Bermuda Smudge Sticks

The Benefits of Smudge Sticks

Many of us have used smudge sticks for years and felt it’s many benefits. Smudging is such a common, continuous practice that it almost seems modern. Yet smudging is a practice so ancient that we don’t know just when or how it came to be. Perhaps quite by chance or by internal inspiration people have come to realize that the smoke from burning particular herbs had emotional, cognitive, and even physical benefits. Modern science has proven that the smoke from some herbs have cleansing effects changing the molecular structure of air and energy. In fact the aroma of sage has been found to actually increase the oxygen supply to the brain and also produce a physical relaxation of muscle tension.

We have come to experience that smudging has a purification benefit for our bodies, our living space and our consciousness. Some of us have come to believe that the smoke from burning some herbs acts like a messenger to realities and energies beyond our conscious comprehension and understanding. People from China, India, Asia, Europe and, of course, Native Americans have used smoke from herbal mixtures in their healing and spiritual rituals.

Many of us have come to realize the benefits of a soothing bath or shower to cleanse and refresh our bodies as well as experiencing the emotional feeling of well being from the cleaning. We have found that the use of water changes the structure of our physical and emotional energy pattern. Like water, the use of smudge sticks, a blend of certain herbs, for smudging is equally effective. Like the Native cultures around the world, we have found that the burning of herbs for spiritual, psychic, and emotional purification helps us relax and feel the balance of our physical and emotional energy. The rational for how smudging works, is that the smoke molecules from the herbals blends being burned, attaches to the negative energy and clears it away or actually changes the molecular structure of the energy.

Our sense of smell connects us to a deep instinctual part of our brain. We have all experienced this with the use of other forms of aromatherapy. Smudging is very effective aromatherapy form and very useful when we have been feeling depressed, angry, fearful, frustrated, resentful, grief or unwell. We have also found it to be useful when we have experienced irritation and conflict in our relationships. In fact, a space, e.g. a room, can also be “cleansed” of this uncomfortable energy. In addition, we can use smudging to enhance a celebration, special occasion, or ceremony. Smudging can help us experience a relaxed, open, meditative, and calm state .

Sage is the herb we most commonly use for smudging. The botanical name for sage is salvia which is from the Latin root savare meaning to heal. Smudge sticks usually made of white or another variety of sage or a are a blend of sage and another herb. Lavender is well known in aromatherapy practice, as a calming, soothing, balancing aroma. Lavender when combined with sage in a smudge stick provides wonderful benefit and experience. Cedar is a traditional cleansing herb used by Native people. The “spirit” or energy of cedar is considered to be very ancient and powerful. Cedar can also be bundled with sage to create a wonderful smudge stick.
Sweetgrass is a toll wild grass with a musty, sweet aroma. Sweetgrass is often woven into braids similar to braiding hair and used for smudging as a single herb. Sweetgrass has a wonderful essential oil quality that contributes to it’s burning slowly. Sweetgrass has beome rare in the wild because of development. Sweetgrass aroma promotes a very meditative, open conscious awareness. Sweetgrass is often used after the cleansing benefits of sage or cedar. However, blending and bundling sweetgrass with sage in a single smudge stick, provides an awesome aromatherapy and meditative experience.

There are various traditions and patterns of using smudge sticks. One powerful method when using a smudge stick is after lighting and adding the energy of breath to “fire” the embers, is to move the stick from foot to head on the left side of the body representing “female” aspect of receiving, then on the right side of the body representing the “male” aspect of taking action, than bringing the stick around the body clockwise representing bringing one’s self into the “circle of life”, and finishing with touching the stick to the floor/ground acknowledging Grandmother Earth and raising it above the head moving the stick in a circular manor acknowledging Grandfather Sky/Sun. When cleansing a space or an object, the smudge stick can be moved in a counterclockwise circle representing unwinding or undoing i.e. cleansing and releasing.
Whatever tradition or pattern of ceremony or method of use of smudge sticks with which you are comfortable is quite acceptable and beneficial.

When using smudge sticks, be sure to practice the commonsense considerations that you would whenever using something that involves fire and burning. Extinguishing the smudge stick with water will ruin the stick for further use. It is best to extinguish the smudge stick by “smothering” the embers in a cup, bowl, jar, or other nonflammable container.

The Health Benefits of Cranberry Seed Oil

Cranberry Seed Oil easily penetrates the skin and is highly moisturizing. It is rich in tocotrienols and tocopherols (Vitamin E) and other antioxidants. Testing indicates that Cranberry Seed Oil possesses the highest quantity of tocotrienols of any vegetable oil. It possesses a unique balance of Omega 3, 6 and 9 essential fatty acids not found in other oils. Cranberry Oil can aid in the relief of itchy, scaly, irritated skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. Cranberry Seed Oil also contains a significant amount of Vitamin A, making it a good choice for inclusion within blends for acne or blemished skin. It is rapidly gaining recognition as a choice ingredient for inclusion in hair care formulations intended to heal, strengthen and moisturize the hair and scalp. Its strong antioxidant properties and stable shelf life can help to extend the life of more fragile ingredients included within the same formulation.

Cranberry Seed Oil is a nourishing and valuable addition to moisturizing lip balm, belly balm, cream, lotion, facial cream and hair care formulations.

Cranberry Seed Oil Properties:

• Strong Antioxidant
• Significantly High in Vitamin E, especially tocotrienols and tocopherols
• High in phytosterols, phospholipids
• Rich in Vitamin A
• Unique balance of Omega 3, 6 and 9 Essential Fatty Acids
• Very Stable Shelf Life
• Can Help Stabilize Other More Fragile Oils in Formulations

Anti Aging Properties of Moringa Oil

Approximately 90% of all changes in skin are due to prolonged exposure to sunlight. Ultraviolet light not only damages the DNA in the cells of the skin, but also inhibits the repair mechanisms that repair damaged skin cells. As skin becomes less elastic, it also becomes drier and underlying fat padding begins to disappear. With the loss of underlying support by fat padding and connective tissues, the skin begins to sag; it appears less supple and wrinkles form.

After many years of research, scientists, dermatologists and plastic surgeons have discovered that a variety of natural ingredients and vitamin extracts significantly help to slow down and even reverse the signs of aging skin.

Vitamin A (Retinol) - Topical Vitamin A has been suggested to help build collagen fibers within the skin in addition to its more superficial exfoliating property. This is the basis for its use in minimizing the appearance of fine wrinkle lines. Moringa contains 4 times the vitamin A of Carrot. Help to build collagen fibres.

Vitamin C - Vitamin C or ascorbic acid acts as an antioxidant and is considered vital in wound healing because it aids in stabilizing collagen. When applied topically, vitamin C can reduce fine lines and wrinkles and may lessen the severity of sunburns. Vitamin C is critical for wound repair, for any type of tissue maintenance, and that applies to your skin. Getting the right nutrients is vital for repairing skin and getting new healthy cells to replace the damaged ones. Moringa contains 0.5 times the vitamin C of orange.
Vitamin E - Vitamin E is another antioxidant that shows to have anti-inflammatory effects on the skin. When applied topically, vitamin E has been shown to improve moisturizing, softness and smoothness and also provides modest photo protection.

It is well known that most of the antioxidants and free radical neutralizers that have been used in cosmetic compositions for anti aging benefits are absorbed quickly into deeper layers of skin, and then transported away by bloodstream. Moringa Oil with antioxidants or free radical neutralizers can be temporarily bound to skin surface to retard their penetration into deeper layers of skin and provide extra-cellular antioxidant or free-radical neutralizing benefits.

A combination of antioxidants is more effective than a single antioxidant on an equal weight basis due to antioxidant cascade mechanism. Moringa with more than 46 antioxidants makes it an effective antioxidant. Moringa oil is a very stable carrier which is highly nutritious to the skin and similar in composition to olive oil but much lighter. It is a powerful natural antioxidant with excellent skin smoothing properties.

Moringa oil soothes and softens the skin. It moisturizes and revitalizes chronic dry skin, sometimes subject to itching or flaking. It also has nourishing and emollient properties giving it benefits for use in skin and hair care products. Moringa oil is rich in oleic acid with excellent moisturizing, cleansing and nourishing properties makes this ideal for use in skincare, hair care, soap and massage products.

Benefits Of Grape Seed Oil

 Grape seed oil has the same antioxidants as green tea, black tea, berries and red wine. The antioxidants in the oil are called procyanidolic oligomers (PCO’s), known for their health giving properties, and are more powerful than vitamin C and vitamin E. 

Grape seed oil is made by cold-pressing the grape seeds, after they have been used to make wine.  It is used in many facial and body care products, and is known for its anti aging effects.

It is very rich in vitamins, minerals and protein, and can be found in many products such as; soaps, hair care, cosmetics, facial creams, body creams, bath oils, lip balms and anything else you can think of.

Grapeseed oil contains polyphenols, which are antioxidants.

Polyphenols can help slow the process of aging, as well as having anti inflammatory and anti oxidant properties, which makes it great for helping clear up acne. 

Using this oil will help prevent pores clogging and breakouts, it is good foroily skin as well.

Using the grapeseed oil in skin care products helps to tone and tighten the skin.

Grapeseed oil contains a high amount of linoleic acid, which is a fatty acid essential for the health of the skin and cell membranes.

This is the reason why it makes such a wonderful moisturizer, as it really nourishes your skin helping keep it smooth and subtle.

It is known for its ability to lock in moisture, leaving your skin feeling more supple and smooth, and it does not leave a greasy feeling, which makes it ideal to use on all skin types.

 The nutrients in grape seed oil are easily absorbed into the skin, instead of sitting on top of the skin, this also helps to fight free radicals and stop some of the enzymes that destroy collagen, elastin and other connective tissue.

As it is a natural oil, it will inhibit problems such as fine lines and wrinkles, caused by the loss of collagen and elastin.  Along with vitamin C, grape seed oil is able to help the skin with the production of collagen.

There are plenty of products you can use to smooth out wrinkles and fine lines, but most of these products are only temporary.  Whereas, a natural oil like grape seed can offer a more permanent solution.

As we age, our bodies produce less and less collagen, which is the cause of fine lines, wrinkles and blemishes.  So, it makes sense to use a natural oil like grapeseed to help beat the aging process, and keep you looking younger.

Grape seed extract is a way of taking it as a supplement, and has been extensively researched around the globe. 

It is excellent for your circulatory system, and can help relieve varicose veins and spider veins.  It is also useful in helping with a number of other conditions such as;

• premenstrual syndrome
• dental cavities
• cancer
• chronic venous insufficiency (damaged valves in the veins, carrying blood to the heart)

Grapeseed oil is widely used in cooking by many great chefs, and becoming more popular for the health conscious, to have a bottle in their kitchen pantry, next to the olive oil of course!

It is cholesterol free and will help lower low density lipoproteins (LDL), bad cholesterol, and raise high density lipoproteins (HDL), good cholesterol.

You can use the oil for stir fries, marinades, salad dressings, baking and deep-frying.  Until I did this post, I never considered using grape seed oil for cooking, I now use it all the time. 

Grape seed oil is largely used as massage oil, and gives great relief for the tired and stressed out body.

If you are considering taking a supplement, take only the best, natural, synthetic and chemical free supplements.

It is extremely important in this day and age, to buy from companies which strive to give its consumers the best, and the most natural, organic products.

Remember, when taking grape seed oil supplements, you need to take them consistently over a period of time, to reap the benefits.

Health Benefits of Avocado Oil

 Summary
A large body of scientific evidence supports a move from the traditional Western diet, rich in saturated fat and sugars, to one similar to that consumed in the Mediterranean area, as being more healthful. Avocado oil has a composition closely resembling olive oil and can be directly substituted for it in a healthful cuisine.

Introduction
Cold pressing of avocados produces very high-quality oil with very low levels of acidity and oxidation products whilst retaining the vitamin E content.(Eyres et al 2001)

Avocado oil has very desirable qualities as a food oil, but does it bring health benefits? While there may well be constituents not yet explored, several have defined health effects. The oil is very similar to olive oil, which is a basis of the healthful Mediterranean diet, the key similarity being that Avocado oil is very rich in monounsaturated fatty acids and extremely low in saturated fat. It also contains no cholesterol.

Raised blood cholesterol level - Effect of monounsaturates 
An elevated level of blood (low density lipoprotein, LDL) cholesterol is an established risk factor for coronary heart disease (CHD). This led to the popular media describing it as the "Bad" cholesterol. Early work in the 1950s suggested that diets rich in fat and cholesterol were associated with the rising prevalence of this disease. The Framingham population study identified raised blood cholesterol levels [now known to be LDL] as one of the major risk factors.

It was broadly believed that saturated fats raised blood (LDL) cholesterol levels, polyunsaturates [later changed to omega-six polyunsaturates] reduced those levels, and monounsaturates were neutral.

Subsequent work showed that this was not correct, and that monounsaturates actually did lower LDL cholesterol. A variety of hypotheses were formed. Although ultimately a whole host of potential candidate components of the diet were described, the fact that the main fat component, olive oil, was predominantly a monounsaturated fat was a probable explanation. A diet proportionally high in monounsaturates has also been recently proposed as suitable for diabetics so long as other factors such as exercise and sufficient fruit and vegetables are included in the so called Mediterranean protocol.

Table 1 Fatty Acid Composition of Food Oils

		Omega-9	Omega-6	Omega-3
Food	Stats	MUFA (oleate)	Linoleate	a-linolenate
Avocado oil	13.4	72	9	0.5
Olive oil	17.3	66.8	11.8	0.6
Peanut butter	21.6	51.6	26.2	-
Maize oil(corn oil)	17.2	28.7	47.8	1.5
Canola oil	7.8	58.2 20.8	10.1
Wheat germ oil	20.1	15.4	53.6	10.4
Almonds	8.3	70.9	19.1	0.5


NB Avocado is even lower than olive in saturated fatty acid content
MUFA abbreviated form of monounsaturated fatty acids

Substitution of monounsaturates for saturates even without a change in total fat will result in a substantial reduction in LDL cholesterol level.

Effect of phytosterols (Beta Sitosterol)
Food cholesterol is absorbed into the body along with other food lipids, but some of it is excreted back into the intestine in the bile, along with cholesterol-derived compounds called bile acids. These various sterols can then be reabsorbed further down the intestine, forming an excretion/reabsorption cycle.

A considerable number of such phytosterols have been studied, as they are quite widely distributed in plant foods. Quantitatively the most significant has been beta-sitosterol, but campesterol and stigmasterol are also present in many foods. Phytosterol content of several foods is given in Table II.

Table II Beta-Sitosterol levels of plant oils

Source	Range %	Typical %
Avocado Oil	0.4 - 0.9	0.5
Saw Palmetto	0.2 - 0.5	0.3
Olive Oil	0.2 - 0.3	0.25
Sterol Spread	8.0	8.0

In almost all people phystosterols are nontoxic. Safety studies on phytosterols by various regulatory agencies show that there are no significant safety issues even with more than 2g/d intake.

Absorbed sitosterol has beneficial effects in increasing plasminogen activation [which is depressed by cholesterol], and also seems to enhance conversion of linoleate to other essential polyunsaturated fatty acids. These effects are likely to have a beneficial effect on risk of CHD.

Other health benefits of phytosterols
Sitosterol has been used in the management of a variety of other conditions, notably benign prostatic hypertrophy as carried out in a trial reported in The Lancet and in fact is the basis of drugs sold in Germany for this purpose. There is evidence that phytosterols may reduce the risk of prostate cancer at least in animal models.

Vitamin E
Vitamin E actually represents a mixture of at least eight compounds, called tocopherols and tocotrienols.

Several studies, especially a longitudinal one involving tens of thousands of subjects, reported there was a clear negative correlation between dietary vitamin E intake and risk of coronary heart disease. The reduction of risk was around 30-40%. Among those taking supplements, there was a greater benefit except for those at the highest levels, where there was less benefit.

It is well known that Vitamin E plays a role in aiding skin appearance and it is interesting and logical to speculate that a healthy oil diet containing this vitamin will assist in having a good complexion!!!

Lipid oxidation products
One aspect of food oils, which is often forgotten, is the propensity to being oxidized. Polyunsaturated fatty acids especially are prone to air oxidation. The adverse sensory properties of oxidized lipids has led to a need to add artificial antioxidants to some seed oils, although any benefit is often negated by exposing them to light in clear containers. Oils should optimally be sold in dark bottles, with instructions to store in the dark, and preferably kept under nitrogen until used.

It is not widely recognized however that lipid oxidation products have adverse health effects as well. Indeed a major defense system in the body works hard to prevent lipid oxidation whether that be lipids in cell structures or in the circulation.

New Zealand avocado oil has very low peroxide values, indicating that there has been very little oxidation, and is bottled under nitrogen in dark bottles.

Chlorophyll
Virgin avocado oil is distinctly green due to a high chlorophyll content (40-60mg/kg). While this might pose a risk of oxidative effects when exposed to light, earlier moves to decolorize the oil showed that consumers like the presence of chlorophyll, which is credited with health benefits. The rich colour of the avocado oil is due to a combination of the chlorophyll and lutein.

Summary and conclusions
This paper demonstrates that avocado oil, carefully prepared and stored, contains components which can bring many health benefits, while also providing the sensory and culinary benefits expected of a food oil. The oil because of its nutritional benefits is an excellent contributor to a healthy and balanced diet and is of particular benefit in diets which help to prevent coronary heart disease, diabetes and possibly prostrate problems.

Dr. John Birkbeck is professor of nutrition at Massey University (previously Otago) and has been seen as an expert in his field for many years.

References
Gey KF, Brubacher GB and Stahelin HB: Plasma levels of antioxidant vitamins in relation to ischemic heart disease and cancer. Am J Clin Nutr 1987;45:1368-1377.

Watts GF, Lewis B, Brunt JNH, Lewis ES, Coltart DJ, Smith LDR, Mann JI and Swan AV: Effects on coronary artery disease of lipid-lowering diet, or diet plus cholestyramine, in the St Thomas' Atherosclerosis Regression Study (STARS). Lancet 1992;339:563-569.

Kromhout D: Diet and cardiovascular diseases. J Nutr Hlth and Aging 2001;5:144-149.

Eyres L, Sherpa N and Hendriks G: Avocado oil: a new edible oil from Australasia. Lipid Technol 2001;Vol 13, no 4:84-88.

By John Birkbeck

Health Benefits of Coconut Oil

 The health benefits of coconut oil include hair care, skin care, stress relief, maintaining cholesterol levels, weight loss, increased immunity, proper digestion and metabolism, relief from kidney problems, heart diseases, high blood pressure, diabetes, HIV and cancer, dental care, and bone strength. These benefits of coconut oil can be attributed to the presence of lauric acid, capric acid and caprylic acid, and its properties such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, antifungal, antibacterial, soothing, etc.

How is Lauric Acid Used by our body?

The human body converts lauric acid into monolaurin which is claimed to help in dealing with viruses and bacteria causing diseases such as herpes, influenza, cytomegalovirus, and even HIV. It helps in fighting harmful bacteria such as listeria monocytogenes and heliobacter pylori, and harmful protozoa such as giardia lamblia. As a result of these various health benefits of coconut oil, though its exact mechanism of action was unknown, it has been extensively used in Ayurveda, the traditional Indian medicinal system. The Coconut Research Center has compiled various references on scientific research done on coconut oil.

Before we move on to the benefits of coconut oil in detail, let us understand its composition.

Composition of Coconut Oil:

Coconut oil consists of more than ninety percent of saturated fats (Don’t panic! First read to the last word. Your opinion may change), with traces of few unsaturated fatty acids, such as monounsaturated fatty acids and polyunsaturated fatty acids. Virgin Coconut Oil is no different from this. Let us have a bit detailed study of this.

   The Saturated Fatty Acids: Most of them are Medium Chain Triglycerides, which are supposed to assimilate well. Lauric Acid is the chief contributor, with more than forty percent of the share, followed by Capric Acid, Caprylic Acid, Myristic Acid and Palmitic.

  The Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids: Linoleic Acid.

  The Monounsaturated Fatty Acids: Oleic Acid.

  The Poly-phenols: Gallic Acid, which is phenolic acid. These poly-phenols are supposed to be responsible for the fragrance and the taste of Coconut Oil and Virgin Coconut Oil is rich in these poly-phenols.

  Certain derivatives of fatty acid like Betaines, Ethanolamide, Ethoxylates, Fatty Esters, Fatty Polysorbates, Monoglycerides and Polyol Esters.

  Fatty Chlorides, Fatty Alcohol Sulphate and Fatty Alcohol Ether Sulphate, all of which are derivatives of Fatty Alcohols.

  Vitamin-E and Vitamin K and minerals such as Iron.

Let us now explore the benefits of coconut oil in detail:

Hair Care:

Coconut oil is one of the best natural nutrition for hair. It helps in healthy growth of hair providing them a shiny complexion. Regular massage of the head with coconut oil ensures that your scalp is free of dandruff, lice, and lice eggs, even if your scalp is dry. Coconut oil is extensively used in the Indian sub-continent for hair care. It is an excellent conditioner and helps in the re-growth of damaged hair. It also provides the essential proteins required for nourishing damaged hair. It is therefore used as hair care oil and used in manufacturing various conditioners, and dandruff relief creams. Coconut oil is normally applied topically for hair care.

Skin Care:

Coconut oil is excellent massage oil for the skin as well. It acts as an effective moisturizer on all types of skins including dry skin. The benefit of coconut oil on the skin is comparable to that of mineral oil. Further, unlike mineral oil, there is no chance of having any adverse side effects on the skin with the application of coconut oil. Coconut oil therefore is a safe solution for preventing dryness and flaking of skin. It also delays wrinkles, and sagging of skin which normally become prominent with age. Coconut oil also helps in treating various skin problems including psoriasis, dermatitis, eczema and other skin infections. Therefore coconut oil forms the basic ingredient of various body care products such as soaps, lotions, creams, etc., used for skin care. Coconut oil also helps in preventing premature aging and degenerative diseases due to its antioxidant properties.

Heart Diseases:

There is a misconception spread among many people that coconut oil is not good for the heart. This is because it contains a large quantity of saturated fats. However, coconut oil is beneficial for the heart. It contains about 50% lauric acid, which helps in preventing various heart problems including high cholesterol levels and high blood pressure.

The saturated fats present in coconut oil are not harmful as it happens in case of other vegetables oils. It does not lead to increase in LDL levels. It also reduces the incidence of injury in arteries and therefore helps in preventing atherosclerosis.

Weight Loss

Coconut oil is very useful in reducing weight. It contains short and medium-chain fatty acids that help in taking off excessive weight. It is also easy to digest and it helps in healthy functioning of the thyroid and enzymes systems. Further, it increases the body metabolism by removing stress on pancreases, thereby burning out more energy and helping obese and overweight people reduce their weight. Hence, people living in tropical coastal areas, who eat coconut oil daily as their primary cooking oil, are normally not fat, obese or overweight.

Digestion

Internal use of coconut oil occurs primarily as cooking oil. Coconut oil helps in improving the digestive system and thus prevents various stomach and digestion related problems including irritable bowel syndrome. The saturated fats present in coconut oil have anti microbial properties and help in dealing with various bacteria, fungi, parasites, etc., that cause indigestion. Coconut oil also helps in absorption of other nutrients such as vitamins, minerals and amino acids.

Immunity:

Coconut oil is also good for the immune system. It strengthens the immune system as it contains antimicrobial lipids, lauric acid, capric acid and caprylic acid which have antifungal, antibacterial and antiviral properties. The human body converts lauric acid into monolaurin which is claimed to help in dealing with viruses and bacteria causing diseases such as herpes, influenza, cytomegalovirus, and even HIV. It helps in fighting harmful bacteria such as listeria monocytogenes and heliobacter pylori, and harmful protozoa such as giardia lamblia.

Healing and Infections

When applied on infections, it forms a chemical layer which protects the infected body part from external dust, air, fungi, bacteria and virus. Coconut oil is most effective on bruises as it speeds up the healing process by repairing damaged tissues.

Infections: Coconut oil is very effective against a variety of infections due to its antifungal, antiviral, and antibacterial properties. According to the Coconut Research Center, coconut oil kills viruses that cause influenza, measles, hepatitis, herpes, SARS, etc. It also kills bacteria that cause ulcers, throat infections, urinary tract infections, pneumonia, and gonorrhea, etc. Coconut oil is also effective on fungi and yeast that cause candidiasis, ringworm, athlete's foot, thrush, diaper rash, etc.

Other:

Liver: The presence of medium chain triglycerides and fatty acids helps in preventing liver diseases as they substances are easily converted into energy when they reach the liver, thus reducing work load on the liver and also preventing accumulation of fat.

Kidney: Coconut oil helps in preventing kidney and gall bladder diseases. It also helps in dissolving kidney stones.

Pancreatitis: Coconut oil is also believed to be useful in treating pancreatitis.

Stress Relief: Coconut oil is very soothing and hence it helps in removing stress. Applying coconut oil to the head followed with a gentle massage helps in removing mental fatigue.

Diabetes: Coconut oil helps in controlling blood sugar, and improves the secretion of insulin. It also helps in effective utilization of blood glucose, thereby preventing and treating diabetes.

Bones: As mentioned earlier, coconut oil improves the ability of our body to absorb important minerals. These include calcium and magnesium which are necessary for development of bones. Thus coconut oil is very useful to women who are prone to osteoporosis after middle age.

Dental Care: Calcium is an important element present in teeth. Since coconut oil facilitates absorption of calcium by the body, it helps in getting strong teeth. Coconut oil also stops tooth decay.

HIV and Cancer: It is believed that coconut oil plays an instrumental role in reducing viral susceptibility of HIV and cancer patients. Preliminary research has shown indications of the effect of coconut oil on reducing the viral load of HIV patients . 

Finally, coconut oil is often preferred by athletes and body builders and by those who are dieting. The reason behind this being that coconut oil contains lesser calories than other oils, its fat content is easily converted into energy and it does not lead to accumulation of fat in the heart and arteries. Coconut oil helps in boosting energy and endurance, and enhances the performance of athletes.