Coconut

Basic Information

Biological name (genus and species):
Cocus nucifera
Parts used for medicinal purposes:
Oil from seeds
Chemicals this herb contains:
Fixed oil (See Glossary)
Tannins (See Glossary)
Trilaurin
Trimyristin
Triolein
Tripalmatic acid
Tripalmatin
Tristearin

KNOWN EFFECTS

Shrinks tissues. Prevents secretion of fluids. Interferes with absorption of iron and other minerals when taken internally.

Miscellaneous information:
Is used in making soaps, scalp applications, hand creams, some foodstuffs. Coconut-oil-based soaps are useful for marine purposes because they are not easily precipitated by saltwater or salty solutions.

UNPROVED SPECULATED BENEFITS

Kills intestinal parasites. >Relieves toothache.

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

Don't take if you:
Have any chronic disease of the gastrointestinal tract, such as stomach or duodenal ulcers, esophageal reflux (reflux esophagitis), ulcerative colitis, spastic colitis, diverticulosis, diverticulitis.

Consult your doctor if you:
Take this herb for any medical problem that doesn't improve in 2 weeks. There may be safer, more-effective treatments. Take any medicinal drugs or herbs including aspirin, laxatives, cold and cough remedies, antacids, vitamins, minerals, amino acids, supplements, other prescription or non-prescription drugs.

Pregnancy:
Pregnant women should experience no problems taking usual amounts as part of a balanced diet. Other products extracted from this herb have not been proved to cause problems.

Breast-feeding:
Breast-fed infants of lactating mothers should experience no problems when mother takes usual amounts as part of a balanced diet. Other products extracted from this herb have not been proved to cause problems.

Infants and children:
Treating infants and children under 2 with any herbal preparation is hazardous.

Others:
None expected if you are beyond childhood and under 45, basically healthy and take for only a short time.

Storage:
Keep cool and dry, but don't freeze. Store safely away from children.

Safe dosage:
At present no "safe" dosage has been established.

TOXICITY

Comparative-toxicity rating not available from standard
references.
For symptoms of toxicity: See Adverse Reactions, Side Effects or Overdose Symptoms section below.

ADVERSE REACTIONS, SIDE EFFECTS OR OVERDOSE SYMPTOMS