What plant packages a natural glucose IV?
By Chelsie Vandaveer
November 19, 2001
killerPlants Tendrils: ~~1~~2~~3~~4~~5~~
Suggested Reading: Click here.
The oldest archaeological evidence of the use of the coconut (Cocos nucifera Linnaeus) is charred fruits dated to 3000 BC found in Western Melanesia. The coconut probably originated somewhere within the Indo-Malaysian area; fossilized coconuts have been found in both India and New Zealand. The coconut is now pan tropical, having traveled both on its own and in the company of people.
The coconut palm is the only plant whose seed has a liquid endosperm (nutritive tissue which the developing embryo needs to survive) surrounded by a layer of solid endosperm. The liquid from an immature coconut is known as tender coconut water. It has been used in folk remedies to treat everything from baldness and intestinal parasites to flu, colds, and scurvy.
Coconut water is a highly nutritious liquid containing the sugars--glucose and fructose, several amino acids, the minerals--potassium, sodium, calcium, phosphorous, iron, copper, and sulfur, and vitamins C and most of the B complex. It probably had its most beneficial effect on diseases due to poor nutrition.
Ayurvedic medicine was the first to realize coconut water's value as an oral supplement for numerous diseases in which fevers, malnutrition, or intestinal problems have brought on dehydration. Early medical practitioners may not have understood that dehydration was a major cause of death during illness, but they did recognize that the liquid aided in recovery.
Coconut water was also applied externally to cool the body and to treat painful rashes due to small pox, chicken pox, and measles. Coconut oil, extracted by squeezing the solid endosperm, was applied to keep the skin supple and reduce problems with wind and sun burn.
The liquid endosperm of the coconut is sterile and isotonic, having approximately the same electrolytic balance as human blood. Medical supplies sometimes ran low in the Pacific during World War II. A young (five month old) coconut yields about 2 cups (500 ml.) of liquid endosperm. In emergency situations, the coconut water was substituted for glucose intravenous (IV) infusions.
International Palm Society Image Gallery has a photograph of a stand of coconut palms in the South Pacific. To view the photograph, click on the link:
http://www.palms.org/gallery/bora04.jpg 
killerPlants Tendrils: ~~1~~2~~3~~4~~5~~
Suggested Reading:
How did the coconut lead to tissue culture? Weird Plants - November 22, 2001
What palm has more uses than any other plant? Plants that Changed History - November 20, 2001
What land animal hitchhikes on drifting coconuts? Renfield's Garden - November 21, 2001
Did the face on the coconut create its name? What's in a Name? - November 23, 2001
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