Coconut oil has various health benefits. To get these benefits, you can try the following method of making coconut oil at home. In addition to more guaranteed authenticity and safety, you can get the benefits of coconut oil optimally.
Coconut oil has a variety of ingredients that are good for health, such as lauric acid and saturated fat called medium chain triglycerides (MCT). This type of fat can be used by the liver to produce energy for the body.
Benefits of Coconut Oil
Before you try to make your own coconut oil, here are some important coconut oil benefits that you should know:
1. Prevent high cholesterol
Several studies say that coconut oil can increase levels of good cholesterol (HDL) and lower bad cholesterol (LDL) in the body. Therefore, coconut oil is called good for people with high cholesterol.
However, further research is still needed on the effectiveness of coconut oil in preventing high cholesterol.
2. Lose weight
Coconut oil is lower in calories than other types of oil. Therefore, the use of coconut oil is considered good for obese people.
In addition, the fat content of MCT types in coconut oil is believed to be able to lose weight. However, the amount of consumption should still be limited.
In addition to coconut oil, you are also encouraged to adopt a healthy diet and exercise regularly to lose weight.
3. Moisturizing skin
Coconut oil can be used as a natural moisturizer for the skin. You can apply coconut oil at least 2 times a day after bathing to keep the skin moist.
4. Get rid of head lice
Coconut oil is also believed to be effective in treating and preventing head lice. This benefit comes from the lauric acid content in coconut oil which is thought to act as a natural lice repellent.
However, the effectiveness and safety of coconut oil to eradicate head lice still requires further research.
5. Prevent diabetes
Coconut oil is able to regulate blood sugar levels and improve insulin resistance, so it is good for diabetics. However, because the type of fat in coconut oil is saturated fat, diabetics are advised to limit their intake of coconut oil.
How to Make Your Own Coconut Oil
To get the maximum variety of benefits of coconut oil above, you can try making your own coconut oil at home. Here are some steps:
Method 1: Boil the coconut
Prepare 4 cups of water, then heat until steamy. While waiting for the water to steam, grate 2 old coconuts. Mix grated coconut into hot water, then puree using a blender.
Strain the mashed coconut water using a tight sieve to get coconut milk. If the coconut milk has collected, boil it at medium temperature.
Keep stirring continuously until the water boils, steams, and the brown coconut milk separates from the oil. This process generally takes up to 1 hour.
Method 2: Sieve the coconut
Cut the old coconut flesh into small pieces. Blend until smooth and if needed, you can add water to make the process easier and faster.
Strain the results of the blender until it produces coconut milk. Add water and do it repeatedly to produce a lot of coconut milk. Leave the juice in a jar for 24 hours to separate the layers of coconut milk and coconut oil.
Method 3: Depositing the coconut
Use fresh coconut or unsalted grated coconut sold in stores. If using fresh coconut, cut it into small pieces and dry it for 1 day. However, if you use store-bought grated coconut, make sure you use a type with a rough surface.
Add the coconut to the blender little by little. Pour the results of the blender into a jar and store in a warm place for a full day. After that, the coconut oil will appear to appear on the surface, while the thick layer will settle to the bottom of the jar.
Although coconut oil offers a variety of health benefits, it still requires further research. Therefore, you are not advised to rely solely on coconut oil to maintain a healthy body.
To maintain a healthy body, apply a healthy lifestyle, such as exercising regularly, eating healthy and balanced nutrition, stopping smoking, and limiting the consumption of alcoholic beverages.
If you have certain health conditions and want to use coconut oil to treat the conditions you are experiencing, consult your doctor first to ensure its safety.