A Few Reasons You Should Add Coconut to Your Hair Regimen

Where I’m from you tend to not want to waste anything at all when it comes to the coconut. You cut the outer fibrous shell and use it as a buffer to get a brilliant shine for your floor and shoes; the leaves from the trees are plaited to make a cool beach-side shed or trendy welcome mats, and the hard shell which holds the nut is polished and crafted into necklaces, earrings nut or guacamole holders or other fine works of art.

We in the healthy hair community know the coconut is darn good. We have discovered the benefits of coconut oil* to our hair and skin, so why aren’t there more talks about the benefits of the coconut to our healthy hair agendas?

Here we will tell you why you should add coconut to your hair regimen. Now, remember that a healthy body will produce healthy hair, and since your first medicine out to be food, we will look mostly at how your diet can kick your healthy hair journey into high gear. Sure we will also look at how you might go about administering topical treatments using the coconut as well so there is bound to be something you can benefit from either way.

What the milk/juice can do for you

The coconut juice, also called the milk, is traditionally made by grating or blending the nut of the mature coconut and combining it with boiled water, then squeezing the mixture through a strainer or cheese cloth.

The fat from the milk contains a fatty acid that converts into a substance called monolaurin; an antiviral and antibacterial that destroys a wide variety of disease causing organisms.

That means, including coconut milk in your diet can war off diseases and viruses that can put a strain on your immune system enough to result in distress that will cause abnormal shedding or reduce the tensile strength of your hair at the developmental stage.

In the event you want to make your own coconut* cream, you could soak the blended or shredded coconut in hot water, then use a spoon to skim off the fat that rises to the top.

This can be used to make a delicious pina colada, or to make a coconut and okra, or coconut and lime “relaxer.” Even though the name “relaxer” suggests straight, the coconut relaxer in any form is not a true relaxer, but a very good conditioner.

It doesn’t get your hair bone straight. What it does is condition your strands so well that it allows your hair to hold up under a straightening session.

After treating your hair with a coconut* relaxer and blow drying, usually one pass of a flat iron* will give your hair really gorgeous flat ironed results. Many transitioners and texlaxers are known to use this to straighten their new growth. Don’t have access to fresh coconut? No worries, you can get a can of coconut milk or coconut cream at your local supermarket!

What the coconut water can do for you

Now aside from the milk or juice, you can also benefit from coconut water; I am talking about that clear liquid that can be found on the inside when you crack open the nut.

While this makes a refreshing beverage, in times gone by the juice was used as a substitute for IV solution and even to this day is considered a great rehydration solution for those who suffer from gastro intestinal issues that cause diarrhea and vomiting.

It is said that when ingested, it goes directly into the blood stream and acts as a detoxifier, flu buster, rehydration fluid among other things.

The medicinal benefits of the juice lie in the high concentrations of easily digested carbohydrates in the form of sugar and electrolytes, enzymes, amino-acids, cytokine and phyto-hormones.

It has fewer calories, less sodium and more potassium than most energy drinks. The cytokinins posess anti-aging and anti-carcinogenic benefits; hence your cells can be directly fed with the water, thereby boosting efficient use of nutrients while fighting free radicals that can affect your hair. The water provides 4% of RDA vitamins!

Tip: If you party too much and end up with a huge hangover, coconut juice is a great way to treat it!

How you can use the coconut water on your hair:

►You can use it as a spritzer to re-hydrate dry hair.

►You can add it to your deep conditioner* to boost moisture.

►It helps fight free radicals to limit weathering and dryness.

►It can help you winterize your hair.

►It can help hold together the cysteine bonds in your hair.

►It can act as a glue to keep the protective cuticle layer in place, so that the cortex does not become exposed to damage.

Spritzer recipe

Water.

Coconut juice.

Aloe Vera juice*.

A squirt of a blend of your favorite oils.

Combine all the ingredients in a spray bottle and keep it handy to spritz on this moisturizing concoction.

Deep Conditioner recipe
Coconut juice.

Coconut Grape seed Oil.

Aloe Vera juice*.

Molasses.

1 beaten egg/ one half a ripe avocado.

Blend ingredients and distribute evenly throughout hair. Cover with a plastic cap or saran wrap and sit under dryer or steamer for 15-20 minutes.

Bonus Recipe – Coconut Butter

Psst! This one you can either eat or apply to your hair for a deep conditioner*.(Thank you for the inspiration on this, Wellnessmama!).

►1 cup of shredded coconut or coconut flakes.

►2-3 tablespoons of coconut oil*.

►real vanilla extract (optional).

►1 tablespoons cocoa powder (optional).

►3 tablespoons honey (optional).

Pulse the shredded coconut or coconut flakes in the blender or a food processor*. Make sure it is smooth like almond butter.When it starts to get thick, add 2-3 TBSP of melted coconut oil* and keep blending until smooth. Add your choice of flavorings and mix by hand. Store in a jar, in or out of the fridge. Well, there you have it! I hope you found enough reasons to add this super food to your regimen.