100 Uses of Coconut
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Fotosearch (Stock Photography)
Enumerate it
100 uses of coconut?! How can I enumerate it without duplicating words that I will say to cheat and set the uses up to one hundred. My teacher was insane (really) when I and my classmates were given assignment to list one hundred uses of coconut. Really, we'd gone nuts after submitting our homework. We're young and all we think was to play after class. So, this challenge haunted me (not in the scariest sense) for a while because I can only enumerate top ten things about the coconut-mania in the tropical Philippines, like ours. Let me recall what I've written:
1) coconut milk for cooking, by adding it as the liquid ingredient in cooking dried gabi or taro leaves (a delicacy in Bicol region, Philippines, sometimes known us 'Bicol express' if fiery red labuyo peppers were added into it, so hot)
2) coconut husk as floor polisher,is common in elementary grades in the Philippines. We were assigned as cleaners for designated days (Mondays thru Fridays) and we used to polished the floor with coconut husk .
3) coconut shells for fuel,is often used by villagers who didn't have electric or LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) as source of fuel. Even today, when we ran out of gas or LPG, I still use the coconut shells as fuel.
4) young coconut meat for snacks, the 'buko' or young coconut with succulent soft whitey and fleshy meat is often the favorite snacks in the barrio or even in the city, here in Manila. It costs 50 cents in dollar value if you happen to tour the Philippines. Try it, I'm not kidding, it's a healthy snack. If you have UTI (urinary track infection) you can drink the cool, fresh coconut water for an immediate relief.
5) coconut milk for hair spa or conditioner,is usually used by the villagers in the barrio, especially those girls who have long strands of hair. It leaves a shiny look and fresh smell to the hairs, after you squeeze some juice of lime or lemon. You hair will never look dry.
6) coconut leaves for roofing materials, are still used by farmers who cannot afford expensive roofing materials.
7) coconut timber for lumber,is more affordable than other lumber materials.
8) coconut ribs for brooms,are still used in the country, especially the street sweepers in the city. Every household have two or three sets of coconut brooms for cleaning pusposes.
9) young coconut meat for sweets (bukayo in Bicol term or Filipino term),is like tart in taste.
10) matured coconut meat for copra used in producing cooking oil,is affordable and cholesterol-free. You can make a homemade coconut oil by just letting it boil in the wok or frying pan until the liquid part became transparent.
Bonus: coconut heart (the sweet soft part of coconut timber at top part with young leaves) as viand (as in 'ubod ng niyog' ) like young artichoke.
The other 90 uses of the miracle palm tree
More and more uses of coconut are being discovered, be it medically or industrially.
Medical experts and commercial investors are cultivating these kind of palm tree to the fullest to supply the needed dextrose ingredients in many hospitals in the world. Yes, the mineral content of coconut water is now being utilized as supplement to the patients being confined in the medical wards.
Category of uses and functions of the whole coconut palm tree
1. Agricultural. It's one of the staple foods in the tropical countries. It is also one of the sources of livelihood of the farmers.
2. Medical. It's an alternative source of medicine and medical supplement as in dextrose. More and more innovation in the medical field is being done to tap the potentials of this so-called "miracle plant".
3.Industrial. The durability and cheap cost of coconut lumber makes it an alternative source in building houses.
4. Decorative. Furniture made from coconut lumber are being exported by the local furniture makers. There's a huge market demand abroad for the durability of the furniture products made from it.
5. Ornamental. Miniature coco palm trees adorn the facade of the hotels, function rooms, or the typical sala or receiving room in the residential houses.
6. Fashion. From the simple buttons to the dangling earrings, it can compete with the expensive versions of popular products that you crave in the market.
7. Beauty. From soap to shampoo, it is being commercially-made nowadays and you're using one of the brands made from it.
The future of the coconut tree depends upon the program of the local government to introduce programs to uplift the status of the industry for the benefit of the farmers. (The Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) suffered too much controversy in the past. Farmers urge the government agency to make more positive programs that will save them from poverty.)
Have I enumerated just 10? I'll add 100 to that.
Da Coconut Nut (Smokey Mountain)
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To tropical islanders, uses of coconut are countless.
I LOVE COCONUTS
THANKS, dhgjdhhf. You'll really love the uses of coconut. Thanks for visiting my hub.
thanks dood
You're welcome, missy. Coconut is really a 'tree of life'!
WHAT PART OF COCONOT CAN'T BE USED SIR?
@ Fernando C. Amores: From roots to tips of its leaves..the whole coconut tree and its fruits are so useful, that nothing of it can be wasted.
I agree. Coconuts have many use, it can be a medicine, drink, and many more. Thanks for the info here.
wow... coconut is really amazing...
@Affordable Stock Images Philipines: Thanks for the positive comment. Coconut is a tree of life and everyone agrees with me.
@luz: Thanks. You should join HubPages to write amazing facts, too!
ang dami
COCONUT IS REALY USEFULL
@ben: Oo nga! (LOL!!!) Can you add more, please?
@CARL111600: That's for sure, Carl. Thanks! You'll like the young fresh coco meat and it's good for stabilizing our body cholesterol.
.coconut tree truly is amazing in many ways.
PLEASE JOIN MY CAMPAIGN TO BAN THE USE OF YOUNG COCONUT LEAVES AS WRAPPERS IN THE DAILY COMMERCIAL PRODUCTION OF COOKED PACKED RICE (PUSO'). YES, THIS TRADITIONAL PUSO' MAKING IS OUR NATIONAL HERITAGE BUT IT BRING GREAT DAMAGE TO OUR COCONUT INDUSTRY. IT IS EVEN WORST THAN THE PEST INFESTATION AND DISEASES OF COCONUT. YOUNG LEAVES ARE THE MOST VITAL PART OF THE COCONUT TREE WHERE PHOTOSYNTHETIC PROCESS IN CONVERTING CARBON DIOXIDE PLUS WATER INTO STARCH AND SUGAR. A SUGGESTION TO BAN FOR PROPER LEGISLATION IN THE SANGGUNIANG PANGLUNGSOD OF PAGADIAN CITY WAS ALREADY FILED BY ME.
@mj: Thanks for that concise reaction. It helps a lot!!!
More and more studies are being conducted to fully utilize the uses of coconut in pharmaceutical production.
@ALETH SAYSIP, Pagadian City: Maybe you can also include alternative wrapper that can be used in our native sticky rice delicacy, because this small-scale industry at home is the source of living of those who belong to the marginal line. I believe that there should be coconuts only concentrated for such production, in order for your resolution to be approved as bill at the national legislation.
I love coconut in all its forms. We use the organic coconut oil for cooking as well. But my favourite is drinking the water fresh from the young coconut-yummy!
I know about the medical and beauty uses but didn't realise the shell could be used for fuel. Awesome! Thanks for sharing!
@visionandfocus: You're welcome!! You might as try the virgin coconut oil. It's good cholesterol content is good for those who have high blood pressure.
There lots of uses for coconut shells aside from fuel. Small business owners venture for native bags made from it.
this really help in my studies
@dido masscherry: Thanks for using my article in your studies. I'm grateful because you made a short message about what you've done on this hub.
thnx alot ureally helped me wit the uses and wit the very good infos thnx alot coconuts are wonderful
@shyal: You're welcome.It's been a pleasure helping you get acquainted with the uses of coconut, from root to tip.
Uses of Coconut Trees81
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By len7288
Coconut is a fruit of the coconut palm tree, its trunk is one to two feet in diameter. It has no branches but carries a crown leaves of about 70 to 100 feet above the ground, its leaves is like a feather and with many segments, leaves are usually 10 to 20 feet long. The coconut fruit hang at the bases of the leaves in clusters of about 10 to 15. Several clusters ripen during the year. A tree may produce 200 coconuts a year, but the average is just around 40. Coconut tree grows wild on tropical seacoasts, and is cultivated in moist, frost-free climates, it is abundant in Southeast Asian countries.
How Coconut Tree Grow? Ever wonder how coconut trees can easily increase in numbers? When coconut ripen, they fall from the tree and are frequently washed out to the sea. Some may drift for months before they are cast up by the waves onto the shore. After 4 to 5 months, the seed sprouts and a new tree begins to grow. In about 6 years the tree will begin to bear coconut and it will reach its full bearing time at 20 years. Coconut tree is very strong and it can resist strong typhoons, coconut tree does not also need a lot of maintenance unlike the mango tree which needs a lot of care and fertilizers.
Description of the Coconut Fruit:
The coconut has a smooth greenish covering. Within the outer shell is a fibrous husk one to two inches. The inner shell is brown and hard. When the coconut is still young it contains a large amount of fluid or juice, during this stage the coconut meat is ideal to be eaten alone or can be use for salad or can be added with milk for a nutritional drink. When the coconut mature most fluid is absorbed and its flesh thickens and hardens.
Uses of Coconut Trees :
Coconut milk from the mature coconut is used to make Virgin Coconut Oil, VCO can help prevent and treat minor ailments.
Coconut oil is also used as hairdressing and as massage oil.
Coconut meat is shredded or flaked for use in baked goods or candies.
The dried meat, called copra, contains over 60% oil. This oil is used in making soap, cooking fat, margarine, cosmetics, lubricants, and many other products.
Coconut cake, the solid material left after the oil is removed from the copra, is used in making cattle feed and fertilizer.
The coconut juice is a nutritious refreshing drink especially for those people with kidney problems. Coconut juice is highly alkaline.
Fiber from the coconut husk is used to make mats, brushes, cordage and packaging material for plant, and in some countries, coconut husk is used as floor polisher.
The shell is used for ladles and cups, and is polished and ornamented into souvenirs, accessories and decorative objects.
Young leaf shoots may be eaten as salad
The sap, a sweetish fluid called toddy, is fermented into an alcoholic beverage or into vinegar.
The leaves of the tree are used to thatch roofs and to make hats, baskets, and fans.
The trunk is used for canoes, posts, rafters, and fences.
The ribs of the leaves are used for spears, arrows, and torches.
@len7288; Thanks for this additional info regarding coconut tree. I am overwhelmed with you having an ample time proving the data on my hub. Best regards! :D
you can also glue coconuts to your dogs feet and pretend you have a horse
@me: It's a very funny suggestion. LOL. Why didn't I think of that. Hahaha! Thanks for your creative ideas.
i like coconut(gusto ko ng coconut)!!!
wala ng iba?
@chmp. rayplntvszmbspoke: Thanks for liking the coconut.
@hannah: Do you have any other things in mind? You might as well add it here in order to be useful to other people.
kl;jjj;jjOjpojgooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooood11!!1
it can also make you cough....i love it all the same
@gydon: Why? Which part of the coconut? The meat or the juice? Anyways, thanks for dropping by. :D
thanks for posting the 100 uses of coconut.i really need it for our feasibility study.hmp dami pala talagang uses hehe ngaun ko lang nalaman
the meat.
@ Marinel L. Salva: hanks for gracing my post. I really need to feature this subject regarding coconut because it's our main source of livelihood, here in the Philippines.
I'm glad you've learned a lot from it.
@Gydon: Thanks. Coconut meat is succulent while still young and is often mixed with tropical salad, buko pie and refreshments.
COCOnut is so very useful that nothing will be wasted . I agree with that ....
@airene: Thanks for gracing this hub. I'm glad you agree with all the infos written here plus the insights left by almost all the readers.
I love coconut tree because it is very useful to us:)
This really a nice hub & i believe its useful in many ways.
Awesome work.... Hats up
oh cool.. i love to plant coconut trees! by june 200 coconut trees will be planted :)
yeah!! it's so nice to know that there are many uses of Coconut Tree!!! so, I Love It:)!!
@Ricka: Thanks for knowing how important coconut is.
@manu6076: Thanks for the salute.I need that. :D
@mitos sotelo: I'm glad to hear that.Old coconut tree must be replaced, too.
@mae bayarcal: Thanks for loving it! :D
Hope you all join HubPages, too! It's worth-trying to write online and earn some money from it.
I love coconut trees and all its usefullness. How I missed eating the coconut young leaf shoots. Its very tasty, sweet, creamy and soft.....yummmm
@lilu_gp@hotmail.com: That goes to show that coconut is one of the most important trees in this planet.
OH YEAH DIZ IS THE BEST WEBSITE EVER............I JUST LOVE IT BECASUSE IT DESCRIBES THE USES OF THE COCONUT THIS IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE TREE OF ALL BECUZ THEY HELP ME TO EAT AND DRINK WHEN NO FOOD IS AROUND AND MIND US PEOPLE THIS IS ONE MAIN FOOOD THAT IS SOOOOO IMPORTANT TO aMERICAN sAMOA A LIFE A SAMOA REPPIN IT TRUE
just l love like anything water is very good for health it gives stamina it is so impressive fruit
Lately, i was able to taste the native chicken sinigang placed in young coconut with meat into it. It is called "Binakol" in Iloilo, i was really amazed of the taste coz the freshness of this young coco meat added savour to the binakol. You can also eat the coco meat after eating all those chicken meat. See how useful coconut is :)
can you tell me something on an specific part of coconut that can filter smoke?
@gloria: Yes, that's true. Coconut is the best alternative when nothing edible food is available. If you're an expert in climbing it's trunk, then surely, you'll have plenty of young coconut meat to enjoy with. :D
@vikram: How are you my friend? It's nice seeing your comment here. Say my hello to your family there in India.
Yes, I'll never loose appetite with just the coconut in my meal. I'll have plenty of dishes to enjoy with. You can also check my Tropical Cooking series, if you like.
@anerom: Or is it morena? Loved your color, LOL! No kidding!
Anyways, if you can taste my dish, chicken with malunggay in coco milk (from Bikol region) you can also compare it to the "Binakol" of Iloilo.
@sd: That smoke filter is called Virgin Coconut Carbon. You can type the words then from there, you can find its benefits for the cigarette smokers.
One of the most respected writers in the field of Science, JRR Tokin' had written about it.
Thanks for asking. :D
i really love your coconuts
i love fruits and vegetables!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!..)^^)
Coconut is da bomb, i lost almost 70 pds in 2 months on a coconut and veg diet and nevr felt better
wow this is grate
I have started taking VCO internally and also regular tender coconut (almost daily). I have started to see improvements in health and energy levels
I like coconut trees because it has honey
Thanks for this information. I am from the land of coconut trees as well but you really gave a real insight to the facts of this wonderful tree of life.
I'm a 12 year student at Clbreth Midle Shool and I'm doing a project on coconuts and all this information is very helpful so I just wanted to say thanks!
@missy: Thanks for loving the coconut. :D
@kaez:I hope it explodes beautifully in your body. :D
@NegroDamusDa2nd: Well, that's a great testimony on how effective VCO (virgin coconut oil) is! Congrats!
@autohand: Just be careful not to grate your hands! :D
@ Harsha Vardhana R: Thanks for sharing what happened to you when you've taken VCO. It really helps.
@ Diduni Dananjana: You mean 'honey' from coconut? Well. we call the coconut caramel here in Bicol, Philippines as santan.
I usually add brown cane sugar on the boiling coconut milk until it becomes sticky. It resembles like honey and can be used as desert or sweetener on your coffee.
@Saaya: Thanks for your very inspiring thoughts.
With the help of others, such as you, I will always be inspired to share articles like this.:D
@Jenaya Isley: Wow, that's great! I hope your teacher appreciate it as much as I do.
You're welcome! Good luck on your schooling!
I enjoyed reading this article! Vinegar from coconut is the best for me. You forgot your favorite - fermented coconut wine (is it also tuba in Bicol?) :-)
@the girls: Thanks for reminding me, LOL! I think, I was so boozed up with 'tuba' while writing this hub (LOL!).
Yes, it's tuba in Bicol. The sweet nectar of young coconut flowers are the sources of this concoction, collected mainly in big, mature bamboo stems (cleaned and designed for gathering the coconut nectar).
It's still sweet when you drink it during the early morning but during lunchtime, it's acidity will be stronger as fermentation is already taking place.
Cheers!!!
I really really luv coconut
@Mo: Thank you for loving it. These days, as summer intensifies here in the Philippines, I used to drink coconut water in order to quench my thirst.
Coconut is a heat-saver to all Filipinos and tourists as well.
Across south India, coconut is quite extensively used in food although oil is used in cooking in a limited chunk of regions. I was just searching for equivalents of VCO in coconut quantity. I got the following info
Per day, a person is advised to consume VCO up to 50ML or 3.5 TBSP. (provides 21 g lauric fatty acis). This is equivalent to eating the meat of one half mature coconut or eating 66grams desiccated coconut (copra).
Do you have any comments on this equivalence?
@Harsha Vhardana R: Yes, precisely, that's what my sister is drinking (VCO), around 3 to 5 Tablespoons everyday.
She attested that it is slowly curing her hyper-acidity and insomnia.
As for myself, I do a lot of eating the sweet, fresh part of mature coconut meat while grating it for a tropical dish with coconut milk as its base for cooking.
Thanks for this additional information. It will help others realize how much they are missing if they cannot take VCO as part of their health regimen.
I have a very large coconut plantation in lagos, Nigeria and i seriously need buyers. You may contact me on the following numbers - +234 812 778 8892 or +234 805 669 9914 or send an email to microdob@yahoo.com
@Michael: I don't have any information regarding buyers of coconut products from other countries, here in the Philippines.
Since, we are also a coconut-producing country, all we need is have buyers overseas.
coconut is gud 4 smooth of d body. u try 4 dat
@adeleke funmike: Yes, that's true. Coconut oil is a natural moisturizer.
Thanks for dropping by. :D
bacville 2 years ago
Coconut seems to be the 'miracle plant'.