! They are EXTREMELY sensitive to eucalyptus and tea tree oils), citronella, lavender, or geranium. (See Warnings below.) This will need to be done weekly.
- If fleas are a problem in a specific area of your yard or home, fill a aluminum pie pan with water and set out in the area (i.e.under a bed). The fleas are trapped on top of the water due to the tension of the surface of the water. Change the water daily until there are no more fleas. If you are placing the pie pan outside, empty daily to prevent mosquitoes.
- Repeat all of the above as often as possible. It cannot be stressed enough that just because these solutions are "natural", they can still be dangerous for your pets, and people as well. Watch out for signs of discomfort and sickness! On the other hand, cleaning obsessively won't hurt anyone.
- Monitor your progress by making flea traps. The more fleas you see, the more you need to clean. Alternately, you can put out white bowls of water with a drop of soap in it - the white color attracts fleas and the soap cuts the surface tension on the water and makes them drown.
Tips
- Know that nothing works as well as some of the better flea products. These above methods are for a more holistic alternative to the flea medications. There are risks in commercial medication to read up on whatever you use and learn about it.
- Always ask your vet before trying any home remedy on your pets. They can verify how safe the treatment is for your pet, and may have more tips on how to treat and prevent fleas.
- Vacuuming can kill almost as many fleas as any product and is very effective on hard wood floors that have gaps. Vacuum a heavily infested room twice a day to see if you can put a dent in the problem.
Warnings
- Be careful of using too much of anything...especially essential oils.Also, essential oils are toxic to many animals--especially cats. Check with your vet.
- Watch your animals closely for any signs of sensitivity. Don't introduce everything at once. Try one thing at a time so that you know if it will be too disruptive to your pet's health or comfort.
- With tea tree oil, be especially careful to use products with 1% or less of this essential oil. It can cause nausea, vomiting, lethargy, and general weakness and should be used with caution. With this oil, more is not better.
Sources and Citations
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 http://www.eartheasy.com/article_natural_flea_control.htm
- ↑ http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0820/is_n238/ai_19684402
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/patient-pennyroyal.html
- ↑ http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070621135035AAid5Ru
- ↑ http://www.answers.com/topic/pennyroyal
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