32 Ways to Use Coconut Oil While Traveling
This post lists 32 ways to use coconut oil while traveling.
A couple of friends I met up with in Thailand put me onto coconut oil.
They (girls) were using it in their hair and as a moisturizer.
After doing a little research I discovered that there are many ways to use coconut oil while traveling and for me, being a minimalist traveler, I have used it to replace a number of items.
Featured Image: I just buy the stuff from the cooking section as opposed to the beauty products section where is is always more expensive. As long as it is 100% pure (preferably virgin, cold pressed) then it will work the same. In fact, it is more versatile because sometimes they will add stuff to the non-cooking one which will make it un-consumable.
Right Image: When traveling I put the coconut oil in a 100ml plastic medicine bottle. I then wrap it in plastic just in case it leaks.
32 Ways to Use Coconut Oil While Traveling
1. Daily Supplement. I use coconut oil as a daily supplement. Often I just straight up drink it but it more pleasant when you cook with it or mix it into stuff such as using it as a coffee creamer or on toast. I usually just take a small mouthful of it straight out of the bottle and I also cook with it during the day.
Here is some dosage guidelines but being natural you can’t really overdose. I think the worse that will happen is you get the sh*ts.
Body Weight in kg / Daily Amount in Tablespoons
79+ / 4
68+ / 3 1/2
57+ / 3
45+ / 2 1/2
34+ / 2
23+ / 1 1/2
11+ / 1
Here is a list of just some of the health benefits of coconut oil when taken orally.
Helps control high cholesterol
Helps control high blood pressure
Enhances weight loss
Boosts immune system
Improves energy
Helps prevent and treat diabetes
Prevents liver disease
Prevents kidney disease
Prevents gall bladder disease
Prevents osteoporosis
Lowers risk/effects of Alzheimers
Helps fight measles
Helps fight hepatitis
Helps fight SARS
Helps fight ulcers
Helps fight urinary tract infections
Helps fight pneumonia.
… and so on
2. Oil Pulling / Mouthwash. This is probably my favorite use for coconut oil, or at least it is the thing I use it for most often. As a bonus, it replaces my mouthwash. Oil pulling is when you put a small amount of coconut oil in your mouth (I take a small sips worth) and swish it around for 10 to 20 minutes. This draws out all the toxins in your mouth. Spit it out.
3. Small Wounds Care. With its antiviral and antibacterial properties coconut oil promotes healing and fights infection. You can put it on a wound (cuts, scrapes, abrasions, etc) and it will help protect it by keeping out bacteria and other foreign bodies.
4. Anti-fungal.Coconut oil is also an anti-fungal which means you can apply it to ringworm, athletes foot and other fungal infections.
5. Anti-inflammatory.It also fights inflammation.
6. Mouth Sores.Apply it to cold sores several times a day. It also helps with Angular Chelitis (little mouth sores).
7. Insect Bites.My go to for insect bites is actually Tiger Balm but if I don’t have that handy then coconut oil also helps.
8. Insect Repellant. It helps sooth bites and it will prevent you getting bit in the first place.
9. Soothe Rashes. Being an anti-inflammatory coconut oil helps with the swelling and will also help lubricate and soothe the area.
10. Soothe a Dry Nose. Rub a little coconut oil inside a dry nostril to moisturize it.
11. Keep You Regular. If you are not keen on taking coconut oil as a daily supplement then perhaps you will just do it to prevent constipation. If you are already constipated then up your dose to 2+ Tablespoons.
12. Soothe a Sore Throat. Take 1 teaspoon three times a day and/or add it to your lemon, ginger, garlic and honey tea.
13. Soothe a Dry Cough Swallowing a teaspoon of coconut oil will not only soothe the cough but it also protects it from dust and other irritants.
NOTE: Only use on a dry cough. If you are coughing up phlegm then you do not want stop your body from exiling the bad stuff. You can learn more about this and many other related topics in Wilderness and Travel Medicine by Sam Fury.
14. Food Poisoning. Got a bad stomach? Try 3 Tablespoons of coconut oil mixed with orange juice once daily.
Consumption instructions on the bottle.
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15. Moisturizer. I threw away my other moisturizer and now just use a small amount of coconut oil on my face. Unlike many commercial moisturizers coconut oil will actually help heal and rejuvenate your skin instead of just “soaking in”.
16. Tattoo Care. I also use it to moisturize my tattoos, and I read that it is good to protect and help heal new tattoos.
17. Sunscreen. I wouldn’t rely on it to go to the beach but coconut oil does have a natural SPF 4 protection which is better than a kick in the groin.
18. Lip Balm.Coconut Oil also makes it a very good lip balm. It will soothe dry lips as well as give it sun protection, and it will make you lips taste nice to kiss 
