Tag Archives: Medium Chain Fatty Acid

Coconut Oil Use in Aromatherapy

Do you know………Coconut Oil is the do-everything natural cost effective oil that can be used for cooking, skin care, hair care, massage, aromatherapy, bio-fuel, as antimicrobial agent, etc. It’s easily available, affordable, and used by large majority of the population.

         Coconut Oil Use in Aromatherapy

Coconut oil is surging in popularity as a “health food,” after being discarded for a long time because of its high saturated fat content. Coconut oil is rich in antioxidants, and has anti-viral, anti-fungal, and anti-bacterial properties. When used on hair, it improves scalp health, supports hair growth and shine without the common harmful chemicals found in regular commercial products.

Coconut oil is made by pressing; fresh coconut meat called, ‘Wet Method-Cold Pressed’ without use of heat where the temperature remains below 120 degrees F; this is believed to help retain more nutrients and produces Virgin Coconut Oil or dried coconut meat (Copra) called, ‘Dry Method-Machine Pressed’, the oil is then steamed or heated to deodorize the oil and bleached by filtering through clay to remove impurities and any remaining bacteria. This process produces Refined Coconut Oil with higher smoke point at about 400-450 degrees F, is flavourless and odorless. The refined oil has no coconut taste or smell and is used for cooking, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical purposes. It’s called RBD coconut oil for “Refined, Bleached, and Deodorized”.

Coconut Oil contains 92% of saturated fatty acids in the form of triglycerides, most of it are medium chain fatty acids (MCFAs) with lauric acid at 45-65%.  . MCFAs with chains of 6 to 12 carbon atoms (C6–C12) are not common to different vegetable oils, that makes coconut oil an excellent solvent for flavours, essences, emulsifiers, as carrier oil in Aromatherapy, etc. In contrast, saturated fats in animal fats and most other vegetable oils are mainly long-chain fatty acids (LCFAs), which contain 14 to 18 carbon atoms (C14–C18). Studies have shown that molecular chain length greatly influences a fatty acid’s metabolic and physiologic properties. Triacylglycerides (TAGs) composed of MCFAs are more water-soluble, quickly absorbed, and readily digestible, than TAGs containing LCFAs.

Natural Face Wash with Coconut Oil:

25 drops Tea Tree Essential Oil

15 drops Lavender Essential Oil (skin soothing properties)

8 drops Geranium Essential Oil (anti-aging properties)

1 (8oz) cup Coconut Oil

1 Tbsp baking soda

In an 8oz glass jar pour the melted Coconut Oil (can melt in a pan over slow flame), bring to room temperature, add Baking Soda, mix well, add Essential Oils, mix well, cover, label, store in a cool place. Use it everyday or as needed for face wash.

 

Om Healing………..Uma
(Founder of AromaWellness)
visit aromawellness.net, to order
Call 414-793-8645, to schedule your consultation appointment