Virgin oil, anyone?

Virgin oil? Yes, there is such a thing. Extracted from coconut through a special process, it is the most versatile of all oils.

The process is the so called cold press where oil does not come out from the extreme heating of coconut milk to remove the water content as is the usual method of extraction.

True, the cold press is low yielding but it ensures that the procedure does not put free radicals back into the high-grade edible oil. This product is non-hydrogenated, non-refined, non-bleached and non-deodorized as chemicals and solvents are not used.

Explains Ms. Jing de los Reyes, marketing director of Sirawan Food Corp., maker of virgin oil and other high end coconut products. "This mega-oil, is processed below I00 degrees centigrade. Being cholesterol – and aflatoxin-free, it contains high amounts of lauric acid and less than one percent of fatty acid rendering the product to be shelf stable for two years – without getting rancid – at normal ambient condition."

A very ideal ingredient for herbal soap and aroma therapy industry, virgin oil is good for the health and beauty care. A fully nutrient-loaded carrier oil that soothe and cools the body, it is ideal for massage cream, sun tan lotion and moisturizing cream.

Virgin oil makes hair healthy and shiny when used in hot oil treatment and conditioning. Other than that, it contains vitamin E, a reliable ingredient in anti-ageing and anti-drying creams and lotions.

Moreover, it has medicinal benefits. Its anti-fungal property is an effective remedy for eczema, skin rashes and other skin ailments. Because of its anti-microbial or anti-bacterial qualities it can be used in antiseptic products.

The product contains lauric acid, hence, it strenghtens the immune system that protects the body from degenerative ailments, like cancer, arthereosclerosis, coronary and cerbrovascular diseases. It aids the body in fighting viruses that causes flu, herpes and AIDS .

A study of Dr. Conrado S. Dayrit (entitled "Medicinal Aspects of Coconut Oil") shows that people who consume large quantities of coconut oil in their diet have very low incidence of heart disease and have normal blood cholesterol levels.

It helps in the rapid conversion of food into energy as it is metabolized fast by the body. It eases, also, the onset of constipation.

Virgin oil has qualities that it does not do. No cholesterol that will increase blood cholesterol level. It does not promote platelet stickiness which causes blood clotting. It does not contribute to weight loss.

All these from the tree of life that gives us plenty of dollar reserves from exports, being the number one producer of coconut products in the world.

Among other food products from coconut that Sirawan manufactures are frozen pure coconut milk, low-fat dessicated coconut, natural unsweetened (also, sweetened toasted) coconut chips, coconut jam and coconut flour.