Tuesday, 16 June 2009

Twelve Creative Ways to Use Coconut Oil

In the past several years, coconut oil has become a sort of rising star in the world of health food. More and more homes have a jar of organic extra virgin coconut oil on their pantry shelf. But coconut oil is more than a healthy cooking alternative. There are endless ways to use coconut oil that extend far beyond the occasional cookie or stir-fry.

Here are twelve creative uses for a classic health food:

Colds and Sore Throats - Coconut oil has antimicrobial properties that can help you recover from a cold. Mix it with warm tea and honey for a very soothing throat remedy.

Cuts and Scrapes - Coconut oil can be used as a topical cream for common cuts and scrapes, protecting against infection while conditioning the skin to heal faster. It may also prevent scarring.

Dandruff - Several times per week, coat your fingertips with coconut oil and massage it into your scalp for an easy dandruff cure. This is an effective yet gentle method, suitable for young children or babies with cradle cap, too.

Deodorant - You can use coconut oil by itself as a deodorant that leaves underarms feeling silky soft, or you can add baking soda and cornstarch for advanced odor protection.

Detoxification - There are many methods for detoxifying the body, but coconut oil is unique because it can provide energy while cleansing the body. One popular method is to take 1-2 tablespoon of coconut oil seven times per day for one to seven days to cleanse the body from toxins, impurities and candida.

Fungal Infections - Coconut oil contains strong antifungal agents, and can be used to treat fungal infections like athlete's foot, ringworm, thrush and vaginal yeast infections. You can use it internally and topically for these conditions.

Hair Conditioner - Apply a thin layer of coconut oil to your scalp and hair. Allow it to soak for several minutes and then wash as usual. There is no need to use other conditioners with this method, even after washing with shampoo.

Lip Balm - Lip moisturizers are filled with chemicals, and natural products are often pricey. If you need a moisturizer for your lips, try coconut oil in a commercial lip balm container.

Make-up Remover - Coconut oil is a very effective make-up remover, so you can toss out all the chemical-laden products from the drug store. It's also a natural moisturizer, so it won't cause dryness or irritation.

Skin Conditions - Since coconut oil is moisturizing, antimicrobial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory, it's a great natural remedy for all kinds of skin problems ranging from eczema to acne to diaper rash.

Sun screen - Coconut oil provides effective and natural sun protection without exposing your body to the toxic chemicals and metals in conventional sun block. Coconut oil protects against free radicals, which provides added protection against skin cancer.

Toothpaste - Mix an equal amount of coconut oil and baking soda for an all-natural, fluoride-free toothpaste. Add spearmint or peppermint oil with stevia for a fresh, sweet flavor.

As you can see, there is more to coconut oil that what meets the eye - or the frying pan!


(NaturalNews) Friday, June 12, 2009 by: Elizabeth Walling, citizen journalist Email this author

Coconuts: explanation and uses

The poor, confused coconut. Hailed as a health savior in some circles, derided as fat-laden canker in others, the coconut has seen every end of the nutritional spectrum.

In reality, coconut can be a wonderful addition to a healthy lifestyle. It also has a plethora of uses--one little coconut can help hyperthermia, spice up a dish, and even outdo expensive moisturizers.

But first the skinny. Or in this case, the fat. The fat content of the coconut has sparked wars between diet gurus. According to NutritionData, the calories in coconut come 80% from fat, and most of the fat is saturated.



But hold your health horses. The saturated fat in coconuts is not the same saturated fat that drips off a grilled rib eye. The fat in a coconut is comprised largely of medium chain triglycerides, which also contains lauric acid, an important fatty acid (also found in mother's milk). Although still a topic for study, many scientists believe that this type of fat can help regulate cholesterol, improve triglyceride readings, and increase metabolism.

While these are very good benefits, coconut, like all nuts, should still be consumed in moderation, as it is quite calorically dense.

People can use coconut for a variety of purposes. Just a few include cooking oil, beauty products, and baking.



Coconut Oil in the Kitchen


The most useful product of the coconut, coconut oil can be used for many tasty foods. If one wants the coconut taste and smell, choose virgin coconut oil. For no taste, choose a high quality expeller-pressed oil.


In stove-top cooking, coconut oil is useful because of its high heat resistance and long shelf life. Use it in stir-fries or sautés.

Coconut oil can also be added to smoothies, much like flax oil.

Even more creative culinary uses for coconut oil include adding it to oatmeal, spreading it on toast, and using it as a salad dressing.

Coconut Oil as a Beauty Product

Many people also use coconut oil as a beauty product. The oil makes a very good moisturizer when applied topically. One can also use it on hair, pre-wash, for added shine and a healthy scalp.

Coconut Flour


For an interesting alternative to normal flour, consider using coconut. Coconut flour contains fewer carbohydrates than regular flour. More impressively, 100 grams of coconut flour contains almost 20 grams of protein and 40 grams of fiber. However, using coconut flour will increase the fat content of recipes, and it does not provide the iron that whole grain wheat flour would.

Coconut Flakes and Shreds

A filler for candies and macaroons for years, shredded or flaked coconut can be added to a variety of foods. Other great ways to use shredded coconut are on seafood, in oatmeal, or mixed with granola.

Of course, the healthiest shredded coconut is unsweetened.



Coconut Milk

If you've ever had Thai, chances are you have tasted coconut milk. Coconut milk is not the liquid inside of a coconut. Rather, it is the liquefied meat.

Coconut milk is used in many curries, desserts, and soups, adding a rich and creamy flavor. Other cuisines that feature coconut milk are Indian, Malaysian, Filipino, Hawaiian, and Brazilian.

For those not wanting the heaviness of pure coconut milk, most stores now carry lightened versions.

Coconut Juice/Water

The actual liquid inside a coconut, coconut juice has many interesting qualities. It is a natural isotonic liquid, meaning its electrolytic balance is the same as human blood. Also containing sugar, coconut juice makes a very good sport drink.

In 3rd world countries, doctors have even used coconut juice to help severly dehydrated or hyperthermic patients.

For domestic use, coconut water tastes delicious in smoothies or by itself.

Mimi Honeycutt Houston Healthy Living Examiner June 14, 2:58 PM

Friday, 5 June 2009

Tumeric and Virgin Coconut Oil to treat acne

Turmeric kills bacteria and fights infection. It's considered a blood purifier and detoxification agent, an advantage in treating acne inflammation. It only takes a few days for turmeric to show results in acne treatment. Mix turmeric powder with unrefined, virgin coconut oil and apply the paste directly over acne inflammations. Leave the dried paste on your acne inflammation overnight. Do this for two or three days and find considerable improvement in the condition of your skin.

Ancient Breaking News: South Side Times By Wendell Fowler 4 June 2009

Friday, 29 May 2009

How to make your own herbal and antimicrobial oil-based mouthwash

Sacramento-Nutrition-Examiner May 24, 10:25 PM

After your dental cleaning, make a soothing anti-viral and anti-bacterial mouthwash with exotic myrrh and clove oil. Disinfect those mouth sores caused by a virus. Oxygenate away those anaerobic bacteria that create the roots of gum disease. Start by making a safe antimicrobial oil-based mouthwash using herbs, oils, minerals, non-corrosive vitamins, and water.

Mix 4 drops of clove oil, 2 drops of myrrh, one tablet of zinc, and one tablet of folic acid (that you buy in a health-food store) in 16 ounces (473 mil.) of water. Let the tablets dissolve in the water and oils mixture, and then shake well. Add anti-bacterial herbs of your choice such as sage, mint, or ginger.

Don't make a mouthwash with vitamin C powder from ascorbic acid or with any citrus oil, vitamin, vinegar, acid, or fruit that corrodes teeth. Keep your mouthwash alkaline. Don't swallow this mouthwash. Rinse, swish, and spit it out. Choose edible oils. A few drops of edible oils can be added to your home-made mouth wash.

To make a simple mouth wash, mix four drops of clove oil, 2 drops of myrrh essential oils, a folic acid vitamin tablet dissolved in water, and a zinc mineral tablet dissolved in water. You can purchase all these ingredients at a health food store.

Mix oils and tablets in a pint of distilled water until the folic acid and zinc tablets are dissolved. Use as a mouthwash. Don’t swallow any. Store your mouthwash in a covered glass jar in your refrigerator for up to a week.

Make your own mouthwash with three to five drops of natural, wild organic oil of oregano in water. Swish it in your mouth or put it in your Water Pik® that’s already filled with warm water. Move the water and oregano oil between your teeth.

If you have canker sores inside your mouth, rinse the roof of your mouth with extra virgin olive oil. Another way to soothe virus-caused canker sores in your mouth is to make a paste of monolaurin and water.

Open a monolaurin capsule and mix with a few drops of water. When you have a paste, spread it inside your mouth, on your tongue and on your hard palate. Leave it for a few minutes. You can swallow one capsule of monolaurin after it’s been moved around your mouth for a few minutes. It’s made from lauric acid, which comes from coconut oil.

Remember that your skin absorbs anything you put on it, and you never know what you’re allergic to at any time. Make a mouthwash from edible oils or extracts that are anti-viral and not acid-based. You want your mouth to be alkaline.

Your oil base for mouthwash can be extra virgin olive oil, virgin coconut oil*, sesame seed oil, monolaurin*, clove oil, or oregano oil and water. Don’t put the oil of oregano directly on a sore in your mouth as it will burn. Keep it diluted with olive oil and water. Mix oil of oregano first with water.

Take a sip of water, put a few drops of oil of oregano in your mouth, and swish it around. Take another sip of water and either swallow or spit it out. Don’t use more than one or two drops of oil of oregano with water if you plan to swallow it. If you buy essential oils in a health food store make sure you purchase oils safe to put inside your mouth, not oils meant for external massage. Never put oils that burn your mouth in any other body orifices.

Oils are for rinsing out the mouth. The only oil you could swallow safely after swishing around in your mouth would be extra virgin olive oil, sesame oil, or coconut oil*. Some oils are toxic if swallowed, and others are toxic if swallowed while not diluted one part of oil to 25 parts of water.

Before you use any particular oil for making your own mouthwash, check the aromatherapy sites to make sure the oil you select is not toxic.

** Monolaurin is one of the main chemical components of coconut oil

Solon calls for quick action versus swine flu

by Negros Chronicle Published in Daily News Updates
By EDMUND B. SESTOSO

A partylist solon has urged the House of Representatives to immediately determine the government’s preparedness against swine flu which may develop into a worldwide epidemic.

Montemayor who represents ABA-AKO partylist was also a former secretary of the Department of Agriculture has passed House Resolution No. 1121 where he pointed out that 150 deaths have already been reported in Mexico, while cases of swine flu have also been detected in the United States, Canada, Britain, Spain, Israel and New Zealand.

The former agriculture secretary express fears that that if swine flu will hit the country, other nations may ban meat imports from the Philippines that will result to hurting not less than 2 million hog raisers and corn farmers in the country.

Montemayor visited Dumaguete City as a resource person of the farmer-leaders forum initiated by the Negros Farmers Council and the Negros Farmlands.

“Congress should also inquire if local governments and defense authorities are prepared to meet local outbreaks.

He said the House of Representatives must ascertain if anti-swine flu vaccines and other remedies are readily available or need to be quickly developed and pre-positioned in sufficient quantities in order to ensure people’s health and safety.

Virgin coconut oil: best defense versus swine flu

On the other hand, Rep. Montemayor said that the same crisis can also be turned into a big opportunity for coconut farmers and processors.

He said that the high lauric content of virgin coconut oil (VCO) is known to strengthen the human immune systems against microbes and viruses.

“Research and development of the possible use of VCO against swine flu should be accelerated” he said.


House Resolution No. 1121 directs the House committees on health, agriculture and food, science and technology, transportation and communication, justice trade, local government and national defense and security to come up with recommendations to address the problem.

Historically in 1918, a different type of swine flu brought about a pandemic that resulted to the deaths of at least 40 million people worldwide.

Ten Commandments for Wellness:

* Walk, Exercise, Breath and Meditate
* Eat moderately
* Go Vegetarian
* Drink minimum 2 Liters of Water per day
* Eat 3 hrs before Sleeping
* Check Your words before talking (Mind yr words)
* Vibrate Love : Love everyone : Universal Love
* Be Thankful and express the same : Show Gratitude : Thanks giving
* Care for Mother Earth
*Manage your stress

Few tips to live longer and live healthier..

· Human system is not designed to digest Non Vegetarian food. Our teeth are not designed for NV. The sooner we shift to Vegetarian food the better. Most NV food have toxins which harm us. Dead food even if it is fresh is harmful. Eat living food like fresh fruits, fresh vegetables. The more the food is stored / even in a frig, the poorer it is. All the food decay over time. NV Food decays faster. In a way Japanese Raw Fish food is a smarter choice if it is fresh. But avoid fish as well.

· Man kind knows cooking only in the past 1,000 or 1,500 years. Man kind existed millions of years eating fresh food without cooking.

· Fruits are the best food possible as they are pre digested. The early humans in the jungle were eating fruits only; not even vegetables. Vegetables probably came after civilization. Nuts are OK.

· Do not drink RO Water as there are no minerals. Do not use bottled water also. Use UV Filtered water after boiling. When we use RO or Bottled water, they take away the minerals from our body and the same is lost via Urine. Hence they are doubly harmful. We need minerals: we can drink mineral water or UV / Boiled water.

· We need minimum 2 liters of water to cleanse the toxins in our body- sort of auto detox.

·The whole body’s daily biological function can be divided into 3 zones: 4 am to 12 noon : Cleaning or Cleansing ; 12 noon – 8 pm : Digestion / energizing ; 8 pm – 4 am : Regeneration / relaxing. Hence we should eat multiple meals of very small quantities during the energizing cycle only (12 noon to 8 pm). For breakfast, it is ideal to eat only Fruits ; any fruits : only fresh fruits ; seasonal and regional fruits are designed by nature basing on the climate and seasons. So prefer seasonal those available / grown in your area. Quantity is not an issue. Settle down with your own comfort level – but use moderation. Diabetes is not an issue.

· Strictly No food after 8 pm. Passing bowls after every meal is good. Passing bowls only once in the morning is not as healthy as one thinks.

· Do drink water during eating any food. We need the concentration of the digestive juices. Water will dilute the same. Drink water either 30 minutes before eating or 60 to 120 minutes after eating.

· Mental and spiritual Wellness is a pre requisite for the physical wellness and hence mind your words as you can never take back the words once spoken. Think twice before speaking. Your words may make or break a relationship. Better make than break.

· Hatred and anger are always counter productive. It is very important you love and show the love. Love is not just between two persons. Love everyone universally. Express your love to everyone you meet. This also helps you mentally for the well being. Don’t be shy in expressing your love.

· Show gratitude and say thanks. Thanks-giving is a part of all religions. Be grateful for what you have. Thank the earth, your parents, your boss and whom so ever gave something to you. Do not take anything for granted. Expression of thanks pleases all. Don’t be shy in saying thank you.

· We need to give something back to earth. Care for your mother earth like you will care for your own mother. When you care for earth, she will care for you. You will get back what you give.

· Manage your stress. Manage anger. Face the stress and learn to manage stress. Read the book ‘ the Secret’. Understand the laws of attraction. If you keep thinking of something all the time, that is what will be given to you. So don’t think of stress.

Ten Poisons we consume regularly:

White Milk
White Sugar
White Sea Salt
White Rice
White Flour : any processed / packaged flour – even colored
Refined / hydrogenated oils
Coffee and Tea
Carbonated drinks including Soda or sparkling water
Ice Cream
Non Vegetarian food

· Even animals do not drink milk after they grow out of the childhood. Only children need mother’s milk. Not goat’s milk. Milk is the most poisonous food we take. It is the Milk Industrial lobby which has created the myth about Milk. Avoid milk and your wellness is guaranteed. Auto Immune system in our body works when milk enters our body and destroys good cells as it is misled. Almond milk, Dates Milk, Banana Milk, fresh Coconut may be substitutes. Persons with Asthma will feel the relief immediately after stopping milk consumption.

· White sugar can cause about 136 diseases. So may harmful chemicals are used to bleach and double refine the sugar. Use Brown sugar or unrefined sugar.

· To refine the salt, again many chemicals are used. Salt causes high BP. Use un refined Rock Salt.

· White rice : there is nothing left as every nutrient is polished away. Use brown rice or unpolished rice moderately.

· Wheat Flour or any packed flour contains Glutton which is harmful. Most processors use Potassium Bromide which is very harmful. Bread or Roti or Nan are all harmful if made out of packed flour. If natural grain is powdered at home, you may use. Eat fruits, vegetables instead of breads. We need about one tenth of water to grow fruits or vegetables when compared to rice or wheat. This is eco friendly.

· Refined oils are very harmful because of the chemicals used. Use 4 different oils by changing them on a daily basis: like use one oil today oil 2 on next day etc. Or use only Virgin Olive oil or Virgin Coconut oil. These are the only two oils which are good. Never Reheat the oils. Throw away after the first heating. Do not give the used oils to the poor as you are spoiling their health.

· We all know about the ill effects of caffeine. Alkaloid nature of Coffee and tea are harmful. Use Green tea, herbal tea, ginger tea, Brown tea etc. You can create an exciting new range of tea drinks which are tasty and create a wealth of well being.

· All carbonated drinks have CO2 and we all know it. Most contain sugar and lots of it. They have enough chemicals to act as pesticides. Avoid all carbonated drinks

· Ice creams contain flavors which are from Oil. They also have phosphoric acid which destroys the stomach lining. Avoid all ice creams. If there are some ice creams with natural flavors from natural fruits and without phosphoric acid, then it is ok. But still remember all ice creams contain the WORST poison : milk.

· Natural cocoa is ok. But processed cocoa is not ok.

· Most junk food is harmful. Potato finger chips are the worst. They use an acid and a chemical to make the finger chips crisp, straight and long.

Other Important Tips:

· Never take Fruits after Dinner or any meal. Take them before the meal. Try for a month and you will feel the difference. Fruits are predigested food. They do not need much time in the stomach and the stomach tries to send them on to send to the intestines. Fruits do not need energy for digestion and in fact are ready to give out energy immediately to our system. Whereas the regular meal we take needs time and energy to be digested. Thus we are creating a conflict by taking fruits after food. Some times, fruits manage to push the regular food through the intestines before they are digested.

· Chew the food – any food properly ; not only to grind them. There are sensors in our tongue, mouth and teeth which pass on the signal to our glands as to what digestive juice and quantity and when they are required. When we do not chew, we are not giving enough time for these sensors and glands.

· Head aches : Don’t take pain killers. The pain is in your mind; not in the head. Rest and close your eyes and ask yourself : where is the pain; what is its color, what is its shape, how deep or wide it is, how much is the pain on a scale of 1 to 10 etc. Ask these questions repeatedly till you realize that there is no pain.

· Read the book “What the Doctors Don’t Tell you”

- This was the lecture given by Dr. Peter (Founder of Divine Noni India) during his visit to Thailand couple of weeks back. He made a research on this and you can get to know about his product NONI in the following websites : www.devinenoni-international.net ; www.worldnoni.org ; www.devinenoniinternational.net

(Thanks to Mr. Devadoss of Lucky Spinning for this nice narration!)

If you want to attend Dr. Peter's forthcoming Seminors in Bangkok or you want him to conduct a seminar in your group, you may contact Mr. Vijay @ 086 338 1613

Common-sense solution: Virgin coconut oil

By Cory Quirino
Philippine Daily Inquirer First Posted 20:50:00 05/11/2009

MANILA, Philippines – The World Health Organization (WHO) raised the worldwide disease alert to phase 5—a strong signal that a pandemic or a worldwide epidemic was imminent. Countries such as the United States and Mexico have set up extensive measures to control the spread of the Influenza A(H1N1) virus.

Already, a public health emergency has been declared in the US and many countries. There have been measures to produce the prescription anti-viral drugs oseltamivir and zanamivir. And the world’s medical scientists are urgently working on a new vaccine against the virus, but this mission could take five to six months.

Common sense

In the meantime, what else is to be done besides waiting? There is no known drug today that can effectively combat the swine flu virus. Anti-viral drugs are expensive, not everyone can afford them. There is not enough supply of these drugs.

Simple as it may seem, there is a food supplement that can quickly boost the immune system—virgin coconut oil (VCO). There are scientific studies validating that the major component of VCO, lauric acid, is an effective anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal compound. A natural derivative of lauric acid, monolaurin, has been shown to be a potent disease fighter.

Coconut oil is made up of 60-percent medium-chain triglycerides, which is an efficient source of energy for the body. This non-fattening oil is converted by the liver into energy (and not fat) within 20 minutes of ingesting it.

While there is no direct proof of VCO’s effectiveness against the A(H1N1) virus, there is, however, evidence of its success against regular influenza, cold, bronchitis, chronic fatigue, etc.

There is more to virgin coconut oil than meets the eye or stimulates the palate. Countless testimonials of users from across generations support several health claims:

The story of Karen, a 50-year-old homemaker whose husband was a chain smoker. He had the nasty habit of smoking before bedtime and for 25 years, she was a victim of second-hand smoke. Fearful that she may contract cancer, since second-hand smoke is more toxic for non-smokers, Karen went for an executive check-up with her husband.

Doctors were surprised to find her in good health. But her husband had stage 2 lung cancer. When asked what her regimen was, she replied that her strictest regimen was two tablespoons of VCO daily before breakfast. This, plus mega doses of Vitamin C.

George, a 35-year-old businessman, was born asthmatic. All his life he survived on antihistamines, steroids and antibiotics. Three years ago, he discovered VCO through a friend who swore he never caught a cold or the flu since consuming it. After a month of taking three tablespoons of VCO a day, he noticed he had not had a single asthma attack. He is now a VCO advocate.

There are many other success stories of people with chronic fatigue, yeast infections, hemorrhoids and skin problems who not only drank VCO but used it as topical treatment. All of them, including myself, are proponents of a healthier life through virgin coconut oil.

Take one to three tablespoons of VCO on an empty stomach before breakfast. Or mix it in your juice or oatmeal. Great as a drizzle over salads too.

Beauty oil


For scalp: Rub a few drops of VCO on your scalp for dandruff problems, just before bedtime. The itchiness and flakiness will disappear in 24-48 hours. Falling hair will stop within one week with Nubo Hair, available at Mercury and World of Wellness.

For face and body: After a shower, massage into the skin a few drops or a mist of cocogen VCO. Get more supple skin within minutes. Call World of Wellness.

Affirmation for the week:

“I am a powerhouse of energy and happiness.”

Love & light!