Long overlooked or given a bad press, coconut oil is coming into its own at last. Packed with good qualities, it’s becoming an essential ingredient for both sweet and savoury recipes, but also, and more importantly, for your beauty regime. Here are some of its advantages…

The benefits of coconut oil

Coconut oil extracted from the kernel or meat of the coconut by cold pressing is slightly cloudy; solid below 25°C; high in minerals, potassium, calcium and iron amongst other things; and contains “good” fatty acids which are useful against cardiovascular disorders. It is a potent natural antifungal and antibacterial agent. Take care, though – if you want to get the benefit of these qualities, it’s important to choose the pure virgin 100% natural cold-pressed product, supplied in a glass bottle. There are also organic coconut oils, which are even better.

Cooking with coconut oil

You can use it like any other vegetable oil. Its great advantage is that it doesn’t denature at high temperatures. That makes it ideal for cooking, and a good replacement for butter. As for its taste, it has a slightly exotic flavour with a touch of sweetness, which is perfect for cakes and desserts. In savoury dishes, it gives a subtle flavour to grilled vegetables and mixed salads.

Beauty, health and coconut oil

Your bottle of coconut oil will soon find a place in the bathroom! With its antibacterial and antifungal action, you can use it as a mouthwash to purify your teeth, gums and breath. On the skin, it eases feelings of tightness, soothes and nourishes. You can use it alongside treatments for eczema or psoriasis. Lastly, coconut oil has definite benefits for your hair. Applied before shampoo, it helps against dandruff, and used after shampoo it nourishes your hair for vigour and gloss.

In the kitchen as well as in the bathroom, coconut oil soon makes itself indispensable!

Nu