The humble coconut tree (Cocos nucifera) has a miraculous abundance of uses for mankind, from its fibrous coir used in the making of ropes, mats and mattresses, to its shell and husk used in various handicrafts and for fuel and charcoal, to its leaves which can be woven for handicraft or roof thatch, to its trunk which is used as timber and to all the various nutritional and culinary uses of the coconut itself including the coconut meat, milk, oil and water.
Among all these products of the coconut tree and their many uses, Coconut oil stands out as especially useful and beneficial in Ayurvedic body care (both skin care and hair care!). While Sesame oil is often cited as the premier oil in Ayurvedic body care, with its warming and nourishing properties, Coconut oil comes a close second, and is well-loved and ubiquitous in Ayurvedic body care products like hair oils, massage oils and soaps.
Beneficial Properties of Coconut Oil
With its light, moisturizing quality and cooling potency (śīta vīrya), Coconut oil is very useful for hot conditions related to excess Pitta or for those with Pitta body-types, while also helping to balance dryness of the skin and hair caused by an excess of the Vata dosha. This includes help in the treatment of mild sunburns, itchy, dry or cracked skin and certain types of eczema and psoriasis. Coconut oil also has natural antimicrobial properties and is traditionally prescribed for wound healing, including mild burns and insect bites, and ear and nose piercings. Lastly, Coconut oil is a natural source of Vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant which helps in reducing inflammation and protecting the skin and hair from damage and premature aging.
Coconut oil is also suitable for use in Shiroabhyanga or Ayurvedic Head Massage.
Auromere Ayurvedic Products with Coconut Oil
All five varieties of Auromere Ayurvedic Soap (Tulsi-Neem, Himalayan Rose, Lavender-Neem, Sandalwood-Turmeric and Vanilla-Neem) are formulated with Coconut oil, which imparts all of its beneficial Ayurvedic properties to the soap, along with other synergistic Ayurvedic herbs. Suitable for everyday use, these body soaps are each formulated slightly differently to meet the requirement of all skin and body types.
And for nourishing and protecting the hair, our Auromere Ayurvedic Shampoo Bar and Ayurvedic Pre-shampoo Conditioner (Conditioning hair oil) both contain the beneficial properties of Coconut oil as described above. (Curious if you should be using a Shampoo Bar? Check out these 5 reasons why you should consider using a shampoo bar)
