# Narikela

> Narikela (Cocos nucifera L.) is a plant used in Ayurveda, from the Arecaceae (Palmae) family. Cocos nucifera is globally recognized as a food and medicinal plant.

## Key facts

- **Botanical name:** Cocos nucifera L.
- **Family:** Arecaceae (Palmae)
- **Pharmacopoeia status:** Cocos nucifera is globally recognized as a food and medicinal plant. WHO recognizes coconut water for oral rehydration in emergency contexts. Listed in Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India as Narikela. Coconut oil is GRAS by FDA.

## Names and identification

| Language | Name |
|----------|------|
| English | Narikela |
| Latin/Botanical | *Cocos nucifera L.* |

## Key Phytochemical Constituents

- Lauric acid (C12:0, ~49% of oil)
- Myristic acid
- Capric acid
- Caprylic acid
- Monolaurin (metabolite)
- Zeatin-O-glucoside
- Dihydrozeatin-O-glucoside
- Alpha-galactosidase
- Phenolic acids
- Cytokinins
- Vitamin E (tocotrienols)

## How does it work?

- [Antimicrobial](/reference/antimicrobial/) action via lauric acid metabolite monolaurin disrupting bacterial and fungal cell membrane integrity
- [Cardioprotective](/reference/cardioprotective/) effects through medium-chain fatty acid-mediated improvement of HDL/LDL ratio and [antioxidant](/reference/antioxidant/) action
- Anti-inflammatory activity via virgin [coconut oil](/glossary/concepts-a-m/#coconut-oil) [polyphenols](/glossary/compounds-o-q/#polyphenols) inhibiting COX-2 and LOX pathways
- Rehydration and electrolyte balance through coconut water providing isotonic [potassium](/glossary/compounds-o-q/#potassium), sodium and natural sugar solution

## Which traditional uses are supported by research?

- Urinary disorder (Mutraroga) treatment validated through [diuretic](/reference/diuretic/) and nephroprotective preclinical studies
- Wound healing use of [coconut oil](/glossary/concepts-a-m/#coconut-oil) validated through antimicrobial and epithelialization studies
- Rehydration use of coconut water validated through electrolyte composition analysis comparable to ORS formulations
- Skin care (Charma roga) use validated through emollient, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties of virgin [coconut oil](/glossary/concepts-a-m/#coconut-oil)

## What do recent clinical trials show?

- Bhardwaj V 2025. [Antimicrobial Potential of Cocos nucifera (Coconut) Oil on Bacterial Isolates](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37594604/). *Advances in experimental medicine and biology*. PMID [37594604](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37594604/) · [doi:10.1007/5584_2023_786](https://doi.org/10.1007/5584_2023_786)  
  [Coconut oil](/glossary/concepts-a-m/#coconut-oil) demonstrated significant antimicrobial activity attributed to lauric acid conversion to monolaurin, which disrupts bacterial cell membrane integrity through peptidoglycan mimicry.
- Lima EB, Sousa CN, Meneses LN and others 2015. [Cocos nucifera (L.) (Arecaceae): A phytochemical and pharmacological review](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26292222/). *Brazilian journal of medical and biological research = Revista brasileira de pesquisas medicas e biologicas*. PMID [26292222](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26292222/) · [doi:10.1590/1414-431X20154773](https://doi.org/10.1590/1414-431X20154773)  
  Confirmed antihelminthic, anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive, antioxidant, antifungal, [antitumor](/glossary/pharmacology/#antitumor), [antihypertensive](/glossary/pharmacology/#antihypertensive), cardioprotective and [hepatoprotective](/reference/hepatoprotective/) activities across various coconut-derived products.

*1 further claim previously listed here could not be traced to a published paper and has been removed. An absence here means we could not identify the source, not that no work exists.*

## Recent safety updates

- [Coconut oil](/glossary/concepts-a-m/#coconut-oil) and coconut water are GRAS with extensive dietary use history; virgin [coconut oil](/glossary/concepts-a-m/#coconut-oil) is generally well-tolerated
- Debate continues regarding saturated fat (lauric acid) content and cardiovascular risk; current evidence suggests neutral to beneficial effects when consumed in moderation. Coconut allergy (rare but documented) exists.

## What is it made of?

### Key Active Markers

- Lauric acid 
- Myristic acid
- Capric acid
- Caprylic acid
- Monolaurin 
- Zeatin-O-glucoside
- Dihydrozeatin-O-glucoside
- Alpha-galactosidase
- Phenolic acids
- Cytokinins
- Vitamin E 

**Analytical Methods:** HPLC fingerprinting, TLC (identity), LC-MS/MS (marker quantification)

## Dosage forms and preparation

**Dosage Forms:** [Narikela Jala](/herb/narikela-jala/) (coconut water), Narikela Taila ([coconut oil](/glossary/concepts-a-m/#coconut-oil)), Churna (dried flesh/copra powder), Narikela [Ksheera](/herb/ksheera/) (coconut milk), Capsules (VCO softgels), Topical oil, Narikela Khanda (confection), Pulling oil

**Standard Dosage:** 15-30 mL virgin coconut oil daily; 200-400 mL coconut water daily; 5-10 g copra powder; 50-100 mL coconut milk; 1-2 softgels (1000 mg VCO) twice daily

**Bioavailability:** Medium chain fatty acids (MCFAs: lauric, capric, caprylic acids) bypass lymphatic absorption and are transported directly to liver via portal vein - exceptional bioavailability (~95%). MCTs are rapidly metabolized for energy (ketone body production). Coconut water electrolytes (potassium, sodium) are rapidly absorbed. Polyphenols in virgin coconut oil show moderate GI absorption. Topical: coconut oil is an excellent penetration enhancer for dermal drug delivery.

**Optimal Timing:** Coconut oil morning on empty stomach or with meals for MCT energy. Coconut water between meals for hydration. Oil pulling first thing in morning before eating. Topical application at night for skin and hair.

**Standardized Extract:** Virgin Coconut Oil meeting APCC (Asian Pacific Coconut Community) standards: lauric acid 45-53%, moisture below 0.1%, free fatty acid below 0.2%, peroxide value below 3 meq/kg. MCT oil: minimum 60% C8+C10. Spray-dried coconut water retaining electrolyte profile. Coconut milk standardized to 20-25% fat content.

**Shelf Life:** VCO: 24-36 months (high oxidative stability). Copra oil: 18 months. Fresh coconut water: 24-48 hours refrigerated; UHT processed: 12 months. Copra powder: 12 months. Softgels: 24 months. Coconut milk (canned): 18-24 months.

**Storage:** VCO at room temperature (solidifies below 24 deg C, liquefies above - both states are normal). Avoid refrigeration as repeated melting/solidification can affect texture. Fresh coconut water at 2-8 deg C. Copra in dry, ventilated conditions (prone to aflatoxin if stored in humid conditions). Softgels at room temperature in blister packs. Protect all forms from direct sunlight.

**Marker Compounds:** Lauric acid, Myristic acid, Capric acid (C10), Caprylic acid (C8), Monolaurin, Phenolic acids (ferulic, p-coumaric), Potassium (in water), Alpha-tocopherol

### Extraction Methods

- Cold pressing/expeller pressing of copra for coconut oil
- Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO) by wet extraction of fresh coconut milk
- Fermentation method for VCO
- Centrifugal separation of VCO from coconut cream
- Spray drying of coconut milk/water
- Enzymatic extraction for premium VCO

### Synergistic Combinations

- [Amla](/herb/amla/) (hair oil combination)
- [Bhringraj](/herb/bhringraj/) (hair and scalp health)
- [Brahmi](/herb/brahmi/) (cognitive and hair oil)
- [Camphor](/herb/camphor/) (topical [analgesic](/reference/analgesic/) in coconut oil base)
- [Turmeric](/herb/turmeric/) (anti-inflammatory golden milk with coconut milk)

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Canonical version of this page: https://nighantu.ageayurveda.com/herb/narikela/

## Sources

- Amidha Ayurveda Herb Database (700+ herbs, CC-BY-4.0)
- Web research (clinical trials, WHO monographs, safety databases)
- Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India

Published by Age Ayurveda in the Nighantu. Educational reference only, not medical advice.
Incorporates material from the Amidha Ayurveda Herb Database under CC BY 4.0.