Instead of purchasing a variety of different tools and supplies for a wilderness trip, you can simply pack some coconut oil. As long as you know how to properly use it, CO will be something you’ll never want to enter the woods without.

Coconut Oil (CO)

The saturated fat (medium-chain triglycerides) in CO burns quicker in your body than other fats boosting your metabolic rate and energy level. The healthy fats in CO have been found to raise HDL (good) cholesterol and lower the ratio of LDL to HLD.

• Anti-bacterial – treats skin infections and kills bacteria
• Anti-viral – kills many common viruses
• Anti-fungal – effective on Candida; yeast infections, diaper rash, and lady-parts infections
• Anti-inflammatory – suppresses inflammation and helps repair tissue
• Anti-parasitic – helps rid your body of pesky parasites like tapeworm and lice
• Anti-microbial – fights infection from bacteria, viruses, yeast, and fungi without harming beneficial gut bacteria
• Anti-protozoa – kills giardia, a common protozoan infection from drinking untreated water
• Anti-pyretic – reduces fever

Self-Aid

• Cuts and scrapes: a thin layer applied forms a protective barrier against bacteria and foreign matter.
• Bruises
• Burns: apply immediately to affected area and repeat as necessary.
• Bites and stings: relieves itching and stinging.
• Chapped lips and skin: softens and moisturizes cracked, dry lips and relieves psoriasis.
• Sunburn: relieves the burn and heals the affected skin.
• Sunscreen: not a high SPF but adds a little protection for your skin.
• Nose bleeds: coat the nasal passage with a layer.
• Allergies: CO is a solid around 76º F. Melt CO and snort/sniff it up your nose to coat sinuses and protect from pollen.
• Salves: add healing herbs to make a salve.

Personal Hygiene

• Shaving
• Beard: yep, it’ll condition, tame, and sanitize any mountain man beard.
• Soap
• Foot care: Rubbing CO on your feet also kills harmful fungi and bacteria on the skin and toenails. Effective on athlete’s foot.
• Maceration: Rub CO on your soles before putting on clean socks and footwear. Apply a coat to dry feet and wear socks in your bedroll for overnight moisturizing.
• Teeth and bones: brush your teeth with a mix of CO and baking soda.
• Deodorant: CO alone is somewhat effective as a deodorant. Or you can make an aluminum-free all-natural deodorant stick ahead of time.
• Bushcraft Dog: Apply to your dog’s skin and coat for any itchy issues.

Field Gear Maintenance

• Leather: cleans, conditions, and preserves leather.
• Wood: apply a coat to ax handles, wooden spoons, and buck saws as a preservative.
• Metal: wipe down your cutting tools with a thin layer of CO to prevent rust.
• Lubricant
• Cleaner: add an abrasive like baking soda to CO to scrub sticky stuff of knives and other gear.
• Fixin’ Wax: CO can be substituted for the tallow.
• Oil lamp: CO can be pressed into service as fuel for slush/oil lamps.
• Rust remover: coat area and let it sit for an hour. Rinse with warm water.
• Waterproofing
• Non-toxic: clean your eating knife and utensils with CO.

Camp Cooking

• Cooking oil: CO is an excellent butter substitute.
• Oxidation: less heat sensitive than vegetable oils so there’s less oxidation from heat.
• Coffee
• Hot Cocoa
• Flavor
• Energy: eat a tablespoon, with or without other food, to boost energy and endurance.
• Vitamin absorption
• Colon detox: shown to reduce waste and toxins from your digestive tract.
• Constipation: CO contains fiber and helps get stuff moving after that campfire chili encounter.
• Diabetics: CO is associated with insulin and blood sugar control.
• Spread

Have you tried using coconut oil for any of the above? Are there other reasons for having coconut oil on hand?

Article Source: Survival Sherpa