The Amazing Coconut Tree

I am in awe of this magnificent plant. The coconut tree is also known as the ‘Tree of Life’, ‘King of Trees’, ‘The Jewel of the Tropics’, ‘The Miracle Tree’ and many more. I think Miracle Tree sums it up pretty well. It’s considered a “Three-generation-tree”, because it will support the farmer, his children and his grandchildren.

Every part of this tree is useful; the roots, trunks, husk, fibre, fruit, water, milk & meat and the tree bears coconut all year round.

Amazing list of what this miracle tree provides: (And this is an edited version because it is a very long list!)

·         Coconut flour is made from the starch extracted from the pith. It has a high fibre content and does not contain gluten. It has a naturally cream colour, so there is no need to bleach it as some other flours are.

·         Coconut cream & milk can be used in ice-cream, marinade for meat, coconut jam, coconut butter, coconut cheese (looks delicious) & coconut yogurt

·         Coconut juice is a popular drink, available fresh, bottled or canned and often marketed as a sports drink because of the high potassium content

·         The trunk is used to make canoes, benches, tables, boxes (short list, remember?) wooden ornaments, etc.

·         The leaves are used for: fuel, matting floors, fans, bags, thatching material for roofs

·         From the sap: coconut, sugar, nectar syrup, wine liquor, vinegar

·         The roots: used as toothpaste & mouthwash, medicine for dysentery, root beer

·         The husk is used for cooking fire, stuffing pillows and mattresses and the resin of the inner husk is used for toothache relief

·         Coir is the fibre from the husk which is used in ropes, yarns, rugs, brushes...the list goes on

·         In WW2, coconut water was used as a substitute for glucose and was injected directly into the patient’s veins as a substitute to dextrose

·         Coconut water is also known as ‘the fluid of life’. It is high in potassium, is fat free and is said to be the best natural source of cancer-fighting cytokinins and acts as a general blood purifier.

·         Virgin coconut oil is extracted from the meat. The oil is rich in glycerin that is used in margarine, candles. Lubricants, cosmetic and beauty products

·         The shell can be used to make bowls, wind chimes, jewellery, floor and wall tiles

A truly amazing tree it is.