Table 2 The ethnomedicinal benefits of different parts of coconut
From: The use of coconut in rituals and food preparations in India: a review
Part | Ailment | Ethnomedicinal belief |
|---|---|---|
Root | Gingivitis | Boiling coconut roots in water and potash alum can be used as a mouthwash to cure gingivitis |
Stem bark | Gastritis | Ash generated from burning coconut tree stem bark combined with water may be used to relieve gastritis and indigestion-related pain |
Meristematic stem | Allergies | It lessens any potential negative effects that occur on eating pickles, cuttlefish, and tuna fish |
Leaves | Allergies | Skin eruptions and inflammation caused on by some allergies are reduced when the skin is fumigated by smoke produced by burned raw, delicate coconut leaves |
Inflorescence | Vaginal bleeding due to gynecological disorders | Tender coconut inflorescence, rhizome of native banana—Musa paradisiaca, Syzygium cumin or jamun in Hindi, and stem bark of wood apple are boiled with water and consumed |
Fractures | Palm stem bark, lodh tree bark, and coconut inflorescence are squeezed out to get juices and applied extremely thick before being applied and bandaged | |
Diarrhea | For the treatment of diarrhea in children, nutmeg seeds are rubbed on a stone along with freshly squeezed juice from young coconut inflorescence | |
Tender coconut water also known as Sheetala (cold) | Besides relieving thirst it is considered to be cardioprotective, digestive stimulant, Aphrodisiac (Promoting semen), removes burning sensation in urination, headache, it is used as an agent in cholera, diarrhea and dysentery; treatment of cancer; as a hair nutrient in alopecia in India [19]. Retards aging and helps in treatment of degenerative brain diseases like dementia and Alzheimer’s disease [20] Organic pesticide | Burning sensation in Urination: To lessen the burning during micturition, one should drink young coconut water Also acts as a laxative Tender coconut water mixed with sugar is believed to relieve headache. Sugars in water reduce blood sugar levels and are believed that liver is healthier and gets more energetic life. Intake of coconut water by infants can help prevent nutritional rickets as it is a major source of calcium to the body Cytokines present in coconut water slows aging and treats brain diseases Panchagavya is prepared as a concoction by mixing five products of cow like cow dung, urine, milk, curd and ghee. These are mixed in proper ratio and then allowed to ferment using yeast bananas, groundnut cake, and the water of tender coconut, is a potent growth promoter and organic pesticide |
Poisoning of Nerium indicum known as Karavira | Leaves of Dregia volubilis known as Murd bel in Hindi language is mashed and combined with water from tender nuts and consumed to remove poisoning | |
Coir | Scorpion sting | Old coir fiber ashes combined with coconut oil can be placed to a scorpion sting to lessen the pain and swelling |
Coconut shell | Fracture | A paste of coconut shell, turmeric, unrefined salt, and stem bark of mango is applied as bandage in a fracture to hasten healing |
Coconut shell oil | Toothaches | Coconut shells that have been dried out to burn and the extinguish shells will be shedding a small amount of oil. The oil is gathered and used to treat toothaches |
Kernel | Rheumatic arthritis | Finely grated fresh coconut, fresh turmeric, and beetle nut flower are cooked in a pan together the mixture is compressed and bandaged over the swollen joints in rheumatoid arthritis while still warm |
Coconut milk | Poisoning, weight reduction | Coconut milk is administered as a poisoning remedy Coconut milk consumption helps feel full and in weight loss |
Coconut oil | Dermatitis | Heated coconut oil is combined with an equal amount of common salt water and applied to the body. After an hour which Pogostemon parviflorus juice is put over followed by warm water bath to treat dermatitis, this process is performed daily for seven days Used in case of healthy skin and hair |
The root, leaves, stem bark, flower and the pith of coconut tree | Treat all kind of snake bites | The coconut tree’s stem, root, barks, leaves, flowers, and pith are mashed together; the juice obtained by squeezing the mixture is mixed with millet seeds before being cooked in an earthen pot over a fire. After cooking, it is eaten after being combined with cow’s ghee |