Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil

I'm very strict with my diet. I eat only organic foods, practice CRON (calorie restriction with optimal nutrition), eat minimal carbs and lots of nutrients. I've tested 7 brands of organic coconut oil -- Nature's Way, Nutiva, Spectrum Naturals, Bronner's, Ziggy Marley Organics, VivaLabs, and 2 small scale raw food companies. Nature's Way and VivaLabs are the best so far. The aroma of Nature's Way and VivaLabs both are wonderful. The texture is much fuller than the other brands. This coconut oil has bolder taste and less watered-down feeling than the other brands. I know that the way coconut oil (and all oils for that matter) is processed is very important. Better processing methods preserve more nutrients, increase the natural flavor and aroma, and improved digestibility. So if you're looking for a good organic coconut oil, this is one by Nature's Way is excellent, as is VivaLabs brand too. Now for some quick facts about how amazingly healthy this stuff is: 1) Medium chain fatty acids --> Digest very easily without requiring the gall bladder to do much work. Most fats require the body to work harder for digestion. Medium chain fatty acids energy the blood stream very quickly, with less digestion time than slow or long chain fatty acids, found in other oils. This makes coconut oil excellent for people missing gallbladders, having digestive problems or suffering from chronic fatigue. 2) Converts to usable energy very quickly. Coconut oil is a much more balanced and less manic energy than any carbohydrate (fructose, lactose, glucose, etc). Carbohydrate break down quickly and elevate blood sugar and insulin levels rapidly. This creates the surge and crash. With coconut oil, the energy is delivered more slowly and evenly than carbs. Many people feel deeply nourished by coconut oil, like the food energy goes deeper within the body. 3) Anti-viral, anti-parasitic, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal. Coconut oil keeps your digestive system very clean inside. It will destroy candida, and common cold bacteria and flu viruses. This helps to balance intestinal (probiotic) bacteria and gives the immune system support. Less sickness and more energy! 4) Longer lasting energy without insulin levels being adversely affected. Fats are the cleanest burning energy for our body. Carbohydrates cause insulin levels to raise and crash, which is what creates the "eat every 3 hours" cravings that so many people this is hunger. Healthy fats, like this oil, will not affect insulin and give us much more stable energy that last longer in the body. 5) Tastes great. Smells great. 6) Can be used topically to make the skin very soft. Coconut oil is absorbed directly into the skin to nourish it (like a food for the skin), unlike most cosmetic moisturizers create a coating on top the skin. These often leave residue or cause long-term dryness by unbalancing the body's innate skin oil balance. Coconut supports the skin's natural oil balance. This also helps to reduce wrinkles! 7) Great for hair and can be used as a leave-on conditioner. Like it's skin use, coconut oil will not imbalance the hair's natural oils.... unlike chemical-based conditioners. Plus, because coconut is anti-"everything bad" it will keep the hair clean too. Because there are so many different types of hair (dry, cracking, split ends, oily, curly, straight, etc) experiment with what works best. Try applying the oil only the the ends for extra protection from split ends. Or only to the scalp to stop dandruff (caused by scalp bacteria, often candida) or prevent hair loss. 8)Natural soap for the body. Myself, some of my friends and others use coconut oil as a soap for the body. Most bar soaps and liquid bath soaps remove the skin's natural oils and create dry skin. In fact, most people have dry skin and fail to see that the bath soap is causing it! We still need to clean our skin, but using coconut oil is better than soap in many cases. You may want to soap under the armpits, between the legs, on the hands and feet. But for the arms, legs, and torso (areas prone to dryness) try using only coconut oil. Here's the protocol that I use. 1) Dry skin brush my entire body before stepping in the shower, to remove dead skin cells and increase blood flow to the skin (redness is good). 2) Rise the body with hot water to open the pores and increase blood flow to the skin. 3) Use a wet cloth or your hand to rub the skin rinse clean any loose skin cells. 4) Turn off the water and use your fingers/hands to rub a light layer of coconut oil everywhere (minus your head hair). A light layer is all that is needed. Apply with your skin still wet and you'll see the water bead up. 5) Turn back on the water, this time to warm/cool, and rise off the excess coconut oil. Run your hand lightly over your skin to spread the excess coconut oil into places that may have less, and to help remove the excess altogether. Lightly is the key - you don't want to remove the oil completely. 6) Exit the shower and lightly tap dry your skin with a towel (do not rub your take off the oil) or air dry. The skin will absorb the coconut oil in a few minutes. Your skin will be soft to the touch and not oily. Don't worry, coconut is not like other oils - it won't stain your clothes or make them smell rancid. 9) Sunscreen and suntan lotion. Coconut oil protects the skin from the effects too much sunlight. Technically, coconut oil does not block the sunlight, like a UV sunblock would. Instead it prevents the harmful chemical reaction skin bacteria and skin fungus can have when exposed to the suns UV rays. It also moisturizes the skin, reflects back some light (the shine), and prevents sunburn. Personally, I lay out in the summertime sun in Arizona, Florida and Hawaii and when wearing coconut oil I can be out for 4-6 hours and not burn. In these powerful suns, 30 minutes to 1 hour of exposure without coconut oil and my skin is red and will peel days later. Although coconut oil does not block UV, it does wonders to protect the skin and create a great tan. 10) Can be used as a sexual lubricant. Coconut oil is a natural anti-viral, anti-fungal, and anti-bacterial lubricant which helps keep these organs clean and reduce the spread of unwanted problem. 11) Coconut oil detox cleanse. The medium chain fatty acids make this and ideal food for detox cleanses because the energy is available with minimal digestive effort, plus all of it's anti-"everything bad" properties. The detox cleanse is a 3 to 7 day process where all carbohydrate foods are removed and coconut oil is eaten as the primary energy source (approx. 14 Tablespoons each day). The oil can be combined with organic lemon water as well. You can find the instructions by Googling "Natural News Coconut Oil Cleanse". This is a very powerful detoxification because the bad guys are being killed by the oil. So be mindful. That's it! I hope you enjoyed this review. The bottom line is that coconut oil is simply amazing! Nature's Way and VivaLabs brands are the best I've found so far. Enjoy! *** Update: I found a good website for coconut oil information and recipes. It has summaries of many studies on coconut oil. Visit coconutdiet (dotcom)

For my dog: I have been using this oil for a couple weeks now on & off. I have just started giving it to my dog (who has been limping & having trouble rising from a sitting & laying position)for about a week now. HE LOVES IT! He can't wait to get his dog treat in the morning with it smeared on one side and in the afternoon it is the first thing he eats out of his food (I put about a tablespoon sized dollop on top of his dry dog food). I have definitely noticed an improvement in his mobility & his coat seems to be much softer. I had also done some research & found out that it will eliminate stinky dog breath! I can't wait for that to happen. It is safe for cats too... If you want to know more about giving it to your pets, just do a Google search using the words "coconut oil for my pets" and plenty of info will be at your fingertips! :) For my kids: I have done extensive research on Coconut oil & the benefits it has on our bodies. I can tell you that the antiviral benefit it has definitely works. My son (recently turned 12)just recently had a virus that included coughing, a sore throat and had caused him to break out in a rash that only spread onto one side of his body... Doctor said it had to run it's course. I started giving him some of this oil on toast with the normal butter & cinnamon sugar & within a couple days he started getting better. We stopped giving him the oil & he got sick again... So we started the oil again, but this time HE was putting it on things, himself, to eat--he realized that it was making him better the first time. I think that maybe we didn't give it enough time to work the first time. For my daughter: After a couple of days of sleeping a ton, being very sick & calling me at work crying because she couldn't stay awake, I took my daughter (13 y.o. then, 17 y.o. now) to the doctor & she was diagnosed with Mono. The doctor explained to me that it is part of the Epstein Barr family (cold sores, herpes, etc.) and that there isn't any kind of medicine that can "cure" the illness. He explained that she would sleep a lot, that I needed to call her school & tell them what she had & that she would only be there half days for a few months. I was deflated, stressed & couldn't believe there was nothing I could do for her. I had recently read a book that included coconut oil as a way to detox, lose weight, boost metabolism and so many others and had bought some oil to cook with & take daily. I had done a search & read as much as I could about the coconut & remembered reading that it killed the Epstein Barr virus. I went straight to my computer when I got home & did another search & found the article I had read. I decided to give my daughter the oil twice a day to see if it helped her. I called her down & melted the oil in a spoon & had her take it that afternoon & then again later that evening. The next morning before I left for work I gave her another dose. She called me around lunch time very happy and excited and said she wasn't tired and could stay awake. I remember thinking that the oil was working and was very relieved, but still a bit hesitant. When I got home to my surprise, she was very excited, wide awake & for the first time since she was sick, was chipper and I could tell she was getting back to her old self. I gave her another dose of the oil that evening & for a few days after and she was all better. The oil had killed the virus and restored her health. This stuff is amazing... it cooks food well & is fabulous for your skin. If you burn in the sun, this will help prevent that as well. If you are a coconut user this stuff is great... If you're not, this is worth a try.

This coconut oil has a rich, thick texture; a pleasing, aromatic scent; and a deep, rich, pleasant flavor. It works well on skin. I use it for dry skin on my face and anywhere else I have dry skin. It is great for that. It is "cleaner" feeling than some other brands I have tried. I use it for cooking. Its great in rice or oatmeal. It is also great in smoothies and desserts. You can put it in almost anything. mmmmmmmmmmmm. Some brands of coconut oil are watery. Some smell funny. Some don't taste good. This one avoids all of those traps. Coconut oil is also more than just moist skin, good taste, and good scent. Doctors and scientists have noticed the positive health benefits of using this amazing substance. Dr. Mary Newport wrote a book, Alzheimer's Disease: What If There Was a Cure? , about the positive effects coconut oil has had on her husband's Alzheimer's disease as well as many other peoples various conditions. It improved Mr. Newport's functioning in all areas of his life. From drawing, to memory, to walking, to happiness and energy. He was quoted as saying, " It was like a light bulb came on when I took the coconut oil,". There are many other benefits to using coconut oil as well. This excerpt is from the description section of The Coconut Oil Miracle by Dr. Bruce Fife. As with anything, be skeptical, but also be open minded. "Natural coconut oil is nature's perfect food. Unlike the hydrogenated versions found in processed food, this uniquely curative elixir has been show to have countless health benefits. When taken as a dietary supplement, used in cooking, or applied directly to the skin, coconut oil has been found to: Promote weight loss Help prevent heart disease, cancer, diabetes, arthritis, and many other degenerative diseases Strengthen the immune system Improve digestion Prevent premature aging of the skin Beautify skin and hair" Over all I think coconut oil is a worthy investment for anyone and this is a great brand to try. Plus my mom loves it.

If you want the benefits of coconut oil (or any oil) then ideally choose an unrefined product, usually labeled as virgin or sometimes as extra virgin. Virgin oils are extracted by a mechanical method such as expeller pressing and if it's pressed under temperature-controlled conditions (not exceeding 120°F) is referred to a "cold-pressed". As you can imagine, this is considerably better than extraction with a petrochemical solvent such as hexane. Ideally, it should also be organic, unbleached, and free of any added ingredients. The Nature's way product achieves all of these criteria. They have updated their product labels (for 32 oz and Prime Pantry versions) but switched from using the correct term "pure virgin" to the incorrect term "extra virgin" (extra virgin is specific to olive oil), and also don't state "cold pressed" any more (but their website does) - their marketing dept. needs to work on that. I tried Nutiva's Refined Coconut Oil recently - they take dried coconut (copra) and extract the oil using only steam (avoiding chemicals and maintaining organic status). The main benefit from this is a 50°F increase in the smoke point (to 400°F) compared to unrefined coconut oil. It loses the coconut flavor in the process, which I miss, but it's more suitable for stir fries (if you like to crank up the heat) or for baking. Cooking with the Nature's Way coconut oil is nice - it adds a slightly sweet, faintly coconutty flavor to the food but it won't dominate other flavors. Popcorn popped in the oil is especially good! The smoke point is about 25°F lower than that of extra virgin olive oil so don't use super-high heat. It's also a very good moisturizer and a tiny bit goes a long way. The Coconut Oil Miracle book is worth a read (or at least a skim; it's very repetitive) - it may be responsible for a good part of the resurgence in coconut oil sales. I think everyone would agree by now that not all fats are equal, and the medium chain saturated fatty acids in coconut oil are definitely a world apart from the longer unsaturated fats found in conventional vegetable oil. One of the most interesting aspects for me is that unsaturated fat in vegetable oil can generate free radicals when exposed to high heat during extraction (i.e. those oils not labeled as "cold-pressed" or "expeller-pressed") or high-temperature cooking or even just prolonged storage. These free radicals can cause aging and cancer. If you use regular vegetable oil (or seed oils like sunflower, canola, etc.) it's best to store it in the fridge to avoid oxidation, or at least in a cool place away from light - their shelf life is actually less than a year once opened. Because coconut oil is high in saturated fat it's actually slow to oxidize and therefore stable for longer than vegetable oils. Sustainability: Organic coconut oil has a significantly lower environmental impact than soy or corn oil grown in the US. In the 80's the American Soybean Association tried to kill coconut oil imports, falsely suggesting that it was a leading cause of heart disease. Coconut oil has been making a comeback however - good news for Pacific nations like the Philippines where coconut farming supports a large part of the economy. Like many of the major brands, the Nature's Way oil comes in a plastic container; it's #2 plastic so it's recyclable in most areas, but that's not as sustainable as glass. Glass may be a little heavier to ship but it can be recycled over and over, while plastic has a limited lifespan and is also dirtier to manufacture. Nature's Way has nothing to say on their website about sustainability (energy use, waste, impact on communities, etc.), so either they don't do a lot on these fronts or they're just not good at marketing, or a little of both. One of the popular alternatives to Nature's way is Nutiva, which donates 1% of sales to sustainable agriculture and has a lot more to say about their social and environmental responsibility. Just comparing the labeling on the two products, there's not a huge difference. However, Nutiva makes a good effort to support local communities, reduce waste, use renewable energy and offset the remainder by planting trees. So, overall I'll give the Nature's Way Coconut Oil 5/5 gold stars for quality of the product and 4/5 "green" stars based on the social-ethical-environmental aspects of producing it. It's organically grown and manufactured by cold-pressing, plus coconut oil is more sustainable than corn or soybean oil. But it would be nice to know more about the company from a social and environmental responsibility point of view; the product would get a fifth star if it was packaged in glass and was fair trade certified or if Nature's Way provided evidence that they make a commitment to the farming communities.

The product seems great, but fortunately, the seal held in the oil, because the lid was very loose. I think this probably was from the jar being knocked around in shipping since it came in one of the envelope packages instead of a box.

I want to begin by telling you that the quality of this product is excellent. Natural, pure and simple. Flavor and smell are light and pleasant; and its uses are many! I've handed this stuff out to friends and family and have not yet stopped hearing the benefits. More on that below I have been using coconut oil for over a year now. I use it internally and externally. Internally = weight loss, energy, immune support (more on that later) mood improvement, and over all great nutritional benefit. Externally = GORGEOUS skin. I want to say I have used $200 face creams, and still use sephora's anti-aging day and night cream. But....nothing has made as much of an impact on the over all health of my skin as this. I use it all over, as both face and body moisturizer. Pores are smaller, skin is EXTREMELY soft, breakouts are minimized - even the dreaded occasional body acne) and tone is honestly back to where it was when I was a teenager. I am in my early thirties and will use this for the rest of my life (another benefit: everyone thinks I'm younger when they meet me!). Now on to what inspired me to write this review. As I mentioned I have been handing this stuff out to everyone like its candy. I always hear back about how awesome it is! This morning though, I got a call that was so profound I had to share. After giving this to a friend who has been using it externally and internally they shared with me that they are HIV positive. They wanted to thank me for sharing this with them as they said it has made them feel like they haven't in years! They told me that not only are their levels better (the doctor was surprised and impressed), but they haven't had energy like this since they can't remember when. They equated the feeling of taking this internally to the difference between showering in the morning vs not. That they felt energized refreshed and ready for the day. Without it they noticed a difference. I am not here to advise anyone medically. But I just had to share this. If it worked so well for them maybe it will for you or someone you love who is HIV positive. There is some literature out there and studies being done on properties found in coconut oil being used in antiviral studies. Just saying. I will add here that they DO take daily medication from their doctor, and I would hesitate to ever encourage anyone to simply rely on natural remedies alone. However coconut oil makes a wonderful supplement to what you and your doctor have decided on in your health care regimen. Everyone could/should try using this. It simply is amazing. :) So raise a spoonful of coconut oil to your health!

After doing a lot of research, I found the diamond in the rough w/ Coconut Oil! Cheapest hair product for deep conditioning/pre-wash treatment & has the best results, hands down!! I use it exclusively on my hair and this jar has lasted me OVER a year! I'm Caucasian, have very dry, think curly hair that is naturally light brown (I think) and is processed regularly with blonde highlights and comes down past my chest in length. The Coco Oil not only conditions my curls and makes them look amazingly healthy, soft textured, defrizzed and most importantly; doesn't weigh them down!! (which is hard in FL for all hair) Not to mention the added hard water we get in my part of the state can really do some damage! I prefer big vibrant hair that doesn't require a ton of hair spray to achieve that look and is still soft & bouncy. This Coco Oil treatment, combined with the right post wash hair styling gels, mousses, pomades, etc. will make your hair look fantastic! Side Note: If I ever decide to try to cook with Coco Oil, I will definitely buy another jar for obvious sanitary reasons. No one wants hair in their food! Also, in between treatments, I will apply a TINY amount of Coconut Oil to the ends of my dry hair, if it's looking particularly dry. My Coco Hair Treatment Routine: Once a week, I put this on my hair while it's dry (and even if it's dirty) a few hours before I plan on showering. Do my house chores, catch up on emails, etc. and then rinse out the Coconut Oil followed with shampoo and conditioner. Yes, both shampoo & conditioner. Some tips: 1. I recommend removing all jewelry prior and wearing an old shirt that will go straight into the wash after your done. Don't worry, it won't stain your clothes. 2. Scoop a small amount amount out with your fingers (start w/ a about quarter size amount until you get the hang of it), then gently rub it in your hands and you'll see the texture will change from hard into more of an oil within seconds. 3. Apply the the newly transformed oil version of the Coco Oil onto either dry hair or damp (not wet) hair. This can be a little messy, so I recommend doing this while standing in the shower or w/ your head hanging over the tub just while your applying, since hair will be everywhere and drops of the Coco Oil will fall inevitably. 4. There will be some small solid chunks that won't really "melt in your hands" that you are transferring onto your hair/scalp. Don't forget your scalp by the way, give yourself a little head massage while you're at it. 5. Gently comb it through from the bottom up using a GOOD brush like a "Tangle Teazer Brush" (which is what I use & love. Doesn't break your hair while combing) or another high quality detangling brush 6. Then put your hair up in bun and let sit for a few hoursI Throw a shower cap on over if you want. It won't drip, but in case you feel the need to rest your head on something, use a towel/shower cap to keep it off furniture & what not. FYI: It's going to feel very "greasy" but don't be scared! It's not going to make your hair greasy, I promise! I have a lion's mane on my head, so this usually takes me a good 20/30 mins to apply since I have to separate my curls. 7. Finally, wash your hair w/ a good shampoo & conditioner that is sulfate free & style as usual. Hope this helps! Feel free to comment with questions.

I purchased this coconut oil back in 2013 for $8.99, when I just started using coconut oil. It is crazy to see how much the price has increased since then. If you are new to using coconut oil, and just want to try it out, this is a good size. Otherwise, for a few bucks more, you can get double this amount. Here are some ideas and tips for people just starting out. Lip Balm: Melt 1 part coconut oil to 1 part beeswax/soy wax/candelilla wax in a double boiler (small saucepan with water on bottom + medium heatproof bowl with ingredients on top = makeshift double boiler) over low heat. Mix the two melted ingredients until combined, let cool slightly, and then transfer the lip balm to desired containers like an old lip balm jar or perhaps an Altoids tin. For a creamier texture, add 1 part liquid oil, like olive oil. It’s easier to make a large amount of this lip balm at once. You can add flavors by adding a few drops of peppermint or vanilla extract, and they would make perfect gifts for friends! If you need to adjust the texture, just re-melt and add more beeswax or liquid oil. Add more beeswax if you want it harder and more liquid oil if you want it softer. Note that coconut oil has a melting temperature of 76F. So it’s possible for the lip balm to be hard in the winter and soft in the summer. In a pinch, you can use coconut oil on its own as lip balm. But in order to keep your lips moisturized, you will need to add humectants. Humectants attract water, whereas anti-humectants repel water. Coconut oil is an anti-humectant (oil and water do not mix). So you need something like beeswax (or soy wax for a vegan version) in order for coconut oil to really moisturize. Moisturizer: Heat and mix 2 parts coconut oil : 2 parts olive oil : 1 part beeswax in a double boiler over low heat. Let cool slightly, and then transfer to a mason jar. Alternatively, pour the melted ingredients into a mixing bowl, and let it cool until solidified but still soft. Use a hand mixer/whisk to whip into a body “butter”. You can use coconut oil on its own, but it is very greasy and doesn’t absorb very quickly. And it only acts as a temporary moisturizer. It is an anti-humectant and won’t keep in moisture. If you have acne-prone skin, do not use coconut oil on your face because it will clog your pores. Same goes for your chest and back if you get acne there. Use a non-comedogenic oil like sunflower, grape seed, or apricot seed oil instead. Makeup Remover: Place some coconut oil onto a tissue and wipe off your makeup using that tissue. If you have acne-prone skin, use it only on the eye area to remove stubborn makeup like waterproof mascara. For acne-prone skin, try using olive oil instead to remove face makeup with the same method. It’s less likely to clog pores and not as expensive as some other oils. Cooking/Baking: You can typically substitute butter with coconut oil one-to-one when used in cooking. This is good for anyone who is lactose intolerant or is on a vegan diet. Coconut oil adds a bit of sweet coconut flavor to cooked food. Try it in place of butter in chocolate cake. Do note that unrefined coconut oil has a smoking point of around 350F, so it is important not to go above that temperature when cooking with it. Try refined coconut oil for high temperature cooking. Oil Pulling: Take a tablespoon of coconut oil and swish it in your mouth for 10 – 15 minutes. Make sure not to swallow the oil since it will contain the bacteria you are trying to get rid of. When spitting out, spit onto a tissue/paper towel and throw it into the trashcan. Spitting the oil into your sink or toilet bowl can cause clogging. Do this morning and night before brushing your teeth and before eating/drinking. Summary: Good product with many uses. Go ahead and buy the bigger jar!