coconut

Description

The coconut is known as a 'wonder-food'. It is a near perfect diet, as it contains almost all the essential nutrients needed by the human body. It is also considered a sacred fruit and holds a very high place in all religious ceremonies.



Food Value

The coconut is highly nourishing, strengthening and fattening food article. The coconut has a high oil content which is easily digestible. It is more easily utilized by the body than -all other fats. This oil closely resembles the butter in physical and chemical properties. The protein content of coconut is of high quality, containing all the amino-acids. It is also rich in potassium, sodium, magnesium and sulfur. The energy value of the dried coconut is very high, being 662 calories per 100 grams.



Natural Benefits and Curative Properties

The water of the tender green coconut, generally known as mineral water, is used as a beverage and a refreshing drink. A tender coconut, which is fully grown and only one month old, contains about 400 to 465 C.C. of water. . The water of a single coconut contains sufficient vitamin C to meet the daily requirements of the body. It also contains several vitamins in the B group. These are niacin, pantothenic acid, biotin, riboflavin, folic acid and thiamin as well as pyridoxin in traces. The water also contains sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, copper, phosphorus, sulfur and chlorine.



Intestinal Worms

The coconut is an ancient and very effective remedy for intestinal worms of all kinds. A tablespoonful of the freshly ground coconut should be taken at breakfast, followed by a dose of castor oil after three hours. The process may be repeated till the cure is complete.'



Acidity

The mature dried coconut is valuable in the treatment of acidity. Its oil reduces the Acid secretion of the stomach and gives much relief to the patient.



Digestive System Disorder

Tender kernel of coconut is highly beneficial in the treatment of digestive system disorders. It is valuable in diseases like indigestion, colitis, gastric ulcers, diarrhoea, dysentery arid piles. The tender coconut water is also an excellent remedy for flatulence, vomiting and dyspepsia. In vomiting, it is food medicine of great value when other methods of allaying it have failed.



Cholera

Tender coconut water is very useful in cholera. Eight to 12 ounces of this water mixed with a teaspoonful of fresh lime juice should be administered orally to the patient. It rectifies the electrolyte balance and neutralizes the acidosis of the blood. Coconut water is a known source of potassium-rich fluid, and since cholera patients can almost invariably take oral fluids following initial correction of shock and acidosis, the experts suggest intake of coconut water is a must for cholera patients.



Urinary Disorders

The coconut water is valuable in urinary disorders. It acts as a natural diuretic in heart, liver and kidney disorders such as scanty and suppressed urination, albuminuria that in presence of protein in urine, dropsy and high acidity of urine.



Ascites

It is a disease which causes swelling in the stomach due to fluid accumulation. Coconut water is valuable in ascites. The patient should be given two or three glassful of coconut water to drink. This quantity maybe increased or decreased according to the condition of the patient.



Uses

The coconut is widely used in the preparation of many products. The oil is the most important of these products. It is used in cooking and made into coco jam, coco butter, vegetable butter and salad oil. The oil is a hair-restorer and is used as a hair oil in all parts of the country. Dried coconut is used in cooking and in various preparations (if sweets and curries. The milk from a dried coconut is a fine medium of cooking in place of ghee or oil.