Let's talk Coconuts! I know many of you may have differing positions regarding this tropical shapely fruit...nut...seed. The dang science community has shared that it can be classified as many things, so why would any one person have just one stance on it. No matter your position on if you love, like, dislike, or loathe coconut it does have many valuable properties.

First, let's talk just its about the coconut physique. According to encyclopedia Britannica, this is a tropical ovoid object, that has a thick fibrous husk with a single seed at the center with a treasure trove of meat and liquid just waiting to be busted into. Interesting fact from this source is that drying out the husk can actually yield a salt water resistant fiber that is used to make ropes. Don't know if Tom Hanks tried that in Cast Away, having never seen it, but if he did, well good work Hollywood on your research.

Now, let's talk uses. Basically, it is base food not just culinary ways, but medicinally and DYI home ways too. The copra (meat of the coconut) depending on how it is prepared can be an oil or milk (Britannica, 2020). Coconut oil is really good for people who suffer from eczema, psoriasis, or dry skin. It is a natural moisturizer. You can also cook with coconut oil to fry with, it's less calories and actually makes fried food come out tasting better (Botanical-Online, 2020). Just use in moderation for this method as a little goes a long way and you don't want everything you fry tasting of coconut (unless of course you love coconut). The coir (which is the husk dried out) can be used for ropes, mats, baskets, brushes, brooms, and the like. And the coconut palm leaf can be used for making toddies (which is a liqueur), cabbage if you are using just the bud, thatching and weaving material, as well as the trunks are used in construction for some areas (Britannica, 2020). As I said a really useful plant and food item.

Medicinally, it is just as universal. Now these uses came from a several sources some overlapping. Please go to my reference page and look at the articles on coconut for my sources. Coconut as an oil, liquid, food, etc. can act as an antibacterial, anti-fungal (I've actually used it to help me when my eczema flare ups start turning into cellulitis), antiviral, anti-parasitic, antidermatophytic, antioxidant, hypoglycemic, laxative, diuretic, immunostimulant, hepatoprotective, hypertension reliever, moisturizer, and an energetic. I know there are a lot of big words in their, all I can say is do as I did and look it up in a dictionary, it would take me too long to explain the meaning of all those words. Coconut also provides your body with the following dietary nutrients: calcium, vitamin C, Iron, Potassium, vitamin B-6, and magnesium (Lehman, 2020). 

Coconut...it is a wonder fruit-nut-seed. I used to only like having it occasionally, but I have to say sense beginning my herbal studies and learning how it can help me reduce and survive my eczema flare ups, as well as lower my calorie intake its grown on me. My husband still refuses to consume it, at least knowingly. *insert evil laugh* Till next time, hope you enjoyed reading about this magical tropical treat!

​Birth control. It is something I am not ashamed to say that I take regularly. When my husband and I first began dating we both tiptoed around the idea of children, only to eventually realize were on the same wavelength, we didn't want any children of our own. We both had our own independent reasons, as for mine, I enjoy being an auntie, teacher, and caring individual without children. Kudos to the people who balance work and children, but I came to the conclusion a few years back that it is not a balancing act that is for me. 

Covid-19, although it has not interrupted access to birth control for me, some legislation decisions and proposals put forward do give me pause to wonder, what if someday my right to birth control is taken away. Reproductive rights of women is a hot issue and an unwanted pregnancy during a pandemic is not something I want to have to face. Surgery could be an option, but hysterectomy in total or part is a challenge to get, especially when it is by choice and not medical necessity. My husband is open to the idea of having a vasectomy but with the pandemic we want to avoid hospitals and doctor's offices all together if at all possible. So, I turned to nature.

Before I even began to have my worries regarding contraception, I had come across some plants that were identified as "anti-fertility" herbs, but it was more like a passing thought. Now, I have really looked into it. The cool thing is that it isn't something just for me, my husband can indulge in assisting to avoid pregnancy by ingesting them as well. Before I share a brief profile on some of the one's I have found, please note ladies, if you are pregnant or nursing you need to avoid these as they can cause complications. These plants also have other medicinal uses, not just anti-fertility. Talk to a doctor, medical advisor, or medical herbalist for more information, what I am going to share is just a snapshot and I encourage my readers to go further than just what I have to say in their studies. 

Kava Kava. A tall plant with fleshy stems and heart shaped leaves. This medicinal herb can be used as an analgesic, sedative, mild euphoriant, as well as possible antiseptic or anti-inflammatory. Useful for helping those who suffer from nerves, anxiety, stress, or restlessness. Its from the pepper family, so it has warming properties for the body. Usually taken as a powder from the root or in tablet form. I've used it as a powder to make tea, but it does have a very bitter taste too it, so I recommend honey to help it go down. Take no more than 150-300 mg daily and no longer than 3 months as it can cause ill effects if you take it large doses. (Balch, pp. 89-90)
​
​Holy Basil. Although it is from the same mint family as kitchen basil, this herb is a little different as it seems to provided added properties of improving health that normal basil just doesn't. The plant has a flesh stalk with stems that grow out purple with small flowers growing upwards on the shoot with large green leaves. Recommended us is about 4 ounces a day, my preference is in tea or you can even add it in place of kitchen basil in a recipe, adds a little zest as the flavor is pungent. This really is a use for all type of plan as it can help with many ailments. I will give this one a whole post on its own, but for now, just know that drinking about 2 cups of holy basil tea daily can help prevent unwanted pregnancy. Use caution however if you are diabetic or have glucose issues as this can mess with your insulin and glucosamine levels, so talk to your doctor before using it in such an instance. (De la Foret, pp. 97-10)

Ginger Root. Or as we just call it, ginger. While in small doses less than about 15 grams it can help a pregnant lady with morning sickness, in fact ginger is great for anyone suffering from nausea, motion sickness, or a stomach bug. This is another one I will provide its own post for, but if you drink about 2 cups of ginger tea daily it can help avoid pregnancy and ensure a normal menstrual cycle with very little cramping. (Balch, pp. 72-74; De la Foret, pp. 87-92; Mahajan, 2016)

Catnip. See post from Feb. 17, 2020 for full details. However, consuming about four ounces of catnip either in tea, a tincture, or this makes a good seasoning in your salads, can assist in avoiding pregnancy. Also, like ginger this herb can help women who may suffer from severe menstrual symptoms during their cycle. 

Weird trivia about Vitamin C. Not recommended for home use, unless advised by our OB/GYN. Women before birth control would actually insert Vitamin C pills inside their vagina to act as a spermicide (Mahajan, 2016). Not to mention, in Hulu's new show The Great, when the czarina is given a half a lemon to shove up there, OMG, women did this during the Enlightenment era and earlier, although usually it was sponges soaked with lemon juice (Little, 2016). Although it is not a very effective means, it is crazy, but kind of cool how ingenuitive women were before advancements in medicine for contraception.