Coconut oil (on body, face, teeth, hair, etc)

[NurseMonkee]

All this talk about oil pulling is making me want to try it.

Originally Posted by sassymanal

Do you guys keep it in the fridge or out? I have a container in the fridge i never opened!

I keep mine outside in a dark area.

[CindyLouWho]

I buy it by the gallon bucket and I never refrigerate it. I've never had it go bad on me in the 5+ years that I've been using it.

[terez]

Okay, you who brush your teeth with CO; what does your dentist say about tartar buildup? That seems to have been a big issue with me when I was eating so much peanut butter.

And, what about plumbing pipes? Does it clog them up any more than before you used CO in the shower? Using it in the shower, do you have to wash your towels more often?

And, does CO kill mold? That's my big thing. I'm violently allergic to mold. So, can I clean with it and the bathroom will stay clean? I'm using a coconut oil based cleaner and, as far as I can tell, it doesn't kill mold or mildew. Not like the bleach based cleaners do.

The Dr. Bonner's Peppermint soap sounds great, especially since I have about a half gallon of it.

If I get rid of other products, I could probably save at least $200/year. Not to mention have better health.

[NurseMonkee]

Originally Posted by terez

Okay, you who brush your teeth with CO; what does your dentist say about tartar buildup? That seems to have been a big issue with me when I was eating so much peanut butter.

And, what about plumbing pipes? Does it clog them up any more than before you used CO in the shower? Using it in the shower, do you have to wash your towels more often?

I just started brushing with CO recently. Can't report back on a dental visit just yet. Maybe in a few months.

As for the plumbing....I was wondering the same thing. Will eventually cause clogging?

[Su11]

Originally Posted by NurseMonkee

I just started brushing with CO recently. Can't report back on a dental visit just yet. Maybe in a few months.

As for the plumbing....I was wondering the same thing. Will eventually cause clogging?

Other users either put it down the toilet or the trash.

On my last visit to the dentist the tech told me I had really clean teeth, so maybe it is really helping as I usually have a lot of tarter.

I do have a touch of gum dropping from the tooth line, so I'm avoiding AVC except in very dilute amounts.

[dawnyama]

terez

I went to the dentist a few weeks ago for a teeth cleaning. I told my hygenist that I don't floss. She wasn't happy about that, but did say that my home health routine was great! because I didn't have much plague build up. I attribute it all to coconut oil. That is the only thing it can be--I only brush my teeth. No other special rinses or anything else. I am so lazy anything that takes extra time I won't do.

And if you want a cleaner that will kill mold/mildew, I would try the orange oil stuff. That is powerful!!

[pocahontas]

I have been oil pulling with CO for almost a year and it has done wonders for my mouth as well as DH's. Our dentist was amazed at our last checkup.

I have been thinking about using it as a moisturizer but my skin is pretty sensitive and I have been using the same stuff for years. One of my concerns is tiny dark spots on my face as I get older (Im 31). I am scared that the chemicals in my usual moisturizer could be adding to the problem. Have any of you noticed that CO diminishes brown spots on your face? Have you noticed any other benefits besides less wrinkles?

[debkeversole]

okay guys i used it last night as a mask on my hair about 1/2 hour before showering..one time and my coarse flyaway hair is shinier and less fuzzy!!!! i just shampooed and dried it like normal!! i think i will do that once a week from now on!!!!

[Linny]

My teeth cleanings only last 20 minutes....there is nothing to scrape off and the dentist cannot believe how clean my teeth are. I love the stuff!!!

[Su11]

Originally Posted by pocahontas

I have been oil pulling with CO for almost a year and it has done wonders for my mouth as well as DH's. Our dentist was amazed at our last checkup.

I have been thinking about using it as a moisturizer but my skin is pretty sensitive and I have been using the same stuff for years. One of my concerns is tiny dark spots on my face as I get older (Im 31). I am scared that the chemicals in my usual moisturizer could be adding to the problem. Have any of you noticed that CO diminishes brown spots on your face? Have you noticed any other benefits besides less wrinkles?

I haven't seen any changes in skin color. Some people use it as a mild sunscreen though, so it might help from discoloration developing in the first place.

[6-R-bust-2009]

I love doing the oil face cleaning method with co or oo but it really bothers my eyes. They are swollen and irritated all the next day. So I just use it everywhere else on my face. I have not found anthing to remove eyemake up that doesn't bother my eyes besides soap and water Any idea?

I do think the oo works better for washing my face than the co. However as a body moisturizer co is divine!

So co really works as sunscreen? No burn? No tan?

[becky123abc]

I love it as a moisturizer too...it feels like I'm rubbing velvet on my face...

[Su11]

Originally Posted by 6-R-bust-2009

I love doing the oil face cleaning method with co or oo but it really bothers my eyes. They are swollen and irritated all the next day. So I just use it everywhere else on my face. I have not found anthing to remove eyemake up that doesn't bother my eyes besides soap and water Any idea?

I do think the oo works better for washing my face than the co. However as a body moisturizer co is divine!

So co really works as sunscreen? No burn? No tan?

Have you tried jojoba oil? I always use a bit of eye drops as well, but my eyes need that no matter how I clean.

The co as a sunscreen is something some people do, but I think you still tan. I'm using it more, but if I burnt easily, I'd probably be investigating some alternatives that aren't as negative as the commercial products.

Once I read that people can absorb oils and their contents into their bodies, I became more careful about what oils I use on my skin. In desparate measures some medical people rubbed oil onto a patient's skin to get them to absorb enough to do them some metabolic good.... that had me about rubbing on anything OTHER than good quality oil!

[6-R-bust-2009]

Originally Posted by Su11

Have you tried jojoba oil? I always use a bit of eye drops as well, but my eyes need that no matter how I clean.

The co as a sunscreen is something some people do, but I think you still tan. I'm using it more, but if I burnt easily, I'd probably be investigating some alternatives that aren't as negative as the commercial products.

Once I read that people can absorb oils and their contents into their bodies, I became more careful about what oils I use on my skin. In desparate measures some medical people rubbed oil onto a patient's skin to get them to absorb enough to do them some metabolic good.... that had me about rubbing on anything OTHER than good quality oil!

I haven't tried jojoba oil. I used the co this morning and used a little soap around my eyes to wash it off and it was better but they still itch. I think the oil sticks to my lashes and iritates my eyes if that makes sense. I'll have to look into jojoba.

I had no clue that oil had been used medically. Wow!!!!

Oh yes I burn very easily! I'll have to check aropund on that.

Thanks for the info!

[DiamondDeb]

I use my virgin coconut oil for cooking only. I have used organic, unrefined sesame oil for oil pulling.

I do not care for coconut oil on my face. I prefer, and have used castor oil on my face for years. It has a thicker, richer texture and also has healing properties.

[NurseMonkee]

How much coconut oil are you all using for oil pulling?

[wcwendy]

Originally Posted by 6-R-bust-2009

I think the oil sticks to my lashes and iritates my eyes if that makes sense.

I use coconut oil at night to remove mascara, then by the morning it isn't IN my eyes anymore. Works for me, don't know if it would work for you, but I thought that I'd let you know just in case.

[6-R-bust-2009]

Originally Posted by wcwendy

I use coconut oil at night to remove mascara, then by the morning it isn't IN my eyes anymore. Works for me, don't know if it would work for you, but I thought that I'd let you know just in case.

I wish it did. Both the co and oo makes my eyes swollen and irritated. I try to get it all off the lashes but it still bugs my eyes tons. It looks bad the next day and I have been asked if I have been crying.

I have no clue why the oil bugs my eyes. So soap and water it is to get the eye make up off. Oh vaseline was the same btw

[dawnyama]

6R

I use the coconut oil as my sunscreen and as a very pale, fair skinned woman I don't burn with it. I am so surprised myself that it works so well. I have been one in my teen years to sit out in the sun for purposely tanning--don't do that any more 20 years later. I don't have the time or patience for that!! So I use it when I know I am going to be out as well a right after a shower. Now, I do recommend that you don't put some on and sit out all day without reapplying several times as you would with a regular sunscreen. I have done this for the past 3 years or so and it has worked well for me. I used to be one who burns and then the red fades the next day or so. Now, I get some color and it is a beautiful brown, not red!! I do start off going in the sun for about 10-15 mins and then once that sets a beautiful base, I don't have to worry so much anymore. The way I do that is when I go and get the bus in the afternoon (and while waiting on it) I just go with exposed shoulders (I wear my spaghetti strap shirts) and that starts it off every year. Doing that for a few weeks until summer kicks in sets me for the summer. But I also use coconut lotion as my lotion so I don't know if that extends it further. I hate that this turned into a book, but wanted to let you know of my experience with it. I have also been asked about this for someone with skin cancer and I don't have any clue if I had cancer I would go this route. Definitely something to be considered.......

[6-R-bust-2009]

Originally Posted by dawnyama

6R

I use the coconut oil as my sunscreen and as a very pale, fair skinned woman I don't burn with it. I am so surprised myself that it works so well. I have been one in my teen years to sit out in the sun for purposely tanning--don't do that any more 20 years later. I don't have the time or patience for that!! So I use it when I know I am going to be out as well a right after a shower. Now, I do recommend that you don't put some on and sit out all day without reapplying several times as you would with a regular sunscreen. I have done this for the past 3 years or so and it has worked well for me. I used to be one who burns and then the red fades the next day or so. Now, I get some color and it is a beautiful brown, not red!! I do start off going in the sun for about 10-15 mins and then once that sets a beautiful base, I don't have to worry so much anymore. The way I do that is when I go and get the bus in the afternoon (and while waiting on it) I just go with exposed shoulders (I wear my spaghetti strap shirts) and that starts it off every year. Doing that for a few weeks until summer kicks in sets me for the summer. But I also use coconut lotion as my lotion so I don't know if that extends it further. I hate that this turned into a book, but wanted to let you know of my experience with it. I have also been asked about this for someone with skin cancer and I don't have any clue if I had cancer I would go this route. Definitely something to be considered.......

That is really interesting Dawn. Thank you. I burn in about 20 minutes. I think I'll try it once we actually have sun. One time sure won't hurt much. I really have only had one good tan many many years ago and that took months in a tanning bed (which I will no longer touch even if it is free!)

[wackiepatty]

I'm new to all of this and want to know if you are pulling do you use the solid CO?

I'm going to start doing this and I would have gone for the liquid if they have it!

thanks
wackiepatty

[BikerAng]

I use co as a face moisturizer every day, love it!

Oil pulling w/ co should be spit in the trash (line it with a plastic bag) because it will solidify and clog pipes (even flushed down toilet, cold water).

To kill mold, I put vinegar in an old shampoo bottle. Add about 1/4 tsp tea tree oil. Shake and squeeze out onto sponge/cloth (or just squeeze the vinegar solution on whatever you don't want mold to live on). I use this in my shower, usually every other day because it's so moist here.

[dawnyama]

wackie,
Coconut oil is solid at a certain temperature and liquifies at a higher temperature. When you buy it and use it is what determines if it is solid or liquid. I don't oil pull, but prefer to eat it as a liquid (goes down easier) and prefer solid for my skin. When it begins to get hot outside--like now!--I almost have to keep in the fridge if I want it to stay a solid. It doesn't go bad going back and forth, so no harm done. Hope this helps and doesn't confuse you.

[6-R-bust-2009]

Just a note : vitamin shoppe .com has the 29 oz organic extra virgin (their brand 15.99)) buy 1 get one half. I just ordered 2 and some Carlsons clo

[Linny]

Love all your tips and ideas!

[pepperette]

[COLOR="DarkGreen"]Just started to use my TT's coconut cream concentrate as a toothpaste. Not noticed any difference, but 1 1/2 days is too soon to tell. But as I do not like the stuff any other way, it makes a great toothpaste! I run hot water and spit as it is mostly highly ground coconut. Ordered the coconut oil body soap from TTs today with another gallon of the expeller pressed oil. I really like cooking with it. The last batch of co mayo got too firm, so I bought some avocado oil to add to the next batch- hope it does the trick, 'cause the avocado oil should impart some good flavor to it![/COLOR]

.

[dawnyama]

pepper---You will love the coconut oil soap. It is what I use to wash my face with. It is too expensive for me to use it all over my body, so that is why I slather on the coconut oil LOL. I never thought to use the cream concentrate as a toothpaste. I use the oil with a dab of regular toothpaste. Let us know about the mayo......

[Laura in Arizona]

I have been using coconut oil a lot since reading so much about it here. I gotta say I love the stuff. I started using it as a moisturizer and I get comments on my skin often (I am 50+). I love how it makes it feel.

I started using it as toothpaste with some xylitol. I think Margot talked about how good xylitol was for teeth and mouth. I just had my dental cleaning and it was the best ever. Very little tarter, NO bleeding even with her poking around - she was impressed.

Of course I use it often in cooking as well. I have wanted to try using it for mayo but will await your results with the avocado oil. I have gone through a lot of different oils and have yet to find one that agrees with my health choices as well as my taste buds.

[Tesaje]

I used the CO with xylitol as toothpaste but after a couple of weeks using it, I noticed my teeth looked really dingy and I even had a clear stain or two.

One brushing with my old whitener toothpaste and they were noticeably whiter - with 3, the stain disappeared and back to their usual appearance. So, that didn't work for me. Darn, I wanted to get away from fluoride laced toothpaste.

[wcwendy]

Originally Posted by Tesaje

I used the CO with xylitol as toothpaste ... So, that didn't work for me. Darn, I wanted to get away from fluoride laced toothpaste.

Thanks for sharing. There are fluoride-free toothpastes at health food stores, but I haven't ever used them.