Abstract

EXPLORING THE MULTI-FACETED PHARMACOTHERAPEUTIC POTENTIAL OF COCOS NUCIFERA LINN.: A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW

Sreekala V.*, K. N. Dwivedi and Santosh Kumar Singh

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Abstract

The wide use of plants and/or plant-based products has a long history and encompasses an easily accessible and affordable source of food and medicine. The Coconut tree (Cocos nucifera Linn.), a member of the family Arecaceae (palm family) is one of the most valuable gifts of nature to mankind with diverse nutritional and medicinal values. Medications from natural sources including various parts of Coconut palm are attractive therapeutic alternatives and supplements to existing therapies, and have not really been explored in depth. The present study was intended to explore, compile and unveil the informations related to the multi-faceted pharmaco-therapeutic potential of various parts of Cocos nucifera Linn. This review focused on the broad aspects of properties, therapeutic actions, indications, therapeutic uses and formulations of different useful parts of Coconut tree mentioned in various classical Ayurvedic literatures. Vedic, Samhita and Nighantu literatures were extensively explored with regard to the drug of interest ie, Cocos nucifera Linn. (Narikela). It was observed that the distinct medicinal properties, therapeutic values, indications and unique formulations of Inflorescence, Fruit pulp, Coconut water, Tender Coconut water, Coconut milk, Coconut oil, Fermented sap and bark from Cocos nucifera Linn. were evidently delineated in classical Ayurvedic literatures. In the present review, nutritional and medicinal importance of various parts of Cocos nucifera Linn. have been discussed which will provide collective information on its multipurpose commercial values. The outcome of this work can contribute comprehensive knowledge and directs towards further researches on multi-faceted pharmacotherapeutic potential of Cocos nucifera Linn.

Keywords: Cocos nucifera, Narikela, Ayurveda, Coconut, Ethno medicine, Herbal drug.