ULTIMATE GUIDE TO USING COCONUT OIL IN MASSAGE THERAPY

Coconut has been used for centuries due to its never-ending benefits. Coconut is also used to make coconut oil which has quickly become a favorite in the health food world. However, coconut oil has many more benefits than just moisturizing the skin. It may help with losing weight and some ward off heart diseases. Generally, the saturated fat in coconut oil is made of a medium chain which reacts differently in the body. It also has a high percentage of saturated fat which is responsible for keeping coconut oil from liquifying at room temperature. This article gives you an ultimate guide on using coconut oil in massage therapy.

What Is In Coconut Oil?

The white flesh of coconut contains important minerals like potassium, iron, and magnesium. However, the oil contains valuable amounts of vitamins E and K and minerals like iron and zinc which are beneficial for the skin during massage. Coconut oil itself doesn't appear to have any antimicrobial or antiviral qualities. Silalahi (2020) explained that the health benefits of coconut oil come into play when its fatty acids are converted into the body. According to Ghosh et al. (2018), it also contains lauric and capric acid which are known to exhibit antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties against skin conditions like acne inflammation.

Coconut Oil for Massage

Coconut oil is potent when it comes to massage therapy because it is quickly absorbed and most people can bear with it. Generally, it has also been found to efficiently help when it comes to issues affecting the muscles such as pain and muscular spasms. Coconut oil for massage Is made by getting rid of long-chain triglycerides present in oil hence making it possible for the therapist to reach deeper. It also helps to get a greater grip using shorter strokes and alleviates difficult muscle spasms. However, it can also help in calming inflamed muscles and make fill better within a few minutes of the massage.

Properties Of Coconut Oil

Lopez et al. (2021) explained coconut oil has been found to be an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial agent. It can also promote wound healing and give a powerful skin barrier to protect the skin from damage. Generally, coconut oil soaks up quickly and hydrates your skin without you enabling you to have a greasy feeling. The use of coconut oil in massage therapy has proven to be beneficial, especially for people who experience muscle injuries. They are three types of coconut oil unrefined, refined, and liquid. Unrefined coconut oil is the one that preserves the available phenols and phytonutrients. Refined coconut oil is dried and has been manufactured using chemical solvents.

Coconut oil that is in liquid form possesses no lauric acid hence its melting point is low. A good quality coconut should be soaked up inside the skin hence leaving the patient's skin non-greasy after the therapist is done with the massage. Moreover, for you to get the best from coconut oil it should have lauric acid since it is an antibacterial agent and it also has vitamin E. It also helps to fix any damaged skin and protect the skin from further damage.

Coconut Oil and Skin

Varma et al. (2019) explained that coconut oil in the skin has many benefits including acting as a protective barrier to our skin. Satheeshan et al. (2020) explained that coconut oil has anti-inflammatory effects. Coconut oil can be used to help with addressing dry skin and it also has moisturizing properties. Generally, when coconut oil is combined with shea butter it can be able to help people suffering from adverse dehydration. Coconut oil can strengthen the fat barrier which helps in reducing stretch marks. Pregnant women can use coconut oil to reduce the appearance of stretch marks and big veins. For people who have collagen problems, coconut oil can be useful to them since it assists in strengthening collagen fibers. Coconut oil also helps in reducing the signs of aging. Using it more often will help reduce wrinkles on your face and make it brighter.

Coconut oil can be used as a natural makeup remover. It can be used to remove gunky mascara when you get tired of them. It contains an SPF of 4, so it can be used to protect from the sun. Due to its oily form, it can give way to smooth lips in less time compared to other products. It also tastes good making it useful as a lip balm. When coconut oil is combined with cooked lemon grass it serves as a good mosquito repellant. Piquero-Casalset etal. (2019) explained that it can help treat topical dermatitis with other skin Infections. Also due to its inflammatory properties, it can help in calming eczema flare-ups.

Other Uses of Coconut Oil

Coconut oil has been discovered to have many benefits to the skin and other parts of the body. It can also be used as a natural treatment to get rid of head lice and also dandruff. However, if you rub coconut oil across your wound it can help promote better healing and avoid any infections in your wound. Coconut oil has antifungal properties which make it possible to be used by athletes to fight tor fungus. Coconut oil can be used to season cast iron skillets and pans. It can also be used as a cooking oil due to its coconut fragrance and sweet taste. It can also be good for pets suffering from skin issues.

Coconut oil can be used as a sexual lubricant to increase pleasure between you and your spouse. When applied topically it can be used to kill yeast and yeast infection. Also, when applied to your cold sores it can help speed up healing and prevent bacteria from growing more on your body. Coconut oil can be used as a face mask which can help reduce wrinkles and dark spots on your face making it clearer. It can also help the skin to stay moisturized and glowing while carrying out your daily activities.

Conclusion

Coconut has been seen to have many benefits making it diverse. However, coconut oil for massage is cost-effective and easier to use. You don't need a massage therapist to use it can be usable in the comfort of your home. But before you use it, it's good to do a patch taste to know if the product is good for you. If you experience any allergic reaction you seize from using coconut oil to avoid any adverse effects.  Depending on the type of massage you are having, a coconut oil massage session can take approximately 10 to 90 minutes. Basically, after the session, you will feel more relaxed and calmer.  

References

Ghosh, S., Sinha, M., Bhattacharyya, A., Sadhasivam, S., Megha, J., Reddy, S., ... & Sengupta, S. (2018). A rationally designed multifunctional antibiotic for the treatment of drug-resistant acne. Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 138(6), 1400-1408.

Lopez, M. A. A., Solas, G. B., & Alicia, I. Y. (2021). The antiviral properties of a miracle oil (virgin coconut oil) from Cocos nucifera L.: a review. Asian Journal of Pharmacognosy, 5(3), 5-19.

Piquero-Casals, J., Hexsel, D., Mir-Bonafé, J. F., & Rozas-Muñoz, E. (2019). Topical non-pharmacological treatment for facial seborrheic dermatitis. Dermatology and therapy, 9(3), 469-477.

Satheeshan, L. N., Seema, B. R., & Manjusha, A. M. (2020). Development of virgin coconut oil-based body lotion. The Pharma Innovation Journal, 9(5), 96-101.

Silalahi, J. (2020). Nutritional values and health-protective properties of coconut oil. Indonesian Journal of Pharmaceutical and Clinical Research, 3(2), 1-12.

Varma, S. R., Sivaprakasam, T. O., Arumugam, I., Dilip, N., Raghuraman, M., Pavan, K. B., ... & Paramesh, R. (2019). In vitro anti-inflammatory and skin protective properties of Virgin coconut oil. Journal of traditional and complementary medicine, 9(1), 5-14.