Coconut is the smell of summer, don’t you think? At least, most tanning oils and after sun moisturizers smell like coconut which always reminds me of the sea and golden beaches…
Yes, summer is here and the sun will dry out your skin and hair.
And we all know that coconut oil (and the coconut itself) are full of goodness for our health, skin and hair. Coconut oil is practically a multi-tasker that will give wonderful taste to your food, take the frizz out of your hair, hydrate your skin, reduce premature signs of aging, cool down your high Pitta…
So, eat it, smudge it on all over and rejoice in the smell of summer!
.
Here are 10 ways to use this Nature’s gift this summer:
1. Protect your skin for the sun
Coconut oil actually has a natural SPF of 4 - which is not a lot, yet coconut oil also contains antioxidants to remove toxins from the skin. So give your skin a little extra protection every day without having to slather on a thick white sunscreen.
2. Heal your skin after the sun
Coconut oil is even better for your skin after the sun than it is before the sun. Sometimes those hot rays can leave our skin red and flaky if we get too much of it. That is when coconut oil comes to rescue and puts moisture back into your skin.
3. Prevent dry and damaged hair
Summer is full of water fun and that means a lot of salt and chlorine in your hair. Having a solid summer haircare routine is crucial to prevent sun damage and breakage. Add a little bit of coconut oil to your locks before you hit the beach or pool for extra moisture and protection. If you really want to keep the sun off your hair, mix in a bit of Argan oil for even more SPF power.
4. Keep the bugs away
Believe it or not, you can actually create your own bug repellent this summer. To keep the bugs away you can mix coconut oil with a few drops of an essential oil such as peppermint, rosemary or tea tree. Apply straight to skin to keep mosquitos and other summer pests at bay. Already got bit? No worries, coconut oil also is great at reducing the itching sensation, plus it creates a seal over the bite to keep out dirt and bacteria.
5. Avoid shaving cuts and bumps
Chemical shaving creams are the WORST. This summer, let’s ditch the poison for some good coconut oil instead! It works great as a pre-shaver and will give you a smooth finish without any nicks. Make a great after shave moisturizers too, so apply before and after shaving for the best results.
6. It makes a perfect eye cream
If the skin under your eyes is dry and dark use coconut oil to get rid of the problem. Dab a little oil on cotton and massage the skin under your eyes before going to bed.
7. It Is also the best ever exfoliator
Add a little oil to three tbsp of sugar. Mix both the ingredients and use it as a body scrub to remove dead skin and to give in that radiant look.
8. Makes your teeth white
Coconut oil makes your teeth white too. Add a drop or two to your toothpaste and brush your teeth. You can also do oil pulling (swishing oil in your mouth) with coconut oil.
9. It is great as a massage oil.
If you are a Pitta, you should use it for your daily self-massage (Abhyanga). But even if you are Vata or Kapha, massage coconut oil into your scalp for cooling in the summer heat.
10. Use it for cooking.
Ok, you may already do so, Natural coconut oil fives a wonderful tang to your dishes, but if you do not like your lentils smelling of coconut, you can use odorless coconut oil. Whatever, coconut is THE best cooking oil as it is liquid when hot and hardens when cool. It behaves like butter actually, so you can replace butter with coconut oil for healthier and more exotic dishes.
What do you use coconut oil for? Share with us your recipes and ideas!
Master in Sports Pedagogic and director at Bulgarian Ashtanga Yoga Academy.
Irina is the author of the first Bulgarian book for Ashtanga Yoga and trusted Yoga Guru for TV series, produced by Bulgarian National Television.
Take a look at out most recent posts related to routines, nutrition, yoga and a lot more
When it comes to cooking you can heat foods in a gentle and healthy way with stable fats OR you can destroy the health properties of foods in a dangerous way with unstable fats. So what's the best oil to cook with?
I remember when I first heard about jal neti yers ago - I was petrified yet powerfully drawn to it. Funny, but it does evoke similar feelings in all my students, too! But it turned out that this siple practice is nothing to be afraid of - try it and you will want to do it every day!
Nadi Shodhana - or alternate nostril breathing is one technique that you can’t over do! It balances the mind and helps improve anxiety. This simple pranayama practice can bring you into a profound sense of ease and awareness and can really be a life-changer for a lot of people.
We all know that coconut oil (and the coconut itself) are full of goodness for our health, skin and hair. Coconut oil is practically a multi-tasker that we should include in our diet and beauty routine.
Here are 10 reasons why you should do so!
There is no greater expression of self-love than lovingly anointing ourselves from head to toe with warm oil—this practice is called Abyanga. The Sanskrit word Sneha can be translated as both “oil” and “love.” It is believed that the effects of Abhyanga are similar to those received when one is saturated with love. Like the experience of being loved, Abhyanga can give a deep feeling of stability and warmth.
Ujjayi has been used for thousands of years to enhance hatha yoga practice. The sound that Ujjayi provides helps us to synchronize breath with movements during yoga, making the entire yoga practice more rhythmic.
Mula bandha, the root lock, is an important yoga practice, but one that is often not taught in regular yoga classes. In Ashtanga and Ashtanga based classes, it is something you learn from the very start.
“You are what you eat” is an old adage but it’s definitely true when it comes to chronic pain.
A lot of chronic pain is the result of chronic inflammation.
Golden milk is a traditional Indian drink that people make with turmeric, which gives it a yellow or gold hue. People also call golden milk “turmeric milk.”
2079 comment(s)