HEALTH USE OF COCONUT

Use of Coconut
Coconut has
been traditionally
used in Ayurveda,
Unani and Siddha
systems of medicine
as detailed below:-
(i) Ayurveda -
Coconut has
been used as
medicine in
Ayurveda in
disease
conditions
such as
Burning, Pain,
excess thirst,
dehydration,
bleeding
disorders, Acid
Peptic etc.
(ii) Unani - Use of
coconut is
recommended
in diseases
such as
Alopecia, Hair
loss,
Premature
Greying of
Hair,
Bronchitis,
Dandruff,
Excessive
Thirst, Fevers,
General
Debility.
Coconut Fruit
pulp is used as
appetizer,
astringent,
cooling,
diuretic,
laxative,
nourishing
and tonic.
Coconut oil is
used as hair
tonic,
appetizer,
digestive,
disinfectant,
insecticidal
and nutritive.
(iii) Siddha -
Tender
coconut, leaf,
Tender leaf,
Infloresesence,
Root, coconut
Shell, Nut and
Milk are used
in Siddha for
diseases such
as Psoriasis
and eczema
etc.
Central
Council for Research
in Siddha has
indicated that Clinical
research trials on
coconut/coconut oil
have been conducted
in Siddha system.
Coconut oil is used in
preparation of 777 oil
and Karappan oil
which are beneficial
in treatment of skin
disorders such as
Psoriasis and eczema
respectively.
Further, in a
recent study carried
out by National
Institute of Nutrition
of Indian Council of
Medical Research, no
adverse effects were
observed due to
consumption of
coconut oil at
moderate levels.
There was an
increasing trend in
plasma HDL –
cholesterol (good
cholesterol) levels,
due to consumption
of coconut oil as
against groundnut oil
consumption in over
weight subjects.