During a routine trip to the store, it’s common that we need to have separate lists in our head for food, toiletries and beauty products. It’s rare that a single item can cross over multiple lists and serve a variety of roles.
For this, I point you to the popular movie “Castaway.” We all know the basic story of Tom Hanks’s character getting stranded on an island. On this island, he wanders upon one of natures greatest gifts: coconuts. After some seriously hard work, he finally gets one open and is privy to the secret world inside of coconuts.
Lucky for us, we neither have to be stranded nor learn how to open a coconut to get some of its greatest health benefits.
A popular form of coconut, loved by both beauty and health gurus, is coconut oil. You can purchase coconut oil at any major grocery store so it is easily accessible for all your brain, brawn and beauty needs!
For brains
Did you do miserably on your last exam? A daily tablespoon of coconut oil on a cracker or toast may be able to help. It will protect your brain cells from those late nights we are all too familiar with, while improving your memory when it comes to exams.
While coconut oil may be an important brain fuel for college students, it can have many long-term benefits as well.
Dr. Mary Newport attributes coconut oil to reversing some effects of Alzheimer’s in her book “Alzheimer’s Disease: What If There Was a Cure?” Newport’s discoveries have prompted the University of South Florida Health Byrd Alzheimer’s Institute to run clinical trials testing coconut oil as a prescribable treatment. The results of this clinical trial will be revealed June 2016. One tablespoon of coconut oil a day just may be able to keep the doctor away.
For brawn
The weight room at the SERF and coconut oil have one thing in common: They both can help you build a strong body. Coconut oil is a natural antiseptic which kills nasty bacteria in and on your body so you never have to miss a day of class or gym session (unless you want to). In addition, consuming just one tablespoon of coconut oil a day is proven to increase your metabolism and support weight loss.
Even on those days that you slack at the gym or, if we’re being honest, don’t even make it to the gym, you can give your body the extra energy it needs.
It is also possible to get your daily tablespoon by frying your eggs in coconut oil, popping your popcorn in coconut oil or even adding it in your coffee for a richer morning drink.
For beauty
Among coconut oil’s hundreds of other uses, it can be a wonderful beauty product.
It can be used as makeup remover, body oil, lip balm, shaving cream and a hair mask, all of which will leave you smelling like the gorgeous tropical island we all dream about in this frozen tundra.
One of my favorite personal uses of coconut oil is the hair mask. Before getting into the shower, massage coconut oil into your hair.
Let it sit for 20-30 minutes and then wash out with shampoo. This hair mask will help fight split ends, frizz and dry hair to keep you looking great even with the inevitable winter hat hair.
If you’re in a more experimental mood, there also is the ancient practice of “oil pulling.” This involves gently swishing a tablespoon of coconut oil (you can warm the oil up in the microwave if it is solid) around in your mouth for 15 to 20 minutes.
This practice of “oil pulling” claims to draw toxins and bacteria from the teeth and body, leading to a healthier self and whiter teeth. Just be sure to spit out the oil when you’re done because it will be riddled with toxins.
Next time you’re at the store, pick up a container of coconut oil. Its nature’s one-stop shop for a healthier brain, stronger body and beautiful skin!
