Coconut: The Miracle Plant

I spent a lot of my childhood in the tropics running along sandy rainforest lined beaches- dreamy, I know. Growing up and eventually dipping my foot in the health + beauty world I still can’t help but recognize that the coconut tree is one of the most astonishing miracle plants on this planet. Even the image of a coconut tree conjures thoughts of relaxation, health and escape. Maybe in the imagining of this tree it starts its magic, whisking our thoughts away to a place of no stress.

Coconut fruit takes one of the longest time to fully mature – more than a year! (yes, you heard it right). I was taught to climb a coconut tree when I was 11 years old. I’d climb carefully up the trunk of the tree to harvest the glorious fruit hidden at the top. While still immature the coconut is filled with the most sweet, nutritious, coconut water. The juice from inside a coconut is the purest natural drink you can come across as it has no contact with the outside atmosphere until cracked open. It is even claimed that because of its purity, during World War Two, both the British in Sri Lanka and the Japanese in Sumatra regularly used coconut water when the standard intravenous fluids ran out! Incredible! AND it’s oh-so tasty! I really believe that at some point of my childhood my body was made up of 70% coconut water.


The water and flesh boast properties that can:

Lower blood pressure / Lower blood sugar / Lower cholesterol / Rehydrate the body / Treat NSAID induced ulcers / Reduce Alzheimer’s activity on the brain. 

The husk (outer layer) of a coconut is an amazing fire starter.Yes, even you can build a campfire with one of these babies on hand to help. 


And the OIL!
All hail the “miracle” coconut oil. It has become the latest health and beauty trend but is truly one of the oldest medical and beauty oils in the world. Coastal people for generations have used coconut oil to moisturize their skin, strengthen their hair and nails, it was even used both as a natural sunscreen and deodorant! One ritual I have is “oil pulling”. What is oil pulling? It’s an ancient Ayurvedic medicine that uses natural substances to clean and detoxify teeth and gums. It has the added effect of whitening teeth  and evidence even shows that it may be beneficial for gum health and help fight harmful bacteria in the mouth!

How do I try it?

You simply swish a teaspoon of coconut oil in your mouth for around 20 minutes (hang in there! It can seem like forever this first few times) before spitting it out and rising your mouth with warm water. The belief is that this draws out toxins from your body through your mouth and gums in a simple detoxifying routine every morning. I love oil pulling.

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The coconut tree is my favourite plant on the planet. I am fascinated by the many uses and benefits, and my mouth starts watering at the thought of the tasty tasty fruit! Ever since I was a young girl I’ve used coconut oil on my hair and face and I wouldn’t ever stray far from this naturally occurring product to entertain any toxic chemical products bought off a supermarket shelf.

Eye of Horus Brow Define pencils have coconut oil in them to nourish brow hairs for ultimate growth, which is AMAZING news for women like me who can’t get away from this ancient fix-all remedy.

Grace Hamill xx