Who doesn’t love the smell of fresh coconuts in the morning? Not only does it have a great taste, coconut oil is the perfect natural moisturizer. Coconut oil has many uses for newborn babies, including treating and preventing diaper rash. The nourishing feel of coconut oil also doesn’t cause irritation or itching, leaving the skin shiny and smooth. But before you go out and purchase your first jar of coconut oil, read the label and understand what you are getting inside.

Types of Coconut Oil Available

Although coconut oil is great in any form, there are 5 varieties that you should be aware of:

Pure Coconut Oil – Obtained from dry coconut flesh that is crushed to extract oil. Nothing is added to the oil, so it is considered pure.

Refined Coconut Oil – This oil goes through the process of refinement: The oil is bleached, and deodorized to remove its color and smell. You will probably want to avoid this type of oil.

Virgin Coconut Oil – Obtained directly from coconut milk and not the meat. During extraction, the milk is not heated so it retains its pleasant taste, smell, and healthy antioxidants.

Organic Coconut Oil – This type of oil is extracted directly from coconut palms that have been grown without the use of chemical fertilizers. No chemicals are used throughout the whole extraction process.

Organic Virgin Coconut Oil – Obtained by extracting oil from organically raised coconuts. No chemicals are used during the extraction and processing process throughout.

Benefits of Coconut Oil for Babies!

• Can Be Used as Baby Oil

Newborns are born with a special coat on their skin to protect them from the environment, thus they don’t need lotion. Using coconut oil to protect a baby’s skin helps provide vitamins and healthy fats to their skin as their body grows. The oil also is great as it avoids and harsh smell or chemicals that come in traditional moisturizers on the market.

• Use Coconut Oil to Heal Cuts and Wounds

With its ability to stimulate collagen, virgin coconut oil can help the healing of cuts and wounds on a baby’s delicate skin. The antioxidant properties of coconut oil are a vital part of the rebuilding process.

• Add Coconut Oil to Baby Food for a Nutritional Boost

Coconut oil goes great with baby food! It hypoallergenic and contains lauric acid, which makes digestion much easier. This makes it easier for babies to absorb healthy nutrients from carrots, leafy greens, pumpkin, and squash like vegetables.

• Use Coconut Oil as a Massage Oil

With its chemical free properties, using coconut oil to massage your baby is one of the best ‘all-natural’ ways to go. Massaging your baby can help them calm down before sleeping as well as activate the parasympathetic nervous system.

• Treatment of Diaper Rash

After changing a diaper, it’s best to avoid using chemical based ointments and oils. Try using coconut oil to protect your baby’s bum and to treat any existing rash. The antibacterial properties of coconut oil make sure no further irritation will occur.

Coconut oil is a great multi-use super food that can be used for anything from cooking to beauty. Want to read more about the benefits of coconut oil? Take a look at the LiveCoco blog and be sure to subscribe to our newsletter to get 20% off of our flagship oil pulling kit.

Coconut oil is the all in one solution for almost anything. You can cook with it, put it in your hair, swish it around in your mouth and basically use it to become a whole new person. The overwhelming benefits of coconut oil pulling is endless!

You have probably heard of oil pulling. It's been around for ages, but has gained more mainstream popularity over the last few years. But the best part about oil pulling? It's easy to do! Click here to try it.

But oil pulling does more than just whiten your teeth, here are 11 (not so secret) benefits of coconut oil pulling.

1) Prevents Cavities

Swishing coconut oil helps pull out bacteria that tends to hide between teeth and gums. By getting rid of this bacteria, you can prevent cavities from ever forming in your mouth.

2) Kills Bad Breath

By pulling out all of those toxins in your mouth, it's only natural that removing those toxins would help freshen your breath, right? Consider coconut oil pulling a great alternative to harsh alcohol filled mouthwashes.

3) Reduces Gingivitis

The friction created by oil pulling has a soap-like effect inside your mouth. This cleanse goes deep into the hard to reach areas of your gums and kills all the germs that can cause gingivitis.

4) Prevents Heart Disease

Your oral health is very important to the overall health of your body. Bacteria in your mouth can seep into the blood stream and cause arterial plaque buildup (known to contribute to heart disease). Oil pulling prevents this bacteria from ever entering your blood stream.

5) Detoxes the Body

Germs in the body cause inflammation and diseases that leave your body feeling ill. Killing these germs at the source will have you and your body feeling much better. Plus, by cleansing your tongue, you are actually cleansing your whole body!

6) Boosts the Immune System

Coconut oil is full of Vitamin A and natural fatty acids. It is the perfect way to boost your immune system. By removing bacteria via oil pulling, you are able to prevent any toxic stress buildup.

7) Soothes Dry Throats

The best part of using coconut oil? It's digestible. You don't want to swallow it after swishing, because the thick liquid will be full of bad stuff, but there's no denying that swishing it around in your mouth makes everything slippery smooth, and soothing to your throat.

8) Increases Energy

When the immune system is hard at work clearing out toxic waste, it vastly drains our energy levels. Removing those toxins from the source (usually the mouth), lowers the amount of work our body has to do, which leaves us feeling great!

9) Heals Cracked Lips

Full of fat-soluble vitamins, coconut oil is the perfect and natural way to keep your lips soft and supple throughout the winter dry months. Do yourself a favor and invest in a quality oil pulling kit today.

10) Reduces Acne

The abundance of Vitamin E in coconut oil is jam-packed with antioxidants that can help clear up your skin. By pulling toxins out, you're relieving your body of additional stress, and helping prevent acne.

11) Reduces Headaches

A buildup of toxins in the body can lead to headaches, and oil pulling helps pull those toxins out, reducing headaches and migraines.

Now that you have discovered additional benefits of oil pulling, why don’t you try it out for 14 days and tell us how you feel. We are sure your body and your mind will thank you =).

“Does oil pulling actually pull toxins from your teeth? I can’t find any science that proves oil pulling actually detoxes your mouth, just testimony.” These are questions you may be asking when you are researching if oil pulling actually works. In this post we will breakdown the history of oil pulling and how it is proven to give you whiter teeth in 14 days.

 Oil Pulling 101

Oil pulling was only introduced to the Western world about 20 years ago. The method is a growing trend that has seen hundreds if not thousands of testimonials from individuals boasting glowing skin, healthier hearts, and of course whiter teeth. See some of those testimonials below:

If you don’t already know, oil pulling is a 3,000 year old Ayurveda practice that involves swishing a tablespoon of oil (sesame, coconut, or sunflower oil) in your mouth for about 20 minutes. The practice has historically been used as a method to detoxify the mouth and cleanse the teeth and gums.

The Science Behind Oil Pulling

During the swishing process, the oil mixes with saliva, and collectively work to reach tight places where bacteria hides. Oils, such as those with antibacterial properties like coconut oil, then bind to plaque and trap it inside of a thick liquid. This liquid is full of toxins and fats and are removed when the oil is spit out. Be sure NOT TO SWALLOW the oil as this will lead to a reabsorption of toxins.  

Although the method has received mixed reviews from the Journal of Oral Health and Community Dentistry the positive results are all similar. Subjects with mild to moderate gum disease and significate plaque buildup were given instructions to introduce oil pulling into their daily routine. After 45 days, the plaque formation in the majority of subjects was significantly reduced. The rate of Gingivitis was also reduced by more than 50 percent in all subjects that added this nifty method to their daily brushing routines. 

Steps to Oil Pulling

Step 1: Livecoco Oil Pulling

You can go to any grocery store and find natural coconut oil in the oil section, or you can order a convenient travel friendly kit such as the one we offer here at Livecoco. The taste of pure coconut oil may be overwhelming for some individuals, so we add a drop of mint to give oil pullers a pleasant experience. Take 1-3 teaspoons (or one-tube) of coconut oil and place it in your mouth.

Step 2: Swish for 20 Minutes

With the oil in your mouth, swish it back in forth for 15-20 minutes. You should notice the liquid get thicker about halfway through your routine. If you feel overwhelmed, spit a little (not all) of the liquid out and continue to swish it around in your mouth. Remember this liquid is grabbing all of those horrible toxins!

Step 3: Spit Out the Oil and Brush Your Teeth

After 20 minutes, spit out the oil in your mouth. Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water then brush your teeth naturally. Many people report seeing their teeth become a few shades whiter after their very first time oil pulling! Repeat the process daily and after 14 days you should start seeing significant results.

Get your 14-day pulling kit today.

Oral health and dental hygiene has become a hot topic recently with the increasing reports of tooth decay and gum disease featured in the media. This explains why we go above and beyond to purchase and try products that can help improve our oral health and prevent bad breath. One of these ways that has only recently been gaining widespread attention is oil pulling.

So you search online for answers about the old Ayurvedic tradition and discover testimonials proving the method is the real deal. You read that oil pulling will give you whiter teeth, reduce plaque, and prevent bacteria buildup, but you’re still skeptical. One of the questions everyone has is: Does oil pulling actually work? Well to answer that, we have to understand what oil pulling actually is.

WHAT IN THE WORLD IS OIL PULLING?

Oil pulling is actually an ancient method of rinsing the mouth, where you swish some natural, organic oil around your mouth for 10-20 minutes. Its an old Ayurvedic tradition that is used to detoxify the mouth and whiten teeth. In ancient times, people did not have the luxury of toothbrushes and toothpastes, this was one of the several means they adopted in order to keep their canines and molars strong and healthy.

TYPES OF OIL PULLING

Oil pulling can be performed using a variety of natural oils- traditional ones include sesame or butter oil and contemporary means have seen people substituting these for sunflower and olive oil.

Yet, according to a research conducted in the Athlone Institute of Technology in Ireland, coconut oil is the best option to combat tooth decay and get a whiter shade of teeth (It happens to be our favorite type of oil as well!). What makes coconut oil so unique is that it is the only oil that has the ability to prevent growth of Streptococcus mutans, a bacterium that is the primary cause of enamel damage and tooth decay. It works at low concentrations and has thus become the perfect agent to battle and prevent bad breath and reduce plaque.

DOES OIL PULLING ACTUALLY WORK?

When it comes to oil pulling, not everyone seems quite sold on the idea. People tend to be afraid that they’ll end up wasting their money on a product that won’t give them the results they are looking for. But fear not; the reason its hard for you to find answers is because the concept of oil pulling has only recently gained mass recognition. Studies have made their way to the surface suggesting that oil pulling is, in fact, a highly effective and healthy method of ensuring first-rate oral health.

The oil draws or ‘pulls’ out the bad bacteria and toxins that have found solace in your gums and salivary glands and prevents plaque deterioration, subsequently whitening the teeth, reducing bad breath and preventing a hoard of oral problems such as cavities and gingivitis. It essentially acts like a magnet.

SHOULD I TRY IT?

Yes! If you are someone who wishes to have a perfect set of pearly whites using a 100% natural method to whitening teeth, then you should certainly try oil pulling. Try it for 14 days and see the results for yourself. Once you start seeing your teeth get whiter, you will surely become a regular oil puller yourself!

Did you know there could be a super food lying around in your very own kitchen? The health benefits of coconut oil are well documented which makes it the perfect ingredient to add to your everyday life! But the benefits of coconut oil are vast. Other than being a great cure for soothing dry hands, companies such as Sephora have used coconut oil as a base ingredient in their organic and natural makeup formulas for years! Women have been using this beautifying agent to achieve soft supple skin and glossy hair, but it has a lot more to offer us. This pearly white fat remains solid at room temperature and has a relatively good shelf life. From bulletproof coffee to coconut smoothies, it has seeped into the diets of many health experts who swear by its natural goodness and rightfully so!

• A tremendous weight loss supplement: While it consists of 90% saturated fat, coconut oil has been hailed as a good kind of saturated fat. The high level of medium fatty acid chains inside make it an ideal health choice that lowers cholesterol and gives you a satiating effect that prevents you from overeating. It is also immediately processed by the liver to convert to energy, hence prevents storage of excess fats.
• Glowing skin and shiny hair: Coconut oil is used traditionally in many cultures to prime the skin and make the hair more glowing. It works deep down into the skin to provide nourishment and the skin-friendly lipids overcome the effects of dryness and eczema.
• Sparkling teeth whitener: Coconut oil has often been used in oil pulling where it helps leach out impurities and bacteria to promote healthy gums. It also helps gets rid of yellow stains that are caused by caffeine and smoking. If you are looking to get whiter, cleaner teeth, consider investing in a quality oil pulling kit.
• Perfect for cooking: Coconut oil does not go bad when heated and hence makes a perfect solution to stir fry vegetables and add a little flavor to your recipes. It is highly preferred in Thai food and imparts that nutty flavor to enhance the taste. Many international cuisines rely on coconut oil for that perfect blend of flavor that is savory as well as aromatic.
• Great makeup remover: Coconut oil is a perfect makeup remover that gets rid of dirt and stubborn makeup without being harsh on the skin as some removers are. It cleans pores deep down so no sudden pimples erupt.

Coconut oil is a common ingredient found in almost all kitchens and can do wonders for your skin. Its rich taste and numerous benefits have made it a popular choice among chefs and fitness experts. It’s not only cost-effective but can also help you manage your overall weight, improve the condition of your skin, remove impurities and refresh your skin deep into the pores. Virgin cold-pressed coconut oil is some of the purest and finest quality of coconut oil available in the markets, and most health stores. So what are you waiting for? Go grab yours today!