Cocus nucifera (NArikela)

Nœrikela is described several times in Brihat Trayi texts under phala varga. Its fruits, kernal and water are used commonly. But the coconut oil and its usage might have commensed at a very later stage. In Kerala, oil extracted from the coconut shell is used as a antifungal medicine.

Botanical Description – It is a tree (30 m high) with large leaves arranged at the end of the stem. It grows all over the hot and humid parts of India.

Major Chemical Constituents– Phenol, p-cresol, caproic acid etc. in shell fibres; crotonaldehyde, furfural etc, from shell; albumin, globulin etc. from ighan.

Part Used– Fruit Kernal, flower, oil, root, fruit shell.

Dosage– Fruit Kernal 10-20 g., Kshara 1-2 g.