Early Spanish explorers called it coco, which means "monkey face" because the three indentations (eyes) on the hairy nut resemble the head and face of a monkey. In the Phillipines, it’s called the “Tree of Life.” Malays refer to it as pokok seribu guna, “the tree of a thousand uses.”
Coconut is highly nutritious and rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals. While coconut possesses many health benefits due to its fiber and nutritional content, it's the oil that makes it a truly remarkable food and medicine. Coconut oil has been described as "the healthiest oil on earth."The coconut palm is so highly valued by them as both a source of food and medicine that it is called "The Tree of Life." Only recently has modern medical science unlocked the secrets to coconut's amazing healing powers.
In traditional medicine around the world coconut is used to treat a wide variety of health problems including the following: abscesses, asthma, baldness, bronchitis, bruises, burns, colds, constipation, cough, dropsy, dysentery, earache, fever, flu, gingivitis, gonorrhea, irregular or painful menstruation, jaundice, kidney stones, lice, malnutrition, nausea, rash, scabies, scurvy, skin infections, sore throat, swelling, syphilis, toothache, tuberculosis, tumors, typhoid, ulcers, upset stomach, weakness, and wounds.
Modern medical science is now confirming the use of coconut in treating many of the above conditions. The health benefits of coconut oil include hair care, skin care, stress relief, maintaining cholesterol levels, weight loss, increased immunity, proper digestion and metabolism, relief from kidney problems, heart diseases, high blood pressure, diabetes, HIV and cancer, dental care, and bone strength. These benefits of coconut oil can be attributed to the presence of lauric acid, capric acid and caprylic acid, and its properties such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, antifungal, antibacterial, soothing, etc.
In traditional medicine around the world coconut is used to treat a wide variety of health problems including the following: abscesses, asthma, baldness, bronchitis, bruises, burns, colds, constipation, cough, dropsy, dysentery, earache, fever, flu, gingivitis, gonorrhea, irregular or painful menstruation, jaundice, kidney stones, lice, malnutrition, nausea, rash, scabies, scurvy, skin infections, sore throat, swelling, syphilis, toothache, tuberculosis, tumors, typhoid, ulcers, upset stomach, weakness, and wounds.
Modern medical science is now confirming the use of coconut in treating many of the above conditions. The health benefits of coconut oil include hair care, skin care, stress relief, maintaining cholesterol levels, weight loss, increased immunity, proper digestion and metabolism, relief from kidney problems, heart diseases, high blood pressure, diabetes, HIV and cancer, dental care, and bone strength. These benefits of coconut oil can be attributed to the presence of lauric acid, capric acid and caprylic acid, and its properties such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, antifungal, antibacterial, soothing, etc.
· Kills viruses that cause influenza, herpes, measles, hepatitis C, SARS, AIDS, and other illnesses. The human body converts lauric acid into monolaurin which is claimed to help in dealing with viruses and bacteria causing diseases such as herpes, influenza, cytomegalovirus, and even HIV.
· Kills bacteria that cause ulcers, throat infections, urinary tract infections, gum disease and cavities, pneumonia, and gonorrhea, and other diseases.
· Expels or kills tapeworms, lice, giardia, and other parasites. It helps in fighting harmful bacteria such as listeria monocytogenes and heliobacter pylori, and harmful protozoa such as giardia lamblia.
· Provides a nutritional source of quick energy. Boosts energy and endurance, enhancing physical and athletic performance. Coconut oil is very soothing and hence it helps in removing stress. Applying coconut oil to the head followed with a gentle massage helps in removing mental fatigue.
· Improves digestion and absorption of other nutrients including vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. Coconut oil helps in improving the digestive system and thus prevents various stomach and digestion related problems including irritable bowel syndrome. The saturated fats present in coconut oil have anti microbial properties and help in dealing with various bacteria, fungi, parasites, etc., that cause indigestion.
· Coconut oil helps in controlling blood sugar, and improves the secretion of insulin. It also helps in effective utilization of blood glucose, thereby preventing and treating diabetes
· Relieves stress on pancreas and enzyme systems of the body. Reduces symptoms associated with pancreatitis.
· Coconut oil improves the ability of our body to absorb important minerals. These include calcium and magnesium which are necessary for development of bones. Thus coconut oil is very useful to women who are prone to osteoporosis after middle age.
· Helps relieve symptoms associated with gallbladder disease.
· Relieves symptoms associated with Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, and stomach ulcers.
· Relieves pain and irritation caused by hemorrhoids.
· Reduces inflammation.
· Supports tissue healing and repair.
· Helps protect the body from breast, colon, and other cancers.
· Coconut is heart healthy; it improves the cholesterol ratio and protects the arteries from injury that causes atherosclerosis, therefore reducing the risk of heart disease.
· Calcium is an important element present in teeth. Since coconut oil facilitates absorption of calcium by the body, it helps in getting strong teeth. Coconut oil also stops tooth decay.
· Helps relieve symptoms associated with chronic fatigue syndrome.
· Relieves symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (prostate enlargement).
· Reduces epileptic seizures.
· Coconut oil helps in preventing kidney and gall bladder diseases. It also helps in dissolving kidney stones.
· The presence of medium chain triglycerides and fatty acids helps in preventing liver diseases as they substances are easily converted into energy when they reach the liver, thus reducing work load on the liver and also preventing accumulation of fat.
· Coconut oil is very useful in reducing weight. It contains short and medium-chain fatty acids that help in taking off excessive weight. It is also easy to digest and it helps in healthy functioning of the thyroid and enzymes systems. Further, it increases the body metabolism by removing stress on pancreases, thereby burning out more energy and helping obese and overweight people reduce their weight. Hence, people living in tropical coastal areas, who eat coconut oil daily as their primary cooking oil, are normally not fat, obese or overweight.
· When applied on infections, it forms a chemical layer which protects the infected body part from external dust, air, fungi, bacteria and virus. Coconut oil is most effective on bruises as it speeds up the healing process by repairing damaged tissues.
· Coconut oil is very effective against a variety of infections due to its antifungal, antiviral, and antibacterial properties. It also kills bacteria that cause ulcers, throat infections, urinary tract infections, pneumonia, and gonorrhea, etc. Coconut oil is also effective on fungi and yeast that cause candidiasis, ringworm, athlete's foot, thrush, diaper rash, etc.
· Coconut oil is excellent massage oil for the skin as well. It acts as an effective moisturizer on all types of skins including dry skin. The benefit of coconut oil on the skin is comparable to that of mineral oil. Further, unlike mineral oil, there is no chance of having any adverse side effects on the skin with the application of coconut oil. Coconut oil therefore is a safe solution for preventing dryness and flaking of skin. It also delays wrinkles, and sagging of skin which normally become prominent with age. Coconut oil also helps in treating various skin problems including psoriasis, dermatitis, eczema and other skin infections. Coconut oil also helps in preventing premature aging and degenerative diseases due to its antioxidant properties.
· Coconut oil is one of the best natural nutrition for hair. It helps in healthy growth of hair providing them a shiny complexion. Regular massage of the head with coconut oil ensures that your scalp is free of dandruff, lice, and lice eggs, even if your scalp is dry. Coconut oil is extensively used in the Indian sub-continent for hair care. It is an excellent conditioner and helps in the re-growth of damaged hair. It also provides the essential proteins required for nourishing damaged hair.
· Coconut oil is beneficial for the heart. It contains about 50% lauric acid, which helps in preventing various heart problems including high cholesterol levels and high bloodpressure. The saturated fats present in coconut oil are not harmful as it happens in case of other vegetables oils. It does not lead to increase in LDL levels. It also reduces the incidence of injury in arteries and therefore helps in preventing atherosclerosis.
· Coconut increases the metabolic rate of the body, which means that energy is consumed faster and excess body weight is burned off. This process is completely natural, and doesn’t cause the body any harm.Coconut prevents weight and obesity problems by speeding up the metabolism.
· Coconut contains many of the vitamins and minerals essential for healthy growth in children. It improves calcium and magnesium absorption and supports the development of strong bones and teeth. Coconut helps to protect the skin from the harmful effects of the sun, while promoting a healthy complexion and beautiful hair. This nut is a tasty boost of energy for kids.
· Coconut isn’t just a versatile tropical nut that adds flavor to curries, soups, stews and desserts; it is also a highly beneficial health food.
Medicinal Benefits of Coconut water:
· Coconut water is the water found inside of a fresh coconut. The coconut is known for being a light moisturizer that also decreases excessive oil on the skin, which could make it beneficial for smoothing out combination skin as well. Add this water to a bath, or mix it with liquid shower gel. It could also be added to lotion as well as hair conditioner or shampoo for oily hair.
· This natural water is best for acne and blackheads also. This is a natural toning and leansing mask for oily skin.
· Coconut water works as reliable herbal medicine and as mild antidote for multiple problems like diabetes, urethral stone, kidney malfunctioning; its regular consumption improves HDL in human body and controls the intensity of urinary bladder problem naturally. Regular consumption of coconut water reduces the risk of cancer infliction in body.
· Coconut water is a rich source of natural fiber, natural calcium, magnesium, and natural potassium- making it a healthy electrolyte drink; it contains lesser amount of sodium, negligible amount of cholesterol.
· Regular consumption of coconut water helps in improvement of blood circulation also.
· Coconut water is an efficient natural remedy for controlling the intensity of acid reflux; it is good natural antidote for heart burn problem.
· Coconut water contains natural albumen, thus it is perfect natural SOS drink for cholera affected patients.
· Coconut water is a very refreshing drink to beat tropical summer thirst. The juice is packed with simple sugar, electrolytes, and minerals to replenish hydration levels in the body.
Safety profile
· Coconut water is a universally appealing drink. There are no known reactions of any sort notified so far using it. It is not only cherished in healthy but is considered safe in pregnancy, infants as well as in diseased conditions as well.
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