by Salvador Bali

The tree of life as it is called has in fact been reported to have an amazing 23,000 or more uses. What is the tree of life we may ask? Well that would be the exotic, tropical swaying palm tree with leaves that seem to dance on the wind. It fills the tour brochures and television ads with exotic images of palm fronds and coconut drinks and dreams of fun filled days and warm nights on the beach, out of reach, lying in the noon day sun. It is the tree that spells romance - the humble coconut tree - a plant whose importance is often overlooked.

You're on that paid vacation. Ah yes dream on and sail on sailor. While you are sipping on your last coconut before you travel back to the land of your
life and you look down into that coconut that has now been drained of all its luscious health giving water and all that remains is the meat of the white pulp, give a thought or two to the coconut. To eat or not to eat that is just one question. Whether to save or throw away? The only thought is to that coconut on hand. But there is more, much more.

Ah! The true inquisitor such as myself who has traveled from the roots, to the trunk, flowers fruit, leaves and nuts of this amazingly versatile, mind boggling tree of life knows more. Hence our research story begins on a bit of a serious note - going coconuts.

During the early days people discovered that coconut oil has many medicinal properties and it became an important part of medication.
It is still used in traditional medicine and the Indian Ayurvedic tradition uses it constantly. People use herbs and parts of certain trees, along with the oil concoctions that are applied to wounds, to swollen areas, skin problems and all kinds of other ills.

They provide quick healing and these rituals have been practised for many a moon and prevail even today through most of Asia, India, the Pacific Islands and parts of Africa. They believe that coconut oil has special healing and divine energies and in Peru they are using coconuts to fight malaria. More recently, modern medical practioners, not to mention scientists are discovering some of the almost miraculous healing powers of the coconut and its enzyme rich oils. In fact current research has brought up all kinds of information. Researchers have discovered that people living in areas where coconut oil is used on a daily basis, enjoy a better health level than could otherwise be expected. The oils can kill viruses many kinds of infections, funghi and yeasts that cause all manner of ills. It can expel tapeworms and kill giardia and other parasites. It can boost energy, enhance physical and athletic performances. Most amazing of all, it is also slimming! Farmers who fed coconut oil to their cattle discovered they were actually losing weight rather than putting it on and it works with humans too.

Going to the coir, the fibrous husk of the coconut is used in surprisingly large number of ways such as ropes, yarns, doormats, and floormats, water filters, car seat covers, flower pots, orchid growers, sound proofing, mulch for plant growing, heat insulation, brushes, bristles, mattresses, door mats, rugs, carpets and the list goes on and on...

Along with the coconut shell the entire palm is used in the making of Ukelele instruments, furniture, interior walls, novelties, walking sticks, ashtrays, hammer handles, egg cups plates and bowls. In the Maldives the fishermen make their durable fishing boats called dhonies from the hardy coconut wood, and increasingly, the hard wearing properties of the wood are making it a popular and almost trendy building material. Who would have thought it!

Charcoal comes from the husk and makes an effective water filer, amongst other things.

That's just the tip of the iceberg, and I dedicate this first article to the humble tree. May the coconuts be with you.