Coconut oil is an edible oil gotten from the meat of a copra (dried coconut kernel) harvested from a coconut palm. It is widely used because it is rich in fatty acids, vitamin E which is very beneficial to our health. It also used in body care, skin treatment and hair products.

Nutritional Value of Coconut Oil
Saturated fat: It is very rich in saturated fat as it contains about 87% of it. A larger portion of the saturated fats fall into the group of medium-chain triglycerides which include lauric acid, capric acid, caprylic acid and caproic acid.
Vitamin E, an antioxidant vitamin that nixes damaging free radicals and shields the skin
Vitamin K, it helps in blood clotting
Iron –it help lauric acid and other medium-chain triglycerides to be absorbed passively into the blood stream.


Extraction of Coconut Oil for Home Use
There are two methods for extracting coconut oil from the copra. We have the cold-press and the hot-press method. Cold-press method is much better because it doesn’t involve the use of heat; thereby, the vitamins and minerals are not destroyed.

First Method: Cold press method
Materials needed:
2 copra i.e. dry kernel of coconut (or more depending on the quantity of oil that you want)
Machete or Cleaver
Kitchen knife
Blender or a grater
Sieve
Filter paper or cheese cloth
A jar with a lid
Instructions

Break the coconuts with the machete or Cleaver
Filter out the coconut water into a cup
Break the coconut into smaller pieces to be able to remove the meat using the kitchen knife
Grate the fleshy part using a grater or you chop it into small pieces and blend it with a blender
Add a little water to ensure that the coconut blends smoothly
Place the filter paper or cheesecloth over the jar
Pour the blended mixture into the filter paper or cheesecloth so that the coconut milk is separated.
With cheese cloth you can squeeze out more coconut milk from the meat
Close the lid and leave it in a refrigerator for 2-3 days. This will allow the oil to split from the liquid.
After the 2-3 days, scoop out the whitish curd on top of it to reveal the oil
Store your coconut oil in refrigerator for use
Note: This method allows the oil to retain more of its natural health benefits, vitamins and anti-oxidants.

Second Method: Hot Press Method
Materials needed:

2 copra (dry kernel of coconut)
Grater or blender
Machete or Cleaver
Fine-mesh strainer or a cheesecloth
Preparations:

Pour 4 cups of water into a pan and heat it on a burner
Heat the water until it starts steaming
Break the copra using machete or cleaver
Pour out the coconut water into a cup
Break it into pieces and use a knife to remove the coconut meat
Grate/blend the coconut meat using or a grater/blender
Pour the hot water over the coconut and puree it until it is smooth.
Strain it using a strainer or a cheesecloth over a bowl
Use the spatula to press it to squeeze out the liquid as much as possible. Or if you are using the cheese cloth, you squeeze it over the bowl with your hands to get more liquid out of it.
Boil the liquid. Place it in a saucepan on a burner. Use medium heat
Let it boil, constantly stirring it until the water has evaporated and the cream has separated from the oil and turned brown.
Pour the oil into a bottle and store it for use.
N/B: Don’t fill the blender more than half way with hot water and hold the lid when blending so that the lid doesn’t fly off

BENEFITS OF COCONUT OIL
1) Health Benefits
Weight loss: Enzymes contained in the coconut oil actually acts as catalysts to the stomach acid and help break down fat at an increased rate; thereby helping to burn a higher proportion of calories.

Promotes healthy gut: It fights off bacteria, strengthens the stomach lining and promotes optimal health of the thyroid and enzymes systems.

Aids digestion: It has strong anti-microbial benefits which helps to fight off harmful bacteria and prevents indigestion.

Boosts immune system: It contains anti-viral and anti-fungal properties which helps the body to fight against infection/diseases

Treatment of candidiasis and other yeast infections: Due to its anti-microbial properties, coconut oil is also use in the treatment of candidiasis and other yeast infections.

Prevent heart diseases: using coconut oil in our diet helps to reduce the risk of heart diseases e.g high cholesterol obesity, high blood pressure, etc.

2) Healthy Cooking Oil
Most vegetable oils have saturated fats that.....For more benefits and details on Coconut oil, read from the link http://www.dailytipsfromme.com/coconut-oil/