Coconut, Coconut Water, Flower Benefits, Side Effects, Research, Remedies

Coconut has been used in Ayurveda for thousands of years. Apart from culinary uses, coconut and coconut water are also used for medicinal purposes.

Introduction

Narikela – Cocus nucifera, commonly known as Coconut is described in Ayurveda for its therapeutic benefit in the conditions of hyper-acidity, burning micturition, retention of urine, provide physical strength, burning sensation of body during measles and herpes, diarrhea, thirst and gynecological disorders.

coconut milk

Coconut trees can grow up to 30 m high with large leaves arranged at the end of the stem. Narikela is described several times in Brihatrayi texts under Phala Varga. Its fruit, kernel and water are commonly used. But the coconut oil and its usage might have commenced at a very later stage. In Kerala, oil extracted from the coconut shell is used as an antifungal medicine.

Botanical Name: Cocos nucifera Linn.
Family Name: Arecaceae, Palmae (Narikel kula)

Remedies

Coconut is used in small quantities to calm excessive burning sensation, gastritis, and heartburn.
Tender coconut is useful in the treatment of fever and skin diseases that occur due to Pitta imbalance.

  • Tender coconut water is a good electrolyte and can be used in conditions of dehydration, thirst, fever, burning micturition and difficulty in passing urine.
  • Tender coconut water is also used in the cosmetic industry as an ingredient in the preparation of facial creams, moisturizer and sunscreen.
  • The inflorescence of Cocus nicufera is used in the preparation of medicines which are used in gynecological disorders like dysmenorrhea, leucorrhea etc.
  • Grated coconut fruit is used in the preparation of medicines used in hyper-acidity, colic, ulcer, general debility and to improve sexual vigor.
  • From dried coconut (called copra), oil is extracted. Coconut oil is applied to the scalp for hair growth. The oil is also used as base in medicated herbal oils which are used in conditions of alopecia, dandruff, headache and for maintaining black color of scalp hair.
  • Alkali prepared from Coconut is given in a dose of 2 – 3 g with tender coconut water or honey in condition of acidity, indigestion and ulcers in the stomach.
  • The coconut shell is burnt and black colored thick oil is extracted which is used in skin diseases and wounds.
  • Tender coconut water is used for washing the skin in conditions of herpes, measles and chickenpox and helps in reducing the burning sensation during the disease.
  • Mixture of grated coconut and coconut water is given to reduce hiccups.
  • Decoction of the inflorescence of Cocus nucifera is given in a dose of 30 – 40 ml to treat diarrhea and blood mixed diarrhea.
  • Grated coconut is consumed to relieve burning sensation in the chest and stomach due to hyper-acidity and in the condition of mouth ulcer.
  • Coconut is one of the commonly used ingredients in many cuisines all over Asia and countries along the equator. It is also used in many desserts as one of the ingredients.
coconut oil

Tender coconut remedy for bedwetting

 Tender budding coconut fruit is often thrown away as waste. But it is a very useful remedy for bed wetting complaints, usually seen in children. The budding coconut developing from the inflorescence, approximately when they are 10-15 gram size (appearing like the size of matured arecanut, avocado or ordinary guava fruit) are used in this home remedy. 

 Usually in coconut gardens, plenty of such budding coconuts are found fallen in the bottom of the trees.

These tender coconut fruit buds possess astringent principle(Kashaya rasa) and stabilizing agent (sthirikara bhava). Hence it acts as an effective simple but noble remedy in nocturia; i e bed wetting.

tender small coconut

It strengthens the muscles and ligaments of genitalia that is how it probably acts. Also it builds the restorating ability of the urine in the bladder.

Ingredients

Ingredients:
Tender budding coconut-1
5-10 ml of water
Honey-1-2 ml

Utensils required:
One clean stone platform, Spoon.

Method of preparation

Method of preparing the home remedy:
The outer thick skin of the tender bud of coconut is removed. White colored front portion is faced towards the stone platform and rubbed well by adding 5-10 ml of water. Thus 1-2 teaspoons of fine paste is obtained.
This is mixed with little honey (1-2 ml) and administered to the kids who are having the complaint of bed wetting.
15-21 days regular medication (preferably in the evening or early morning) gives good results.
Read related: Nocturnal Enuresis – Bed Wetting In Children: Treatment 

Note:
I have observed its good effect even in the cases of Phosphatuira and Proteinuria conditions. In women, non specific and non infective leucorrhoea cases also its good effect can be observed.
Click to consult Dr MS Krishnamurthy

Coconut properties

Medicinal Properties of coconut:
Rasa – Madhura – sweet taste
Guna – Guru, Snigdha – heavy and oily, unctuous
Virya – Sheeta – cold potency
Vipaka – Madhura – undergoes sweet taste conversion after digestion
Karma– Vata-Pitta Hara – Balances Vata and Pitta Dosha.
Vasti Visodhana – cleanses and detoxifies urinary tract, specifically urinary bladder
Balya – improves strength and immunity
Bruhmana – nourishing, causes weight gain

According to Bhojana Kutuhalam, coconut is heavy for digestion, is unctuous, cold in potency and alleviates pitta. The partially ripened coconut cures thirst and debility but is very difficult to digest.

The dried form of coconut called copra(karbura) is unctuous, heavy for digestion and leads to burning sensation and causes constipation. It improves taste perception and imparts strength and virility.

In the same way coconut water is said to be unctuous, sweet in taste, aphrodisiac in nature, has cooling effect on the body, is light for digestion, acts as a diuretic and cleans the urinary bladder, helps to overcome fatigue, provides strength and nourishment, promotes growth and also very useful for postpartum women. The mature coconut water mildly alleviates pitta dosha, is sweet in taste, improves taste perception, promotes digestion by stimulating the digestive fire, is heavy for digestion, is aphrodisiac in nature and increases semen.

Benefits, Effect on Doshas

Coconut benefits according to Ayurveda –
Coconut pulp is nourishing in nature, useful for gaining weight. It is coolant in nature, sweet and improves body strength.
Coconut pulp takes a longer time to undergo digestion, improves muscle strength and does natural bladder cleanse.
Coconut causes constipation.

Effect of coconut on Dosha –
Coconut calms Vata and Pitta Dosha and increases Kapha Dosha.

Sanskrit Verses

Coconut water benefits

Coconut water benefits as per Madhava Dravyaguna:
Tender coconut water is sweetish in taste, cold in potency and heavy for digestion. It acts as a digestive stimulant and is diuretic in action. It has aphrodisiac properties. Tender coconut water pacifies the pitta doSha and thirst.
Ripened coconut water, on the contrary, causes constipation [viShTambhi] and increases the pitta doSha.

Traditional Ayurvedic description

Coconut pulp qualities

Hima – coolant
Snigdha – unctuous, oily
Tarpana – nourishing, soothing
Pachana – Digestive, relieves Ama Dosha
Vrushya – aphrodisiac, improves vigor
Brumhana – nourishing, nutritious
Balakrut – improves strength and immunity
Mamsakrut – improves muscle strength
Vishtambhi – may cause constipation
Durjara – takes a long time to undergo digestion
Hrudya – acts as a cardiac tonic, congenial for heart
Shleshmala – increases Kapha Dosha
Bastishodhana – cleanses urinary bladder

Coconut pulp is indicated in
Daha –  burning sensation, as in gastritis, neuropathy, burning sensation in eyes etc
Kshata – injury, bleeding
Kshaya – depletion of body tissues, weight loss, tuberculosis
Pittasra – Raktapitta –Bleeding disorders such as nasal bleeding, heavy periods, etc
Vatarakta – Gout

Tender coconut water

Narikelodaka
Hima – coolant
Snigdha – unctuous, oily
Madhura – sweet
Bastishodhana – cleanses urinary bladder
Deepana – improves digestion strength
Shukrala – improves sperm and semen quantity and quality
Hrudya – acts as a cardiac tonic, congenial for heart
Laghu – light to digest

Tender coconut water: Indicated in –
Trushna – excessive thirst
Daha –  burning sensation, as in gastritis, neuropathy, burning sensation in eyes etc
Pittahara – useful in Pitta imbalance disorders such as gastritis, burning sensation, etc.

Coconut water is laghu / light for digestion, and dry. It is sweetish in taste, there by increases the virility.
The potency of coconut water is cold.
Its luster resembles that of the moon.
Coconut water flushes the doshAs from the urinary bladder. Further, it is most beneficial in negating the toxicity in blood caused by pittaja type of fever.
Coconut water is the most wholesome and natural food item.

Can diabetics consume coconut water?

Benefits of tender coconut water according to Ayurveda –
Tender coconut water is a natural coolant, calms the stomach, relieves gastritis, cleanses urinary bladder.
It helps to relieve abdominal pain due to indigestion.
It also acts as a natural aphrodisiac. Coconut water undergoes digestion easily.
It relieves excessive thirst, hiccups, tiredness, and other related Pitta imbalances.

Coconut water to flush out Ayurvedic medicines:
If you have taken an Ayurvedic medicine and suddenly start feeling a burning sensation all over the body, then drinking coconut water will help to reduce the burning sensation suddenly.
Coconut water soothes the stomach, and cools down the body.
Being an excellent diuretic, it also ensures that the toxins are flushed out of the body.

Coconut milk

Vrushya – aphrodisiac, improves vigor
Snigdha – unctuous, oily
Guru – heavy to digest
Slightly hot
Balya – improves strength and immunity
Ruchya – improves taste, relieves anorexia.
Kasahara – useful in cough and cold

Ghee prepared from coconut milk

Brumhana – nourishing, nutritious
Balya – improves strength and immunity
Keshya – Improves hair strength, promotes hair growth
Balances Vata and Pitta
Madhura – sweet
Hrudya – acts as cardiac tonic, congenial for heart
Ruchya – improves taste, relieves anorexia.

Old ghee is Vatahara – useful in treating disorders of Vata Dosha imbalance  such as neuralgia, paralysis, constipation, bloating, etc.

Coconut oil

Tikta – bitter
Ahrudya – not conducive for heart
Madhura – sweet – undergoes sweet taste conversion after digestion.
Brumhana – nourishing, nutritious
Balavardhana – improves strength and immunity
Keshya – Improves hair strength, promotes hair growth
Balances Pitta and Vata
Dantya – strengthens teeth
Indicated in
Kandu – itching, pruritis
Kotha – ringworm
Raktapitta –Bleeding disorders such as nasal bleeding, heavy periods, etc 
Read related: Coconut oil- bad or good, benefits, Ayurvedic and contemporary views

Juice extracted from bark

Juice extracted from bark – Valkala Rasa
Deepana – improves digestion strength
Indicated in –
Grahani – IBS, sprue, altering diarrhea and constipation
Anaha – bloating, fullness

Sugar prepared from coconut

Narikela Sharkara – sugar prepared from coconut –
Madhura – sweet
Vatapittahara

Coconut flower

Indicated in –
Raktapitta –Bleeding disorders such as nasal bleeding, heavy periods, etc
Prameha – Urinary tract disorders, diabetes
Rakta Atisara – diarrhoea, dysentery with bleeding
Somaroga – white discharge
May cause constipation

Dried, over ripe or spoilt coconut

Guru – heavy to digest
Increases Pitta
Vidahi – causes burning sensation
Vishtambhi – causes constipation

Related article –
Different uses of coconut as per traditional and scientific uses.

Interaction with medicines, supplements

Can this be used while taking Homeopathic medicine?
Yes. This product does not react with homeopathic medicine.

Can this medicine be continued while taking supplements like multivitamin tablets, Omega 3 fatty acids etc?
Yes. Generally, this product goes well with most dietary supplements. However, if you are taking more than one product per day, please consult your doctor for an opinion.

With western medicines
Seek your doctor’s advice if you are taking this product along with other western (allopathic / modern) medicines. Some Ayurvedic herbs can interact with modern medicine.
If both Ayurvedic and allopathic medicines are advised together, then it is best to take Allopathic medicine first, wait for 30 minutes and then take the Ayurvedic medicine.

Morphology, Distribution

Morphology of Cocus nucifera
Coconut tree is commonly found and cultivated in the temperate climate of the Indian subcontinent. It grows to a height of 20 – 25 m with a diameter of 1 – 2 feet. The trunk is pale black to brownish colored. The leaves are 10 – 20 feet long and the leaflets are 2 – 3 feet long. The flowers are yellowish colored. The fruit has fibrous covering and a hard brown external layer. Inside of the fruit has a soft white creamy layer which becomes slightly hard on ripening of the fruit. Tender fruit has sweet water inside. The fruit is actually a drupe and not a nut. The whole tree is used for commercial use like manufacturing of rope, mat, coir etc but fruit, water, flower are used for medicinal purposes.
Read related: Coconut Milk: How To Make? Health Benefits, Remedies

Distribution:
It is cultivated throughout the Tropics. Chiefly in the vicinity of the sea, but also inland. Plant is abundant in southern India, Malabar Coast, Coromandel Coast, Eastern Bengal, Odisha and Islands and vast Bay of Bengal, Sri Lanka, Burma and Eastern group of islands.

Flowering and Fruiting Time:
Plant flowers during the dry season, generally flowering and fruiting cycle continues round the year.

Chemical Composition

Phenol, p-cresol, caproic acid etc. in shell fibers; crotonaldehyde, furfural etc. from shell; albumin, globulin etc. from kernel.
The kernel of fruit contains nitrogenous substances, fat, glucose, sucrose and other similar substances. Kernal yield oil (60%-70%) which contains lauric acid (44%- 51.3%), myristic acid (13%-18%), caprillic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid glycerides.
Coconut milk contains protein, sucrose, chlorides, vitamin A and vitamin B. Alkalies contain potash in good quantity.
Tender coconut water contains phosphate, glucose, chlorides, protein and small quantity of saline content. The oil of coconut contains myristic lauric, palmitic and stearic acid.

Indications

Coconut Flowers –
Raktatisara – bleeding disorders, blood with stools, as in case of ulcerative colitis
Gulma – bloating, abdominal tumor
Jvara – fever
Daha – burning sensation

Coconut Water –
Mutrakrichra – dysuria, difficulty while passing urine, burning micturition
Trishna – excess thirst, dry mouth.

Therapeutic Usage

The drug Narikela is aphrodisiac, carminative, cooling, diuretic, refrigerant and tonic. It is used for consumption, to relieve burning sensation in the human body, diarrhea, emaciation, heart diseases, spermatorrhoea and urogenital diseases.

Narikela is a reputed Keshya (hair promoting or hair beneficiary) herbal agent as the oil of coconut obtained from its endosperm (fruit), is applied as a single drug as well as an ingredient or oil base of several oily formulations and hair oil largely used in medicine, cosmetic and traditions including household hair care of daily routine.

The coconut fruit is innately oily, with sweet taste and post digestion taste.
To eat it is tasty and is beneficial in negating pitta doSha and giddiness.

It being guru / heavy for digestion responsibly increases the kapha doSha and Ama / improperly processed chyle and decreases the digestive fire.

The cold potency of coconut fruit causes stiffness of the body and body parts and in association with its heaviness causes indigestion when taken in profound quantities.

Due to its sweetish taste it becomes the reason for manifestation of krimis / worms and for causing a state of exhilaration.

It provides strength to the musculature of the kandarpa / male organ of generation.

Dosage, Parts used

Dosage:
Fruit kernel (10-20 g),
Kshara (1-2 g)
Water – 100 ml
Fruit – 20 to 25 g
Oil – 10 to 15 ml

Parts Used: Fruit kernel, flower, oil, root, fruit shell.

Ayurvedic medicines

Ayurvedic medicines using coconut as an ingredient:
(Click on the product name to know more about the product)
Narikel Lavana – 
Used in the Ayurvedic treatment of gastritis and related abdominal pain and burning sensation. Fruit is used.
Panchavalkadi TailamSkincare oil to relieve skin diseases such as eczema and dermatitis. Coconut oil and coconut stem are used.
Amalki tablet – Used in hyper-acidity, gastritis etc. Coconut fruit is used.
Tengin Pookuladi Rasayanam – Commonly used Ayurvedic medicine for backache and gynaecological disorders.

Tenginpushpadi tailam: It is a proprietary Ayurvedic medicine, used for the treatment of Headache due to excessive heat, Rheumatoid arthritis, Bilious eye diseases.

Narikela khanda: It is used in treatment of gastritis, gastric ulcer, abdominal pain, vomiting and wound.

Sindhuradi lepa: It is an ointment used for external application to treat skin diseases such as eczema.

Coolmelon syrup: It is a proprietary Ayurvedic medicine that cools the body heat and burning sensation. Coolmelon exerts a protective function on mucous membranes, thus heals and prevents mouth ulcers, acidity and gastritis.

Crackot ointment: It is a proprietary Ayurvedic medicine used in the treatment of cracked foot. The ingredients in Crackot possess antiseptic, wound healing, moisturizing and anti – bacterial properties.

Research articles

Research articles related to Cocus nucifera:
Anti – malarial activity: In this study, the antimalarial and toxicity potentials of husk fibre extracts of five Nigerian varieties of Cocos nucifera were evaluated in vitro. The results revealed that WAT ethyl acetate extract fraction (WATEAEF) contained alkaloids, tannins, and flavonoids and was active against Plasmodium falciparum W2 strain maintained in continuous culture, with a selectivity index of 30.3. The same extract fraction was active in vivo against Plasmodium berghei NK65, causing more than 50% reduction in parasitaemia on days 4 and 6 after inoculation at various doses administered. The results of this study suggest that WATEAEF possesses antimalarial activity and may not adversely affect normal liver function nor predispose subjects to cardiovascular diseases but may impair normal kidney function at higher doses.

Ameliorative effect: The ameliorative potential of Cocos nucifera water in gentamycin induced kidney toxicity was evaluated using adult wistar rats. The gentamycin only group showed focal areas of tubular epithelial cloudy swelling and mild interstitial congestion. While the co – administered group of both Cocos nucifera water and gentamycin showed normal cytoachictectural structure of the kidney. In conclusion, these results as evidenced by histological and biochemical parameters suggested that Cocos nucifera water possessed ameliorative potential on gentamycin induced kidney toxicity.

Anti – oxidant and anti – microbial activity: Our objective was to determine the antioxidant activities, DPPH radical scavenging activities and antimicrobial activities of the ethanolic (cold percolation:RNM – 01 & hot percolation:RNM – 02) extracts, dry distilled extract(RNDS) and aqueous extract(hot percolation: RNA) of endocarp of cocos nucifera from Karnataka
The overall results provide promising baseline information for the potential use of the crude anti – oxidant extracts from CN in the treatment of bacterial and fungal infection as well as for the reduction of other human diseases.

Burn wound healing action: The study was undertaken to evaluate the burn wound healing property of oil of Cocos nucifera and to compare the effect of the combination of oil of Cocos nucifera and silver sulphadiazine with silver sulphadiazine alone. It was noted that there was significant improvement in burn wound contraction in the group treated with the combination of Cocos nucifera and silver sulphadiazine. The period of epithelialization also decreased significantly.

Classical categorization

Dhanvantari Nighantu – Amradi Varga
Sodhala Nighantu – Amradi Varga
Sadrasa Nighantu – Svadu Skandha
Madanapala Nighantu – Phaladi Varga
Raja Nighantu – Amradi Varga
Kaiyadeva Nighantu – Oshadhi Varga
Bhavaprakasha Nighantu – Amradiphala Varga
Haritakyadi Nighantu – Phala Varga
Nighantu Adarsh – Taladi Varga
Priya Nighantu – Haritakyadi Varga

Nuts, coconut meat, raw

नालिकेरं हिमं स्निग्धं स्वादुपाकरसं गुरु |
तर्पणं पाचनं वृष्यं बृंहणं बलमांसकृत् ||२६८||
विष्टम्भि दुर्जरं हृद्यं श्लेष्मलं वस्तिशोधनम् |
दाहक्षतक्षयहरं वातपित्तास्रनाशनम् ||२६९||
Taste – sweet
Properties – heavy, unctuous
Potency – cold
After digestion taste transformation ( Vipaka ) – sweet
Effect on Doshas
Vata balancing
Pitta balancing
Kapha increasing

Nuts, coconut meat, dried (desiccated), not sweetened

Taste – sweet
Properties – heavy, unctuous (more heavy as it is dried)
Potency – cold
After digestion taste transformation ( Vipaka ) – sweet
Effect on Doshas
Vata balancing
Pitta balancing
Kapha increasing

Nuts, coconut meat, dried (desiccated), sweetened, flaked, packaged

Taste – sweet
Properties – heavy, unctuous (more heavy as it is dried and sweetened)
Potency – cold
After digestion taste transformation ( Vipaka ) – sweet
Effect on Doshas
Vata balancing
Pitta balancing
Kapha increasing

Nuts, coconut meat, dried (desiccated), sweetened, flaked, canned

Taste – sweet
Properties – heavy, unctuous (more heavy as it is dried and sweetened)
Potency – cold
After digestion taste transformation ( Vipaka ) – sweet
Effect on Doshas
Vata balancing
Pitta balancing
Kapha increasing

Nuts, coconut meat, dried (desiccated), toasted

Taste – sweet
Properties – not very heavy, not very unctuous (more heavy as it is dried, but less heavy and unctuous as it is toasted)
Potency – cold
After digestion taste transformation ( Vipaka ) – sweet
Effect on Doshas
Vata balancing
Pitta balancing
Kapha nourishing (due to reduced heaviness and unctuousness)

Nuts, coconut cream, raw

(liquid expressed from grated meat)

Coconut cream is a thickened form of coconut milk.
Taste – sweet
Properties – unctuous, heavy
Potency – hot
After digestion taste transformation ( Vipaka ) – sweet
Effect on Doshas
Vata balancing
Pitta nourishing
Kapha increasing (coconut milk is Kapha nourishing, but cream is heavier which makes it Kapha increasing)

Nuts, coconut cream, canned,sweetened

Taste – sweet
Properties – unctuous, heavy
Potency – hot
After digestion taste transformation ( Vipaka ) – sweet
Effect on Doshas
Vata balancing
Pitta nourishing
Kapha increasing

Nuts, coconut milk, canned (liquid expressed from grated meat and water)

Taste – sweet
Properties – unctuous, heavy
Potency – hot
After digestion taste transformation ( Vipaka ) – sweet
Effect on Doshas
Vata balancing
Pitta nourishing
Kapha nourishing

Nuts, coconut meat, dried (desiccated), creamed

Rasa – sweet
Guna – heavy, unctuous (more heavy as it is dried)
Veerya – cold
Vipaka – sweet
Effect on Doshas
Vata balancing
Pitta balancing
Kapha increasing

Nuts, coconut meat, dried (desiccated), sweetened, shredded

Rasa – sweet
Guna – heavy, unctuous (more heavy as it is dried and sweetened)
Veerya – cold
Vipaka – sweet
Effect on Doshas
Vata balancing
Pitta balancing
Kapha increasing

Scientific classification

Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Arecales
Family: Arecaceae
Subfamily: Arecoideae
Tribe: Cocoeae
Genus: Cocos
Species: C. nucifera

Vernacular names, Sanskrit synonyms

Vernacular Names:
Hindi name – Nariyal, Narial,  kanchli, narel, sriphal.
Arabic name – Narjeel
Bengali name – Narikel
Gujarati name – Naliyar
Kannada name – Tengu/ Tenginakai, Elaneeru (tender coconut), kobbari, kobbare
Malayalam name – Tenga, Tenge, centennu, chocham,cocam,nalikeram,tena.
Marathi name – Naral, narela, tenginmar ,varala.
Punjabi name – Narel/ Kopa
Tamil name – Tennamarm, Tengai, tennai, narikela maram.
Telugu name – Narikelamu, Kobbari chettu, errabondaala kobbari.
Urdu name – maghz narjil.
Persian name – badini, badinj.
Arab name – fadhirdah, nargil.
Marathi:  naral,
English: . coconut, palm, copra, porcupine wood.

Sanskrit Synonyms:
Dridaphal, Dridha Vruksha – The nut/fruit is hard
Kurchasheershaka – The head of the tree resembles a brush
Dakshinatyak – Tree found in the southern states
Rasa Phala – tasty fruit
Trinaraj – Big tree from grass variety
Putodaka, Toyagarbha – fruit contains coconut water inside
Sadaphala – Fruit is always seen in the plant
Skandaphala – Tree found in skanda state (southern)
Latavruksha, Nalikela, Dridhabeeja, Mahabala,
Tunga, Tungaskanda, Sutungaka
Chochaphala, Chocha
Kurchakesara, Kurcha Shekhara, Koorcha Sheershaka
Drida Neera, Kera Jala, Kera Phala
Trayaksha Phala – the fruit has three eyes
Tala Vruksha, Langali
Skandha Phala, Dridha Neela, Neela Taru, Daru Ruha

Sthanika Karma (Systemic Action)

External Application – Coconut water is indicated in skin  eruptions  which helps to reduce burning sensation. Coconut oil external application on the head is good for hair growth and skin diseases. Oil prepared by burning its shell is good for skin disorders and wounds.

Internal administration-
Digestive System – Coconut water is good to reduce thirst, burning sensation, aggravated pitta conditions. Tender coconut is good for gastritis, acidity (Amlapitta, Pittika sula, Parinama sula) etc. It helps proper movement of vata dosha, so good in conditions like Adhmana (Abdominal distension). Helps for normal bowel movement and thereby eliminate excess pitta dosha. Promote healing of the mucous membrane of the stomach. Ash prepared out of it is indicated in Phantom tumour (Gulma) Abdominal cramp due to indigestion (Slaishmika sula). Its flowers indicated in bloody diarrhea (raktatisara)

Circulatory System – Coconut water, flower and tender coconut are indicated for Bleeding disorders

Respiratory System – Coconut water is indicated in hiccup

Excretory System – Tender coconut and its water has diuretic action, so indicated in painful urination. At the same time its flower reduces urine production. It is indicated in frequent urination

Reproductive system – Even if its fruit is hot in potency it acts as aphrodisiac and stimulates menstrual production.

Satmikarana – Fresh fruit promotes weight gain. but its oil helps to reduce body weight.

Tapakrama – Reduce fever. Coconut oil is indicated in vishama jvara.

21 comments on “Coconut, Coconut Water, Flower Benefits, Side Effects, Research, Remedies

  • S Kumar

    22/09/2014 - 12:33 pm

    Pl also use equivalent English words/terms for the benefit of Non Indians. SK

    Reply to comment
  • Ashish

    12/04/2016 - 1:33 am

    I have eczema and have been asked to take Panchtikta Ghrita guggul and soot shekhar rasa tablets. After i take Panchtikta, my whole body seems to heat up. Will coconut water help?

    Reply to comment
  • Sai

    28/04/2016 - 2:25 pm

    Modern doctors say …..Coconut is bad…..It is full of fat and hence will push cholesterol high. Is it true ???……Does coconut oil cause any problems to heart ???

    Reply to comment
  • Sai

    28/05/2016 - 10:44 am

    Is coconut consumed in raw form in chutneys etc. Bad for health…..does it increase LDL, TGL etc…….my faith is that nature will not do harm..

    Raw coconut is also a good antibacterial …i read somewhere….pls clear the doubts on raw coconut use….

    Reply to comment
    • Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)

      15/06/2016 - 1:10 pm

      Raw coconut consumed in chutney is not bad for health. Assuming that only a few grams of coconut is consumed in the form of chtuney, it would not increase LDL or TGL. However, if one has very high LDL or TGL, it is best to avoid coconut.

      Reply to comment
  • tanishq

    02/11/2016 - 1:21 pm

    Can we drink coconut water after 12 PM?

    Reply to comment
  • Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)

    28/02/2017 - 7:41 pm

    Best time to take coconut water is during afternoon, before food.

    Reply to comment
  • Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)

    13/07/2017 - 1:13 pm

    Nice to know 🙂

    Reply to comment
  • chinmaya

    13/07/2017 - 6:29 pm

    Its ok that raw coconut water (of kasaya taste) is good. But is the ripened coconut water (of sweet taste) also beneficial & should one consume?

    Reply to comment
    • Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)

      18/07/2017 - 1:10 pm

      Ripened coconut water, which is sweet in taste is good to consume.

      Reply to comment
  • chinmaya

    07/01/2018 - 1:06 pm

    Dear sir,
    recently I read in this topic that u have written “The ripened coconut’s water, on the contrary causes constipation [viShTambhi] and increases the pitta doSha.”

    So should the ripe coconut water (I mean hard coconut that we break during puja)be consumed? Is it also beneficial & effective like raw coconut water?
    Because somebody told me that raw coconut water should be consumed & ripe coconut water should be thrown away.
    I am confused. please guide.

    Reply to comment
  • Raj Khanna

    21/02/2018 - 1:50 pm

    Your articles lead my life. Million thanks. Dr. What is the taaseer of Beet root?

    Reply to comment
    • Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)

      01/03/2018 - 5:55 pm

      Hi, thanks for the compliment. I do not know about beet root. But beet root is very edible. It can just be used as a vegetable for cooking.

      Reply to comment
  • V.R.K. Raman

    21/02/2018 - 10:25 pm

    V.R.K. Raman.
    Just below the para “old ghee”, it is stated that coconut oil is:-
    1st line……….tikta—–bitter.
    3rd. line………madhura…….sweet.
    Kindly clarify.

    Reply to comment
    • Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)

      06/03/2018 - 2:54 pm

      Namaste. Coconut oil is bitter but undergoes undergoes sweet taste conversion after digestion (Madhura Vipaka).
      Hope it is clear now.

      Reply to comment
  • BHASKAR CHAKRAVARTY

    08/03/2018 - 6:54 am

    Namaskar Sir,
    I have a 14mm gallstone. In one of the books i have read that coconut flowers ( not the one which grows inside cocnut shell) those which flourish on tree can remove gallstones if taken for a long period. Please let me know , do these flowers really possess any such medicinal quality. kindly also tell me from where i can get these flowers, as i am writing from north india.
    Bhaskar Chakravarty
    Agra U.P

    Reply to comment
    • Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)

      20/03/2018 - 7:09 pm

      No idea about its availability

      Reply to comment
  • Abhijeet Singh

    19/08/2018 - 6:07 am

    Namaste Dr. , who should massage with coconut oil and at what time?

    Reply to comment
    • Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)

      30/08/2018 - 3:47 pm

      People with high Pitta.
      People with burning sensation.
      All people during summer.
      All people living in hot and humid places.

      Reply to comment
  • Dr Dharmasena

    03/10/2019 - 12:50 pm

    Sir, Is there any reference of Coconut oil in vruhatrii?

    Reply to comment

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