10 Uses for Coconut Oil(Beauty Secret!)

The various uses of Coconut Tree

Cutting Coconut Lumber

Q&A

Q:What are coconut tree uses?

A:Coconut trees offer many uses, including forming houses and roofs, appearing in foods and beverages and landscaping. Coconut trees, like many other tree species, serve aesthetic and functional purposes. These trees grow in tropical and subtropical climates around the world, providing many uses as a chemical, skin product and food source for people around the world. Coconut trees derive from the palm family, which includes many species of trees and plants. Coconut trees distinguish themselves as hardy species, surviving in tough climates with little water and high levels of salt. People use virtually every part of the coconut tree, including the fibers, juices, outer bark and fronds. Tree trunks serve industrial uses, making popular choices as housing materials and structural supports. The durable wood appears in some furniture and interior decorative items too. The tough fibers of coconut wood make it an ideal building material, while strong leaves create baskets and form decorations. Coconuts, the fruits produced by trees, provide food and nutrition. Coconut seeds make coconut oil, butter and margarine. The fleshy white meat of coconut fruits sweetens desserts and confections in dried or raw form. Landscapers plant trees along city streets and walkways. These attractive trees provide aesthetic value and anchor soil, protecting against erosion.

Different Uses for a Coconut

Coconut Bird Feeder

The Tree of Life

The coconut has got to be the most versatile fruit used. Grown on the Palm Tree, every part of the coconut and the tree has virtually got a use and has been used by different countries in different ways. Known as “The Tree of Life” in The Philippines and “The tree of a 1,000 uses” in the Malaya language, coconuts have a history of important uses worldwide.

Grown in over 80 countries worldwide, the coconut palm excels in the tropics, notably The Philippines and Indonesia closely followed by India and Brazil which combined, account for approximately 80% of the world’s coconut production.

The coconut is of significant economic importance to these top producers.

Here is a selection of the many uses of this exotic fruit tree which I have divided into parts of the Tree and then the fruit.

Attempting to list every single use would be impossible however I can give you a taste of just how amazing and functional coconut is.

The Coconut Palace Court, The Philippines

 built entirely of coconut and local materials, it was commissioned by General Marcos in 1970s.

Uses of The Coconut Tree

Coconut Palm Tree

• The Roots – were used to make dyes, used as a toothbrush, mouthwash, and has medicinal value.
• Coconut Leaves – were used in The Maldives as a roofing material for houses, and are used to wrap rice, for cooking, and for storage in The Philippines.
• They have been used to make toys in India, and they are used to make brooms and burnt to ash to make lime.
• Toothpicks and satay skewers have also been made out of the ribs on the leaves.
• Coconut Tree Trunk – used as timber to make houses and boats, in bridge building, furniture, drums, and canoes.

Container Planting

using a coconut husk for growing bonsai trees.

Different Uses of Coconut

Coconuts are a serious superfood with its long list of health benefits, medicinal uses, and nutritional value.

No part goes to the waste as every layer has or had a use somewhere in the world, making it worthy of the title the tree of life.

• The Coir – this is the fiber on the outside of the husk and is used in ropes, doormats, potting compost, mattress stuffing, brushes, mats, rugs, joint sealer for boats (caulking), and sacks.
• In Brazil, a tea is made from the husk fibers which is said to benefit inflammatory disorders.
• The Coconut Husk & Shell – the outer part of the coconut, these have been used for buffing floors, fuel, for charcoal, as handicrafts, as buttons, as drinking vessels, sponges, musical instruments, theatrical sound effects, burnt to ward off mosquitoes and when ground down, the husk is used in cosmetics as a skin exfoliant.
• The coconut shells are also used as bird feeders, a haven for small birds and rodents and even are a feature in the fairground as a coconut shy.

Coconut Shell Crafts - Kerala, India

Coconut Water

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Commonly drunk in the humid tropics, coconuts all produce water. The younger the fruit, the more water it has.

• A good source of sugar, fibre, antioxidants, proteins, vitamins and minerals makes it a popular sports drink providing energy, hydration, and endurance.
• It helps restore any electrolyte imbalances caused by diarrhea, vomiting and after exercising.
• Emergency infusions may be done with coconut water due to its ability to mix with blood.
• It has antiseptic, antibacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-viral properties.
• It is used to replace lost fluids in cases of influenza, typhoid, malaria, and dissolves kidney stones.

Coconut Oil

With medicinal, nutritional and topical uses and benefits, there are in excess of 100 reasons to have coconut oil in some form in the home. Here is a selection of them. Here we go!

Drying Coconuts for Oil

Topical Uses of Coconut Oil

• Natural skin softener and moisturizer.
• Reduces fine lines, puffiness and dark circles under the eyes
• Prevents skin infections.
• Anti-Wrinkle.
• Soothes Sunburn and treats blisters and burns.
• Removes makeup.
• Improves skin tone, elasticity, and age spots.
• Heals itchy skin and stops burning from insect bites including snake bites.
• Lessens varicose vein occurrences.
• Removes head lice.
• Conditions the hair, prevents split-ends and treats dry flaky scalp including dandruff.
• Heals nail fungal conditions.

Medicinal Uses of Coconut Oil

Extracting Coconut Oil in Sri Lanka

• Eases acid reflux and gives relief in gallbladder disease.
• Stabilizes blood sugar levels and insulin production.
• Kills viruses such as flu and infectious diseases.
• Protects against cancers in the colon, breasts, and digestive tract.
• Protects against intestinal disorders.
• Reduces pain and inflammatory conditions such as arthritis.
• Strengthens the liver.
• Relieves symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
• Soothes earaches when combined with olive oil and garlic.
• Protects against Alzheimer’s disease.
• Improves calcium and magnesium absorption, promoting strong bones.
• Helps stabilize female hormones and prevents hot flushes and vaginal dryness during menopause.

The Meat

Thai Chicken Curry

• The white meat or flesh of the coconut is eaten and used fresh. When it is in dried form it is called copra.
• Rich in vitamins A and B group (particularly B5), phosphorus, iron, magnesium, zinc and potassium.
• High in Fat and Carbohydrates.
• Widely used fresh or dried in thousands of culinary dishes. Deserts and confectionery are particularly favorable with the coconuts sweet taste.
• It is also an essential ingredient for many curries and savory dishes throughout the world.
• Coconut oil is extracted from the dried Copra.
• Copra cake or copra meal is made as livestock feed.

Coconut Milk

coconut milk is added to cocktails in the
tropics and a key ingredient in Pina Colada.

• The milk of the coconut is extracted from the flesh or meat of the fruit has high saturated fat content. It is used in a variety of ways from seafood dishes in Brazil to being used in baking instead of animal fat.
• Whilst there are two types of milk (thick and thin milk) available, most countries who import coconut milk get it in a can and remain unaware of the two different types.
• Coconut milk is used regularly, nearly as a staple ingredient in Southeast Asia and forms the base of curries.
• Used to make a home brew in Rendell Island (Solomon Islands) where it is fermented with sugar and yeast and left for a week.
• The famous Pina Colada cocktail traditionally contains coconut milk.
• Coconut milk is said to promote plant growth.

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A Crash Course on Coconuts: See How the World Uses this Fruit

You have probably heard me praise the benefits of coconut oil and coconut water. Studies about their health benefits are piling up as we speak. Coconuts carry have a variety of functions beyond just these two products.

However, these functions and benefits seem to be largely overlooked in the United States. Americans have very limited knowledge about this fruit because it is not a traditional part of their diet. And very few stores sell coconut products.

The term "coconut" can be used to refer to both the coconut palm and fruit. Every part of the coconut can be used for myriads of functions, so it has gained significant recognition and has become a steady source of living in many cultures.

Coconut Uses - How the Coconut Proved Its Worth

The physical properties and nutrients of coconuts can vary depending on their maturity. Young coconuts have either a white husk or a green shell, and possess larger amounts of coconut water and softer meat. On the other hand, mature coconuts, the brown and hairy variety, have less water and firmer meat.

Whether they're young or mature, coconuts are considered the "plant of life" due to their astounding commercial and domestic uses:

1.Parts of the coconut palm, as well as the exterior layers of its fruit, are turned into several products, from simple kitchen tools and utensils to strong structures – for both humans and animals. Some of these coconut parts include:

• Coconut husks
• Coconut shells
• Coconut leaves
• Coconut trunk
• Coconut roots

2.The meat and water within its fruit are rich resources of nutrients. Native cultures in Asia, Pacific Islands, South America, and limited parts of North America use coconut fruit as a staple in their diets. Some popular coconut products are:

• Coconut meat
• Coconut oil
• Coconut milk
• Coconut water
• Coconut wine
• Coconut vinegar

Go Nuts about Coconuts - Learn More about This Amazing Plant

Probably no fruit or plant has garnered the level of recognition the coconut has. The list of benefits you can obtain from coconuts goes on and on.

I urge you to read Plant of Life: An Infographic on Various Coconut Uses to discover some interesting trivia about its uses around the world. Share this infographic with your friends and family to help spread knowledge about this astounding plant.

10 Uses of Coconut Trees

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Coconuts are exotic, edible fruits produced in coconut trees. The coconut tree is a kind of palm tree with a single straight trunk and has been used for many purposes since prehistoric times.

Every part has a use, including the fruits, wood, and leaves.

Because of this, the trees are widely cultivated in many places in South India for both commercial and home use.

Here, you can see few uses of these wonderful trees.

1. The Flesh: Food, Milk, and Flour

Coconut with its shell opened | Source

This is the first use most people think of. You can eat the fruit of a coconut tree, and this is the plant's most common use. Coconuts can be eaten either raw or cooked, and they are rich in vitamins, minerals, and powerful antioxidants.

Before you can eat coconut, the white flesh of the fruit needs to be separated from the outer hard shell. Do do this, you may use a coconut scraper to grate the fruit or a coconut meat removal knife to separate the flesh after opening the shell. The freshly grated coconuts can be easily added to your recipes or you can store it in refrigerator for few days.

Coconut milk is also very popular. It is widely used in many Asian cuisines, especially in South India, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. It is usually used to thicken soups and stews, and you can also use it as a substitute for milk if you have milk allergy. To make coconut milk, you can either squeeze grated coconuts in water with your hands (this produces a milder version), or you can stick them in a blender with a little water (this produces a thicker version).

Additionally, coconut milk is an excellent hair conditioner. You can apply the coconut milk to your hair and scalp and rinse after a few minutes. This will make your hair soft and shiny and improves the health of hair by reducing hair fall. Coconut milk is also an ideal ingredient to be added in homemade face masks in place of water.

The fruits can also be turned into coconut flour, which is available in markets nowadays. The flour is often used as a gluten-free substitute.

2. The Water: A Healthy, Refreshing Drink

Coconut water | Source

Coconut water is different from coconut milk. When you break the hard shell to open the fruit, it has a mildly sweet water inside that is known for its extreme health benefits. This wonderful natural drink is very popular during the summer season.

The water from young, tender coconuts is sweeter and has the best flavor.

3. The Oil: For Cooking, Skin, and Hair

Coconut oil can be used for baking and as a conditioner. | Source

Coconut oil is quite popular nowadays due to its unique, attractive flavor. It is even used as a replacement for butter in many recipes. This oil has a higher saturated fat content than oils such as olive or canola, so its impact on health is a controversial subject. The lauric acid in coconut oil is believed to be excellent for health due to the fact that it improves the immunity and can protect against several illnesses.

Coconut oil is not just for cooking. It is a great conditioner for hair, too. The use of coconut oil in hair can make dry hair soft and silky. In many parts of the world, it is very common to massage young babies with coconut oil since it is believed to be healthy for the skin of babies.

4. The Shells: To Steam Food and Create Crafts

Baskets made of coconut shells | Source

The hard shell of the fruit is useful, too. It is traditionally used in homes to steam food. The shells are also a popular craft material. Many beautiful craft items are made out of coconut shells. You can easily color the shells and carve them into beautiful art pieces. Children use them for playing as well.

5. The Husks: A Natural Scrubber and Craft Material

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There are a number of uses for the coconut husk. They can be used as natural scrubbers to clean dinner plates, cups, and other vessels and even the floor.

Coconut husks are also used as a craft material to create many beautiful things. For example, you can color it and use it as hair for dolls.

6. The Husks: Ropes

Ropes made from coconut husk | Source

This is one of the major uses of coconuts, at least for the many people who make a living with it. People in many rural areas make their living from making ropes out of coconut husk, and it is a profitable business. This is actually a difficult task and requires immense manual labor. However people work in large groups in coir factories to make ropes and mats from the husks of coconuts.

So far we have seen the uses of just the fruit of this versatile plant. Now we will see the uses of other parts of this wonderful tree!

7. Tree Leaves: Thatching

A thatched umbrella | Source

The leaves of the coconut palms are very large and beautiful. I love how they look; they are great subjects for photography.

People have used these leaves to make fences as well as roofs for their small huts, and in many places, people still use them for thatching. They are cost effective and provide shelter for many people who cannot afford the cost of other materials. Sometimes they are used not only for making the roofs, but to make the walls of houses as well. Making houses from the palm leaves may not be the best option—they can't survive extreme weather conditions and there are safety conceerns—but in many places, people rely on this tree to create shelter.

And coconut leaves aren't only helpful for humans. Did you know that coconut leaves are one of the favorite foods of elephants?

8. The Sticks: Brooms

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Coconut leaves have thick sticks that can be used to make brooms for your home! It is really easy to assemble the sticks together and tie them with a thread to make the broom. People make the coconut brooms for both domestic and commercial use.

9. The Wood: Fires in Traditional Kitchens

Many parts of the coconut tree can serve as inexpensive fuel for fires. | Source

Coconut husks, shells, leaves, leaf stems, and flower stems are used for fires in traditional kitchens. In places with many coconut trees, finding the wood for fire is an easy an inexpensive task.

10. The Flowers: Medicine

Coconut flowers | Source

Coconut flowers have many medicinal uses. They are an ingredient in many traditional remedies, especially medicines for new mothers.