If you did not know already, some of the best moisture retainers and glossifiers are found in our very own kitchen. Goods like coconut oil are excellent for keeping hair healthy (thanks Tricia). Buying products with coconut oil as its main ingredient has become popular, but what if you can’t get to the store or you don’t have a lot of money to spend on expensive products…then just look no farther than your very own pantry for hair care help.
Facts About Coconut Oil
I became pretty intrigued by this super food that helped to nourish and fortify hair so I decided to do a little research.
The human body converts lauric acid into monolaurin which is claimed to help in dealing with viruses and bacteria causing diseases such as herpes, influenza, cytomegalovirus, and even HIV . It helps in fighting harmful bacteria such as listeria monocytogenes and heliobacter pylori, and harmful protozoa such as giardia lamblia. As a result of these various health benefits of coconut oil, though its exact mechanism of action was unknown, it has been extensively used in Ayurveda, the traditional Indian medicinal system. The Coconut Research Center has compiled various references on scientific research done on coconut oil. Source: www.organicfacts.net
I found a lot of science (graphs and chemical equations) on the composition of coconut oil but for the sake of time and simplicity just know this, coconut oil helps to facilitate healthy hair growth because it is a fatty acid that helps to rebuild with vitamin e and K. It is widely used in the Indian sub-continent more than here in the states. It nourishes hair with essential proteins and it acts as a moisturizer, fights dandruff, lice, dryness and breakage.
Lauric Acid: One of the most responsible reasons behind hair fall and hair loss is microbial action on the scalp and hair roots. So, to protect hair against them, what we need is an antimicrobial agent. Lauric Acid present in Coconut Oil is one of them. It is basically a triglyceride which yields a monoglyceride called Monolaurin when acted upon by a species of bacteria which breaks the glycerol bonds. This monolaurin has excellent antimicrobial properties.
Capric Acid: This is yet another triglyceride present in Coconut oil, which, like Lauric Acid, yields another monoglyceride called Monocaprin due to bacterial action, having antimicrobial properties similar to that of monolaurin.
Vitamin-E: Almost every aptly educated person knows the importance of vitamin-E for skin and hair. It keeps scalp and skin healthy and hair rejuvenated.
Moisture Retaining Capacity: Coconut Oil has high moisture retaining capacity, since it is not broken down easily nor evaporated, being very stable. It does not let moisture escape thus keeping hair moistened and soft. This prevents breakage of hair. Coconut Oil is a far better conditioner for hair than any synthetic one available in the market.
Anti-Dandruff: The various fatty acids present in Coconut Oil serve as very good anti dandruff agents and are way better than any anti dandruff shampoo. A regular application can help you get rid of dandruff for ever
Styling: Coconut oil can be good styling oil for hair too, as it melts on heating and then condenses on cooling. So when you apply it on your hair, it thins and spreads evenly due to heat of the scalp. Soon afterwards, as the hair comes in contact with air, the oil on hair condenses on cooling and thus works as a styling gel or cream. Source: www.organicfacts.net
Can used for cooking, skin care and hair care
As an added bonus coconut oil is indicated as a great skin care and anti-aging product as well. Some Eastern Indians of 70-80 years of age still have smooth wrinkle free skin and strong, thick, dark hair with very little gray. They attribute this to the life-long use of coconut oil.
Coconut oil can be benefitial for the hair care of the little people (and the big ones too) in our lives, by making just one simple addition to our daily hair care program.
Purchase certified organic coconut oil
Olive oil is great too! We will explore that one next.
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