Coconut oil, all the rage in certain circles (*wink*) for its nutritional benefits, makes a wonderful natural conditioner for your hair. After using it, I noticed how shiny, soft and healthy my hair looked. These great results, combined with ease of use, have me wondering whether I shouldn’t just give up buying regular conditioner!

Wanna try it?

Ah, first you’ll need some coconut oil. You could pay top-dollar for a teeny little jar at your local health food store — or you could buy in bulk from Wilderness Family Naturals, a family-owned business based right here in Minnesota. We buy the big five-gallon buckets of expeller pressed coconut oil, which last for about three months in our house.

Allow one half to one whole teaspoon (depending on your hair length) of coconut oil to melt in your palm. Dip your fingers in the oil and massage the oil into your scalp, continuing through to the ends of your hair. If your hair is long enough, put it up in a plastic jaw clip, to keep it from getting too wet until you’re ready to shampoo. Wash your hair thoroughly with warm water — thoroughly, mind; coconut oil doesn’t rinse out as easily as regular conditioner.

*UPDATE* - Since writing the above, I have gone through the process a few more times, and discovered that a little coconut oil goes a long way when used as a hair conditioner! Just a little oil, massaged only onto my scalp area, is enough to do the job for my fine, thin hair. And I must repeat that the hair must be washed thoroughly after application; wash it twice if you feel extra cautious (going out for the evening, etc. …).

Though a wonderful hair and skin product, coconut oil is primarily used for eating. Studies have shown the many health benefits of this “good fat” — my favorite benefit being the increase in metabolism, which helps you burn more calories, and… lose weight. For more information than you ever wanted to know about coconut oil, visit this website: http://www.westonaprice.org/knowyourfats/coconut_oil.html