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I was so glad to see that you suggested drizzling it onto cooked vegetables as I..." - Emily ann, Table of ContentsCompare coconut oil with these other oils How Does This Ayurvedic Food Improve Wellness?CLINICAL AYURVEDIC REVIEWFootnote: The information for this article was in part gathered from a 2018 study and survey of 24 students of Ayurveda who experimented with coconut oil. During the study, students ate coconut oil for 3 days and journaled the pharmacological effects. This study was sponsored by the Joyful Belly School of Ayurveda, and specifically the Mastering Ayurvedic Digestion & Nutrition certification course. Coconut has been hailed as a "cure all" by Pacific Islanders. This magnificent statement has been validated over 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 "the tree that supplies all that is needed to live." More specifically, coconut oil is sweet, cool and nourishing yet unusually light. It makes an ideal liver tonic. Unusually Light & RefreshingCoconut's lightness is surprising, as most oils are heavy. Coconut oil feels refreshing. One student writes, "it's like a nice dip into a cool pool on a hot summer day" Coconut oil 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 NervesAre 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. One student writes, "It (coconut oil) was pleasant and made me feel at ease." A client writes, "Coconut oil restores me in a very comforting and nourishing way. It's like being wrapped in a silky blanket." 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 EnergyWhile 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 quickly converted to energy. One client writes, "Coconut oil kept me energetic during the day." Another declares, "I love coconut and noticed that it gave me a good sustained energy throughout the day. I even opted out of coffee the first morning because it felt like my body was awake and energized from the coconut oil"You'll feel energized by coconut's lightness instead of feeling weighed down. One client notes, "It was lighter than other oils I have consumed. It did not hang heavy on my digestion but felt rather light and soothing to my stomach." Coconut's stimulating richness restores your vigor and vitality with a nutty aroma that gratifies the senses. It is a nourishing alternative to coffee that treats the root cause of exhaustion 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 EmotionsCoconut 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 - this is a sign of its healing effect on the liver. Coconut oil protects the liver from damage done through alcohol. An agitated liver equals agitated emotions. Coconut cools and eases the tension accompanying liver overactivity, restoring grace and kindness. Your relationships will benefit from your new, more yielding & charitable disposition. One student writes, "It made me feel cooler and calmed. It was very good for helping my Pitta emotions." Moisturizes & Cools Dry, Overheated SkinLooking for supple, younger looking skin? Coconut oil is not only getting a medical makeover, it will give you one too. Your skin will drink this beauty oil up! It will protect your skin, help you retain a balanced level of moisture, and heals dry or damaged skin - all without leaving an oily messy feeling. It is one of the best Pitta pacifying oils for Ayurvedic massage.One client writes, "The oiliness was soothing to my nerves, and prevented my skin from drying out all day." Another writes, "When I use it for Abhyanga, it softens and moistens my skin. It even seems to "plump" my skin like botox but subtly." One Vata client exclaims,"I am a Vata type and need it for lubricating my body and skin. It's been really nice considering the chronic dryness that I was experiencing before." According to Ayurveda, coconut oil cools excess heat in the skin, and helps 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 great as a lip balm. One client writes, "I put some on my dry, cracked lips and instantly my lips felt nourished and hydrated." Another says, "My lips felt hydrated as if a sweet chap-stick were run across them." The Science Behind Coconut FatThis 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.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 makes coconut oil ideal for nourishing the elderly and those debilitated from disease. Overweight folks can use it to metabolize the fat they already have. Underweight people can use it to restore body fat. Athletes can use 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. One client even noticed how it softened & lubricated their muscles, "My muscles felt a bit more smooth and I was able to take some of my yoga postures I typically get into a little more deeply than before. I did not feel as stiff and rigid." Another shared a similar experience: "My muscles felt very soothed after massaging them with coconut oil - I almost felt as if I was on a beach vacation!" Supports ImmunityCoconut 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. "After oil pulling my mouth felt sweet, cool and refreshed, as if a cooling sponge had just cleaned the inside of my mouth" Effect on EliminationThe most common effect on bowels? Coconut oil lubricates the digestive tract, allowing for smoother, easier elimination. One client writes, "I recognize an easier smoother elimination and my bowels are not hard at all." Another says, coconut oil "was a great change from my normal mode of being constipated." Those with inflamed bowels found relief from coconut oils cooling qualities, and this lead to healthier stools overall.Some experienced looser than normal elimination, "My elimination was a looser than normal while taking coconut oil in the morning." Others notices an 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. |