I am sure several times you have heard about virgin coconut oil. Coconut oil is available in two types, refined commercial, and virgin. This article will help you to choose the right coconut oil for your health, skin, and hair. Also, I will also try to enlighten why is virgin coconut oil good for hair and skin?
What is Virgin Coconut Oil?
Coconut oil is in use for edible purposes and for skin and hair nourishment for more than 2000 years. The incredible health benefitting traits of coconut oil had been documented in Ayurveda manuscripts Sushruta Samhita, around 2000 years back.
Coconut oil is categorized into two types based on the process of extraction. It is available on the market in two forms -
- Refined coconut oil- The coconut oil is extracted from the dried kernel of the drupe. coconut is a drupe, not a nut. In this extraction process, the dried kernel is exposed to heat. Then it is refined and deodorized. So, it is called RBD- refined, bleached, and deodorized. At last, chemicals are added to it to enhance the shelf life of the oil. So the nutrients reduced as it is extracted from dried kernel and is exposed to heat and chemicals.
- Virgin coconut oil cold pressed- The virgin coconut oil cold pressed is extracted from the fresh coconut meat. Virgin coconut oil is extracted by cold pressing the fresh coconut meat, later from the coconut milk and water. That is why it is 100% natural and unbleached. It is full of fresh aroma, taste, and powerful nutrients.
What is Extra Virgin Coconut oil?
Now when you are prepared to pick virgin coconut oil few confusions arrived. You will discover the label displaying extra virgin coconut oil. Now confused is it better than virgin coconut oil. Inherently there is no difference between the two. The use of virgin coconut oil is immense on health, skin, and hair.
Basically, both are the same. some brands use the term "Extra virgin oil " to signify it is purer as the label claims(100% natural) than virgin coconut oil. Pick any of them according to brand value and
budget. Some brands use cold-pressed terms in the label.
budget. Some brands use cold-pressed terms in the label.
Best Brands Virgin coconut oil for the Middle class
The best brands of virgin coconut oil in India in my opinion are Patanjali, Maxcare, Sri Sri, Indus valley, Kama Ayurveda. All of them are of good range for middle-class people. Patanjali costs lowest Rs 335 for 500ml. Kama Ayurveda costs Rs 616 for 200 ml, Maxcare costs Rs 338 for 500ml and Indus valley costs Rs 250 for 175ml. So the cheapest is Patanjali I guess among the reputed brands.
I have used Patanjali, Kama Ayurveda, and Maxcare personally. Out of which I like Maxcare the most. The smell is proof of its purity. I am using it for more than 2 years. Patanjali is also pure but it is diluted than Maxcare. Both of them are in a good range for middle-class people. Kama Ayurveda is the best but overpriced.
Use of Virgin Coconut Oil
Virgin coconut oil can be used in the same way refined regular coconut oil is used. As it is cold-pressed oil it retained its natural nutrition. It is rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. So the natural uses are in cooking, skincare, haircare, and medical fields. Here I have listed some use of virgin coconut oil.
Cooking: It is widely used in cooking. As it is fully natural, no chemicals are present in your cooking oil which is brilliant. It contains high HDL which improves our health. For a tropical country, virgin coconut oil is an excellent choice as the cooking medium.
Skincare: It is a famous element in the field of skincare and beauty. A mother oil is this field that is used for massage, skin lightning, and to treat skin ailments.
Haircare: Coconut oil is good for hair strength, volume enhancement and as a conditioner. Apply regularly to get rid of hair problems.
Medical Purposes: Due to its natural healing properties it is used as the base of burning creams and to treat eczema, psoriasis. It has huge antimicrobial properties which are used for external and internal treatments.
Virgin Coconut Oil benefits for hair
Virgin Coconut Oil Has the Power to Make Your Hair Grow Longer, Thicker, and Healthier.Virgin coconut oil is a wonder for haircare. Nowadays hair loss, dry frizzy hair, sun damage for hair, and low hair growth is a problem for all of us. Regular massage of this oil can remove all the problems and will give you bouncy shiny hair.
Virgin coconut oil is blessed with the goodness of nature. For its huge benefits, it is immensely popular as hair oil. It can be combined with some more brilliant oils like jojoba, onion oils. use of virgin coconut oil for hair is applicable for all types of hair. Also, read to know " is mustard oil is good for hair?"
1.Promotes Hair Growth :
Virgin coconut oil is rich in protein, vitamin E. It gives strength to the hair. Also promotes hair growth. The vitamins and fatty acids nourish the scalp and cuticle of the hair strands. When the root becomes healthy the hair becomes healthier also. This is one of the most crucial virgin coconut oil benefits for hair.
2.Prevent Hair loss and Split ends:
Virgin coconut oil contains zinc, iron, calcium, selenium. These minerals play a crucial role in preventing hair loss. If this mineral is reduced massive hair fall occurs. The application of virgin coconut oil forms a layer on the damaged hair. The protein content is high in virgin coconut oil. So the protein content is maintained in hair strands.
3.Treats Scalp Infection:
Virgin coconut oil has antimicrobial properties. It prevents scalp infections and dandruff. It also treats minor infections on the scalp. Regular use protects the scalp and control dandruff. Treatment of infected scalp is an outstanding virgin coconut oil benefits for hair. What are dandruff and dandruff home remedies.
4.Reduce Damage and Frizz Control:
Are you worried about dry and frizzy hair? Take virgin coconut oil and massage the hair scalp and strands for about 15 minutes. Leave for the night and wash before going out. Hair will become soft and silky like never before.
5.Hair Conditioner
You can use virgin coconut oil in place of branded hair conditioners. Apply 2-3 drops of virgin coconut oil on hair after shampooing on damp hair. This will lock the moisture and hydrate the hair.
6.Hair Damage
We get exposed to the sun, so hair gets damaged by the harmful UV rays of the sun. Some studies have found coconut oil to have a sun protection factor of 8. So the use of virgin coconut oil massage is helpful to get rid of damage to hair due to sun exposure.Hope you will use virgin coconut oil in place of refined coconut oil. Its benefits will make you healthier from the inside. Regular use is recommended for better results.