Coconut is a divine fruit and is also called ‘Jivan Taru’ (A tree which imparts life). No religious rite marriage ceremony, opening ceremony of a new house, shop, enterprise, auspicious occasion is considered where there is no coconut.. It is an auspicious and sacred offering for performing pooja in Hindus. On all happy and religious occasions coconut is a must because it is considered auspicious sacred, pious and holy. Its use in various recipes, vegetables, for garnishing purposes, various uses in sweetmeats, chutneys etc. is an ample proof of its muhiple uses and utility.
In has medicinal and curative utilities. Its outer haring, hard covering, is utilised for processing various decorative and jute items. Its hard bristles are used for making brushes, doormats, brooms etc. It is also used to provide cushion in the sofas, chairs, stools etc. Its root is used to purify the air, as it emits germicidal and aromatic fragrance. Its leaves are used on roof tops of thatched huts. Fruit juice of unripe coconut (Daab). Cools/quenches thirst, and is digestive—an infallible remedy to cure various digestive problems.
Its raw-fruit contains creamy, soft, easy to digest, soft pulp which is a brilliant tonic, appetiser, digestive.carminative, purifier of blood, does not cause flatulence. It removes phlegm and keeps bile under control. Ripe fruit of coconut builds up energy, expels wind, provides immunity and also saves the body from infections and bad effects thereof.
Coconut oil in used as a cooking medium, applied to hair to keep them shining, black, soft and lustrous and is a potent vehicle to provide a base to many hair oils. Dried coconut is used in confectionery items, various sweet preparations, desserts, puddings etc. Medicinally it has many inherent utilities and cannot be substituted by any other fruit.
Chemical Properties: Kernel of coconut contains Proteins 4.5%, Calcium 1%, Mineral 10%, 1.7 mg Iron (Per 1000 gms). Phosphorus .42%, Vitamins ‘A’, ‘B’, ‘C and ‘D’ and rest of the content is water. Its oil and fat help in free movement of intestines. Since, it is rich in fibre, it removes constipation. Eating its sweet kernel is a rich source of energy but the dried kernel is rich in oil content.
Medicinal Properties of Coconut
General: Soft part of kernel removes constipation (but without rind) but when it is taken with rind, it can cause constipation, its water is diuretic and being a cleanser par excellence, it throws out all the poisons from the body, through secretion of urine. Its water is akin to the qualities of mother’s milk. If given during infancy stage, it promotes growth of babies, improves their digestion, regulates bowels and also expels wind.
Patients with high blood pressure should take water of coconut 2-3 times daily. It not only soothes agitated and tense nerves, but it also cools and calms down frayed tempers. Its water is an excellent tonic for stomach, liver, urinary system, heart and lungs, in addition to toning up nervous system, heart and lungs, up nervous and auto-immuno mechanism of body’s defence system. It is an ideal and useful drink for diabetics. It restores water balance in the body.
It is an ideal and useful drink to diabetics. It restores water balance in the body, especially during summer and heat. It is much cheaper but more nutritious and useful substitute for popular cold drinks and so-called fruit juices which do not contain any pulp or juice, hence are devoid of any food/nutritious values. Coconut water stops excess secretion of bile, hence it can prove a preventive device to ward off dangers of jaundice and malfunctioning of liver and other attendant abnormalities.
Ladies, having deficient calcium, should eat. its kernel. Growing children should also take 50-100 gms. of coconut kernel daily, during growth period to maintain and sustain growth rate, to get rid of dryness of’ skin pimples and blemishes on skin, more so on face. Water of coconut will ensure normal functioning of liver, proper circulation of blood and keep also normal movement of bowels. When there is nothing handy to eat, coconut kernel and water will give enough and required energy to the body.
It is free from infections and adulteration. Dried coconut is an essential part of ‘Prasad’, for the simple reason that it serves two-fold purpose of ‘Prasad’ and ‘Nutrition’ Coconut infact, resembles human skull. In old times, human skull was used as an ‘offering’ to deities but, as times passed by, the skull was substituted by the coconut.
Rickety children or those who have weak bones, should be given its kernel and also its water daily. It will not only repair, though to some extent, the already occurred damage but will also prevent rickets, in addition to safeguarding the bones from deteriorating effects.
Specific Medicinal uses of Cocunut
Digestion (Anorexia) & Stomach Disorders: In acute anorexia, take water of coconut an hour prior to taking your meals. It will create an urge to eat. If there is acidity, take water of coconut after finishing meals. It will not only modify acidity, but it will also help in digestive process, remove constipation and keep bowel movement in order, but will also treat stomachache and subdue restless feeling.
Liver: Most of the problems and ailments of liver can be cured by taking daab water daily 3-4 times in a day. It will also modify and regulate bile secretion.
Headache and Migraine: Massaging the head with coconut juice (soak the dried coconut in water, keeping if soaked overnight and juice to be extracted thereafter) will cure even chronic headache. In addition, take kernel of coconut with sugar-candy (before sun-rise) also. In case of migraine (Ache of one side of head but with nausea), drop 3-4 drops of coconut water into nostrils. To get quicker relief massage of coconut water into nostrils. To get quicker relief massage the head, forehead and temples with camphor-mixed coconut oil which can also be used as snuff (for smelling only).
T.B., Typhoid and Asthma: Take coconut water and soft cream of coconut (Malai) 3-4 times daily, but it has to be continued for quite some time to gain relief. Asthma patients are warned not to use dry coconut kernel, as it is rich in oil, and oil can precipitate even bouts of cough. They can apply heated camphor-mixed coconut oil on chest and all around it.
Urinary Disorders: Hesitancy, strangury and dribbling of urine polyuria, as also burning sensation (before, during or after urination) can be cured if coconut water is taken 4-5 times daily. The water acts as a diuretic and cleansing agent also, and thus is capable of regulating urinary flow.
Liquor-Hangover, Nausea and Vomiting: Due to excessive intake of liquor all the said three complaints are a natural consequence. Taking coconut water, after taking liquor, will eliminate these problems, as also help in digestion of food.
Insomnia: It is sleeplessness which is caused by certain causes like worry, tension, debility, heavy and fatty diet, excessive drug abuse or alcohol. Drinking coconut water, an hour before retiring to bed will induce sleep.
Impure Blood: Add cardamom powder to ripe coconut water adding thereafter seeds of Nirmali. A few doses of this mixture will force out impurities of blood, through sweat and urine.
Apart from above-mentioned curative effects of coconut, it is equally useful in fire-burns, expulsion and prevention of stones, infantile nausea, infantile chickenpox, expulsion of worms, cholera, dandruff, piles, itching, injuries, impotence, hiccough (hiccups), gas troubles, acidity, gout, toothache, in arising sexual vitality in males etc.
But since use of coconut oil is recommended for all such disorders, it has been thought better not to mention treatment for above mentioned ailments since, treatment through oil is not our subject. In any case, use of raw coconut kernel and water is also useful in the said ailments, Even certain other ailments can also be cured (by other uses and applications of coconut) by coconut and its various constituents and blendings with other medicinal herbs, it is advised that, especially in skin eruptions, burning, itching and allergies, readers will do well to keep in touch with a nearby or reliable guide who could control resultant complications, if any, in good time.