A Few Things You Need to Know About the Antimicrobial Properties Of Coconut Oil

AAA: Antibacterial, Antiviral & Antifungal

Coconuts are native to Southeast Asia and have arrived in various parts of the world, becoming very precious.

However, few people realize its full potential. The antimicrobial properties of coconut oil offer great support for natural hygiene.

Lauric acid is the primary fatty acid of coconut fat. This fatty acid is well known for its antimicrobial properties. It is also a precursor of monolaurin, which is a substance that stimulates the immune system and occurs in breast milk.

But what is a precursor? A precursor is a substance that when ingested, triggers the production of another substance. For example, when you take in lauric acid, your intestine then produces monolaurin. Likewise, the capric acid in coconut works in a similar way. It is a precursor of monocaprin.

Coconut oil has various antimicrobial properties that can serve us:

• Antibacterial: exposure to lauric acid inhibits the growth of Clostridium difficile bacteria. The antibacterial properties of coconut oil act only in lipid membrane bacteria, which cause diseases such as ulcers, food poisoning, urinary tract infections, among others.
• Fungicidal: coconut oil can help to regulate different types of Candida fungus.
• Antiviral: lauric acid is used against viruses such as HIV.

Some of the uses of organic and virgin coconut oil for hygiene are:

• Head lice prevention: apply a small amount of coconut oil in your roots, and rub it from the scalp to hair ends. Leave for a while and then rinse.
• Natural coconut oil toothpaste: homemade toothpaste that contains coconut oil and other ingredients such as essential oils and baking soda.
• Oil pulling: Ayurvedic technique that consists of swishing oil in your mouth to remove bacteria and promote oral hygiene.
• Makeup remover: replaces commercial makeup removers and cleanses face impurities.
• Shaving cream: coconut oil helps to maintain a clean and hydrated environment.
• Lubricant for antifungal purposes: when a woman feels some imbalance in her vaginal flora, she can use coconut oil to prevent a fungal infection.

To get the most of the benefits mentioned above, it is essential to make sure that the coconut oil is organic and virgin, like the one produced by Franklin Baker.

Coconuts have so much to offer! Learn more about coconuts here and discover more amazing superfood products on our stories platform here.

References

Ogbolu, D.O., Oni, A.A., Daini, O.A., & Oloko, A.P. (2007). In vitro antimicrobial properties of coconut oil on Candida species in Ibadan, Nigeria. Journal of medicinal food, 10 (2), 384-387.

Vala, G., & Kapadiya, P. (2014). Medicinal Benefits of Coconut Oil. International Journal of Life Sciences Research, 2 (4), 124-126.

Vala, G., & Kapadiya, P. (2014). Medicinal Benefits of Coconut Oil. International Journal of Life Sciences Research, 2 (4), 124-126.