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There is this special saying by some parents and mostly Africans to bless their children and children expecting it from their parents all the time.
“BE BLESSED LIKE AN OIL PALM TREE MY CHILD”
Among all natures gift oil palm is by far one most important tree that we can boast of having in the world although the climatic conditions of some countries do not support it. But whether you have it in your country or not, you can still get some product made from it because of its numerous purpose.
Trust me, oil palm has so many uses that from its leaves to root are all used as food or medicinal purposes. And the part I like the most is that even when it is cut down, there are a lot of benefits that we get from it.
Lets start with some real education :)
THE LEAVES
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The leaves are used as broom for household chores, thus for sweeping away dirt and also used at the work place and work places for the same purpose. The hard straight part is separated from the soft part of the leaves, dried for some few days, It turns brownish after drying and then a rope is used to tie all separated mid ribs together.
Some countries have a strong tradition about the use of oil palm leaves in their wedding ceremonies. It is currently used as part of wedding bouquet for some brides during their wedding ceremony and also for special event decoration like Christmas, Easter and others for beautification.
- It is mostly used by traditional herbalist
- The tree is generally used as ornamental plant and provides shade for human
- It can also be used for hats for most people that are exposed to the sun when working, example farmers, market women, road and some mining workers
- The fibers in the leaves can be used to make clothes that are being worn by most people worldwide, and sometimes used in making wrist bands, necklaces and anklets that are used by some countries for their traditional activities
- They are also used for roofing of houses especially in some rural parts of Africa in the olden days till date, excess branches and leaves are cut and attached to the top of the building for roofing
- And also used for drying farm produce. The leaves are spread evenly on the floor and the farm produce are then kept on top of it to get direct sunlight so that it dries very well to be then sold at the market or used in cooking in the house
- It is used as fan by households and also by commercial food vendors for fanning their fire. This is typically found in most African countries
- The leaves are also used for sieving uncooked food stuff example when cereals mixes with dirt of small stones, the leaves are dried, folded together and the cereals are t hen poured on it to separate them from the unwanted ones
THE FRUITS
Like any other fruit with so much benefit, the oil palm fruits has countless benefits and is been used by almost everyone worldwide. That is we might be using a product made with oil palm fruits that we are not even aware off. Some people chew the flesh of oil palm fruits and gets satisfied.
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There are other benefits such as:
- Used to prepare soup and stews, thus after boiling the fruits for some time the orange part is extracted and is being added to meat, fish, egg, vegetables or mushroom to cook for some time and its ready to eat.
- It is also used mostly by caterers to garnish food.
- Used to prepare cosmetic products such as perfume, soap, body cream and lotion among others
PALM OIL AND HOW IT IS MADE
Palm oil is also extracted from it. The oil is extracted from the ripe fruits. That is, after boiling it for some time, you then put it in a mortar and use pestle to pound it for some time, add water and puts it on fire to boil. After sometime then the oil comes on top of the cooking pan and it fetched gradually until there is no palm oil in the boiling pan and it will be left with the unwanted part. some people use machines in its extraction and its quiet simple and convenient since the traditional method is an old way of extraction.
TRADITIONAL METHOD OF EXTRACTION
MODERN METHOD OF EXTRACTION
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PALM KERNEL OIL
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Palm nuts are used to produce this type of oil. After cracking the nuts and squeezing it, the oil comes out and it is ready for use or exported depending on how the farmer wants it or the oil can be cooked for sometime before using so that it last longer.
The black nuts is a very good medicine for sore and injuries likewise the palm kernel oil. It can also be used for sore, burn, boil and some skin infections. No wonder it is been used in making so many cosmetic products that we use daily such as face and body cream, hair cream, massaging cream, perfume among others
The nut shells are used in setting fire in rural areas specifically and some cities as well .It is also used as a source of fuel for some machines after it goes through scientific process and refined into desirable state
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PALM WINE
Palm wine is so much liked by both men and women especially Africans due to its cultural values. It is being used in all occasions such as wedding, child naming ceremonies and funerals. After the oil palm has been fell the palm wine is extracted from it by tapping the liquid gradually since it takes a longer time to drop gradually from the tree mainly from the flowers, and the wine is very sweet and fresh when taken the sap immediately from the tree when it falls . Some farmers also takes the wine whilst the tree has not been cut down and still growing
Some people prefer the fresh wine taken immediately because it is very sweet and also the alcohol level being very low. Others also prefer the one that has been kept for some hours or days and has fermented to obtain a sour taste and with high percentage of alcohol. Its white color gives it a natural look.
THE ROOT AND STEM
The root and stem are used as food and also for medicinal purposes.
These are some benefits from palm tree
- Improved blood circulation
- Regulated cholesterol levels
- Reduced free radical damage and inflammation
- Reduced blood pressure
https://articles.mercola.com/herbal-oils/palm-oil.aspx
MUSHROOM
What I like most is that, whilst the oil palm is being cut and lying down, edible mushrooms grows from it from time to time for so many years and it is very nutritious. Anyone who is fun of mushroom should try the one from oil palm trees, it is so delicious and yummy. It is also fat free, cholesterol free, and also low in calories. The nutrients are good for both adults and children as well
HABITAT FOR SOME ANIMALS
Oil palm trees are a good place for some animals whilst it is standing and also after it has been cut down. When it is cut down and rotten, it fertilizes the earth and boost crops growth by making it healthy and growing so well. The tree also aids in oxygen , that it providing oxygen for both human and animals
THESE ARE SOME FOODS PREPARED WITH MUSHROOM FROM OIL PALM TREE
SOME FOODS MADE FROM PALM OIL AND PALM KERNEL
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FOOD MADE WITH PALM KERNEL OIL
Continents that grows oil palm tree are south America, Africa and Asia
This is why I hope and pray that we should all be fruitful just like the oil palm tree, even if it is being cut and do not have life, it serves so many purposes for both human and animals to benefit from it. Our lives as human should be in such a way that, even when we are down to nothing or not around; our words , actions and speech should have a positive impact in the lives of people around us and beyond. All these can be achieved if we change our bad habits and attitude towards our neighbors, family and friends and be good to one another.