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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 & Refreshing
Coconut'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.
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.
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.
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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
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