Coconuts are plentiful in southern Asia, Malaysia, and Polynesia. Despite their name, coconuts are not nuts but one-seeded drupes. These fruits have an outer skin, a juicy middle layer, and a hard inner shell that holds a single seed. In Sanskrit, the coconut palm is called Kalpavriksha, meaning the “tree that provides all necessities for life” because almost all parts of the coconut can be used, including the water, milk, flesh, sugar, and oil. Even the husks and leaves are useful for making furniture and decorations.

Making creamed coconut and coconut milk is quite similar to making dairy products. The coconut flesh is grated and soaked in hot water. The cream rises to the top and is skimmed off. The remaining liquid is squeezed through a cheesecloth to get coconut milk. Fresh coconut water is the milky substance inside a coconut, but when blended with the flesh and strained, it becomes thicker coconut milk.

Coconuts are highly nutritious, packed with fiber, and rich in vitamins C, E, B1, B3, B5, and B6, as well as minerals like iron, selenium, sodium, calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus. Coconut milk is lactose-free, making it a good alternative for those allergic to dairy, nut-based, or grain-based milk, and it’s also vegan-friendly.

Given its benefits, coconut milk can be great for your health and beauty. Here’s how you can make your own coconut milk at home:

How To Make Coconut Milk At Home

Ingredients:
– 8 ounces of unsweetened organic shredded coconut
– 4 cups of near-boiling hot water
– Measuring cup
– Blender
– Nut bag
– Medium-sized bowl
– Clean mason jars with lids

Instructions:
1. Put the shredded coconut in the blender.
2. Pour the hot water over the coconut.
3. Let the mixture sit for a few minutes to soften the coconut.
4. Blend on high speed until it looks milky, which takes a couple of minutes. It’s okay if there are still coconut flakes.
5. Place the nut bag over a bowl and pour the mixture into the bag.
6. Squeeze the bag with both hands to extract as much milk as possible. Discard the leftover coconut or use it to make coconut flour.
7. Clean your mason jars and pour the milk into them, then seal.
8. Store the milk in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Leave some room at the top before freezing. The milk will separate when frozen; just shake well after thawing.

10 Health & Beauty Benefits Of Coconut Milk

1. Treat Dry, Damaged Hair: Coconut milk is a great moisturizer for dry, damaged hair and can soothe an itchy scalp. Refrigerate a can of unsweetened coconut milk overnight, apply it to dry hair in sections, and leave it on for 20 minutes before rinsing.

2. Prevent Hair Loss and Encourage Growth: Mix a quarter cup of coconut milk with half a cup of water and a few drops of lavender oil. Massage into your scalp, leave for two hours, then rinse.

3. Hair Detangler and Conditioner: Coconut milk can condition and detangle hair. Rub some milk into your hair while combing or use it as a leave-in conditioner for added volume without greasiness.

4. Prevent Premature Aging: Rich in Vitamin C and copper, coconut milk helps maintain skin elasticity and prevent wrinkles. Use it in a facial mask with honey and eucalyptus oil, apply with a cotton pad, leave for 10 minutes, and rinse.

5. Soothe Sunburn: Apply a thin layer of cool coconut milk to sunburned skin to restore moisture, reduce redness, and ease pain.

6. Prevent Acne: Use coconut milk as a cleanser for its antibacterial properties that prevent breakouts without clogging pores.

7. Overall Skin Moisturizer: Add a cup of coconut milk to your bath or rub it directly on your skin to hydrate and soften.

8. Support Heart Health: Coconut milk contains lauric acid, which improves cholesterol levels and can lower blood pressure and reduce plaque buildup in blood vessels.

9. Weight Loss: The healthy fats in coconut milk help you feel full, reduce overeating, and aid in muscle repair post-workout.

10. Lower Inflammation: The medium-chain fatty acids in coconut milk help reduce inflammation, which can alleviate arthritis, muscle aches, and joint pains.

3 Homemade Health & Beauty Products Made With Coconut Oil

Rich and Creamy Chocolate Coconut Shake
– Ingredients: 4 oz full-fat coconut cream (frozen), 2 tbsp grass-fed butter, 8 oz coconut milk, 2 tbsp cocoa powder, 2 tbsp grass-fed collagen peptides, 1 tbsp raw honey, ½ tbsp almond butter, 1 frozen banana, pinch of sea salt.
– Instructions: Blend all ingredients until creamy. Enjoy immediately.

Coconut Milk Exfoliating Scrub
– Ingredients: ½ cup coconut milk, ½ cup turbinado sugar, ½ tbsp warmed organic coconut oil.
– Instructions: Combine ingredients, apply to clean skin in circular motions, rinse, and pat dry.

Tropical Leave-in Hair Conditioner
– Ingredients: ¼ cup filtered water, 1 tbsp full-fat coconut milk, 10 drops lavender essential oil, small spray bottle.
– Instructions: Mix ingredients, pour into a spray bottle, and spray on towel-dried hair before combing through.