Cuckoo for Coconuts

A couple of weeks ago, I discussed a skin condition my son was suffering from. Along with making some dietary changes, we started using coconut oil topically twice daily. I am thrilled to report after two weeks of  dietary restrictions and coconut oil applications, his skin is 98% clear, and softer than it has ever been.

It turns out the coconut oil was a happy accident. I had used it a few months back when my younger son suffered from severe cradle cap, and found the coconut oil cleared it up within a week. So when I found it on sale at Whole Foods a couple of weeks back, I picked up a jar figuring it couldn't hurt to try.

I've learned a lot of things about coconut oil in since that purchase. For example, it's important to us organic cold-pressed virgin (or extra virgin) coconut oil. I happened to get lucky when I bought mine, but there were quite a few options on the shelf (which can be somewhat intimidating.) I have also learned about the incredible healing properties found in coconut oil. There are scientific reasons for the anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-viral properties of this oil.

Since I was a teenager, I've struggled with extremely dry, cracking and bleeding elbows. I have found that severity of this condition is very closely related to the health of my digestive system (which is the primary reason for my extreme dietary restrictions.) Nevertheless, about a week after I started using the coconut oil on my son (and seeing great results), I starting applying the oil to my elbows after my daily shower. After only three days, my elbows were completely clear! I was dumbfounded. I truly had not expected to see such amazing results. That was when my research started.

Not only are there a multitude of topical uses for the incredible oil, but there are numerous conditions which benefit from using the oil as part of your diet. Candida Albicans is normal flora found in various parts of the digestive system. When in check, candida assists with functions related to digestion. When an overgrowth occurs, causing candidiasis, the human body suffers from a multitude of unpleasant symptoms (which vary by individual), such as psoriasis and other skin conditions, constipation and other gastrointestinal disorders, and fatigue to name a few. After years of suffering from the symptoms of candidiasis, I was finally diagnosed in 2004. The practitioner I was seeing at the time, put me on an extremely restrictive diet along with very specific doses of Eastern herbs to take daily. After a relatively short period I had my condition in check.

Fast forward seven years and two pregnancies later, and my flora is in a frenzy.

Since one of the properties of coconut oil is anti-fungal, I decided to give it a shot. It is now my fifth day into a pretty serious regime (working up to 4 tablespoons per day, starting with one teaspoon per day and increasing an additional teaspoon per day) and things look promising. I will update more a little further in.