Narikela
Cocos nucifera L.
Narikela (Cocos nucifera L.) is a plant drug, also called Narikelam, Trnaraja and Gola, 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 |
| Sanskrit | नारिकेलम् (nārikelam), Narikela, Trnaraja |
|---|---|
| Hindi | Gola, Nariyal |
| English | Coconut Palm |
| Tamil | தேங்காய், Kopparai, Tenkai |
| Malayalam | Keram, Nalikeram, Ten, Thengu |
| Telugu | Kobbari, Narikelamu, Tenkay |
| Kannada | Khobbari, Temgu, Tengnamara, Thengu |
| Marathi | Naral |
| Bengali | Narkel |
| Gujarati | Koprun, Naliar, Nariyel, Shriphal |
| Urdu | Narial, Narjil |
| Punjabi | Garigola, Khopra, Narela |
| Oriya | Nariyal |
| Assamese | Khopra |
Sources: Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India (column alignment reconstructed); Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India, NARIKELA (Endosperm) monograph, Tamil "Tenkai, Kopparai"; MMPND Cocos page, Tamil "தேங்காய் Tengai".; Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India, monograph title NARIKELA for Cocos nucifera (Sanskrit synonyms "Narikela, Trnaraja"); MMPND Cocos page, Sanskrit "नारीकेल Naarikela".. How we source.
The evidence at a glance
12papers on this site for this drug, published 2011 to 2025, 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 | Coconut |
| 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
- 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?
These summaries come from the source notes, which do not name the studies behind them.
- Mutraroga (urinary disorders): traditionally used for urinary disorders. Preclinical studies have reported diuretic and nephroprotective activity.
- Wounds: coconut oil is traditionally applied to wounds. Studies have reported antimicrobial activity and effects on epithelialization.
- Rehydration: coconut water is traditionally used for rehydration. An analysis of its electrolyte composition reported it as comparable to ORS formulations.
- Charma roga (skin disorders): traditionally used in skin care. Studies have reported emollient, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties of virgin coconut oil.
What do recent studies 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.
Only studies that could be traced to a published paper are listed here. 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. 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
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
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.
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
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
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
- 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
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.
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