Narikela Jala
Cocos nucifera
Narikela Jala (Cocos nucifera) is a plant drug, also called Narikelam. Its rasa is Madhura and its virya is Sheeta.
| Botanical name | Cocos nucifera |
|---|---|
| Family | Arecaceae · other entries in this family |
| Order | Arecales |
| Also known as | Narikela Jala, NarikelaJala |
| Taxon identifiers | GBIF 2735117 · Wikidata Q13187 · NCBI Taxonomy 13894 |
| Sanskrit | नारिकेलम् (nārikelam) |
|---|---|
| Tamil | தேங்காய் |
Sources: Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India, NARIKELA monograph on Cocos nucifera, Sanskrit "Narikela, Trnaraja"; MMPND Cocos page, Sanskrit "नारीकेल Naarikela".; Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India, NARIKELA monograph, Tamil "Tenkai, Kopparai"; MMPND Cocos page, Tamil "தேங்காய் Tengai".. How we source.
The evidence at a glance
12papers on this site for this drug, published 2011 to 2024, every one with a DOI.
- 1Systematic reviews and meta-analyses
- 1Randomised controlled trials
- 8Other clinical studies and reviews
- 2Laboratory and animal studies
A count is not a conclusion and a tier is a study design, not a verdict. Each paper is listed with what it measured on the page below. See the research index for how papers are tiered.
Names and identification
| Language | Name |
|---|---|
| English | Narikela Jala |
Ayurvedic pharmacology (Dravyaguna)
| Property | Value | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Rasa (Taste) | Madhura | Primary taste |
| Guna (Quality) | Laghu, Snigdha | Physical quality |
| Virya (Potency) | Sheeta | Heating/Cooling effect |
| Vipaka (Post-digestive) | Madhura | Post-digestive effect |
Dosage forms and preparation
Dosage Forms: Oral liquid, Isotonic beverage, Lyophilized powder, Soft gelatin capsule, ORS formulation, Spray-dried powder
Standard Dosage: 100-330 mL fresh coconut water per dose; 3-5 g spray-dried powder reconstituted; up to 1 L daily in rehydration therapy
Optimal Timing: Best consumed fresh; as a supplement taken between meals or post-exercise for rehydration.
Storage: Fresh coconut water: 2-8 deg C, consume within 24 hours of opening. Processed liquid: ambient below 25 deg C, protect from light. Dried powders: below 25 deg C, RH <40%, in moisture-barrier aluminum-laminated sachets with desiccant.
Marker Compounds: Potassium (K+), Sodium (Na+), Magnesium (Mg2+), trans-Zeatin, Kinetin, L-arginine, Shikimic acid, Malic acid
Synergistic Combinations
- Amalaki (Vitamin C enhances mineral absorption)
- Guduchi (immune support with electrolyte balance)
- Yashtimadhu (rehydration with gastroprotection)
- Draksha (energy and electrolyte synergy)
- Ela (digestive comfort and flavor enhancement)
Published research
Literature indexed in PubMed that concerns this subject, grouped by study type. A paper appearing here is a record of what has been published, not evidence that the subject works, and laboratory or animal results do not transfer to people. Study titles link to PubMed so you can read the source rather than take our word.
Systematic reviews and meta-analyses1
- 2015. Cocos nucifera (L.) (Arecaceae): A phytochemical and pharmacological reviewBrazilian journal of medical and biological research = Revista brasileira de pesquisas medicas e biologicas. PMID 26292222 · doi:10.1590/1414-431X20154773
Randomised controlled trials1
Other clinical studies and reviews8
- 2024. Towards Pathogen-Free Coconut Germplasm ExchangePlants (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 38999649 · doi:10.3390/plants13131809
- 2023. Review of Cocos nucifera L. testa-derived phytonutrients with special reference to phenolics and its potential for encapsulationJournal of food science and technology. PMID 36618037 · doi:10.1007/s13197-021-05310-2
- 2022. Fruit Biology of Coconut (Cocos nucifera L.)Plants (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 36501334 · doi:10.3390/plants11233293
- 2018. Natural Oils for Skin-Barrier Repair: Ancient Compounds Now Backed by Modern ScienceAmerican journal of clinical dermatology. PMID 28707186 · doi:10.1007/s40257-017-0301-1
- 2016. An Overview of Phytoconstituents, Biotechnological Applications, and Nutritive Aspects of Coconut (Cocos nucifera)Applied biochemistry and biotechnology. PMID 27052209 · doi:10.1007/s12010-016-2067-y
- 2015. Tissue culture and associated biotechnological interventions for the improvement of coconut (Cocos nucifera L.): a reviewPlanta. PMID 26189000 · doi:10.1007/s00425-015-2362-9
- 2013. Anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and analgesic potential of cocos nucifera linn.: a reviewAnti-inflammatory & anti-allergy agents in medicinal chemistry. PMID 23286236 · doi:10.2174/1871523011312020007
- 2011. Coconut (Cocos nucifera L.: Arecaceae): in health promotion and disease preventionAsian Pacific journal of tropical medicine. PMID 21771462 · doi:10.1016/S1995-7645(11)60078-3
Laboratory and animal studies2
- 2022. Cocos nucifera (coconut)Trends in genetics : TIG. PMID 35803788 · doi:10.1016/j.tig.2022.06.008
- 2018. Antioxidant and alpha-amylase inhibitory potentials of Cocos nucifera huskFood science & nutrition. PMID 30258612 · doi:10.1002/fsn3.741
Reviewed by Dr. Awadesh Pratap Singh, BAMS, on 11 October 2026. What that review covered.
Consult a qualified vaidya before acting on anything here. Ayurvedic practice is prescribed to a person, not to a condition: the same dravya is given, withheld or substituted depending on your constitution, your agni, the season and what else you are already taking. A page cannot know any of that. Self-prescribing from a reference is how the wrong preparation, the wrong dose or the wrong anupana gets used.
Educational reference only. Nothing on this page is medical advice, a diagnosis, or a recommendation to take anything. Traditional uses and research findings are reported as published, not as claims about what any product does. If you take prescribed medication, raise any interaction with the prescriber rather than acting on a page. See our editorial standards.