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Footnote: The information for this article was in part gathered from a 2018 survey of 24 students of Ayurveda who experimented with coconut oil. During the exercise, students ate coconut oil for 3 days and journaled the effects. This exercise was sponsored by the Joyful Belly School of Ayurveda, and specifically the Mastering Ayurvedic Digestion & Nutrition certification course. This experiential, self-reporting exercise was not part of an FDA-regulated study. No conclusions should be drawn regarding the therapeutic effects of any food, herb, or dietary substance based on these student reflections.
Fronds of a coconut palm sway in a tropical breeze, surrounded by endless sandy beaches, summer sun, and the turquoise horizon of crystal clear ocean. Stress and deadlines melt away in the cool shade, restoring your body. A sip of a pina colada recalls a recent pleasant gathering with your friends. You breathe a bit more easily. Coconut is a delight for the senses and the body, the very symbol of tropical paradise.
Coconut has been hailed as a "cure all" by Pacific Islanders, with thousands of years of beneficial use. It is enjoyed by many cultures as a staple part of their diets. The ancient Ayurvedic texts call coconut by the Sanskrit term kalpa vriksha, which translates to "wish fulfilling tree." More specifically, coconut oil is sweet, cool and nourishing yet unusually light, qualities that Ayurveda associates with the ideal liver tonic.>Unusually Light & RefreshingCoconut's lightness is surprising, as most oils are heavy. Coconut oil feels refreshing. It is actually ideal for late summer, as it simultaneously clears residual summer heat (pacifying Pitta), and nourishes your body for the winter months ahead (pacifying Vata).
A Balm for Your Nerves
Are you overly nervous and strung out? Your nerves may be parched for fats. All nerves are coated in a fatty layer called the myelin sheath, which guides nerve impulses and insulates the neuron from hyperactivity. When the fatty layer is dried out or deficient, your nerves will be easily agitated and anxious, thirsting for a balm that can ease this overstimulation. A teaspoon of coconut oil restores tranquility, bringing the serenity of the tropics closer to home. With unctuous silkiness and rich enticing aroma, coconut oil may be the ultimate 'neuron' comfort food, with a satisfaction that is 'marrow deep'.
A Boost For Your Energy
While most nourishing, oily foods depress metabolism, coconut oil is unusual in its ability to support the thyroid and improve metabolism. The fats in coconut oil are light, easy to digest, and are quickly converted to energy. We've heard examples of people trading coffee for coconut oil in the morning, and feeling energized throughout the day!
Coconut's stimulating richness restores your vigor and vitality with a nutty aroma that gratifies the senses. It is a nourishing alternative to coffee without the jitters of caffeine. Try supplementing your diet with coconut oil daily to boost your energy efficiently and effectively!
Strengthen Your Liver & Soften Your Emotions
Coconut oil has a luxurious richness that feeds you and your liver. Ayurveda suggests that an agitated liver should be moistened with fats, and pleased by sweet, delightful aromas like rose petals and coconut. By nature an ambitious organ, the liver falls victim to intense, hot blooded emotions and pitta internal heat conditions. Coconut oil replenishes a liver deficient in fats, and has special cooling properties to soothe an overheated liver. This makes it the ideal liver tonic.
Notice how coconut oil refreshes and relaxes the eyes - Ayurveda interprets this as a sign of its healing effect on the liver. Ayurveda uses cooling, Pitta pacifying oils like coconut to protect the liver from damage, such as done through alcohol. An agitated liver equals agitated emotions. From an Ayurveda perspective, coconut cools and eases the tension accompanying liver overactivity, restoring grace and kindness.
Recipes with Coconut Oil: Buckwheat Tea Cake with Orange Zest & Raspberry
Moisturizes & Cools Dry, Overheated Skin
Looking for supple, younger looking skin? Your skin will drink this beauty oil up! Coconut oil may protect your skin, help you retain a balanced level of moisture, and heal dry or damaged skin - all without leaving an oily messy feeling.
Ayurveda uses oils to soothe nerves and soften and moisten the skin. Because of its cooling properties, it is one of the best Pitta pacifying oils for Ayurvedic massage.
Ayurveda suggests coconut oil to cool excess heat in the skin, and alleviate discomfort caused by eczema, dry psoriasis, sunburn, and general dryness. Heavenly coconut oil has been used as an effective sunscreen for thousands of years by indigenous, pacific islanders. Give it a try. You will soon enjoy the benefits of this healthful and anti-aging oil. Your skin will look and feel younger, smoother and more radiant.
Coconut oil works can also moisten the lips - and is useful as a lip balm.
The Science Behind Coconut Fat
This vital oil, once shunned as being unhealthy because it is high in saturated fats, is now considered by many as a magical health food. The difference between coconut oil and other saturated fats is in the size of the fat molecules. Long chain fats are hard to digest, and pass directly into the lymphatic system. The fats in coconut are medium chain fatty acids (MFCA's). MFCA's are transported via the hepatic portal vein to the liver. They never never enter the lymphatic system or blood stream, so they don't clog arteries like their longer chained relatives. Coconut oil actually lowers cholesterol and improves fat metabolism, useful for overweight and underweight individuals alike.
Instead, coconut oil is quickly digested, even without the aid of pancreatic enzymes. The healthy fats and fatty acids in coconut oil are quickly and easily absorbed, digested, metabolized and utilized by your body. This may make coconut oil ideal for nourishing the elderly and those debilitated from disease.
Athletes have used it for endurance and performance. Debilitated people can use it to build strength. Coconut oil also improves your body's ability to utilize blood sugar efficiently, which reduces the symptoms of hypoglycemia.
Coconut oil has a soothing effect on the muscles and can help deepen a stretch. Massage with coconut oil can even feel like a tropical oasis!
Supports Immunity
Coconut oil contains high levels of a fatty acid called lauric acid, an antiviral substance. Coconut oil has also been shown in research studies to have antimicrobial qualities, which have an adverse effect on fungus, bacteria, and yeast. Coconut oil also appears to have a natural anti-inflammatory effect, which ultimately supports your immune system. These properties have made Coconut oil popular as a carrier oil when treating infection with essential oils.
Coconut oil's antimicrobial properties makes it ideal for oil pulling and maintaining a healthy flora in the mouth. Oil pulling with coconut can make the mouth feel sweet, cool and refreshed, as if a cooling sponge had just cleaned the inside of the mouth.
Recipes with Coconut Oil: Sweet Potato, Kale & Black Bean Saute with Roasted Walnuts
Effect on Elimination
The most common effect on bowels? Coconut oil lubricates the digestive tract, allowing for smoother, easier elimination. Those with inflamed bowels found relief from coconut oils cooling qualities, and this lead to healthier stools overall.
Oils generally can cause looser than normal elimination or increased sense of urgency. Fat has a cholagogue effect, meaning that it stimulates the release of bile. Bile has a mild laxative effect. The result is that coconut oil can increase the urge to eliminate.
Contraindication?
Kapha's may find coconut oil too cold for them, especially at night. In that case, just add a bit of ginger or spice to warm it up. In general, Kapha's should moderate use of oil, even light oils like coconut.
Buying & Preparation
For optimum results use extra virgin coconut oil that is unrefined. Look for these qualities when shopping for coconut oil: In solid form, it should glimmer with a white opaqueness, and when liquid should be colorless and crystal clear. When you use it (whether for your body, taken as a supplement or cooking with) the texture of coconut oil should feel thin, light and silky. The aroma and flavor should be inviting and fresh.
Cooking Coconut Oil
Coconut oil has a lower oxidation point therefore it won't become rancid quickly, compared with other oils. It's time to stock you pantry up with this tropical nectar. Being a stable oil with a shelf life of at least two years, coconut oil is extremely versatile.
Coconut oil is ideal for lighter foods & subtly flavored dishes. It may be mixed into a salad dressing paired with lime juice. It can be safely heated to high temperatures, so enjoy the sound of sizzling coconut oil as you fry okra, pumpkin without the risk of trans-fats or free radicals. Even after cooking, you will taste the enriching natural coconut flavor throughout your entire dish - simply delicious and nutritious!
Drizzle into soups or onto par boiled vegetables. Rice embellished with a tablespoon of coconut oil will have a delightful aroma. Its sweet and nutty flavor is perfect for desserts and treats, such as smoothies. Coconut oil is excellent for melt in your mouth popcorn. Use an alternative to butter in baking, where it makes a light and flaky crust.
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AYURVEDA'S GUIDE TO VITALITY & WHOLESOME NOURISHMENT
Your Ayurvedic diet is tailored to your individual body and your specific imbalances.
With an Ayurvedic diet you feel joy and satisfaction because what you are eating truly nourishes and balances you.
Disease results from diets and lifestyles that are incompatible with your nature.
By eating a personalized diet matched to your body, you experience optimal health.
See How it Works.
Ayurveda assesses metabolic imbalances through 20 main biocharacteristics
(gunas).
Aggravating them weakens your body and causes imbalance.
By knowing which biocharacteristics are habitually imbalanced in your body, you will be able to identify and correct metabolic imbalances before you get sick.
Every biocharacteristic has an opposite which balances it (i.e. hot balances cold).
You restore balance by favoring diet and lifestyle choices that increase the opposite biocharacteristic.
In Ayurveda, oily refers to anything moistening. More specifically, oily refers to building substances that increases fat, or are themselves fatty. For example, sugar is Oily.
Taste is used to sense the most basic properties and effects of food.
Each taste has a specific medicinal effect on your body.
Cravings for food with certain tastes indicate your body is craving specific medicinal results from food.
Taste is experienced on the tongue and represents your body's reaction to foods.
Sweet taste causes physical satisfaction and attraction whereas bitter taste causes discomfort and aversion.
Kapha should use less sweet taste while Vata and Pitta would benefit from using more sweet taste.
One of the first signs of illness is that your taste and appetite for food changes.
The six tastes are sweet, sour, salty, pungent, bitter, and astringent.
Do you crave foods with any of the tastes below?
Ayurveda is a metabolic theory of medicine that explains individual health, tendencies, and disease patterns through the concept of doshas, which can be understood as your metabolic patterns and tendencies.
Each dosha reflects a distinct metabolic nature and describes strengths & weaknesses in bodily function, and how these affect energy levels, digestion, susceptibility to disease, and many other tendencies.
Your metabolic nature not only affects your physical characteristics, but also influences your mental thought patterns, confidence, and enthusiasm.
Ayurveda balances these metabolic strengths & weaknesses to support your body's vitality and prevent recurrent disease cycles. This support is a critical aid, especially in chronic or incurable disease conditions.
The 3 metabolic body types
(doshas),
are Catabolic (Vata), Metabolic (Pitta), and Anabolic (Kapha).
Through dosha, Ayurveda empowers people to identify metabolic imbalances early, break repetitive patterns of disease, and cultivate habits that support long-term vitality and well-being.
Ultimately, these metabolic patterns also provide a framework for understanding yourself, including body, mind, and spiritual tendencies.
Ayurveda & Greek Medicine were the dominant form of medicine along the Silk Road from England to China and South Asia.
They work by assessing your metabolic type, patterns, and nature.
Greek medicine recognizes 4 metabolic temperaments, Melancholic, Choleric, Sanguine, and Phlegmatic.
Has a hot and dry metabolic nature. Enthusiastic, vibrant and bright. In excess burns up fluids and ojas, irritable. Corresponds to high bilirubin in the blood that irritates and heats up the body and liver.
Cold and dry with a slow, variable or erratic metabolism. Colicky, tense. Withdrawn, pensive, anxious, and hesitant. Analytical, intelligent, detail oriented and creative. Prone to ojas depletion, dehydration, an overactive nervous system, and depression.
A hot and oily nature with a moderate metabolism and a well nourished body makes Sanguine individuals vigorous, vivacious, outgoing and generous, and prone to impulsivity and self indulgence. Bullish and intense when out of balance.
A Phlegmatic has a cold and wet metabolic nature. The coldness implies a slow metabolism, the moisture that you are well-nourished. Phlegmatics tend towards sluggishness and thickened fluids, including mucus.
Medicinal Benefits, Uses & Herbal Actions of Coconut Oil
Experiences are Personal
Experiences vary according to the person and constitution. Individual results may vary.
The list of herbal-actions below has not be approved by the FDA and should not be used to treat a medical condition.
A tonic herb restores function through strengthening tissue. This can happen through a combination of nourishing the tissue, and invigorating tissue metabolism. The tonic should not be withering, as in caffeine.
An herb that strengthens the liver. It is helpful for people with a history of substance abuse, chronic liver issues from hepatitis and hemolytic anemias. Generally, liver tonics are oily, cool, sweet, mildly sour, or contain beta-carotene.
The reports shared below are part of an educational assignment completed by students at
the Joyful Belly College of Ayurveda.
These represent subjective experiences intended to help students explore principles of Ayurveda through personal observation.
In each report below, students ate the selected food for 3 days and self-reported these effects.
See other food & herb reports at Joyful Belly.
TEMPERATURE/CIRCULATION
How did Coconut Oil affect your temperature?
15
12
9
6
3
0
0
13
11
1
0
Much colder
Slightly colder
Same
Slightly warmer
Much warmer
Total Responses: 25 REPORT ID:81 (2021-12-05 - 2021-12-13)
How did Coconut Oil affect your ear temperature?
25
20
15
10
5
0
1
21
3
Hotter
No Change
Cooler
Total Responses: 25 REPORT ID:81 (2021-12-05 - 2021-12-13)
How did Coconut Oil affect your sweat quantity?
25
20
15
10
5
0
0
5
20
0
0
Much less
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more
Much more
Total Responses: 25 REPORT ID:81 (2021-12-05 - 2021-12-13)
How did Coconut Oil affect the color of your skin?
25
20
15
10
5
0
0
3
1
0
21
Yellower/Greener
Paler
Redder
Grayer
No Change
Total Responses: 25 REPORT ID:81 (2021-12-05 - 2021-12-13)
How did Coconut Oil affect the color of your tongue body?
20
16
12
8
4
0
6
2
1
16
Paler
Redder
Bluer
No Change
Total Responses: 25 REPORT ID:81 (2021-12-05 - 2021-12-13)
How did Coconut Oil affect the swelling of your tongue body?
26
21
16
11
6
1
2
2
21
More Swelling
Less Swelling
No Change
Total Responses: 25 REPORT ID:81 (2021-12-05 - 2021-12-13)
How did Coconut Oil affect your appetite/hunger?
15
12
9
6
3
0
0
11
9
5
0
Much less hungry
Slightly less hungry
Same
Slightly hungrier
Much hungrier
Total Responses: 25 REPORT ID:81 (2021-12-05 - 2021-12-13)
How did Coconut Oil affect your digestion speed?
20
16
12
8
4
0
0
11
14
0
0
Much faster
Slightly faster
Same
Slightly slower
Much slower
Total Responses: 25 REPORT ID:81 (2021-12-05 - 2021-12-13)
TOXINS
How did Coconut Oil affect the amount of gas & bloating?
20
16
12
8
4
0
1
10
14
0
0
Much less
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more
Much more
Total Responses: 25 REPORT ID:81 (2021-12-05 - 2021-12-13)
How did Coconut Oil affect your stool smell?
20
16
12
8
4
0
1
6
17
1
0
Much less
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more
Much more
Total Responses: 25 REPORT ID:81 (2021-12-05 - 2021-12-13)
Tongue: How did Coconut Oil affect the thickness & size of your tongue coating?
15
12
9
6
3
0
0
6
12
7
0
Much smaller
Slightly less
Same
Slightly larger coating
Much larger
Total Responses: 25 REPORT ID:81 (2021-12-05 - 2021-12-13)
How did Coconut Oil affect the color of your tongue coating?
20
16
12
8
4
0
1
0
1
8
15
Yellower
Browner
Grayer
Whiter
No Change
Total Responses: 25 REPORT ID:81 (2021-12-05 - 2021-12-13)
How did Coconut Oil affect your throat soreness?
20
16
12
8
4
0
0
17
8
More sore
No Change
Less sore
Total Responses: 25 REPORT ID:81 (2021-12-05 - 2021-12-13)
How did Coconut Oil affect your urine smell?
25
20
15
10
5
0
0
3
22
0
0
Much less
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more
Much more
Total Responses: 25 REPORT ID:81 (2021-12-05 - 2021-12-13)
How did Coconut Oil affect the amount of bubbles in your urine?
25
20
15
10
5
0
0
1
22
2
0
Much less
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more
Many more
Total Responses: 25 REPORT ID:81 (2021-12-05 - 2021-12-13)
How did Coconut Oil affect your sweat smell?
25
20
15
10
5
0
1
3
21
0
0
Much less
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more
Much more
Total Responses: 25 REPORT ID:81 (2021-12-05 - 2021-12-13)
How did Coconut Oil affect your acne?
25
20
15
10
5
0
1
22
2
More acne
No Change
Less acne
Total Responses: 25 REPORT ID:81 (2021-12-05 - 2021-12-13)
How did Coconut Oil affect your freckles/moles?
30
24
18
12
6
0
0
24
1
Darker
No Change
Lighter
Total Responses: 25 REPORT ID:81 (2021-12-05 - 2021-12-13)
How did Coconut Oil affect the color of your sclera (white part of eye)?
25
20
15
10
5
0
1
0
0
0
3
Redder/Bloodshot
Yellower
Grayer
Browner
Whiter
21
No Change
Total Responses: 25 REPORT ID:81 (2021-12-05 - 2021-12-13)
How did Coconut Oil affect the color of the lower eye lid?
25
20
15
10
5
0
0
0
22
3
More green/dark green
More purple
No Change
Less green/purple
Total Responses: 25 REPORT ID:81 (2021-12-05 - 2021-12-13)
HYDRATION
How did Coconut Oil affect your urine frequency/quantity?
30
24
18
12
6
0
0
1
24
0
0
Much less
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more
Much more
Total Responses: 25 REPORT ID:81 (2021-12-05 - 2021-12-13)
How did Coconut Oil affect the dryness of your skin?
15
12
9
6
3
0
1
13
11
Drier
Oilier
No Change
Total Responses: 25 REPORT ID:81 (2021-12-05 - 2021-12-13)
How did Coconut Oil affect the puffiness of lower eye lid?
25
20
15
10
5
0
0
22
3
Puffier
No Change
Less Puffy
Total Responses: 25 REPORT ID:81 (2021-12-05 - 2021-12-13)
How did Coconut Oil affect the cracks on your tongue?
20
16
12
8
4
0
0
0
9
14
2
Larger/longer/more cracks
Slightly more
Same
Slightly less/smaller/shorter
Much less
Total Responses: 25 REPORT ID:81 (2021-12-05 - 2021-12-13)
FLUID-THICKNESS
How did Coconut Oil affect your ear pressure?
25
20
15
10
5
0
1
21
3
More pressure
No Change
Less pressure
Total Responses: 25 REPORT ID:81 (2021-12-05 - 2021-12-13)
How did Coconut Oil affect your congestion?
21
17
13
9
5
1
2
19
4
More congestion
No Change
Less congestion
Total Responses: 25 REPORT ID:81 (2021-12-05 - 2021-12-13)
How did Coconut Oil affect the thickness of your mucous congestion?
18
15
12
9
6
3
4
16
5
More thick
No Change
Less thick
Total Responses: 25 REPORT ID:81 (2021-12-05 - 2021-12-13)
NERVOUS-SYSTEM
How did Coconut Oil affect your energy levels?
20
16
12
8
4
0
0
3
15
6
1
Much less energy
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more energy
Much more
Total Responses: 25 REPORT ID:81 (2021-12-05 - 2021-12-13)
How did Coconut Oil affect your muscle tension?
20
16
12
8
4
0
0
11
14
0
0
Much less tension
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more tension
Much more
Total Responses: 25 REPORT ID:81 (2021-12-05 - 2021-12-13)
How did Coconut Oil affect your anxiety?
20
16
12
8
4
0
1
9
14
1
0
Much less anxiety
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more anxiety
Much more
Total Responses: 25 REPORT ID:81 (2021-12-05 - 2021-12-13)
How did Coconut Oil affect the stillness of your tongue?
20
16
12
8
4
0
9
16
0
More still
No Change
More Trembling / Jittery
Total Responses: 25 REPORT ID:81 (2021-12-05 - 2021-12-13)
DIGESTION
How did Coconut Oil affect your appetite/hunger?
15
12
9
6
3
0
0
11
9
5
0
Much less hungry
Slightly less hungry
Same
Slightly hungrier
Much hungrier
Total Responses: 25 REPORT ID:81 (2021-12-05 - 2021-12-13)
How did Coconut Oil affect your digestion speed?
20
16
12
8
4
0
0
11
14
0
0
Much faster
Slightly faster
Same
Slightly slower
Much slower
Total Responses: 25 REPORT ID:81 (2021-12-05 - 2021-12-13)
How did Coconut Oil affect the amount of gas & bloating?
20
16
12
8
4
0
1
10
14
0
0
Much less
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more
Much more
Total Responses: 25 REPORT ID:81 (2021-12-05 - 2021-12-13)
How did Coconut Oil affect burning sensations in digestive tract (do not include acid reflux)?
15
12
9
6
3
0
2
10
13
0
0
Much relief
Slight relief
Same
Slightly more burning
Much more burning
Total Responses: 25 REPORT ID:81 (2021-12-05 - 2021-12-13)
TONGUE
Tongue: How did Coconut Oil affect the thickness & size of your tongue coating?
15
12
9
6
3
0
0
6
12
7
0
Much smaller
Slightly less
Same
Slightly larger coating
Much larger
Total Responses: 25 REPORT ID:81 (2021-12-05 - 2021-12-13)
How did Coconut Oil affect the swelling of your tongue body?
26
21
16
11
6
1
2
2
21
More Swelling
Less Swelling
No Change
Total Responses: 25 REPORT ID:81 (2021-12-05 - 2021-12-13)
How did Coconut Oil affect the color of your tongue body?
20
16
12
8
4
0
6
2
1
16
Paler
Redder
Bluer
No Change
Total Responses: 25 REPORT ID:81 (2021-12-05 - 2021-12-13)
How did Coconut Oil affect the stillness of your tongue?
20
16
12
8
4
0
9
16
0
More still
No Change
More Trembling / Jittery
Total Responses: 25 REPORT ID:81 (2021-12-05 - 2021-12-13)
How did Coconut Oil affect the color of your tongue coating?
20
16
12
8
4
0
1
0
1
8
15
Yellower
Browner
Grayer
Whiter
No Change
Total Responses: 25 REPORT ID:81 (2021-12-05 - 2021-12-13)
How did Coconut Oil affect the cracks on your tongue?
20
16
12
8
4
0
0
0
9
14
2
Larger/longer/more cracks
Slightly more
Same
Slightly less/smaller/shorter
Much less
Total Responses: 25 REPORT ID:81 (2021-12-05 - 2021-12-13)
STOOL
How did Coconut Oil affect your stool frequency/quantity?
15
12
9
6
3
0
1
1
10
13
0
Much less
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more
Much more
Total Responses: 25 REPORT ID:81 (2021-12-05 - 2021-12-13)
How did Coconut Oil affect your stool color?
30
24
18
12
6
0
0
0
1
0
24
More yellow
More gray
More green
More orange
Same
Total Responses: 25 REPORT ID:81 (2021-12-05 - 2021-12-13)
How did Coconut Oil affect your stool lightness?
20
16
12
8
4
0
0
6
17
2
0
Much lighter
Slightly lighter
Same
Slightly darker
Much darker
Total Responses: 25 REPORT ID:81 (2021-12-05 - 2021-12-13)
How did Coconut Oil affect your stool smell?
20
16
12
8
4
0
1
6
17
1
0
Much less
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more
Much more
Total Responses: 25 REPORT ID:81 (2021-12-05 - 2021-12-13)
How did Coconut Oil affect your stool consistency?
15
12
9
6
3
0
1
12
12
0
0
Much softer
Slightly softer
Same
Slightly harder
Much harder
Total Responses: 25 REPORT ID:81 (2021-12-05 - 2021-12-13)
URINE
How did Coconut Oil affect the amount of bubbles in your urine?
25
20
15
10
5
0
0
1
22
2
0
Much less
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more
Many more
Total Responses: 25 REPORT ID:81 (2021-12-05 - 2021-12-13)
How did Coconut Oil affect your urine clarity?
25
20
15
10
5
0
1
20
4
More cloudy
Same
More clear
Total Responses: 25 REPORT ID:81 (2021-12-05 - 2021-12-13)
How did Coconut Oil affect your urine smell?
25
20
15
10
5
0
0
3
22
0
0
Much less
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more
Much more
Total Responses: 25 REPORT ID:81 (2021-12-05 - 2021-12-13)
How did Coconut Oil affect your urine lightness?
25
20
15
10
5
0
0
2
22
1
0
Much lighter
Slightly lighter
Same
Slightly Darker
Much Darker
Total Responses: 25 REPORT ID:81 (2021-12-05 - 2021-12-13)
How did Coconut Oil affect your urine frequency/quantity?
30
24
18
12
6
0
0
1
24
0
0
Much less
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more
Much more
Total Responses: 25 REPORT ID:81 (2021-12-05 - 2021-12-13)
SWEAT
How did Coconut Oil affect your sweat smell?
25
20
15
10
5
0
1
3
21
0
0
Much less
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more
Much more
Total Responses: 25 REPORT ID:81 (2021-12-05 - 2021-12-13)
How did Coconut Oil affect your sweat quantity?
25
20
15
10
5
0
0
5
20
0
0
Much less
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more
Much more
Total Responses: 25 REPORT ID:81 (2021-12-05 - 2021-12-13)
SKIN
How did Coconut Oil affect your freckles/moles?
30
24
18
12
6
0
0
24
1
Darker
No Change
Lighter
Total Responses: 25 REPORT ID:81 (2021-12-05 - 2021-12-13)
How did Coconut Oil affect your acne?
25
20
15
10
5
0
1
22
2
More acne
No Change
Less acne
Total Responses: 25 REPORT ID:81 (2021-12-05 - 2021-12-13)
How did Coconut Oil affect the dryness of your skin?
15
12
9
6
3
0
1
13
11
Drier
Oilier
No Change
Total Responses: 25 REPORT ID:81 (2021-12-05 - 2021-12-13)
How did Coconut Oil affect the color of your skin?
25
20
15
10
5
0
0
3
1
0
21
Yellower/Greener
Paler
Redder
Grayer
No Change
Total Responses: 25 REPORT ID:81 (2021-12-05 - 2021-12-13)
EYE
How did Coconut Oil affect the color of your sclera (white part of eye)?
25
20
15
10
5
0
1
0
0
0
3
Redder/Bloodshot
Yellower
Grayer
Browner
Whiter
21
No Change
Total Responses: 25 REPORT ID:81 (2021-12-05 - 2021-12-13)
How did Coconut Oil affect the color of the lower eye lid?
25
20
15
10
5
0
0
0
22
3
More green/dark green
More purple
No Change
Less green/purple
Total Responses: 25 REPORT ID:81 (2021-12-05 - 2021-12-13)
How did Coconut Oil affect the puffiness of lower eye lid?
25
20
15
10
5
0
0
22
3
Puffier
No Change
Less Puffy
Total Responses: 25 REPORT ID:81 (2021-12-05 - 2021-12-13)
ENT
How did Coconut Oil affect the thickness of your mucous congestion?
18
15
12
9
6
3
4
16
5
More thick
No Change
Less thick
Total Responses: 25 REPORT ID:81 (2021-12-05 - 2021-12-13)
How did Coconut Oil affect your ear temperature?
25
20
15
10
5
0
1
21
3
Hotter
No Change
Cooler
Total Responses: 25 REPORT ID:81 (2021-12-05 - 2021-12-13)
How did Coconut Oil affect your congestion?
21
17
13
9
5
1
2
19
4
More congestion
No Change
Less congestion
Total Responses: 25 REPORT ID:81 (2021-12-05 - 2021-12-13)
How did Coconut Oil affect your ear pressure?
25
20
15
10
5
0
1
21
3
More pressure
No Change
Less pressure
Total Responses: 25 REPORT ID:81 (2021-12-05 - 2021-12-13)
How did Coconut Oil affect your throat soreness?
20
16
12
8
4
0
0
17
8
More sore
No Change
Less sore
Total Responses: 25 REPORT ID:81 (2021-12-05 - 2021-12-13)
HEART
How did Coconut Oil affect your heart rhythm?
30
24
18
12
6
0
0
24
1
More palpitations
Same
Less palpitations
Total Responses: 25 REPORT ID:81 (2021-12-05 - 2021-12-13)
How did Coconut Oil affect your heart pain/pressure/cramping?
25
20
15
10
5
0
0
3
22
0
0
Much less
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more
Much more
Total Responses: 25 REPORT ID:81 (2021-12-05 - 2021-12-13)
How did Coconut Oil affect your heart rate?
20
16
12
8
4
0
0
6
18
1
0
Much slower
Slightly slower
Same
Slightly faster
Much faster
Total Responses: 25 REPORT ID:81 (2021-12-05 - 2021-12-13)
SYSTEMIC
How did Coconut Oil affect your temperature?
15
12
9
6
3
0
0
13
11
1
0
Much colder
Slightly colder
Same
Slightly warmer
Much warmer
Total Responses: 25 REPORT ID:81 (2021-12-05 - 2021-12-13)
How did Coconut Oil affect your energy levels?
20
16
12
8
4
0
0
3
15
6
1
Much less energy
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more energy
Much more
Total Responses: 25 REPORT ID:81 (2021-12-05 - 2021-12-13)
How did Coconut Oil affect your muscle tension?
20
16
12
8
4
0
0
11
14
0
0
Much less tension
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more tension
Much more
Total Responses: 25 REPORT ID:81 (2021-12-05 - 2021-12-13)
How did Coconut Oil affect your anxiety?
20
16
12
8
4
0
1
9
14
1
0
Much less anxiety
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more anxiety
Much more
Total Responses: 25 REPORT ID:81 (2021-12-05 - 2021-12-13)
Note: These exercises are not part of an FDA-regulated study,
and were not designed or conducted under a clinical research protocol.
They are neither investigational in nature nor scientific findings.
They are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
They are experiential assignments rooted in traditional Ayurvedic education, intended solely for instructional use.
No conclusions should be drawn regarding the therapeutic effects of any food, herb, or dietary substance based on these student reflections.
Coconut Oil may be beneficial for these symptoms.
The suitability of any food for a condition is highly dependent on the individual.
Please see your doctor before using this food to treat a medical condition.
We will use this information to better predict food that helps you.
CONTRAINDICATED FOR THESE SYMPTOMS
Coconut Oil may be harmful or contraindicated for these symptoms.
Note this is not a complete list of all possible contraindications.
Please see your doctor before using this food to treat a medical condition.
Herb Drug Interaction Risk
Here are some potential herb drug interactions with Coconut Oil. Please see your health care provider for more information.
Livotonic: Anything that strengthens or cleanses the liver can clear drugs more quickly, requiring a higher dose.
Raises-thyroid: May magnify the effect of other thyroid medication.
View other ingredients for Autumn-Winter
Coconut Oil is recommended for Autumn-Winter. Check out these other Autumn-Winter foods here.
Eating Ayurvedically makes you feel nourished and energized. Food digests with ease when
right for your body type (dosha). Healthy digestion is seen as the cornerstone of well-being in
Ayurveda. Healthy digestion generally prevents illness. If you do get sick, a strong digestive fire
reduces the severity of illness and increases your resilience. It also improves your mood. Once
you begin eating Ayurvedically, you will feel refreshed, vital and strong.
John Immel, the founder of Joyful Belly, teaches people how to have a
healthy diet and lifestyle with Ayurveda.
His approach to Ayurveda is clinical, yet exudes an ease which many find enjoyable and insightful.
John also directs the Joyful Belly College of Ayurveda,
offering professional clinical training in Ayurveda for over 15 years.
John's hobbies & specialties include advanced digestive disorders, medieval Catholic philosophy,
& botany. He holds a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Harvard University.
John, his wife Natalie and their 7 kids live in Asheville, NC
“Wonderful article John ~ thank you!
I was so glad to see that you suggested drizzling it onto cooked vegetables as I find that
when unrefined oils are added just before serving they are so much more digestible than if heated or cooked with the vegetables. This is what my Italian grandmother used to do!
Now we know ~ oils are best added uncooked for maximum nutrition and so much easier on our livers etc.
I esp. like to shower, and add a small amount of coconut oil to my whole body ~ it truly calms my vata energy down and makes me feel more content.
Happy Summer!
Em"
“I love coconut oil and appreciate your research into all the ways it is beneficial. However, I'm reticent about using it internally after recently reading Dr. Vasant Lad's book, "Ayurvedic Cooking for Self-Healing" where he recommends that coconut oil, like avocado oil, should be used for external use only (page 226). Can you shed any light on this? Thank you"
“There will always be differing opinions among Ayurvedic professionals. We suggest you observe how you feel after eating coconut oil to decide if it's right for you. These 2 articles can help you do that:https://www.joyfulbelly.com/Ayurveda/article/Sensing-the-Impact-of-Food-on-Your-Body/5580https://www.joyfulbelly.com/Ayurveda/article/Getting-the-Most-Out-of-Your-Ayurvedic-Food-Journal/5140"
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* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
The information and products on this website are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any
disease.