Coconut

Coconut

　　　　Coconut water is rich in protein, fat, and various vitamins, promoting cell regeneration. It can be consumed as a sweet and refreshing summer drink. The Red Army of the Qiongya Column once used it as a substitute for glucose solution, injecting it intravenously to sustain life. The coconut meat contains 35.5% fat and large amounts of zinc, which helps relieve hangovers, aids in human protein synthesis, and acts as an aphrodisiac. It can be eaten or made into coconut bran and cream. The coconut shell can be burned to make activated carbon. Boiling coconut roots can treat inflammation. Meanwhile, "coconut mats" have been tribute items to the imperial court since the Han Dynasty.

　　Before the Han Dynasty, coconuts were called "Yuewangtou" (the Yue people were the ancestors of the ancient Li ethnic group). Legend has it that after a Li king won a battle, he celebrated victory in the village but let down his guard. During the banquet, he was assassinated by a spy, and his head was hung on a flagpole to signal the enemy to attack the village. As the enemies shot arrows at the defenders on the wall, the arrows all fell onto the flagpole. The pole gradually thickened and grew tall, turning into a coconut tree, the arrows became coconut leaves, and the king’s head turned into the coconut fruit. Seeing this, the enemies were terrified and retreated without a fight. Thus, the coconut tree became a symbol of the Li people. When you peel away the coconut’s outer husk, you’ll see three dark spots on the shell—those are the angry eyes and mouth of the Li king. (Haikou)