Coconut (Cocos
nucifera) is the Best Oil in the World. Coconut oil contains lauric acid
which is anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-fungal. Coconut oil is the best frying oil since it does not create any free radicals when heated. Virgin coconut oil
is a very good skin moisturizer. VCO lowers bad cholesterol and increases good cholesterol.
Coconut / Buko (Cocos nucifera).
In most Pacific
islanders, is called the tree of life for its versatility of use. Almost every
part of the Coconut / buko tree has good use as seen in many domestic,
commercial and industrial applications. It is also valued in traditional
medicine for the many health benefits it provides, from graying hair to cancer.
We shall examine in this article how they are used and what is the scientific
basis if any.
Scientific Name:
Cocos nucifera Common Names: The
Coconut / Buko tree ;(Cocos nucifera), is a member of the family Arecaceae
(palm family) The Coconut / Buko tree is of the genus Cocos. The Coconut / Buko
tree or Coconut / Buko palm can be found in rainforests and countries with
tropical climate such as in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Pacific. In the
United States, Coconut / Buko tree can be found in Hawaii, the Southern tip of
Florida, and the Virgin Islands.
The Coconut / Buko tree has erect graceful gray colored
trunk, swollen at the base and grows slightly curved. The truck is ringed due
to old leaf scars and is smooth. The Coconut / Buko tree is topped by a crown
composed of about 25 to 30 pinnate feather-like leaves that are about 6 feet
wide and 18 feet long. There are about 200 leaflets in every leaf, colored
yellow green when young and as it matures turned to brown. The Coconut / Buko
leaves are shed as it grows old and young new shoots grows from the top most of
the crown. Coconut / Buko flowers start to bloom when the Coconut / Buko is
about 4 to 6 years of age. The Coconut / Buko flowers are yellow and are sweet
scented. The flowers grow in clusters from a branched stalked with both male
and female flowers growing from the same inflorescence.
The flower buds turned to Coconut / Buko fruits that grow to
a large nut like shape about 10 inches in diameter and about 12 inches in
length. The fruit is commonly called as Coconut / Buko . The Coconut / Buko has
a smooth hard protective outer layer, usually green, but others may be pale
yellow, silver-gold or brown depending on variety and age. Coconut / Buko fruit
has a husk of about 1 to 2 inches thick with an inner hollow round seed of
about 5 to 7 inches in diameter. The Coconut / Buko seed has a hard shell that
when cracked open will reveal a layer of white edible meat and about a glassful
of sweet watery Coconut / Buko milk. A matured Coconut / Buko tree can produce
about 50 to 200 Coconut / Buko s per year depending on variety and growing
conditions.
Coconut / Buko Health
Benefits as in Traditional Medicine. Traditional
Health Benefits of Coconut / Buko. Coconut
has long been used in traditional medicine for almost any kind of illness and
almost all parts have their uses. Among these health benefits are as follows. Antifungal and antimicrobial treatment
for skin and mouth problems such as ring worms, candidiasis, psoriasis, sores,
skin burns, sunburns, toothache, sore throat and ulcers. Coconut oil is massage over the skin as anti-ageing regimen to keep
skin soft and youthful looking. Used as oil massage to remove heel cracks and
darkening of armpits. Coconut oil is used to treat scalp and hair problems.
From greying hair, dandruff to baldness.
Coconut oil is an
antidote for pesticide poisoning. Coconut
water is used to treat colitis, kidney stones, and stomach acidity. Coconut water is also used as diuretic
to improve removal of excess water. Coconut
water is used for the treatment of urinary tract, gall bladder and kidney
problems. Used for the treatment of
catarrhal inflammation associated with common colds and coughs. Consume the flesh of Coconut with
Coconut Milk and Honey. It increases libido in both men and women. Coconut water is used to treat
measles.
Science Based Health
Benefits from Coconut / Buko Herbal Medicine. Coconut / Buko has many
claims of health benefits in traditional medicine. Only recently that
laboratory studies and researches has been made to verify its effectivity and
science has uphold some its claims as cure for many health problems. Coconut health benefits 1: Immune
System Booster. Coconut oil is good for the immune system. Coconut water is now
considered as a potent nutritional source that can boost energy and endurance,
enhancing physical and athletic performance. Coconut health benefit 2: Aids the digestive system. Coconut has
been found to improve digestion and hasten the absorption of nutrients
including vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. Coconut is also effective in
expelling parasites such as tapeworms and lice.
Coconut health
benefit 3: Antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal actions. The coconut oil
contains antimicrobial lipids, capric acid, caprylic acid and lauric acid that
are known to possess antifungal, antibacterial and antiviral properties. Coconut
helps strengthen the immune system by converting lauric acid into monolaurin
which limits the activities of viruses that cause diseases such as influenza,
herpes, measles, hepatitis C, SARS, and even AIDS. Coconut also fights bacteria such as listeria monocytogenes and
heliobacter pylori that are causes of diseases such as throat infections, gum
disease, ulcers, urinary tract infections, pneumonia, and gonorrhea. Coconut is also used in the treatment
of fungi and yeast infections such as ringworm, athlete's foot, thrush, diaper
rash and candidiasis.
Coconut health
benefits 4: Skin and Hair Care. Coconut
oil is widely used to promote healthy growth of hair. Coconut is traditionally used to treat baldness, dandruff and head
lice; Coconut oil is used as hair
conditioner to nourish damaged hair. Coconut
oil is also used as topical applicant for wounds and burns to lubricate skin
and to protect from infections. Reduces
symptoms associated to psoriasis, eczema, and dermatitis. It also helps to
soften the skin and relieve dryness and flaking. Prevents wrinkles, sagging skin, and age spots. Coconut is also used as a protection
against the damaging effects of ultraviolet radiation from the sun.
Coconut health
benefit 5: Prevents Heart disease.There is a misconception about coconut
oil that has been propagated long since being high in saturated fats that can
cause heart diseases. In the contrary, recent researches have shown that the
saturated fats found in coconut oil is a type of unique fat molecule known as
medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA) that actually prevents heart diseases. The
medium-chain fatty acids found in coconut oil increases the HDL level (good
cholesterol) while lowering the LDL (bad cholesterol) in the blood thus
improving the ratio of HDL to LDL which is the basis for heart disease risks.
The p-Coumaric acid in coconut oil prevents the formation of arterial plaque by
preventing the stickiness of the blood platelet, lowering the blood pressure
and reducing the risk of damaging the arteries and preventing the development
of atherosclerosis.
Coconut health
benefit 6: Aids weight loss. The medium-chain fatty acids found in coconut
oil are readily burned into energy preventing the formation of fats. This
process also relieves the pancreases of stress, making it more efficient,
increasing the body metabolism, and thereby burning more energy that results to
weight reduction. This likewise reduces the symptoms of pancreatitis.
Furthermore, coconut oil is easy to digest helping the thyroid and the enzyme
system to function properly as well. In a study done on women who were given
coconut oil supplementation for 12 weeks as compared to those given with
soybean oil have indicated that women who took 30 millilitres of coconut oil
daily have lower body mass index and reduced waist line.
Coconut health
benefit 7: Antioxidant and anti-cancer. Coconut oil extracted by cold press
process or commonly called virgin coconut oil naturally contains Tocopherol
(Vitamin E), Ferulic and p-Coumaric acids that are known as potent
antioxidants. The antioxidants in coconut helps protect the body from free
radicals that are the primary cause of premature aging, degenerative disease
and even cancer. Coconut oil is traditionally used to protect the body against
colon, breast and other cancers. The anti-oxidative property of coconut oil
also protects other essential fatty acids in the body from oxidation.
Other health benefits.
Coconut oil helps relieve symptoms and reduce health risks associated with
diabetes by improving insulin secretion and utilization of blood glucose Helps relieve symptoms associated with
chronic fatigue syndrome. Relieves
symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (prostate enlargement). Reduces epileptic seizures. Coconut water is good for urinary,
kidney and bladder problems. Helps
prevent liver disease. Coconut
improves the absorption of calcium and magnesium that supports bone development
that is beneficial for osteoporosis prevention. Relieves pain and irritation caused by hemorrhoids.
Fresh coconut is available in most Asian and Indian grocery
stores and markets. Fresh coconut should be consumed immediately upon opening
to benefit from its natural properties. Fresh coconut water can be refrigerated
up to 12 hours in a tightly sealed container to maintain its freshness. You can
make your own virgin coconut oil as follows: coconut oil, Crack to open a
mature (brown) coconut, Scrape the white meat off the shell, Cut and shred into
fine pieces using a blender / food processor, Filter and extract the juice into
a clean jar using a clean cloth., Let it stay in a cold place for 24 hours to
separate the oil from the curd, Remove and dispose of the curd and harvest the
oil. Virgin coconut / buko oil are now available in many health sotres even in
some grocery and super markets. If you can't find one in your area, online
stores such as Amazon carry a few listings such as Carrington Farms Organic
Extra Virgin Coconut Oil. Just llok out for a reputable manufacturer and follow
the instructions found in the label for safe use.
Coconut / Buko Herb
Warnings and Side Effects. Coconut water. Fresh Coconut Water is one of the best natural drinks there is. There is no known or reported side
effect for its use and consumption. Coconut
water is safe even for children and pregnant women. Moderate use of virgin coconut oil or coconut oil extracted by
cold press has no known side effects.