Coconut healing oil - Misplaced Pages

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Coconut

Coconut Palms (Cocos nucifera)
Conservation status
Secure
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Division:	Magnoliophyta
Class:	Liliopsida
Order:	Arecales
Family:	Arecaceae
Genus:	Cocos
Species:	C. nucifera
Binomial name
*Cocos nucifera* L.

Coconut healing oil is a tropical, natural, herbal and medicinal oil. As alternative medicine, it is made by cooking or processing coconut milk from fresh mature coconuts. It has 2 kinds: a) virgin coconut oil and b) heat-cooked - i) ordinary coconut oil and the ii) rarest "2 mata" coconut oil. Coconut healing oil has been used throughout Asia and the Pacific for thousands of years initially as food and it holds a highly respected position in the Ayurvedic medicine of India.

Physical properties

Healing coconut oil consists of about 90% saturated fat. The oil contains predominantly medium chain triglycerides, with roughly 92% saturated fatty acids, 6% monounsaturated fatty acids, and 2% polyunsaturated fatty acids. Of the saturated fatty acids, it is primarily 44.6% lauric acid, 16.8% myristic acid and 8.2% palmitic acid, although it contains 7 different saturated fatty acids in total. Its only monounsaturated fatty acid is oleic acid while its only polyunsaturated fatty acid is linoleic acid. Unrefined coconut oil melts at 24-25°C (76°F) and smokes at 170°C (350°F), while refined coconut oil has a higher smoke point of 232°C (450°F). Among the most stable of all oils, coconut oil is slow to oxidize and thus resistant to rancidity. Coconut oil can last up to 2 years due to its high saturated fat content; saturated fats resist rancidity. It is best stored in solid form—i.e., at temperatures lower than 24.5°C (76°F)—in order to extend shelf life. However, unlike most oils, coconut oil will not be damaged by warmer temperatures. Modern medical research confirmed its many health benefits for it contains a unique form of saturated fat that actually helps in prevnetion of various medical conditions. As a "functional food," it contains lauric acid, thusly: approximately 50% of the fatty acids in coconut fat are lauric acid. Lauric acid is a medium chain fatty acid, which has the additional beneficial function of being formed into monolaurin in the human body. Monolaurin is the antiviral, antibacterial, and antiprotozoal monoglyceride used by the humans to destroy lipid coated viruses such as HIV, herpes, cytomegalovirus, influenza, various pathogenic bacteria including listeria monocytogenes and heliobacter pylori, and protozoa such as giardia lamblia. Some studies have also shown some antimicrobial effects of the free lauric acid." Fat of the coconut oil helps regulate blood sugar / stabilise blood glucose levels and aids in shedding excess body weight, it is probably the only oil a diabetic should eat, thus lessening the effects of diabetes. The Nauru people consumed large amounts of coconut oil for generations without ever encountering diabetes.

The Tree of Life

The scientific name for coconut is Cocos nucifera. Spanish navigators called it coco, meaning "monkey face" due to the 3 indentations (eyes) on the hairy nut resembling the head and face of a monkey. Nucifera means "nut-bearing." Coconut provides a nutritious source of meat, juice, milk, and oil that has fed and nourished populations as staple in the diet. 1/3 of the world's population depends on coconut for their food and economy. Coconut is highly nutritious and rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals. It is classified as a "functional food" because it provides many health benefits beyond its nutritional content. Coconut oil is of special interest because it possesses healing properties far beyond that of any other dietary oil and is extensively used in traditional medicine among Asian and Pacific populations.

In traditional medicine around the world coconut is used to treat a wide variety of health problems including the following: abscesses, asthma, baldness, bronchitis, bruises, burns, colds, constipation, cough, dropsy, dysentery, earache, fever, flu, gingivitis, gonorrhea, irregular or painful menstruation, jaundice, kidney stones, lice, malnutrition, nausea, rash, scabies, scurvy, skin infections, sore throat, swelling, syphilis, toothache, tuberculosis, tumors, typhoid, ulcers, upset stomach, weakness, and wounds.

In modern medicine, the use of coconut in treating many of the above conditions can be read in published studies from medical journals. The following, inter alia, are some of the medical properties of this healing oil: Kills viruses that cause influenza, herpes, measles, hepatitis C, SARS, AIDS, and other illnesses; Kills bacteria that cause ulcers, throat infections, urinary tract infections, gum disease and cavities, pneumonia, and gonorrhea, and other diseases; Kills fungi and yeasts that cause candidiasis, ringworm, athlete's foot, thrush, diaper rash, and other infections; Expels or kills tapeworms, lice, giardia, and other parasites; Provides a nutritional source of quick energy; Boosts energy and endurance, enhancing physical and athletic performance; Improves digestion and absorption of other nutrients including vitamins, minerals, and amino acids; Improves insulin secretion and utilization of blood glucose; Relieves stress on pancreas and enzyme systems of the body, etc.</ref>coconutresearchcenter.org, Coconut (Cocos nucifera)</ref>

Unrefined coconut oil (Virgin Coconut Oil VCO)

The Philippines is the world’s largest coconut oil exporter for the reason that it was the originator of the product. The history of virgin coconut oil started with a myth that there was a certain man who had a very sick mother and he had all the rituals he knew just to save her mother. One night he dreamed of the god Bathala appearing to him, instructing him how to make a formula using coconut. So he followed the formula and eventually healed her mother.

VCO Philippines

In the 1990s, Filipino pharmacologist Dr. Conrado Dayrit tested coconut oil on 14 HIV (human immunodeficiency virus)-positive patients. Ages 22 to 38, none had ever received any anti-HIV treatment. After 6 months of treatment, the viral load of 9 patients had decreased. 11 had gained weight and appeared to be improving when the underfunded study was completed. It was to be the first clinical study confirming anecdotal reports that coconut oil has anti-HIV effects. The implication is that if coconut oil can reduce HIV-infected patients’ viral load, it would allow them to live normal lives and greatly reduce the risk of transmitting the virus to others. American naturopath and nutritionist Bruce Fife brought it in the book, The Healing Miracles of Coconut Oil. Now into its fourth edition retitled Coconut Oil Miracles with over 33,000 copies sold. He describes coconut meat, milk, and water as having medicinal as well as nutritional value, a truly functional food. On May 2003, BM (Brand Manager - Organic and Natural Products) attended CBI Expro on Organic Food Ingredients. Part of the seminar was to visit and evaluate the Natural Products Expo in Amsterdam. On March 2004 the VCO Association was formally registered with SEC. BM noticed that one of the products featured during the event was VCO by one Swiss exhibitor. From 25 March - 25 September 2005, VCO Philipines participated in the World Expo 2005 Japan Aichi, Japan.

Virgin coconut oil is derived from fresh and mature coconuts, not copra, and has not undergone the RBD (refined, bleached, deodorized) process that refined coconut oil derived from copra goes through. Almost all of the "unrefined" coconut oils on the market being marketed as "Virgin" are produced one of 2 ways: a) quick drying of fresh coconut meat which is then used to press out the oil; using this method, the coconut meat is quick dried, and the oil is then pressed out via mechanical means; and b) wet-milling; with this method the oil is extracted from fresh coconut meat without drying first. "Coconut milk" is expressed first by pressing. The oil is then further separated from the water. Methods which can be used to separate the oil from the water include boiling, fermentation, refrigeration, enzymes and mechanical centrifuge. Unlike olive oil, there is no world or governing body that sets a standard definition or set of guidelines to classify coconut oil as "virgin." But the Philippines being the largest producer/exporter, recently established a Department of Science and Technology (DOST) governmental standard.

Nutritionist Mary G. Enig, Ph.D. co-founder and Vice President of the Weston A. Price Foundation suggests that coconut oil contains more complex ingredients including lauric acid that reduce LDL and improves HDL. Enig stated that the studies which had been conducted unfairly link coconut oil to health problems and that there are health benefits to coconut oil. Bruce Fife, N.D., C.N., founder of the Coconut Research Center, director of the Southern Colorado chapter of the Weston A. Price Foundation and editor of its Healthy Ways newsletter, wrote several books promoting the health benefits of coconut oil.

File:Omega-Nutrition-Coconut-Oil-3060.jpg

Virgin Coconut Oil and Flax Oil

Saturated fats

Enig disputes the Lipid hypothesis which argues that consumption of saturated fats contribute to heart disease and claims that "big business" and other powerful vested interests played a significant role in the negative portrayals of saturated fats. She states that saturated fats are needed for the production of hormones, the stabilization of cellular membranes, the padding around organs, and for energy. Biochemical signalling processes involving G-protein, and other, receptors make extensive use of the lauric, myristic and palmitic fatty acids, since the receptors must be "coupled with lipids in order to provide localization of function". The palmitoylation and myristoylation processes make use of the palmitic and myristic fatty acids, respectively, for the purposes of stabilization. Myristic acid has been linked to proper immune system function and tumor suppression. A deficiency in the consumption of these and other saturated fatty acids can lead to "age-related declines in white blood cell function", along with dysfunction of the immune system, and even cancer. On the basis of extensive research conducted during the 1970s by Canadian scientists on rapeseed and canola oil, it was ultimately determined that at least 25% of fat in the diet should be in the form of saturated fat. Enig further claims that the "maintenance of a healthy digestive system requires input from lipids, which include molecules such as cholesterol, appropriate saturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids, and other lesser known components such as glycosphingolipids."

Enig is a vocal advocate for dietary consumption of highly saturated fat coconut oil and has written mutliple articles regarding the health benefits she claims it has. She claims Lauric acid, the main acid in coconut oil, "has antimicrobial properties and is the precursor to monolaurin, the antimicrobial lipid." Enig, Mary G. Know Your Fats, p.114 She also states that lauric acid "gives human milk its major antimicrobial properties, and it may be a conditionally essential fatty acid since it cannot be made by mammals other than the lactating female and must be obtained from the diet." Enig, Mary G. Know Your Fats, p.194 Enig also claims that natural coconut oil may be effective in the treatment of AIDS and other viral infections.

Difference from all other oils, especially other saturated fats

Coconut oil has been described as "the healthiest oil on earth." due to the fat molecule. All fats and oils are composed of molecules called fatty acids. The physiological effects of medium-chain fatty acids, MCFA, in coconut oil are distinctly different from those of long-chain fatty acids, LCFA, more commonly found in our foods. The saturated fatty acids in coconut oil are predominately medium-chain fatty acids. Both the saturated and unsaturated fats found in meat, milk, eggs, and plants (including most all vegetable oils) are composed of LCFA. MCFA are very different from LCFA. They do not have a negative effect on cholesterol and help to protect against heart disease. MCFA help to lower the risk of both atherosclerosis and heart disease. It is primarily due to the MCFA in coconut oil that makes it so special and so beneficial. In addition to saturation, fatty acids are short, medium or long.

Short chain fatty acids (SCFA) are fatty acids with aliphatic tails of less than eight carbons.
Medium chain fatty acids (MCFA) are fatty acids with aliphatic tails of 8–14 carbons.
Long chain fatty acids (LCFA) are fatty acids with aliphatic tails 16 carbons or more.

When discussing essential fatty acids, (EFA) a slightly different terminology applies. Short-chain EFA are 18 carbons long; long-chain EFA have 20 or more carbons.

Research had shown that not all saturated fats are alike and coconut oil is unique in its structural make-up. It is not only the highest source of saturated fats (92%) but included in this is the highest source of saturated medium chain triglycerides (62%) of any naturally occurring vegan food source. Furthermore around 50% of these MCT s are made up of lauric acid, the most important essential fatty acid in building and maintaining the body s immune system. Apart from coconut oil, the only other source of lauric acid found in such high concentrations is in mother s milk. Tropical oils and mother s milk are by far the richest food sources of medium chain fatty acids available. The closest other source of these vital building blocks for our immune system would be milk fat and butter, comprising around 3% of its content. Any other vegetable oil is completely deficient in these MCFAs. Tropical oils and mother’s milk are by far the richest food sources of medium chain fatty acids available. Jon J. Kabara, PhD - Professor Emeritus, Michigan State University stated: "Never before in the history of man is it so important to emphasize the value of Lauric Oils. The medium chain fats in coconut oil are similar to fats in mother's milk and have similar nutriceutical effects."

Hypothyroidism

Once mistakenly thought to be bad because of its saturated fat content, coconut oil is now known to contain a unique form of saturated fat that actually helps prevent heart disease, stroke, and hardening of the arteries. The saturated fat in coconut oil is unlike the fat found in meat or other vegetable fats. It is identical to a special group of fats found in human breast milk which have been shown to improve digestion, strengthen the immune system, and protect against bacterial, viral, and fungal infections. These fats, derived from coconut oil, are now routinely used in hospital IV formulations and commercial baby formulas. They're also used in sports drinks to boost energy and enhance athletic performance. Coconut oil does not - blood cholesterol level, promote platelet stickiness which leads to blood clot formation, contribute to atherosclerosis or heart disease, promote cancer or any other degenerative disease and does not contribute to weight problems.

Approximately 65% of the U. S. population is overweight and 30% is clinically obese. Research states the fact that an under active thyroid might be the number one cause of weight problems, especially among women, in the USA today. Virgin Coconut Oil offers great hope for those suffering from hypothyroidism (low thyroid function). In 1995, researchers studied 25,862 participants at the Colorado statewide health fair. They found that among patients not taking thyroid medication, 8.9% were hypothyroid (under-active thyroid) and 1.1% were hyperthyroid (over-active thyroid). This shows 9.9% of the population had a thyroid problem that had most likely gone unrecognized. These figures suggest that nationally, there may be as many as 13 million Americans with an undiagnosed thyroid problem. Coconut oil, on the other hand, is a saturated fat made up primarily of medium chain fatty acids. Also known as medium chain triglycerides (MCTs), medium chain fatty acids are known to increase metabolism and promote weight loss. Coconut oil can also raise basal body temperatures while increasing metabolism. This helps people who suffer with low thyroid function. Since coconut oil is saturated and very stable (unrefined coconut oil has a shelf life of about three to five years at room temperature), the body is not burdened with oxidative stress as it is with the vegetable oils. Coconut oil does not require the enzyme stress that vegetable oils do, preventing T4 to T3 hormone conversion, not only because it is a stable oil, but also because it is processed differently in the body and does not need to be broken down by enzyme dependent processes as do long chain fatty acids. Also, since the liver is the main place where damage occurs from oxidized and rancid oils that cause cell membrane damage, and since the liver is where much of the conversion of T4 to T3 takes place, eliminating long chain fatty acids from the diet and replacing them with medium chain fatty acids found in coconut oil can, in time, help in rebuilding cell membranes and increasing enzyme production that will assist in promoting the conversion of T4 to T3 hormones.

Langis ng Niyog and Healing Arts of the Philippines

"Langis ng Niyog" (heat-pressed coconut healing oil) had been and is still used in folk medicine or therapeutic massage in the Philippines as a tradition as old as the island's first inhabitants. Most widely known as Hilot or Hilut, the massage tradition is known by a variety of other names, to wit:

Aplos (Bontoc)
Aptus (Ivatan)
Unar (Kalinga)
Kemkem (Pangasinan)
Ilot or Ilut (Ilocano, Itawis, Zambal, Pampango)
Ilu (Ibanag)
Ilat (Isneg)
Elot (Ilongot)
Agod or Agud (Maguindanaon, Maranao)
Hagud (Bukidnon)
Ablon (Northern Ilocano)

Various categories of folk / quack doctors (arbolario) include the practitioners of Ablon or Ilut (mangablon or mangngilut), the herbalists (mangngagas), the bonesetters (mammullo), the obstetricians (partera), and other specialists such as snake- or animal-bite curers (mannuma) and shamans or spiritual healers (mangallag). All of these practices have common roots with other healing modalities in Southeast Asian countries including those of Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Burma, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, and other outlying islands In the hierarchy of healers and specialists in Philippine folk medicine, the albularyo may be referred to as the "general practitioners. Although knowledgeable in the other folkloric modalities, the albularyo is specially versed in the use of medicinal herbs. The hilot ambiguously refers both to the manghihilot and magpapaanak. The manghihilot - masahista, masseur - specializes in techniques and treatments applicable to sprains, fractures and muskuloskeletal conditions. The magpapaanak, besides prenatal visits and delivering babies, often performs the suob ritual. Some healers limit their practice of folkloric therapies to more specialized modalities. The mangluluop specializes in diagnostic techniques, usually referring the patients after diagnosis to the albularyo, medico, or manghihilot for definitive treatments. The medico is a further specialization, merging age-old folkloric modalities with ingredients of western medicine - 'prescription' medications, acupuncture, etc. Most of these healers consider their healing craft as God-given, a calling from a supernatural being, and consequently, their healing practices with are profusely infused with prayers and religious rituals. Although their patient-base is rural, they are also present in the urban and suburban communities, albeit in small scattered niches serving burgis alternative needs, the impoverished or the transplanted rural folk.

Heat-processed coconut medicinal / healing oil

Filipinos were colonized by Spain from 1521-1899. But even before the Philippines was thus discovered by Magellan, "Langis ng Niyog" or heat-pressed coconut oil was widely used in the archipelago. Thus when Filipinos became Catholics, they believed in faith or spiritual healing, thusly: St. Paul in the Holy Book of I Corinthians 12:9 explained, "healing" as a gift of the Holy Spirit. In the Holy Book of St. James 5:14-15 "healing" is an established ministry of the New Testament Church and was an important part of its sacramental life.

Heat-processed ordinary coconut medicinal / healing oil

Ordinary heat-processed coconut oil was widely used by the herbolaryos, quack doctors, and today, the herbalists. It is produced by – cooking, per wood or coal / charcoal fire in cauldrons, odd numbers (3, 5, 7 etc.) fresh mature ordinary coconuts, meaning of 7,000 fresh mature coconut fruits per one hectare; each has 3 holes or 3 indentations (eyes) on the hairy nut called "mata" on top). Since the 19th century, they learned to cook it, passing to generations; the best time for making it, is Good Friday, 12 noon - 3 p.m., or first Fridays, same times; then, they would grate the meat manually (or by use machines), then they put clean water; then in big cauldron (66-75 pieces would suffice), they would cook it slowly, using the same coconuts husks and shells with wood, coal or charcoal and the coconut husks, one direction only; and SILENCE is required (for if there are spectators, then, the oil extracted would be few). The cooking of the "LATIK" (coconut cream from cooked coconut meats grated) to almost roasted black, is of paramount import, so that the ingredients would be intact and to preserve the oil. About 2 liters of this ordinary cooked coconut healing oil is obtained from 71 coconuts. This coconut healing oil differs from the ordinary Church or other coconut oils found in the Philippine market, unlike all other oils, including virgin coconut oil, this cooked healing coconut oil would not smell "MA-ANTA", or bad / rancid, after time. Moreover, the therapeutic / medical effects are not only very satisfactory, but is double the efficacy of virgin coconut oil.

Gift of Spiritual Healing: “2 Mata” Rarest (2 “eyes”) Heat-processed Coconut Medicinal / Healing Oil

As mutants, 2 mata coconuts, are very hard to find and to be purchased for processing to coconut healing oil, since, as stated, 2 to 3 pieces coconut fruits appear in 7,000 (average yield of a 1 hectare plantation). However, unlike virgin coconut healing oil, it has no expiration date; the oil is golden, unchanged, and the smell is very aromatic. It never turns rancid. It is the elixir of life, the fountain of youth, the fountain of life, the and the coconut gold, elixir of immortality or Dancing Water or Aab-e-Hayaat آب حیات , the philosopher's stone (a legendary potion, or drink, that grants the drinker eternal life or eternal youth).

Essential differences between ordinary 3 mata vis-a-vis the 2 mata coconuts

Only 2 or 3 pieces of the rarest mutant 2 "MATA" fresh, mature coconut fruits appear of 7,000 pieces, normally produced or gathered in one hectare land; 2-mata rarest coconuts would cost P 50.00 (P 41 = $ 1) a piece, unlike the ordinary 3-mata fresh coconut fruit which can easily be bought at P 15 cents per piece; the 2 mata coconuts produce 30% less coconut juice, and are 70% smaller in size from the ordinary 3 mata; the color is quite different, as the oil produced is less golden and more yellowish oil, but the aromatic odor is the same; the therapeutic potency, medical and clinical efficacies are double or even more than the ordinary heat-pressed coconut oil, and triple or more, than the efficacy of virgin coconut oil; For example: 2 mata oil eases arthritis pain in 2 minutes, the 3 mata, in 30 minutes, the VCO oil, maybe, one day or no result at all; skin diseases, that could not be cured of 3 mata oil, virgin coconut oil, can, most of the times, be cured by the 2 mata oil in just a relatively short time compared to drugs or modern medicines; a terminally ill for prostate cancer patient, who was pronounced incurable by doctors, was healed by drinking 2 mata coconut oil for a week.

External Links

References

Edible fats and oils

Fats

Pork fats	Fatback Lardo Salo Lard Lardon
Beef/Mutton fats	Dripping Suet Tail fat Tallow
Dairy fats	Butter Clarified butter Ghee Manteiga-da-terra Niter kibbeh Smen Urfa butter
Poultry fats	Chicken fat Duck fat Goose fat Schmaltz
Other animal fats	Blubber Muktuk Whale oil
Vegetable fats	Borneo tallow Cocoa butter Coconut oil Mango butter Margarine Palm kernel oil Shea butter Vegetable shortening

Oils

Marine oils

Vegetable
oils (List)

Fruit oils	Avocado oil Olive oil Palm oil
Nut oils	Almond oil Argan oil Cashew oil Hazelnut oil Macadamia oil Marula oil Mongongo nut oil Pecan oil Pine nut oil Pistachio oil Walnut oil
Seed oils	Ambadi seed oil Apple seed oil Castor oil Corn oil Cottonseed oil Grape seed oil Hemp oil Linseed (flaxseed) oil Mustard oil Peanut oil Pequi oil Perilla oil Poppyseed oil Pumpkin seed oil Rapeseed (canola) oil Rice bran oil Safflower oil Sesame oil Soybean oil Sunflower oil Tea seed oil Watermelon seed oil

See also: Cooking oil; Plant oil; Essential oil

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