Susan Branson - 101 Amazing Uses for Coconut Oil: Decrease Wrinkles, Balance Hormones, Clean a Hairbrush, and 98 More!

FOR SADIE AND MATTHEW

Copyright 2017 by Susan Branson

All rights reserved.

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DISCLAIMER: The material in this book is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read in this book.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

2017933384

Print ISBN 9781945547140

Ebook ISBN 9781945547577

Printed in the United States of America

Edited by Lindsay Sandberg

Cover design by David Miles

Book design by Brooke Jorden and David Miles

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

First Edition

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTiON

ITS ROUND; iTS HAIRY; iTS A CoCONUT!

Coconuts are the fruit of the coconut palm tree that measure anywhere from five to ten inches across. The outer husk is made up of tough fibers and has a hairy appearance. When young, the husk is green, but it turns gray or brown as it matures. The white coconut meat inside the husk is used to make coconut oil. There are two distinct types of coconuts. One has an elongated shape so it can dig into sand, a very fibrous husk to protect the seed, and only a small amount of water to make it buoyant for ocean dispersal. Over time, human cultivation of coconuts led to the second type, which we commonly find in grocery stores today. They are round with more water and a greater meat-to-husk ratio.

Indonesia is the largest producer of coconuts today, followed by the Philippines and India. In these cultures, and many others, coconuts form a staple in the diet. The entire fruit is highly nutritious, and the coconut oil, meat, milk, and water are used for their vitamin, mineral, fiber, and fat content. Coconut oil contains poly-phenols, which give the oil its unique fragrance and sweet taste. Polyphenols are also antimicrobial and potent antioxidants. They protect the body from pathogens and prevent reactive oxygen compounds from causing extensive damage in the body.

Coconut oil is one of the most concentrated sources of energy and contains 120 calories per tablespoon. The oil is the primary source of fat in the fruit and is responsible for most of its calories. It is composed mainly of medium-chain fatty acids like lauric acid, capric acid, caprylic acid, palmitic acid, and myristic acid. These are antimicrobial and are powerful compounds that help stave off infection and disease. Medium-chain fatty acids dont act like other fatty acids. The majority of fats and oils we consume are long-chain fatty acids, like those found in meat, milk, eggs, and most vegetable oils. They are implicated in heart disease and obesity. The medium-chain fatty acids found in coconut oil do not have the same effects. In fact, they are cardioprotective and are not implicated in weight gain. These fatty acids are absorbed directly from the intestine into the blood where they are transported to the liver and used for energy. Long-chain fatty acids, on the other hand, are stored in fat tissue if they are not used immediately. No wonder coconut oil is known as the healthiest of the fats and oils!

WHERE DID YoU COME FRoM, COCONuT?

Coconut palms are found on every tropical coast and are synonymous with dream vacations promising beaches, sun, and relaxation. Despite the ubiquitous nature of coconut palm trees today, they actually originated from two distinct populations of coconuts long ago. The first was in Southeast Asia (Pacific coconuts), and the other was on the outer edge of Southern India (Indian Ocean coconuts). Ancient Austronesians introduced Pacific coconuts to Madagascar and east Africa thousands of years ago while traveling along their trade routes, giving rise to a genetically mixed coconut in that region. It wasnt until much later in time that coconuts found their way into Europe by way of Portuguese sailors. They discovered coconuts during their seafaring travels and brought them to the west coast of Africa where they flourished in plantations. Later, travelers carried them aboard their ships to Brazil and the Caribbean. Coconuts on the west side of the New World tropics were from Southeast Asia, brought by Austronesians traveling west rather than east.

Every tropical region has a special story of their coconut origins. Many are buried deep within history, but there is one that depicts how coconuts made their way to Florida. A ship named Providencia was on its way from Trinidad to Spain. On board were 20,000 coconuts. On January 9, 1878, the sailors were enjoying a little too much drink and were not as attentive to their voyage as they should have been. The ship ran aground off the coast of what is now Palm Beach. By way of apology, they gave the locals their cargo of coconuts. The coconuts were planted in their new location, and palm trees sprouted. The area was aptly named Palm Beach. Today, this fruit is now grown in more than seventy countries around the world and is used for food, shelter, tools, and fuel.

The Portuguese gave the coconuts their name. When sailors first saw coconuts, they thought they looked like heads because of their round shape and three holes, giving the appearance of eyes and a mouth. They called the fruit coco, which has since been adopted by Western European languages and is known as coconut in English. Others believe the sailors used the name Coco because the coconut looked like the head of a ghostly folklore figure that kidnapped children. Parents used the threat of Coco to scare children into being obedient. The coconut also has a prominent place in Indian rituals. They are a symbol of prosperity and are put on both sides of entrances to temples, homes, and workplaces. Fishermen offer coconuts to the seas, hoping to catch an abundance of fish.

Asian and Pacific cultures value the coconut palm so highly that they call it the Tree of Life. They believe it has special healing properties and use it as a medicine in a wide variety of illness. They are not alone. Cultures all over the world have been using coconuts to restore vitality. Today, the use of coconut is being extensively studied to determine whether long-held beliefs in coconuts therapeutic value is warranted. Turns out, it is.