The trend in several organic and health conscious circles lately has been to apply coconut oil topically to relieve and alleviate a myriad of symptoms and complaints. From hydrating dry skin and nails to shaving, treating eczema, removing makeup, or firming skin, the list of topical uses for coconut oil seem to go on and on. While it makes sense to apply a natural oil to heal and beautify skin, there are just as many benefits to be had internally from this healthy oil. From the inside-out, young to old, take a look at how you can benefit from coconut oil.

Aside from adding an additional layer of flavor to a culinary dish or allowing you to sauté at hot temperatures without forming harmful by-products (coconut oil has a very high smoking point), there are several nutritional uses for coconut oil as well:

• Breastfeeding mothers who eat three and a half tablespoons of coconut oil or more daily noted an increase and enrichment in milk production. Added bonus, applying coconut oil liberally to sore or cracked nipples can speed healing.
• Using coconut oil to cook with promotes absorption of nutrients and improves digestion. The saturated fats in the oil help to control parasites and fungi that can cause digestive related issues such as irritable bowel syndrome.
• Using coconut oil as a healthy part of your diet and exercise plan could help you to lose weight as it increases metabolic rate, can stabilize body weight, improve thyroid function, and help to control food cravings.
• Coconut oil provides an immediate, usable energy source rather than being stored as fat like other cooking oils can be and delivers a quick pick-me-up.
• Healthier bones and teeth can be achieved with daily consumption of coconut oil because it aids in the absorption of calcium and magnesium. Hair, nails, and lungs can also be improved because of the rich oil coconut provides and its ability to increase the fluidity of cell surfaces, promote firmer skin tone, and address sagging.
• Tissue repair is supported while joint and muscle inflammation are greatly reduced with daily ingestion of coconut oil. Because free radicals are connected to degenerative diseases (such as arthritis) and rapid signs of aging, incorporating servings of coconut oil into your day along with antioxidant herbs can speedily sweep the free radicals from your system to keep you looking and feeling younger. Learn more about antioxidants.

These are only a sampling of how coconut oil can provide general health and wellness when ingested. Chronic health problems (from candida to Crohn’s, parasites to pneumonia, or smoker’s cough to stomach ulcers) are also be greatly improved by daily consumption of coconut oil. Some of our favorite topical uses are to remove makeup, moisturize the skin, lessen the occurrence and appearance of varicose veins, and to soothe sunburn. Learn more about coconut oil uses from this site and check out The Coconut Oil Miracle which explains the benefits of coconut oil and shares with readers how to use it for maximum effect (and includes 50 delicious recipes!).

Wondering how to incorporate coconut oil into your diet? Try adding it to warm drinks, smoothies, using it instead of olive oil or butter for cooking, and in baked goods.