Those in the know about the astounding health benefits of coconut oil are usually well aware of the major antimicrobial effects this traditional fat has on the skin and also in the gut.Â
It is no wonder that coconut oil is so great to rub into a dandruff plagued scalp as it helps bring the fungus causing this scaly problem under control with no chemical laden shampoos needed.
Coconut oil is also helpful for those with candida overgrowth problems in the gut as it suppresses all manner of gut pathogens.  It is the highly beneficial medium chain saturated fat lauric acid found in coconut oil that is responsible for protection from microbial infections of all kinds when coconut oil is consumed in the diet. Lauric acid is also produced by the human mammary gland and what is credited with protecting breastfed infants from viral, bacterial, or protozoal infections.
Warning: MCT oil has little to none of this most beneficial fat!
It is only recently, however, that the conventional medical community has finally begun to appreciate the powerful antimicrobial effect of coconut oil.
Irish researchers have reported from the Athlone Institute of Technology that coconut oil was the only oil of 3 tested (olive oil and vegetable oil being the other two) that was able to prevent Streptococcus mutans, an acid-producing bacterium that is a common inhabitant of the mouth and a major cause of tooth decay, from binding to and damaging tooth enamel.
This finding lends serious credence to the ancient Ayurvedic practice of oil pulling. It involves swishing the mouth with a tablespoon of oil first thing in the morning. Some people report that they achieve the best results using coconut oil.
The coconut oil used in the study was first treated with enzymes simulating the human digestive process in order to more realistically gauge its impact in the body.
The scientists also reported the coconut oil extremely effective at attacking thrush, a yeast (fungal) infection of the mouth which is not surprising given coconut oil’s helpfulness with other skin issues like dandruff.
Lead researcher Dr. Damien Brady stated that coconut oil could prove to be an attractive alternative to chemicals and meds in maintaining oral health. Â Mouthwashes, toothpastes, and other oral products are loaded with chemical additives that can frequently irritate the sensitive tissues of the mouth.
Dr. Brady noted that not only does coconut oil work at relatively low concentrations, but with the worrisome problem of increasing antibiotic resistance, it is important to consider coconut oil a potentially novel new way to control microbial infections. For example, people often wonder how to get rid of strep throat without the obligatory trip to the doctor’s office. Could coconut oil play a role in resolving this common illness? Can strep go away on its own or with a simple boost from anti-microbial foods like coconut oil?
Dr. Brady and his team now plan to examine how coconut oil and strep bacteria interface at the molecular level to determine if there are any other strains of bacteria that are inhibited in a similar fashion.  They also plan to study antibacterial activity in the gut  presumably using coconut oil and how cells lining the digestive tract can become colonized by pathogens.
Sarah, The Healthy Home Economist
Source
Coconut Oil Could Combat Tooth Decay, BBC Health News
More Information on Nutrition and Oral Health
How I Healed My Child’s Cavity
Toddler’s Severe Tooth Decay Halted in 5 Days
Whiten Your Teeth Without Dangerous Chemicals
Resolving Periodontal Problems with Bone Broth
What is the True Cause of Crooked Teeth?
10 Signs Your Dentist is Truly Holistic
Avoiding Root Canals with Diet Alone
Mix a little bit of a healthy dark chocolate- powder or raw nibs- into melting coconut oil then pour over your ice cream for a delicious shell. It can be sweetened with a touch of stevia or swerve or xylitol if needed before pouring.
This was really informative as I did not realize strep bacteria could cause damage to your teeth. I love the taste of coconut oil and use it on my hair. I also did not realize you could also use it on your teeth or for stomach problems.
We’ve been using coconut oil to treat my daughter’s exzema. Her facial skin get very dry and scaly with red patches. We tried avocado oil but it seemed to dry and make it peel more. The coconut seems to be soft and healing. She applies it at night and sometimes morning. Yes, we use it for our popcorn, too, and LOVE it!
@ Suzanne: We used a mixture of avocado oil and coconut oil on my grandson’s cheeks when he had a rashy outbreak, although I’m not sure it was eczema. Took care of it in no time.
We use a dot of coconut oil in the palm of the hand, rubbed around until it melts, as hair conditioner for my granddaughter, too. Eliminates the expense, harmful ingredients and the old lady stink from commercial hair products. Her hair just shines, but never looks greasy. I use it on my own hair, which is very long and thick in the back and thinner on top. I try to use the oil only on the long part of my hair, because where it’s thinner it can look oily/greasy. I also use coconut oil mixed with lavender essential oil on my scalp and it feels wonderful, because as I age my scalp seems dry, but not dandruff-y exactly. Works well for this.
Julie Gerasimenko, Can you give your recipe? I’d like to try since I can’t tolerate Xylitol. What are the measurements and what do you keep the past in? Wondering if I can get my kids to try yet another strange thing from their weird natural mama.
The latest way that I have incorporated coconut oil is to spread it my ice cream. It gets hard on contact and tasted so good and crunchy.
I use raw organic coconut oil in my morning smoothy of banana, Raspberry and spinach. It’s a burst of flavor when it you bite into it. It’s really yummy. With Aloha <3
Interesting! Sarah, have you done a 101 uses for coconut oil, internally & externally? I would love a list as I am a new coconut oil user.
Interesting!
Since I started drinking kombucha 4 yrs ago, Ive been brushing my teeth w/ just cold pressed ev coconut oil… I cant stand toothpaste or baking soda bc they actually hurt. I dont know.. may have something to do with the acid in kombucha.