STEEM PLANTS CONTEST : Coconut, A tree from the heaven

Hello Everyone, I'm Damith from Sri Lanka.

It's a nice contest organized by @knopka145. Being so much fascinated by nature, I couldn't say no to it. It's all about PLANTS.

I'll share about the coconut. One of the most popular and main economic crop in Sri Lanka. Yep, the heading is right. It's a miraculous tree from heaven. No parts to throw away. Roots, trunk, fruit, leaves, husks, shells all can be used for commercial, industrial, or domestic purposes,

Coconut, A tree for life

A brief intro

The tree belongs to the palm tree family, which basically has a long tree trunk and leaves, fruits at the top. Trees can grow even up to 30m, but now there are small special versions too. From 5-6 years, they produce products even up to 20-25 years with proper and constant care. The origin is still a secret. But there is evidence from all around the world. Ramayana and Sri Lankan chronicles stated that the coconut was present in the Indian subcontinent before the 1st century BCE. So, yeah! It's serving the world for thousands of years.

The world's supply of coconuts derives from Indonesia, the Philippines, and India combined.

Sri Lanka is the world's fourth-largest producer of coconuts and is the second-largest producer of coconut oil and copra, accounting for 15% of the global production.[88] The production of coconuts is the main source of Sri Lanka economy, with 12% of cultivated land and 409,244 hectares used for coconut growing (2017)
wikipedia.org

So, let's see some of the values.

• The fruit

The inner flesh of the mature seed, and the coconut milk extracted from it, is a major part of the kitchen. Fresh or dried women used it in various dishes, especially in Asia. Coconut milk contains 5% to 20% fat.

And also, it uses in the fields of medicine and cosmetics.

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• Coconut water/ young, immature coconuts

Coconut flesh is rich in copper and iron which help to form red blood cells. It’s a great choice for blood sugar control. Coconut water can be fermented to produce coconut vinegar too. Coconut water can be considered as nature's gastroenterologist. It’s bursting with essential minerals more than fruit juices. It makes the heart-healthy. As a remedy for muscle cramps, constipation, and anxiety coconut water is doing a really great job. Also, it’s very important in reducing urinary and kidney problems, Lowering blood sugar, treating headaches, and slowing down ageing.

In western countries, coconut flesh, coconut milk, and coconut oils are not much popular. But they are questioning why Sri Lankans don’t use a magical drink like coconut water. Instead of running after artificial cool drinks, we should drink our own beneficial drinks like young coconut water. king coconut is a different kind of coconut family.

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• Dried Coconut

Basically, we can use them to get coconut oil. I think you know the process. We can break them into two parts and remove the seed interior. After breaking it should be well-dried. Then it's too easy to remove. Then we can cut the seed into small parts and extracts the oil. There are specialized machines for extraction.

If it's possible to make the coconut oil in the home or from an extraction place. Because bottled ones in the shop can be mixed with other ingredients most of the time. It's not totally pure.

• Cocunut oil

The oil that is extracted from dried coconut flesh is a magical liquid. Virgin coconut oil as a mouth wash prevents the mouth from infections. This contains healthy fatty acids and they reduce the appetite and increase fat burning and helping weight loss. Antifungal and antibacterial properties of coconut oil fight with bacteria. As a moisture content, it reduces the symptoms of eczema and reduces hair damages. Applying coconut oil always preventing you from age spots, sagging skin wrinkles, and dark spots.

coconut oil

Coir/ Coconut husk

This is the fibre on the outside of the husk. There are thousands of people who depend on it. Used in making ropes, doormats, mattress stuffing, brushes, mats, rugs, joint sealer for boats, sacks. And also as a fertilizer to flowers, etc.

Coconut shell

It's the strong part around the coconut seed. Used for buffing floors, fuel, for charcoal, as handicrafts, like buttons, as drinking vessels, etc.

Coconut husk and shell

Products - Brooms, Eckle broms, ropes

• Coconut trunk and roots

Surprisingly it's roots also have serious uses. Use as a dye, a mouthwash, beverage and for medicinal purposes.

The trunk is a handy timber in building construction. Straight, durable and strong. In Sri Lanka it's mostly taken for roof construction.

• Coconut leaves

Coconut leaf weaving is a different art. Mainly the entire leaf is taken as a roofing material from ancient times. After drying, it's perfect.

And also baskets, hats, various kinds of decorations. Even they are used in wedding ceremonies.

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So, I guess you should get a great idea about the uses of this valuable tree. In Sri Lanka, it's a pretty common tree. We take them from our garden for our daily uses like, for cooking, a king coconut to drink, husk and shells for wooden hatches, leaves. And products also commonly available in the market too.

So, that's it, guys. Hope you will enjoy it.

Try to plant a tree. Save nature as much as possible.

References

wikipedia.org
5 Impressive Benefits of Coconut

Thank you for reading and special thanks to @steemcurator01 and @steemcurator02 for the continuous support!

Thank you.
Best Regards!