8 Top Benefits Of Coconut Milk For Hair, Skin & Health

Living on a coconut farm all my life and depending on coconuts for livelihood, it is a great joy for me to write anything related to coconut, and coconut milk is no exception. Coconut milk is very very soothing on the stomach and has wonderful health benefits and medicinal uses.

We start almost every morning breaking a coconut and extracting the coconut milk because we use coconut milk extensively in our cooking. We use it in remedies for treating ulcers and also to improve immunity. We use it in skin and hair care extensively too.

What Is Coconut Milk?

Coconut milk is plant based milk extracted by grinding coconut meat with water. Coconut milk has a wonderful creamy texture and buttery taste which makes many people think of it as an ingredient that is fattening and bad to be eating every day. We get contradicting advice from everyone about most of the ingredients we use including coconut milk, some say it is good and some say it is fattening.

I always prefer to follow the traditions, if my grandma and mom used an ingredient, then I would continue to use it. We have been using coconut milk and coconut oil in our cooking forever, in my humble opinion, we should never let go of the traditions that have been followed for thousands of years, especially ingredients like coconut milk which is very nourishing both when taken internally and applied externally.

Coconut Milk Common Indian Names:

Coconut Milk Nutrition Facts:

How Is Coconut Milk Made?

Coconut Milk Health Benefits:

1. For Heart Health:

2.  For Strong Healthy Bones:

3. For A Calm Mind:

4. Benefits For Weight Loss:

5. For Immunity:

6. Coconut Milk For Ulcer:

7.  For Hair Care:

8. For Skin Care:

Types Of Coconut Milk:

We get two types of coconut milk in the markets now, the first one is canned coconut milk. Canned coconut milk might be sweetened or unsweetened and can also come in different fat contents. However, I have never seen canned coconut milk with varying fat content in India, at least not in my local town.

The second one is coconut milk powder which can be mixed with water to get coconut milk. While both these methods might seem very convenient compared to buying a coconut, breaking it open, scraping the flesh, and grinding to extract the milk which might seem a lengthy and tedious process, in my humble opinion, it is worth going the extra mile for fresh coconut milk.

The coconut milk made with fresh coconut meat is divine, it has a beautiful fresh smell and sweet taste. Coconut milk spoils easily and is highly perishable and so to extend its shelf life, the manufacturers have to add preservatives. I would recommend extracting fresh coconut milk, and trust me, it gets easier with practice.

Where to Get Coconut Milk?

Canned coconut milk can be bought in almost all the departmental stores now. If at all you want to buy canned coconut milk, make sure to buy one that is organic and free of BPA (Bisphenol A), an industrial toxic chemical used to line the insides of canned tins.

Especially, they leach out more in stuff that is acidic, salty, or in foods that contain high amounts of fat like coconut milk. Also, check for guar gum which is also another common ingredient in canned coconut milk as some people can be allergic to it.

Coconut Milk Side Effects:

8 Top Hair, Skin & Health Benefits Of Coconut Milk, Coconut Cream & Coconut Milk Oil:

Coconut Milk For Health:

1. Coconut Milk Oil:

If you don’t get pure coconut oil in your place, I would suggest making homemade coconut oil from coconut milk. Though the quantity got is very less, it is pure coconut oil without any additives. This oil has loads of health benefits, you can find the method for making it here.

2. Coconut Milk For Ulcers: 

Whenever we suffer from stomach ulcers, we make a simple drink | soup with mudakathan keerai and coconut milk. It heals ulcers well, you can find the recipe for making it here.

Coconut Milk For Hair:

3. Hair Mask For Dandruff & Hair Growth:

For the hair mask, take fenugreek powder in a bowl and add enough coconut milk to form a very loose paste. Set aside for an hour or two to thicken, mix well again, and use it as a hair mask. Both fenugreek and coconut milk will condition the hair, prevent dandruff, and will leave the hair manageable and soft.

4. Coconut Milk Cream For Hair Loss:

For making the coconut milk cream, extract coconut milk the same way but instead of water, add cow milk and extract the coconut milk. Now squeeze in fresh lemon juice, mix well and set aside overnight in the fridge. The next day, a thick cream would have formed on top. Skim the cream and use it as a hair mask.

5. Hair Serum For Dry Hair:

Coconut milk hair serum is a wonderful preparation we can make at home. For the serum, take 1/4 cup of coconut milk in a bowl, add a cup of distilled water along with 4 drops of your favorite essential oil and mix well.

Coconut Milk For Skin:

6.As a Makeup Remover:

Coconut Milk is wonderful as a makeup remover. To remove makeup, just dip a piece of cotton in coconut milk, squeeze out the excess coconut milk and use it as a makeup remover. It not only removes makeup but also cleanses the skin well too.

7. Coconut Milk Face Mask:

Coconut milk mixed with oatmeal is one of the best at-home remedies for sunburned skin as it is very very soothing. To make the mask, grind oatmeal to a fine or coarse powder, add coconut milk to it and let it soak for about 10 minutes. Apply this mixture on sunburned skin, it will greatly help.

8. Coconut Milk Bath:

Coconut milk baths like regular milk baths are very hydrating and are best for treating extremely dry skin, it also eases skin irritation. This bath can be given to young children during cold winter months, it will keep their skin supple and soft. For the bath, add 1/2 cup of coconut milk, a handful of dried rose petals, and 5 drops of rose essential oil to the bath.