Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => Alternative Therapies => Topic started by: babyjane on December 30, 2016, 02:45:57 PM
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I read about coconut oil on this forum a while back, that it can be helpful for all sorts of things including constipation. I decided to get some and since then I have used it successfully to sooth a vaginal tear whilst it healed and it certainly does help with constipation. I have not had a day's trouble since a few days after starting to use it.
I just have a quarter of a teaspoonful melted in my porridge each morning, that's all. I started with a half teaspoon but I got tummy pains and went to the loo rather too much! :o
thank you to the members who took time to recommend this product. I have not tried it as a sexual lubricant but I am sure it is just as effective for that as well :)
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I love coconut milk to drink, it's creamy as the whole milk/nut is crushed into a can. :-*
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I use coconut oil for moisturisering and as a deodorant after shaving. I didn't know it helped with constipation. I do use it for cooking some dishes and haven't noticed any difference, but I'll give it a try.
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After 8 weeks I have also noticed that my dry eyes are so very much better and I am not slathering on the hand cream as much as my hands are not so dry :)
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Yes, yes Sparkle. When I had a split in the skin by my vagina I found it incredibly soothing whilst it healed. It certainly won't hurt you. Maybe check the use by date hasn't expired. x
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I'm a bit slow this evening - by dropping a small amount into your breakfast you have found your eyes are less dry? Mine wake me in the night, with a feeling of grit behind the eye-lids and very sore ....... would it help?
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Yes CLKD that's exactly it, half a teaspoon in my porridge each morning and I no longer use my eye drops twice a day but once a day and they don't burn or feel gritty. the same happened with fish oils but they gave me heartburn. My bowels are also more friendly and no longer need coaxing :)
Sounds ridiculous and I would not have believed it if I read it myself.
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hope it helps sparkle x
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I brought a jar of coconut oil from aldi today and was wondering what I could use it for.
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Why did you buy it B4 having an idea of what to use it for ;D
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Saw a piece on 'Truth or Scare' this morning with Gloria Hunniford and coconut oil was discussed. Apparently it is 92% saturated fat!!!! Far better to be using olive oil or even butter or lard! So I don't think I'll be cooking with it any time soon.
S x
https://authoritynutrition.com/top-10-evidence-based-health-benefits-of-coconut-oil/
'Coconut oil has been demonized in the past because it contains saturated fat.
In fact, coconut oil is one of the richest sources of saturated fat known to man, with almost 90% of the fatty acids in it being saturated (1).
However, new data is showing that saturated fats are mostly harmless. Many studies with hundreds of thousands of people have found no link to heart disease (2).
Additionally, coconut oil doesn't contain your average saturated fats, like the ones you would find in cheese or steak.
They contain Medium Chain Triglycerides (MCTs) – which are fatty acids of a medium length.
Most of the fatty acids in the diet are long-chain fatty acids, but the medium-chain fatty acids in coconut oil are metabolized differently.
They go straight to the liver from the digestive tract, where they are used as a quick source of energy or turned into so-called ketones, which can have therapeutic effects on brain disorders like epilepsy and Alzheimer's'.
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Thanks for the link/info, babyjane.
All I can contribute from a Brazilian tropical point of view is that since coconuts have been brought here by the first Portuguese ships in 1553, this plant has thrived and been part of our culture/health in many ways and none of them are negative. When I caught dengue fever almost a year ago I would have starved if not for coconut water, I couldn't eat anything for 14 days.
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Brought it as it was so cheap, just thought I'm bound to find a reason to use it ;D I had a teaspoon in my breakfast today
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well its cured my constipation so it gets the thumbs up from me :)
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I think coconut oil/butter is incredible for many things - including helping keep herpes at bay.
I started using it instead of butter or olive oil, spreading it thickly on rice cakes. Yum, loved it.
However, i discovered it was making my hot flushes worse. I thought it helped balance hormones (thyroid in particular)... and maybe it does in some women.
I was digging deep into the internet to try to find help for hot flushes, and found a forum where a few women stated it was making flushes worse. I immediately stopped eating it and noticed a difference almost straightaway. I still have horrible hot flushes (just started HRT), but not as many as I was having when I ate coconut oil. Now, it's important to state I was eating a LOT - about 2 tablespoons a day. I haven't risked taking smaller amounts to test if it's OK to do that. It's a pity, as I do think it's a good fat to eat :(
I don't think it affects all women in this way, but just wanted to share this as an FYI here.
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It's an oil - hence the Very Good Clear Out ;). Oily fish can have the same effect for me :-X ...... I love coconut 'milk' :-X
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I have been having porridge oats (heaped tbsp. or so), chia seeds(des sp) and a teaspoon of coconut oil and handful of dried fruit all soaked in boiling water for 3 minutes for breakfast. You need quite a bit of boiling water because the chia absorbs a lot - so like a potage - then it dries up.
I started it because of a vegan porridge that I bought and liked, but was very expensive.
It covers a lot of bases - eating the right fats, lots of soluble fibre etc, so it is good to read about the coconut oil. Unfortunately, it also requires kiwi fruit to keep my intestines on the go ::) but I have found some cute baby ones in M&S (damned expensive - cancels out the cheaper vegan porridge ;D )
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Only recently have I discovered the benefits of coconut oil.
Useful advice found on the net: the oil can be made into pessaries / suppositories - by shaping with a spoon to whatever size required or using moulds (if melted) then keep in the fridge. Will definitely give this a try. Much cheaper than buying Vit E pessaries.
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My vegan porridge seems to be having positive effects 8) I need some more coconut oil. I tried using some in my dry hair - it smells a bit strong :madeyes: but the effect does wear off during the day.
I am avoiding the kiwi fruit as I just don't like them very much, even though they have a good effect. I am having one every 2-3 days.
I have added an orange to the breakfast. Someone told me they give you energy :scottie: I think that is probably a bit far fetched, but they are a good source of vitamin C and fibre, so I have nothing to lose ;)
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Hair also likes pure moroccan argan oil (the organic oil, not shampoos with it in) well mine does anyway. Work it through hair, especially the ends, wait 30 minutes and then shampoo as usual. Magic :)
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I am learning such a lot about coconut oil. I recently bought a big tub and was wondering how to use it internally. Good idea Night_Owl! I love the idea of adding a teaspoon to porridge. I have been trying prunes which help. Also kiwi can ease things along but now have a third idea thanks to this helpful thread! Gonna try and will report back. I have had constipation issues on and off for a while. I do a colon massage which isn't what it sounds. :-\ More like a tummy massage. That helps too.