Coconut oil is the traditional cooking oil of Kerala, coastal Karnataka and parts of Tamil Nadu, and across the rest of India it is better known as hair oil and a natural care product. It is also used in personal care, rituals and around the house. Here are its uses, grouped so you can find what you need.
In the kitchen · cooking, frying and finishing
Everyday cooking
Coconut oil has traditionally been the main cooking oil along the Konkan and Malabar coasts, where coconut trees grow in abundance. Families often made oil from coconuts harvested from their own trees and stored it for the whole year.
Tempering and seasoning
A spoonful of hot coconut oil with mustard seeds, curry leaves and dried chillies is how many coastal curries, sambars, chutneys and vegetable dishes begin. Roasted oil adds a strong coconut aroma to them.
Deep frying
Coconut oil is mostly saturated fat, which makes it stable at high temperatures and suitable for deep frying. If it is filtered after use and not overheated, it can be reused a few times. Cold Pressed, with its mild aroma, is the usual choice for frying.
Snacks and sweets
Chips, chakli, murukku and many festival sweets are traditionally fried or cooked in coconut oil, which gives them their familiar taste and crispness.
Pan frying and roasting
Coconut oil can be used to shallow fry fish and vegetables, roast spices and nuts, or grease the pan for dosa, appam and idli, and for greasing moulds and baking trays.
Finishing touch
A spoonful of coconut oil over hot dishes such as pathrode, semige and kadubu adds flavour just before serving.
Salads and dressings
With its pleasant aroma and flavour, coconut oil can be used in salad dressings and on cooked vegetables. For a milder taste, choose Cold Pressed.
Hair, skin and body care · everyday personal care
Hair oil
Coconut oil penetrates the hair shaft and reduces protein loss, which leaves hair softer and shinier and the scalp nourished. Many hair oil makers prefer Roasted oil.
Body massage and oil bath
A full-body massage with warm coconut oil is a family tradition in many homes, especially on festival days such as Deepavali. It leaves the skin soft and moisturised.
Skin moisturiser
Coconut oil works as a natural moisturiser for dry skin on the face, hands, elbows and body, and is best applied in a thin layer on slightly damp skin.
Lip care
A small amount keeps dry, chapped lips soft and moisturised.
Foot care
Applied at night, coconut oil softens dry, rough skin and cracked heels, and relaxes tired feet.
Baby care
Coconut oil is gentle on a baby’s skin and is used in many homes for baby massage and as a moisturiser.
Makeup remover
Coconut oil dissolves makeup, including waterproof makeup, and leaves the skin soft. Wipe it off gently with a warm cloth.
Shaving
A thin layer helps the razor glide and leaves the skin soft after a shave.
Wellness and tradition · rituals, herbs and oral care
Oil pulling
Oil pulling is a traditional practice of swishing a spoonful of coconut oil in the mouth for a few minutes and spitting it out, to support oral hygiene.
Lighting lamps
Coconut oil is commonly used to light lamps at home and in temples during religious and festive occasions. It burns steadily with little smoke.
Herbal and homemade oils
Herbs such as curry leaves, hibiscus, amla, fenugreek and neem are warmed or sun-infused in coconut oil to make traditional hair and body oils at home.
Carrier oil for aromatherapy
Coconut oil is a common carrier for essential oils in massage blends because it spreads easily and has a mild, familiar fragrance.
Around the home and crafts · soaps, candles and household help
Soap making
Coconut oil is widely used in soap making for its cleansing lather and its moisturising feel.
Scented candles
Coconut oil is the base of coconut wax, which holds fragrance well and is used in scented candles.
Removing sticky substances
Coconut oil helps remove jackfruit gum, tar, stickers and other sticky residue from hands and surfaces. Wash with soap afterwards.
Lubricant for stuck items
Coconut oil works as a natural lubricant for zips, squeaky hinges and stuck locks.
Seasoning wooden utensils and cast iron
A thin coat conditions wooden spoons and chopping boards and helps season cast-iron cookware.
Natural repellent base
Coconut oil is used as a carrier oil for essential oils in homemade mosquito repellents.
Pet care · skin and coat
Pet skin and coat
A little coconut oil rubbed gently on a pet’s skin can relieve dryness and add shine to the coat.
Paw care
A thin layer on dry paws keeps them soft.
A word of caution: try a small amount on your skin first, particularly for a baby, and talk to your doctor or vet before using coconut oil on babies or pets with sensitive skin. Pets should not eat large quantities of oil. Choose Roasted where you want a strong coconut aroma, Cold Pressed for frying and a milder aroma, and Lite for everyday cooking. See Roasted vs Cold Pressed to compare them.