Narikela
Cocos nucifera L.
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.
| Botanical name | Cocos nucifera L. |
|---|---|
| Family | Arecaceae (Palmae) · other entries in this family |
| Order | Arecales |
| 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. |
| Taxon identifiers | GBIF 2735117 · Wikidata Q13187 · NCBI Taxonomy 13894 |
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 action via lauric acid metabolite monolaurin disrupting bacterial and fungal cell membrane integrity
- Cardioprotective effects through medium-chain fatty acid-mediated improvement of HDL/LDL ratio and antioxidant action
- Anti-inflammatory activity via virgin coconut oil polyphenols inhibiting COX-2 and LOX pathways
- Rehydration and electrolyte balance through coconut water providing isotonic potassium, sodium and natural sugar solution
Which traditional uses are supported by research?
- Urinary disorder (Mutraroga) treatment validated through diuretic and nephroprotective preclinical studies
- Wound healing use of 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
What do recent clinical trials show?
- Bhardwaj V 2025. Antimicrobial Potential of Cocos nucifera (Coconut) Oil on Bacterial Isolates. Advances in experimental medicine and biology. PMID 37594604 · doi:10.1007/5584_2023_786
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. Brazilian journal of medical and biological research = Revista brasileira de pesquisas medicas e biologicas. PMID 26292222 · doi:10.1590/1414-431X20154773
Confirmed antihelminthic, anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive, antioxidant, antifungal, antitumor, antihypertensive, cardioprotective and 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 and coconut water are GRAS with extensive dietary use history; virgin 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 (coconut water), Narikela Taila (coconut oil), Churna (dried flesh/copra powder), Narikela 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
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
Other clinical studies and reviews8
- 2025. Plant-Derived Modifiers for Antimicrobial Soft Denture Liners: A ReviewInternational journal of molecular sciences. PMID 41303338 · doi:10.3390/ijms262210848
- 2024. Towards Pathogen-Free Coconut Germplasm ExchangePlants (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 38999649 · doi:10.3390/plants13131809
- 2024. Coconut (Cocos nucifera) sheath-based polymeric composites - A reviewHeliyon. PMID 39170263 · doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e35644
- 2022. Synthesis and Biological Activities of Dehydrodiisoeugenol: A ReviewPharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 36355523 · doi:10.3390/ph15111351
- 2022. Fruit Biology of Coconut (Cocos nucifera L.)Plants (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 36501334 · doi:10.3390/plants11233293
- 2020. Authenticity and the Potability of Coconut Water - a Critical ReviewJournal of AOAC International. PMID 33241361 · doi:10.1093/jaocint/qsz008
- 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
- 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 studies3
- 2025. Antimicrobial Potential of Cocos nucifera (Coconut) Oil on Bacterial IsolatesAdvances in experimental medicine and biology. PMID 37594604 · doi:10.1007/5584_2023_786
- 2022. Cocos nucifera (coconut)Trends in genetics : TIG. PMID 35803788 · doi:10.1016/j.tig.2022.06.008
- 2020. Identification and Characterisation of Endophytic Bacteria from Coconut (Cocos nucifera) Tissue CultureTropical life sciences research. PMID 32963711 · doi:10.21315/tlsr2020.31.1.4
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