The Tree with Thousands Uses
By ppruel, 10th Oct 2010 | Follow this author
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Posted in WikinutGuidesNaturePlants
I was looking for an idea to write and my attention was attracted to a certain plant existing for along time with the history of man from generation to generation. The plant is considered by us Filipinos as the "Tree of Life". The only tree exisiting in the world with thousands uses. This is what I found and I wanted to share the good news to other people about this plant.
- The Coconut Tree
- Name of the Tree in other Languages
- Coconut Producing Countries
- Origin of Coconut Tree
- Benefits of Coconut Tree
- Other Benefits of Coconut Tree
- Benefits of Coconut Oil and Milk
- My Personal View
The Coconut Tree
In our Filipino language, we called this plant as "Lobe, Lube, Buko or Niyog" as they refer to the entire plant. Its scientific name is Cocos Nucifera - a member of the family Arecaceae (palm family). It is the only accepted species in the genus Cocos, and is a large palm, growing up to 30 m tall, with pinnate leaves 4–6 m long, and pinnae 60–90 cm long. When the leaves became old they break away cleanly, leaving the trunk smooth. The term coconut can refer to the entire coconut palm, the seed, or the fruit, which is not a botanical nut. The spelling cocoanut is an old-fashioned form of the word.
Name of the Tree in other Languages
The Indian state of Kerala is known as the Land of coconuts. The name derives from "Kera" (the coconut tree) and "Alam" ( "place" or "earth"). Coconuts received the name from Portuguese explorers, the sailors of Vasco da Gama in India, who first brought them to Europe. The brown and hairy surface of coconuts reminded them of a ghost or witch called Coco. Before it was called nux indica, a name given by Marco Polo in 1280 while in Sumatra, taken from the Arabs who called it جوز هندي) jawz hindī). Both names translate to "Indian nut." When coco arrived in England, they retained the coco name and nut was added. It was England who gave its name as Coconut.
In 16th century the Portuguese and Spanish authors agree in identifying the word coco as 'grinning face, grin, grimace', also 'bugbear, scarecrow', cognate with cocar 'to grin, make a grimace'; the name being said to refer to the face-like appearance of the base of the shell, with its three holes. Historical evidence favors the European origin of the name, for there is nothing similar in any of the languages of India, where the Portuguese first found the fruit; and indeed Barbosa, Barros, and Garcia, in mentioning the Malayalam name tenga, and Canarese narle, expressly say 'we call these fruits quoquos', 'our people have given it the name of coco', 'that which we call coco, and the Malabars temga'."
Coconut Producing Countries
Coconut tree are grown in more than 80 countries of the world, with a total production of 61 million tonnes per year. According to Food And Agricultural Organization of United Nations: Economic And Social Department: In December 2009, the Statistical Division recorded the eleven top countries that produced thousands and million of tonnes of coconut fruits every year as shown below.
(1) Philippines - 19,500,000 tonnes
(2) Indonesia - 15,319,500 tonnes
(3) India - 10,894,000 tonnes
(4) Brazil - 2,759,044 tonnes
(5) Sri Lanka - 2,200,000 tonnes
(6) Thailand - 1,721,640 tonnes
(7) Mexico - 1,246,400 tonnes
(8) Vietnam - 1,086,000 tonnes
(9) Papua New Guinea - 677,000 tonnes
(10 Malaysia - 555,120 tonnes
(11) Tanzania - 370,000 tonnes
Origin of Coconut Tree
The origin of this plant is not yet fully determined as it is still subject for debate for the following reasons:
(1) Most authorities claim it is native to South Asia (particularly the Ganges Delta), while others claim its origin is in northwestern South America.
(2) Fossil records from New Zealand indicate that small, coconut-like plants grew there as long as 15 million years ago.
(3) Even older fossils have been uncovered in Karnataka, Rajasthan, Thennai in Kerala on the banks of River Palar, Then-pennai, Thamirabharani, Cauvery and Mountain sides at Kerala borders, Konaseema-Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra (India)
(4) The oldest known so far in Khulna, Bangladesh.
(5) Mention is made of coconuts in the 2nd–1st centuries BC in the Mahawamsa of Sri Lanka. The later Culawamsa states that King Aggabodhi I (575–608) planted a coconut garden of 3 yojanas length, possibly the earliest recorded coconut plantation.
Benefits of Coconut Tree
Its feather-leaves, fruits, trunks and roots are sources of useful raw materials for production purposes of thousands kinds: foods, beverages, oil, thatching fiber, utensils and ornaments, desserts and for the making of children’s toys.
The leaves are used for making baskets and roofing thatch. The stiff leaflet midribs are for making cooking skewers, kindling arrows, or bound into bundles, brooms and brushes.
From its fruits we can make so many delicious desserts like nata de coco (Spanish language), candies, ice creams and buko (Filipino) salads; cakes and other sweet pastries.
The water of the fruit is a refreshing and delicious drink - a helpful natural medicine to clean and wash the kidney stones out from the body through urinating.
The flower clusters of this palm tree produces wine known as “tuba - in our Filipino language” in English toddy. The hearts of this tree as we called it “ubod” are eaten in salads, sometimes called as “millionaire's salads”.
Other Benefits of Coconut Tree
The husk and shells can be used for fuel and are good source of charcoal and for polishing floors and sometimes it is used in theaters to create the sound effect of a horse’s hoof-beats and also used for making the bodies of musical instruments including the Chinese yehu and banhu and the Vietnamese dan gao.
The fiber from the husk is used in making ropes, mats, brushes, and for making potting compost.
And out of its large trunk, a coconut hut could be built to shelter people who cannot afford to build a concrete house, for domestic pets and birds and from its wood we could also build boats for our breath-taking sea-trips and for building small bridges too.
Benefits of Coconut Oil and Milk
The tree is a source of oil and milk too and could be used as hair’s conditioner, cooking and massaging oils and also used as a medicament for swelling wounds, treating pimples, for dry skin and other skin diseases.
Scientific studies have shown that coconut oil has anti-microbial and anti-viral properties and is now even being used in treating AIDS patients. Studies conducted in the Philippines showed that coconut oil does indeed reduce the viral load in AIDS patients.
Dr. Bruce Fife, a naturopathic doctor and the author of "The Healing Miracles of Coconut Oil" said, "Coconut oil is the healthiest oil on earth." That claim was supported by Jon J. Kabara, PH.D and Professor Emeritus, Michigan State University says, "Never before in the history of man is it so important to emphasize the value of lauric oils. The medium-chain fats in coconut oil are similar to fats in mother's milk and have similar nutriceutical effects."
My Personal View
This is the only time I learned about the whole life of the coconut tree since I was a kid. Now I can shout to the whole world that to own this tree is a legacy. The "Tree of Life" the only tree existing in the world with thousands uses - from the tips of its leaves down to the tips of its roots!
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Comments
12th Oct 2010 (#)
You covered a lot of ground in this article. Nice job!
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12th Oct 2010 (#)
Since you made the first base Ms. Elaine - please accept my morning wikinut hug. Thank you for dropping by and your nice comment too.
My subject for this research article has taught me a lot of things about its existing and how people could benefit from consuming and using it.
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12th Oct 2010 (#)
YW hon and hugs back!
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12th Oct 2010 (#)
hehehe, thanks again Ms. Elaine.
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12th Oct 2010 (#)
Hi, ppruel! A big afternoon hug from me, too! :) What a great article! I've downloaded the page to read at leisure later! I use coconut a lot in my cooking and simply love it! It is so versatile. Maybe you've got some nice recipes for the recipe section at Wikinut, some real delicious ones from your country? If so, let us know!!! Well, done, I say again!!! Antje (Chrysolite)
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12th Oct 2010 (#)
With pleasure hug to you also. More hugs to come, hehehe.
And yes you can also share the page to other people, if possible.
good suggestion. Yeah...I am willing to post some of our best coconut recipes. Thank you Ms. Antje. God bless.
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12th Oct 2010 (#)
Yes, please, hon! More coconut recipes, if you have some! Thank you and God bless you too! :)
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12th Oct 2010 (#)
This is really great. I really didn't know that coconuts had this many uses! Well done! A job well done and a star well deserved!
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12th Oct 2010 (#)
Again happy to read you here and thank you for your appreciation dude SiddiQ.
If your place is a sandy soil, or along the beaches you can start planting the coconut tree - it's a legacy to own it.
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13th Oct 2010 (#)
Exceptional job!
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13th Oct 2010 (#)
Thanks dude James. Pls. accept my evening hug.
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13th Oct 2010 (#)
Hi, again! Do you think a coconut tree could grow in the south of Spain? We have about 5 days of light frost per year. And if it's possible, can a tree grow out of a shop bought coconut? Please excuse my ignorance! God bless!
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14th Oct 2010 (#)
I am happy to welcome you back Ms. Chrysolite.
According to studies - the natural habitat for coconut are as follows:
(1) The coconut palm thrives on sandy soils and is highly tolerant of salinity.
(2) It prefers areas with abundant sunlight and regular rainfall.
(3) Coconuts also need high humidity for optimum growth .
(4) Coconuts are intolerant of cold weather.
(5) Severe frost is usually fatal, although they have been known to recover and they may grow but not fruit properly in areas where there is not sufficient warmth.
If that location has met the following conditions mentioned above the coconut will grow in that area.
how about try to plant one piece of this type in the backyard and observe it if it will grow...
If they are available in your area you can buy some from the shop the Sprouted Coconut. Thank you again.
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14th Oct 2010 (#)
Thank you so much for this additional answer! We are quite borderline on the climate you described best for coconuts. So I think, I will try. I will find a very sheltered place, plant one, protect it during the cold days with straw and then we'll see! :) Forgot to congratulate you to this brilliant star article! :) God bless!
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14th Oct 2010 (#)
To own this tree even just only one of it is a legacy.
I was ten year old at that time when I planted my first coconut tree in my hometown Guiuan, Philippines.
Now I am already in my 50s, the coconut tree I had planted 40 years ago is still alive and still bears fruits.
And from that coconut tree I also learned how to make "tuba" or "toddy" - the coconut wine and the coconut vinegar.
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14th Oct 2010 (#)
A absolutely beautiful piece.
My sister was able to go
to the philippines on a
high school trip, during
her senior year.
We lived there from 72-77.
I absolutely loved Guam.
Congratulations on the star page, it was well deserved.:)
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14th Oct 2010 (#)
Thank you Denise for commenting and your appreciation.
Guam is our neighbor. I guess you have so many experiences with the pacific ocean.
Guam was first discovered by Ferdinand Magellan in 1521, the same year that Magellan rediscovered the Philippines.
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14th Oct 2010 (#)
And we benefitted from his discovery,
gotta love him!
I miss Guam so much.
I lived there from the ages of
8-13...I had a blast!
I wish my dad would have retired there,
as he had planned but,
then things change and
we moved back to the US.
Oh well, I love the US but,
I plan on visiting Guam
one day, just to see how
she is getting along.
Have a great day ppruel.:)
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14th Oct 2010 (#)
Yeah. Right Denise, we're benefited as our Philippine history tell us that after we're rediscovered by Magellan in 1521 -
It followed for 333 years the Philippines was under Spain and ended in 1898 the same as Guam!
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18th Oct 2010 (#)
This is a great in depth article. Thanks for sharing.
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19th Oct 2010 (#)
You are welcome Angelique and thank you for dropping by, appreciation and commenting.
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22nd Feb 2011 (#)
Coconut tree is god's gift to earth. It is a blessing o god's own land (kerala). Friend you have presented the topic in a detailed way. Thank you. Do view and subscribe my pages.
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22nd Feb 2011 (#)
Thanks dude muthusamy for your time and you kind words. I appreciated them so much.
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14th Aug 2011 (#)
Your knowledge about coconut is very informative, I appreciate if you could share on how to process and sell the coconut virgen oil, thanks and more power.
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