Multipurpose Oils

We all know that there are different types of cooking oils, and that there are different types of body and skin oils. I happen to be of the opinion ~ and practice ~ that you DO NOT need BOTH.

I use food-grade oils for BOTH cooking AND body care. Mind you, I sell some top quality body and carrier oils in the health and beauty department of the health food store I work in, but given the opportunity to advise, I will ALWAYS guide the customer over to the food isles and recommend that they buy the food-grade oil. By nature, a top quality food-grade oil is good for BOTH cooking and skin care. Why waste your money on another product ~ especially one that is often cut with jojoba oil as most health and beauty carrier oil are? 

Here are some of my favorite dual purpose oils ~ 

COCONUT OIL

Probably what could be called a miracle oil, if any of them could (besides olive oil). As a food product, you can cook with coconut oil at all heat levels. Do you still pop popcorn the old fashioned way? Use coconut oil and you will NEVER use any other. It's what the movie theaters used to use until the food nazis came in and told them it was terrible for your health! . . . and then . . . and few years later . . . that had to detract that statement, with their tails between their legs, because it is one of the healthiest oils in existence. 

Coconut oil has been proven to be an AMAZING help with brain function, particularly with Alzheimer's patients. I wish I had found out about this when my mom was first diagnosed, however, Dr. Newport's amazing Youtube videos on the trials she conducted on her own husband didn't come out until just after her passing. Because of this near miraculous study, I take a TB per day ~ whether in a hot cereal, in my protein shake or just from a spoon. I try to be pro-active when I can.

It also has the ability to raise good HDL cholesterol levels. This goes along with brain health, in that we NEED GOOD FATS for our brains. Starve the brain of GOOD fats and you will effectively give yourself Alzheimer's. I happen to agree with the owner of our store that Dr's OFTEN put people on meds that reduce their cholesterol TOO MUCH and they develop Alzheimer's or dementia. As a sort of experiment of my own, if someone comes in and wants something for memory or for their parent or spouse who is showing signs of poor brain health, I ask them if they are on cholesterol drugs ~ I have YET to have someone say "no." Scary stuff.

Another reason to eat about 1 TB a day ~ it cuts your appetite and breaks up fat! Woohoo! Most especially the dangerous belly fat that forms around your vital organs. 

For the skin, coconut oil is a tremendous moisturizer. Coconut oil comes in a semi-hard state, it will immediately start to liquefy at 72 degrees F, which allows it to start doing it's work as soon as it touches your skin. I use it in my homemade solid deodorant, best deodorant I've ever used. No one has complained yet ;-) Another little-known fact is that coconut oil is also a great sunscreen ~ it blocks 20%-25% of UV rays. Dry hair? Before your shower, work some coconut oil through your hair from the nape of your neck, down. Wait 10-15 minutes and then comb out as much as possible (you don't want to clog your drain) and then shampoo out what's left. Result? Soft, shiny hair. Coconut oil is my #1 oil for most of my balms and salves.

**NOTE** NEVER . . . EVER . . . keep coconut oil in the refrigerator. Store in a cool place. If it's hot and humid where you are and it starts to liquefy, don't worry, that's not a problem and it will harden again below about 72 degrees F. 

ALMOND OIL

Almond oil is very popular because of it's slightly sweet fragrance and taste. A medium-light cooking oil, many use it for stir-fries over medium-to-low heat, baking sweets and salad oils. 

Once again, this is an oil that has benefits for brain health and reducing cholesterol. It's a very good source of vitamins A, D, E and a source of magnesium and calcium.

It has it's own benefits for the skin care, too. It's a very popular carrier oil for essential oils ~ even though it has a slightly sweet odor, it doesn't over-power the fragrance or potency of your essential oils. Almond oil is a great oil to use immediately after a shower; a little goes a long way as it soaks into your skin. It is a great message oil because it warms to your touch (or your masseuse's), soaks deep into your skin and relaxes your tense muscles and reduces inflammation. 

If you like to make your own balms and salves, almond oil is good to the drier skin types. 

Avocado Oil

Mmmm . . . as much as I'd like to talk about guacamole, here, I'm going to force myself to limit this to the oil! lol. 

As a food oil, Avocado oil is recommended to anyone with poor eye health. It is rich in lutein and beta-carotene/vitamin A. Make THIS your salad oil, every time. This oil is also known to increase the health of your circulatory system, blood pressure and heart. Avocado oil is also known as an anti-inflammatory and is good for the health of your cartilage. If you are already taking hyalauronic acid/MSM/Glucosamine/Chondroitin supplements, make sure you add avocado oil to your regime. It's also a great source of B12, to boost your energy without making your heart palpitate or making you jittery and nervous.

For your skin, since it is a great source of B12, it also helps with skin rashes and psoriasis. Mix just a little with a few drops of Vitamin E oil OR cream and use on skin irritations or on your dry face or body skin. A LITTLE BIT goes a long way. For use ONLY on your body if you have an oily face.

GRAPESEED OIL

I have to say, whether for baking or stove-top cooking (if I'm not using olive oil), THIS is my favorite. Grapeseed oil is a VERY clean, light oil. 

As a food, grapeseed oil makes a lovely, light weight salad oil and will not detract from the flavor of the fruit, herbs or spices that you use. Anytime a recipe calls for vegetable oil, I go for the grapeseed oil.

Taken as a supplement or using the oil in your food, grapeseed oil is very well known for brain heath, heart health, circulation, inflammation, controlling blood sugar and cholesterol. Another benefit, which I think is directly related to the above conditions, is that it is good for eye health ~ night vision, in particular.**DO NOT use if you are already on blood thinners.**

If you have recently been in an accident or have had surgery and it has caused you to have edema, take grapeseed oil supplements, and gently message some of the food-grade oil on the swollen area and use the oil in your cooking/baking. You will be amazed at the improvements you will see. 

Many also use grapeseed oil to be proactive against cancer. Since is works as sort of a system cleanser, it may work to force out toxins.

For the skin, grapeseed oil is the most versatile of oils. It is so clean and light and even oily/acne-prone skin-types can use it! This food-grade oil can be used directly on the skin ~ especially right after you dry off after a shower or bath ~ as it absorbs right in. As with ALL oils, a LITTLE BIT goes a long way. Use this oil as a carrier oil for essential oils and as a filler oil if you make your own herbal capsules. In my humble opinion, anything you want in a skin oil, you can get from using grapeseed oil.  This is another excellent oil for medicinal oils.

I know that there are many more oils, but these are the "best selling" food-grade oils that can double as skin care that I recommend at the health food store. It would have been fun to tell you these thing in person, but I know you can't all come to the store ;-D 

Blessings from Ohio . . . Kim<><

**This is NOT meant to be medical advice. Please see the obligatory disclaimer at the bottom of this page**