When I was a little girl, I used to look forward to Amma giving me a head massage. I remember how excited I would get, seeing her carry coconuts on her way back to home after work.
I would watch her impatiently during the entire process of her extracting the coconut oil. She would first remove the husks off the coconuts, grate the coconuts and then squeeze them to get the milk before carefully heating it up in a pot. “Remember to turn off the stove before the milk starts boiling, pumpkin, and don’t ever stir it!”, she would constantly say.
Amma would then let the milk to cool off. A layer of fat would appear on the surface of the milk, which Amma would then remove using a spoon and put it in a pan on the stove. She would stir it minimally until it comes to a boil, before reducing the heat and letting it simmer for at least 45 minutes.
The appearance of the solution will gradually change, as I would begin to notice clear spots, which makes the oil, and a greyish-brownish chunky substance which is the waste. The oil will continue to separate from the cooked waste. Amma would separate the two with a spoon, and then strain the oil with cheesecloth.
Finally, once the oil has cooled completely, Amma would lather my head with the homemade coconut oil. She does this with so much love while gently massaging my head, neck and shoulders and telling me stories of her childhood, and how her mother would do the same for her.
Sadly, over the years, I abandoned this practice mainly because Amma no longer has the energy and I was just too lazy to go through all that hassle to extract a tiny amount of natural coconut oil ( I forgot to mention that at least 4 to 5 coconuts are needed to extract about 150 ml of oil and that homemade coconut oils get rancid fast – considering I apply it only once or twice a week!).
A-Stars’ Secret Ingredient
Recently, I decided to switch to a lifestyle which would give more priority to my overall well-being – a realization hit, thanks to the pandemic – and I spent some time doing research about natural substances that provides us with head-to-toe wellness.
Unsurprisingly, organic coconut oil topped the list, but to my excitement, coconut oil is also highly recommended by some of my favourite A-list celebrities!
1. Emma Stone
“I’m allergic to everything so I just use extra virgin olive oil in my skin because I know it won’t cause a reaction. At night, I take off my makeup with coconut oil.”
2. Miranda Kerr
” I cook with it, use it in my hair, it’s great to remove makeup…really good for eye makeup if you’ve got sensitive eyes. If you have a burn, like if you’ve burned yourself with a curing iron, you can put a it of that on there to help. Sometimes I sleep with coconut oil in my hair.”
3. Gwyneth Paltrow
” I use coconut oil a lot. I do on my face, on my skin, and in my cooking. Ad I just started oil pulling, which is when you swish coconut oil around [in your mouth] for 20 minutes, and it’s supposed to be great for oral health and making your teeth white. It’s supposed to clear up your skin, as well.”
4. Kourtney Kardashian
” I eat coconuts all the time and I use coconut oil every day. Not only do I love the smell and the taste of coconut, this magical fruit has so many health benefits! It boosts your metabolism, aids in weight loss, supports immunity, stops sugar cravings, and best of all – hydrates and makes skin stronger, preventing wrinkles and sagging! I love to make coconut pudding for a little sweet treat, I also use the oil as a hair mask and I use coconut oil as body lotion every day! It makes my skin and hair so smooth and soft.”
5. Blake Lively
” Something my mom does that is kind of cool: She puts coconut oil on the ends of her hair. When you shampoo your hair, you’re trying to get the oil out of your roots, but you really want the rest of your hair to maintain its moisture. When you put coconut oil on the ends, the shampoo gets oil out of the roots, but also protects the ends.”
7 Benefits of Coconut Oil
The best thing I picked from my research about coconut oil is that, it’s an ALL-ROUNDER.
From hair – to skin – to toes, it provides remedies for almost all beauty and wellness issues. Here are the top 7 benefits of coconut oil which for sure would convince you to agree with me.
1. Best Hair Conditioners!
Coconut oil easily penetrates the strands of our hair and can even save our hair from losing protein. For best results, apply coconut oil to your hair, comb it, and then pull it up into a loose bun. Leave it overnight, and rinse your hair with shampoo the next morning.
2. Frizz No More!
Tired of trying to tame your mane? Applying coconut oil to your frizzy hair will definitely help you to tame it, and adds a bit of a polished look. Just run it through your hair with fingers dabbed in coconut oil, and kiss that frizz goodbye.
3. Moiturizer
Nature has abundantly blessed coconut oil with antibacterial and moisturizing properties. Hence, applying this on our faces as a night-time moisturizer works wonders on our skin. Simply apply the oil and massage your face and neck in circular motions. Once you are done, gently rinse your face with cleanser and water to get rid of the residues.
4. Eye Makeup Remover
Dab a little bit of coconut oil with a cotton ball to get rid of that stubborn waterproof mascara. Not only does this oil break down waxy, inky eye makeup, it also hydrates that area of your skin.
5. Dry Under Eye Remedy
The skin under your eyes usually becomes dry due to several factors like weather, dehydration (most possible), or you are probably just getting older (ouch! Truth hurts, I know) but do not worry. Coconut oil will save you from looking older than your age!
Ladies and gentleman, when you apply a thin layer of coconut oil under your eyes before you go to sleep at night, it will help to rejuvenate your skin, leaving you with a younger and healthier look.
6. Best Alternative For Shaving Cream
Shaving creams often contain mixtures of various chemicals your skin definitely does not need. Coconut oil has soothing elements which will give your aftershave legs a hydrated look (and an aromatic smell). Plus, coconut oil is kinder to your purse and it has natural antimicrobial properties.
7. Dry Cuticles
Massage coconut oil into your cuticles and skin around your nails to prevent cracked skin, and to hydrate your brittle nails.
7 Organic Coconut Oil Available In Malaysia
Convinced that coconut oil is the best remedy for all problems, from head-to-toe? Already thinking of trying it on yourselves? I am definitely a convert! I mean, after knowing that all these benefits are contained in a bottle disguised as coconut oil, how can one not try it?
Still, I am saving myself from all the hassle of making some on my own. Instead, I’m going to purchase a chemical-free, organic coconut oil. I’ve have compiled the best 7 brands here for you to consider
(in no particular order!)
1. Rainforest Herbs Organic Virgin Coconut Oil
Cold-press technology is used to produce Rainforest Herbs Organic Virgin Coconut Oil. This is popular product is widely available in most Malaysian pharmacies and retail stores.
2. Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil
This product contains 100% organic, extra virgin, coconut oil, as the name suggests. It can be used as cooking oil, in baking, to mix coffee or tea and it can even be consumed as an everyday supplement besides using it for your hair and skin. This product is also certified organic by Australis NASAA and certified HALAL by JAKIM.
3. It Works! Extra Virgin Coconut Oil
ItWorks! Extra Virgin Coconut Oil has a wide range of products that they carry. Organically grown on the natural soil and processed in Pasir Gudang, this product also be purchased through their website if you can’t find them at nearby retailers.
4. Country Farm Extra Virgin Coconut Oil
Widely available Country Farm Organics Virgin Coconut Oil is made from Filipino coconuts. The product is well preserved to ensure all the nutrients and benefits are intact when you use it.
5. Radiant Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil
Radiant Coconut Oil is raw and unrefined and is cold expeller pressed. You can use this oil for deep and stir frying among other benefits. This product is also Halal and certified by JAKIM.
6. Kopari 100% Organic Coconut Melt
Kopari’s 100% Organic Coconut Melt has its cult following among makeup enthusiasts. Sustainably sourced from small formers in Philippines, these products are best used for skin and hair.
7. Tanamera Cold Press Virgin Coconut Oil
Tanamera’s Cold Press Virgin coconut oil can be used as a natural moisturizer and is known for its benefits to skin. Regular application of Tanamera Cold Press Virgin Coconut oil can repair your skin, giving you a smoother and youthful apprearnace.
With that, I have decided to go back to my roots and revive that old tradition of being devoted to coconut oil (with a modern twist – I am still not prepared to make them on my own, since they are already available in bottles!), and I hope you guys would do the same! After all, old is gold. xx
