PDR for Herbal Medicines

HERBAL MONOGRAPHS COCONUT PALM /201

Roth L, Daunderer M, Kormann K, Giftpflanzen, Pflanzengifte,

4. Aufl., Ecomed Fachverlag Landsberg Lech 1993.
   Schroder B, In: Schroder R. Kaffee, Tee und Kardamom,
   Ulmer-Verlag, Stuttgart. 1991.
   Teuscher E, Biogene Arzneimittel, 5. Aufl., Wiss. Verlagsges.
   Stuttgart 1997.
   Teuscher E, Lindequist U. Biogene Gifte - Biologie, Chemie,
   Pharmakologie, 2. Aufl., Fischer Verlag Stuttgart 1994.

Coconut Palm

Cocos nucifera

Flower and Fruit: The flowers are arranged in up to 1.5 m
long, spindle-shaped, branching axillary inflorescences,
which are surrounded by a woody spathe. On each of the 20
to 40 lateral branches of the inflorescence there is only one,
3 to 3.5 cm large, yellowish-green-white female flower.
There are 200 to 300 male flowers at the apex of the single
ff branches with their structures arranged in threes. The flowers
are up to 1.5 cm wide and yellowish; the ovary is 3-carpeled
and fused. The drupe is up to 30 cm long and weighs 1.5 to
2.5 kg. The exocarp is smooth and impervious to water. The
mesocarp is fibrous (certain floating ability, coconut fiber)
and the endocarp woody and hard. The stone kernel is
incorrectly called a nut. The inconspicuous embryo is
embedded in the fat rich endosperm (copra). Inside the
unripe fruit there is approximately 500 ml of clear, sweet-
tasting liquid (coconut milk), which reduces when the fruit
ripens. At the side stem insert there are 3 shoot holes, only
one of which is covered with a membrane. These allow the
embryo to penetrate the surrounding fiber layer.
Leaves, Stem and Root: Coconut Palm is diclinous and
monoecious. The tree grows up to 30 to 35 m high. The
frond is up to 5 m long, 1 to 1.7 m wide (up to 15 kg in
weight) and clasps the trunk with a wide petiole. The bark is
thick and the surface is shaggy with remains of the leaf bases
of fallen leaves. The trunk is divided into nodes and
internodes. Adventitious roots arise from the base of the
HIT trunk.

Characteristics: One palm tree produces up to 70 ripe fruit

per year.

Habitat: The native country of this species is disputed, but is

believed to be the Pacific regions.

Production: Coconut oil is the fat extracted from the dried

solid part of the endosperm of Cocos nucifera through cold

pressing. Completely ripe fruit is harvested, followed by

manual or mechanical opening of the kernel and then

followed by the extraction of the endosperm (known as

copra). It is dried in the sun, over a fire or in special drying

houses. The pressed oil is refined and cleaned.

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS

Fatty oil: chief fatty acids lauric acid (45 to 50%), myristic

acid (13 to 20%), palmitic acid (7 to 10%), caprylic acid (5

to 10%), including as well stearic acid, linoleic acid, caproic

acid.

Free fatty acids (3 to 5%)

Delta-lactones of 5-hydroxy-fatty acids: particularly delta-

octalactone (as aroma compounds)

EFFECTS

Coconut oil is characterized by having a large quantity of

short-chained fatty acids and a rather small amount of

unsaturated fatty acids. It is chiefly used as a dietetic. An

immunomodulating effect was observed in animal experi-

ments, as was an inhibiting effect upon the growth of

carcinoma cells of the colon in vitro.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Unproven Uses: The oil of Coconut Palm has been used for

poorly healing wounds and skin infections (Africa). Internal-

ly it is used for colds and inflammation of the throat (with

salt; Central America) and for tooth decay (southeast Asia).

Indian Medicine: Coconut Palm oil is used for dysuria,

coughs, bronchitis and to stop hair from turning gray.

PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS

No health hazards are known in conjunction with the use of

the drug as a food or as a pharmaceutical vehicle or raw

substance (including its use in the extraction of short- and

medium-chained fatty acids and in the manufacture of soaps

and solubilizing agents).

DOSAGE

Mode of Administration: Preparations are intended for

internal and external use.

Storage: Protect from light in tightly sealed containers at a

maximum temperature of 25° C.

LITERATURE

Blaschek W, Hansel R, Keller K, Reichling J, Rimpler G,

Schneider G (Eds), Hagers Handbuch der Pharmazeutischen

Praxis. Folgebande 1 und 2. Drogen A-Z. Springer. Berlin,

Heidelberg 1998.

Eghafona NO, Immune responses following cocktails of

inactivated measles vaccine and Arachis hypogaea L.

(groundnut) or Cocos nucifera L. (coconut) oils adjuvant.

Vaccine, 84:1703-6, 19% Dec.

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: The medicinal part of the plant is the fruit.