The coconut tree is a unique plant and it is found in great abundance all over the State. The products of the coconut tree are widely used to venerate God as well as the devil too. We offer the coconut fruit with great reverence to God, maybe one or many depending on our wishes and need. It is also offered to the devil (Purush) with toddy in one half of the coconut shell.
The unoxidised tender coconut water is akin to the blood flowing in our veins in the human body. It has unique healing properties; this fact though is not known to many. This miraculous water helps both the young and the old people if consumed with caution. The pulp of the tender coconut is used for treatment of piles and the oil extracted from the coconut is used to reduce the pain caused due to piles. The kernel of dry coconut is used to expel tapeworms. It is this multi-dimensional use of this unique fruit of the coconut tree that makes it all the more unique and one of its kinds in its category.
The most important aspect of the coconut tree is that, not a single part of the coconut tree is wasted or thrown away like in the case of other trees. The trunk of the plant besides being used as rafters, firewood, furniture, utensils, is also used for medicinal purpose. The ash of the bark and the stem is used as an antiseptic to treat day to day wounds. It can be used for treatment of scabies and toothaches too. The infusion of the flowers mixed with honey can be used for respiratory problems.
The leaves not only give shelter to the poor but are also used as food for animals. Brooms made from the leaves are used both by the poor as well as the rich. The brooms made from the coconut leaves are much in demand for domestic use in households and serve a particular purpose for keeping the surroundings clean.
The most unique and outstanding feature of the Goan coconut tree is that, this plant is never old. What ages is the lower part of the trunk along with some roots but at the same time new roots appear taking care of some cells of the plant which supplies food for the plant to remain active. About 25% of cells take charge with full capacity to keep 1½ metre of the plant and apical crown young. You can utilise this part of the plant as the new young plant.
The following steps are to be followed: Scrape the periphery leaving 1¼ metre from the apical crown. Mix 1 kg millet with mud with a small quantity of water, Apply the mixture of mud and millet to the scrapped portion of the plant, wrap a gunny bag around it and tie the same. After 1 or 1 ½ month the roots start protruding through the gunny bag. Wait till considerable number of roots protrude through the gunny bag. Cut the lower portion of the trunk i.e. below the gunny bag. Cover the cut portion with plastic so that no water enters the trunk of the main tree. Transplant the upper portion along with the gunny bag.
The coconut tree is never old. It is immortal. It is an integral part of everything that is truly Goan and occupies a place of pride in our agricultural sector.
The coconut tree has shared an inseparable relationship with generations of Goans across the centuries and it has to continue doing so with our future generations too. We have to save this agricultural heritage and keep it away from harm for the sake of our children and their children too. Long live the coconut tree.
