Have you considered cooking with some of the oils found in your natural skincare and hair care?

We are definitely in an awakened error where we are more Conscious about what we use on our skin and hair as well as what we put in our bodies.   But, what about the oils that we cook with? Some say certain oils are best for cooking and others should only be ingested raw.     There are so many options these days, especially with access to online grocery shopping like Amazon Pantry.  It can be ponderous trying to figure out what’s best.   There are plant based oils of the coconut, sunflower, almond, grape seed, rice grain, avocado, walnut, and the list goes on. (Click link for a full list and benefits)  So, what kind of oil are you cooking with?   Are you buying some of the same healthy plant oils at the grocery store that are found in your favorite natural skincare and hair care?   

At Butter By Keba we love using plant based oils such as  Rice Bran Oil and Grape seed Oil in our body butters, lotions and scrubs, with a heavier emphasis on the Rice Bran because it has so many wonderful benefits to the skin.  The two compliment each other because one (Rice Bran Oil) is richer, heavier and packed with nutrients, while the other, (Grape Seed Oil) is much lighter, absorbs quickly and is packed with Vitamin E.    Here are some of the great things both plant based oils can do internally and externally.

Rice Bran Oil

Rice bran oil is the oil extracted from the rice husk, or the hard outer brown layer of rice. Rice bran oil has a high smoke point (450o F) and is quite suitable for dishes involving high temperatures.

The goodness of rice bran oil comes from its components. It contains y-oryzanol, a potent antioxidant, and other organic chemical compounds like tocopherols and tocotrienols, which have properties of vitamin E.

1. Rice Bran Oil Boosts Heart Health

Also known as a heart-friendly oil, it can lower cholesterol levels – thanks to the optimum levels of oryzanol. In fact, this antioxidant reduces cholesterol absorption and increases cholesterol elimination. This oil also has the best combination of monounsaturated, polyunsaturated, and saturated fats amongst all vegetable oils.   (In one study, rice bran oil was found to lower blood sugar levels by as much as 30% (3)

2. Aids Weight Loss

As it has the ability to lower cholesterol levels, rice bran oil may also aid weight loss (4). It is also rich in natural antioxidants (like oryzanol) that boost metabolism and contribute to healthy weight loss (5).

3. Treats Dark Spots

Using rice bran oil topically has its benefits (6). It evens out the skin tone and reduces dark spots. It also helps treat the puffiness around eyes.

4. Helps Treat Eczema

The moisturizing properties of rice bran oil may help treat dry skin and eczema (7). Other dry skin conditions like dermatitis, rosacea, and even rashes could also be treated with rice bran oil.

The oil contains oleic and linoleic acids in a balanced ratio, and this can help treat acne. This is because acne-prone skin is usually deficient in linoleic acid. The oil also contains palmitic acid, another essential fatty acid for healthy skin.

5. Helps Delay Aging

This can be attributed to the presence of squalene in the oil, which tightens skin and boosts skin health. As a consequence, it slows down wrinkle formation and delays skin aging due to its natural moisturizing action.

Grape Seed Oil

Grape seed oil is high in polyunsaturated fats and vitamin E, grapeseed oil has a high smoke point, which makes it a good substitute for olive or vegetable oils for your stir-fry or sauté.   It is also odorless and tasteless if you’re looking for an oil that doesn’t in interfere with your master piece meal. 

Grapeseed oil also contains significant amounts of vitamin E. One tablespoon provides 3.9 mg of vitamin E, which is 19% of the RDA (9)

While there isn’t as  much research on the internal health effects of grapeseed oil in humans, the current evidence suggests it may reduce blood clotting and decrease inflammation.

Grape seed oil is ideal for moisturizing and conditioning dry hair because it is lighter than olive oil or coconut oil and won't leave your hair feeling greasy. It is also odorless, so it won't leave a lingering scent. Grape seed oil helps to lock in moisture and prevent frizz, split ends, and brittle hair.

Reducing Hair Loss

Grape seed oil, which is extracted from cold-pressed grape seeds, contains antioxidants that may help to block the production of DHT, a hormone that causes hair loss. Grape seed oil can also be used as a carrier for essential oils that promote relaxation of the hair follicles, preventing hair loss caused by cortisol, a hormone released when you're stressed. Try mixing a few teaspoons of grape seed oil with a drop or two of jojoba oil and rubbing it into your scalp to treat hair loss.

As you can see there are a myriad of health benefits to just 2 of the oils we use  in our ingredients when purchased and used in their  food grade forms.  It is great to know that we have many more options and can choose to cook with oils that are better for us and our families.

Note: The highlights above are links to the original sources of the information contained in this article.   Click through for more insight on this discussion.

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