Ayurveda & the Sweet, Seductive Coconut

May 21, 2013 | Ayurveda, Food

From the Ayurvedic perspective, coconut is cooling, sweet, nutritive, demulcent (relieving inflammation), and even a laxative. Interestingly, coconut is considered a divine plant in the Vedic tradition. Whenever a sacred ceremony is performed, a coconut must grace the occasion. The coconut is actually divided into three types of coconuts —

Baal: tender or baby coconut
Madhyam: half-mature coconut
Pakva: fully mature coconut


There are times in life when our body fills up with pitta-charged ama (toxic matter). This causes the ph levels in the deeper digestive system to fall, leading to severe hyperacidity. That’s when the coconut can step in to heal. Because it is anuloman (moving with the natural direction) in nature, tender coconut balances acid levels and cools the system. The coconut is superior to other herbs and fruits that can cool down pitta, but do not flush it out of the system.

Here are some interesting points about coconut, which you may find useful:

  • Coconut cools sadhaka pitta, which is associated with emotions such as anger, frustration, and impatience.
  • Ayurveda considers coconut a natural stress-buster.
  • Coconut oil can be used to massage the gums in the mouth, to ease bleeding gums.
  • Coconut oil is an excellent healer when applied to burns – sun burn, etc.
  • Combined with spices like cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, cloves, cumin, coriander, and turmeric, coconut is not only delicious and versatile, but also heals the digestive system and promotes better metabolism.
  • In Southern India, women apply coconut oil to their hair every day-which gives them long, lustrous locks.
  • Due to its soma-enhancing or nurturing value, coconut heals hot flashes and restores emotional stability in menopausal women.
  • Coconut improves the complexion.
  • If you have urine retention from heat, then coconut water helps. Similarly, liver problems, such as inflammation, are also soothed by drinking tender coconut water.
  • Coconut helps detoxify and flush toxins out of the body.


Coconut water is the juice of young, or Baal, tender coconuts, and is certainly nature’s energy drink. It is a naturally steralized mineral water, which can aid in healing a number of ailments. Coconut water is hydrating, rich in minerals, cleanses the urinary tract, and is even thought to be an aphrodisiac! Coconut water is good for Pitta (offering cooling properties) and Vata (offering oily and sweet properties) doshas. While unclogging the body’s channels, the tender coconut water lubricates the dryness caused by ama (toxins). It also soothes and repairs the gastro-intestinal tract. 

In regards to when the best time to consume coconut water is, generally after a work out or your hot yoga class. More specifically, drinking coconut water during the pitta time of day (between 10am and 2pm) will be most effective. Even better, summer time calls for the cooling, calming properties that coconut water offers in abundance!


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Don’t forget to share this information on the sweet, cooling coconut with those you love! 

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