Fighting SARS . . . With Coconuts?

In the Phillipines, latik is the term used to describe the residue left over when coconut milk is cooked to the point where it turns to oil.

In June, an epidemiologist in the Phillipines was reported to claim that latik may help fight the SARS virus. Here's the story from the Manila Times.

Well it turns out there are others exploring the use of coconuts and coconut products in the fight against SARS. Here are some recent headlines:

• Virgin Coconut Oil Being Tested on SARS Patients -- 18 May 2003 -- Inquirer News Service, Manila

• Can Coconut Drive SARS to Nuts? -- 19 May 2003 --- The Hindu, India

• How to Make a Difference Among Those Troubled by SARS. TeamExpansion is a church group in Taiwan and this article mentions this:

  On Tuesday, some of our church people decided that at least we should go a pray and try to encourage the quarantined medical workers and SARS patients in a visible way. We had a banner made which read something like, "Dear doctors, nurses, staff, and sick friends: We know you're having a rough time. We will pray for you daily and ask God to protect your health and give you peace." We took the banner to Chang Gung Hospital (the most affected hospital in southern Taiwan) near our church, tied it between two coconut trees and began to pray and sing. Within seconds we were swarmed by local media, taking pictures and wondering what we were up to. It was a great opportunity to share our concern and the hope we have. We made the papers too.

  Well you just made a blog as well. :-)

Posted by brian at July 31, 2003 08:46 PM