From the recent trend of medical research related to plants and their extract, as well as the results obtained and published, it can be said that nature (the God of creation) has bestowed on man everything that he needs. For example, palm oil is used in African (Nigeria) medicine to treat a number of ailments that affect children, such as cramps. Each small plant that we see around us is likely to contain one or more substances (components) that are likely to cure one or more diseases. Although studies have shown that some of them are poisonous. For example, in Nigeria-West Africa, there are claims by Yoruba that maize roots can be used as poison.
Palm kernel oil (PKO), obtained from oil palm, is the second oil that can be extracted from the tree. While palm oil is extracted from the mesocarp - the carnal coating of oil palm seeds, PKO is removed from the endocarp - the nut itself after breaking. Of the approximately 200 edible oils, PKO and coconut oil (CNO) are the only ones that contain lauric acid, therefore they are called lauric oil. Both palm oil and palm kernel oil are obtained from the same tree as Elaeis guineensis. The two trees producing PKO, CNO and palm oil are also similar, since both are called palm trees, although they are different species. Traditionally, PKO production includes the following: nuts obtained after palm oil production are cracked to produce kernels, then the kernels are then heated in a clean pot until the oils are removed from the kernels, and then the oil is scattered (decanted) from the pot in clean bottles for use or sale. In some parts of Nigeria, N200 is worth N200 million of oil, which is about $ 1.5. The resulting oil has a dark minimum color.
PKO can be used to treat diseases such as cold, catarrh, cough, cramps, skin infection and upset stomach, among other disorders that affect children (as well as adults).
• for catarrh, cold and cramps, especially in children; just rub the oil all over the baby’s body - three times a day for about 7 days and make sure that the ailment disappears after 10 days. In the course of doing this, evidence is abundant that the skin of such a child will be prevented from being infected with some skin pathogens.
• For cough and stomach upset / 5 ml intake disorder, orally suppresses cough and stomach upset twice a day. In addition to the fact that it serves as a laxative, this cannot be due to the oily nature of the extract, although phytochemical components may also be responsible for this effect.
• Finally, although superstitious, it is believed that its use in certain parts of Aqua Ibom in Nigeria is a witcher disgusting. The statement is that when burning the aroma of the oil displaces the witches.
In conclusion, the traditionally extracted Palm Kernel Oil has great medicinal value not only for children but also for adults, and its healing potential for the diseases mentioned earlier is an indicator of its antimicrobial properties for the microbes that cause some of these ailments.
