Kalpa vriksha aka COCONUT "Tree that provides the necessities of life"

Coconut tree is "kalpavriksha ", worshipped since time immemorial. Kalp vriksha means the tree that provides the necessity of life. Found in the coastal areas of India, the whole tree gives its parts to fulfil the human requirements. Fresh coconut water quenches the thirst of the people living in the sea shores. The fresh coconut provides sufficient energy to curb the hunger. The leaves, coir , etc are used for various purposes. Therefore it is offered to God. Without it the religious ceremonies are incomplete. Fishermen offer coconut to the sea to celebrate the beginning of the new fishing season. Coconut is placed over the opening of the pot to represent a womb in weddings. Its offered to God before any new initiative .

The grated fresh coconut is used in the preparation of puddings, sweets , curries and chutneys.

Coconut water is a mild diuretic, with honey it is a tonic. It is good for urinary disease, nervousness and fatigue.

A mature coconut may yield upto 225 gms of kernel supplying about 1000 kcal.

A tender coconut yields 500 to 900 ml water. It is the safest and sterile drink as it is not likely to be contaminated with pathogens. During the second world war, coconut water was used as intravenous fluid.

The pH of coconut water is 5.6 and the nutrients present are glucose, fructose, inulin , proteins, potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium, chloride, phosphate and sulphate.

Typhoid fever and other salmonella infections have been traced occasionally to desiccated coconut. Dried kernels are less likely to be contaminated.

Dried coconut contains about 70% oil. It is easily digested. It is extensively used in the preparation of vegetable ghee and margarine. Unlike other oils, coconut oil is poor in unsaturated acids. Oleic and linoleic acids are present only to the extent of about 9 per cent. The remaining 91 percent is saturated fatty acids characterised by the presence of a high percentage of lauric and myristic acids.

Coconut cake is a byproduct of the coconut oil industry. It provides a nutritious mash for feeding milch cows to increase the quantity and nutritive value of milk.

Coconut sap or juice is obtained by tapping or cutting the stalk of the young flower bunches of coconut. The main constituent of the fresh juice is sucrose. It is rich in ascorbic acid. The juice in the fresh state is sweet toddy or neera.

Make a natural coloured lip gloss by mixing coconut oil, almond oil , beeswax, cocoa butter , and red food colouring.

Apply moisturiser made of coconut oil. It is a superb moisturiser for dry skin and mature skin. Coconut milk is a good soak up moisturising lotion.

Coconut may cause allergies.

Eat coconut in moderation, it is rich in energy. Drink coconut water to hydrate yourself but like all the food it has to be consumed in moderation. Drinking coconut water after sunset might increase water retention creating a feeling of heaviness. Enjoy eating coconut chutney, nariyal ladoo , daab chingri , etc but too much of it might help in weight gain .

 Here comes the monsoon and the fear of Scrub Typhus

It was August 2023.

I went to Rishikesh , a beautiful Uttarakhand town.

Not for a vacation, my in-laws were ill and unfortunately they passed away within a short span of time. As a daughter in law I was a part of the rites and duties. We came back after a fortnight or so. I had a fever with chills and malaise. (due to stress and agony, as everyone thought including me). As I had recovered from cancer a year ago, it seemed normal. Fever was over in days but I was too lethargic (might be viral). I started having confusion, digestive issues, breathing issues and so on . (I don’t even have the memory of the 10 days) .Was hospitalized, got tests done, detected low platelets. (might be Dengue). My friend who herself is a doctor came to visit me, she thought of something. I was referred to Max ( a super specialty hospital).  Everything was low in the parameters including the chances of survival.  The villain was SCRUB TYPHUS

Scrub Typhus

a bacterial infection caused by Orientia tsutsugamushi (from Japanese tsutsuga meaning "illness", and mushi meaning "insect") and transmitted by chigger bites (mite larvae)

I survived it because the doctors and my lady luck were at the same side. A delay of a day, my family members would have been writing an obituary speech.

A word of note to you-

• Just avoid the places with good vegetation, the green hill stations during the monsoons.
• Check with a doctor if you are having a fever after travelling.
• Do Not self medicate.
• Always check for rashes, bruises or cuts in any part of your body. Mine was in the thigh area . The bite mark is not painful at all. 

Good nutrition really helps.

There was fluid in the liver, lungs , and heart. It got treated.

Good nutrition gives you immunity.

Avoiding processed , packaged foods, deep fried foods really helps.

Proper hydration (at least 2.5 ltr plain water, no juices, smoothies, shakes) , (I avoid rather abstain myself from alcohol, soft drinks, energy drinks ) and daily exercises (about 45 minutes) protects us during these critical times.

Accidental health problems can arise to anybody but it can be overcome with positive thinking and easy ways. (people make a joke about me that being a dietitian I had cancer and scrub typhus but being a dietitian has helped me overcome the problem, BE POSITIVE!!

I might not have reduced the increased weight (thanks to the cocktail of steroids) but my HbA1C , thyroid, blood sugar, blood pressure are perfectly fine till now.

  Just believe in Yourself. Life is standing near an ocean, positive and negative waves will come, some will be big which will make you wet and some small which will touch your feet and go.

Prepare yourself with proper nutrition, health and hygiene and live.