Vaidya explains that based on the natural ayurvedic cycle of “sanchay” (accumulation), “prakop” (aggravation), and “prashaman” (pacification), summer is the time for the “sanchay” or accumulation of pitta, while late summer and early autumn is the time for the “prakop” or aggravation of pitta. That is why, Coconut kind of dravya-s (edible materials) are good for consumption now, as they pacify the end of summer “prakop” or accumulation of pitta. In this article, Dr. Teitelbaum reminds us about this all-in-one wondrous fruit, a favorite of the ayurvedic shatra-s or texts, and modern science as well!
Based on the natural ayurvedic cycle of “sanchay” (accumulation), “prakop” (aggravation), and “prashaman” (pacification), summer is the time for the “sanchay” or accumulation of pitta, while late summer and early autumn is the time for the “prakop” or aggravation of pitta. That is why, Coconut kind of dravya-‐s (edible materials) are good for consumption now, as they pacify the end of summer “prakop” or accumulation of pitta. In this article, Dr. Teitelbaum reminds us about this all-‐in-‐one wondrous fruit, a favorite of the ayurvedic shatra-‐s or texts, and modern science as well! In addition, you can also watch Malvika in her SVA Kitchen, to learn how to make coconut chutney, savory coconut chips, or coconut probiotic milk, on Vaidya’s YouTube SVA Health channel.
Coconut is a favorite “dravya” or material in the SVA tradition. Vaidya recounts that whenever he traveled in the summer, in India, raw coconut water would be his preferred rehydration drink. Street peddlers would sell whole raw coconut ready to be chopped open on the spot for thirsty travelers – the best support against humid heat and dehydration. The sutra-‐s say that coconut water and coconut is very rich in “soma,” but Vaidya reminds us that coconut water has liquid soma, which is not clogging, while coconut pulp or flesh has earthy soma, which can clog, particularly if someone has low agni or slow metabolic fire. Coconut oil, on the other hand, is soma predominant agneya, so it’s easier on metabolism even though it can cause some kapha aggravation or heaviness. But it’s not all.
In Ayurveda, there is an interesting precept called “svarup guna” perhaps best translated as: “what you see is what you get”! In other terms, it is the idea that shape (or form) and function are intimately connected. This means
that the shape gives away the properties that we can expect. The best quickest example is to think of the walnut and how it is shaped like the brain. In addition, we know now that a walnut is, in comparison to other nuts, very high in omega-‐3 fatty acids, which supports and nourishes the brain. The walnut looks like a brain and is a great food for the brain.
In this sense, a coconut is said to look like the skull, a dravya or food item that nourishes the skull and what it houses: the brain. In Ayurveda, coconut is considered to be a “mahamedhya” which means it is a great nourishing source for the “medhya” or the mind. It is also known to have the “santarpana” property, meaning it supplies balanced fatty lubrication for the brain.
In addition, coconut is “trishna nigrahan:” it removes excessive thirst. It is also “rasayan” – it nurtures the cellular system. It is only contraindicated if an individual has high kapha imbalance or is a high kapha body type, and carries clogged channels, has low metabolic fire or low agni, or has high shleshak kapha or too much lubrication naturally.
More specifically, it is to be avoided if an individual has imbalances with overall circulation (shleshak kapha) or congestion in the chest area in general – bronchitis etc.. Here is what Dr. Marianne Teitelbaum found, in modern research, on Coconut water and milk. Coconut water and milk have innumerable health benefits. She says:
“Coconut is highly nutritious and rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals. It provides many health benefits and possesses healing properties. It is used extensively in traditional medicine among Asian and Pacific populations. Pacific Islanders consider coconuts to be the cure for all illnesses.
The coconut is so highly valued by them as both a source of food and medicine that it is called “The Tree of Life”. Only recently has modern medical science unlocked the secrets to coconut’s amazing healing powers.
In traditional medicine around the world coconut is used to treat a wide variety of health problems, including the following: abscesses, acne, asthma, baldness, bronchitis, bruises, burns, colds, constipation, cough, dysentery, earache, fever, flu, gingivitis, gonorrhea, irregular or painful menstruation, jaundice, kidney stones, lice, malnutrition, nausea, rashes, scurvy, skin infections, sore throat, swelling, syphilis, toothache, tuberculosis, tumors, typhoid, ulcers, upset stomach, weakness, and wounds.
Modern medical science is now confirming the use of coconut in treating many of the above conditions. Published studies in medical journals show that coconut, in one form or another may provide a wide range of health benefits. Some of these are summarized below:
- Kills viruses that cause influenza, herpes, measles, hepatitis C, SARS, AIDS and other illnesses
- Kills bacteria that cause ulcers, throat infections, urinary tract infections, gum disease and cavities, pneumonia, and gonorrhea and other diseases
- Kills fungi and yeasts that cause candidiasis, ringworm, athlete’s foot, thrush, diaper rash and other infections
- Expels or kills tapeworms, lice, giardia and other parasites
- Provides a nutritional source of quick energy
- Boosts energy and endurance, enhancing physical and athletic performance
- Improves digestion and absorption of other nutrients including vitamins, minerals and amino acids
- Improves insulin secretion and utilizations of blood glucose
- Relieves stress on pancreas and enzyme systems of the body
- Reduces symptoms associated with pancreatitis
- Helps relieve symptoms and reduce health risks associated with diabetes
- Reduces problems associated with mal-‐absorption syndrome and cystic fibrosis
- Improves calcium and magnesium absorption and supports the development of strong bones and teeth
- Helps protect against osteoporosis
- Helps relieve symptoms associated with gallbladder disease
- Relieves symptoms associated with Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and stomach ulcers
- Improves digestion and bowel function
- Relieves pain and irritation caused by hemorrhoids
- Reduces inflammation
- Supports tissue healing and repair
- Supports and aids immune system function
- Helps protect the body from breast, colon and other cancers
- Is heart healthy: improves cholesterol ratio reducing risk of heart disease
- Protects arteries from injury that causes atherosclerosis and thus protects against heart disease
- Helps prevent periodontal disease and tooth decay
- Functions as a protective antioxidant
- Helps to protect the body from harmful free radicals that promote premature aging and degenerative disease
- Improves utilization of essential fatty acids and protects them from oxidation
- Helps relieve symptoms associated with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
- Relieves Symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (prostate enlargement)
- Reduces epileptic seizures
- Helps protect against kidney disease and bladder infections
- Dissolves kidney stones
- Helps prevent liver disease
- Is lower in calories than all other fats
- Supports thyroid function
- Promotes loss of excess weight by increasing metabolic rate
- Is utilized by the body to produce energy in preference to being stored as body fat like other dietary fats
- Helps prevent obesity and overweight problems
- Applied topically helps to form a chemical barrier on the skin to ward off infection
- Reduces symptoms associated with psoriasis, eczema and dermatitis
- Supports the natural chemical balance of the skin
- Softens skin and helps relieve dryness and flaking
- Prevents wrinkles, sagging skin and age spots
- Promoted healthy looking hair and complexion
- Provides protection from damaging effects of ultraviolet radiation from the sun
- Helps control dandruff
This long list of health benefits comes from the fact that the type of fat in coconuts is a medium-‐chain fatty acid (MCFA). 98% of all the fats we eat consist of long chain fatty acids (LCFA). It’s the medium chain in the coconut oil that makes it different from all other fats and for the most part gives it its unique character and healing properties.
Medium chain fatty acids are easily digested, absorbed and put to use in nourishing the body. Approximately 50% of the fatty acids in coconut fat are lauric acid, a fat found in mother’s milk. Lauric acid has the beneficial function of being formed into monolaurin in the body. Monolaurin is the antiviral, antibacterial, and antiprotozoal monoglyceride used by the body to destroy lipid-‐coated viruses such as HIV, herpes and influenza.
Unlike other fats, they put little strain on the digestive system and provide a quick source of energy necessary to promote healing. This is important for patients who are overcoming serious illness or injury. Even athletes are now using them to boost performance and control weight.Unfortunately, few foods contain this type of fat; the best source is from coconuts – fresh, not canned – the canned coconut milk is lacking all the vitamins and minerals in the fresh product.
So now you have 4 ways to use a coconut – just tapping into the top soft hole of the coconut, and pouring out the coconut water an drinking it immediately (once it is taken from the coconut, the nutrients start to oxidize, make sure it does not taste sour or rancid/old), making a cultured probiotic drink from the coconut water (see Malvika make it on You-‐Tube) making freshly made and highly nourishing coconut milk (blend the coconut meat with water and strain) and using the dessicated coconut meat left behind after making the coconut milk. Keep in mind that we normally do not recommend eating or cooking with coconut oil unless you have a
strong digestive fire, since it is a cold fat, too heavy and hard to digest. You could, however, massage the body with it during the summer or anytime if you have excess pitta (heat) in the system or rashes on the skin. Some people say that using coconut oil for their daily oil massage actually makes their rash a little worse. This can happen due to the coldness of the coconut oil closing up the pores in the skin, making it difficult for the heat to escape, thus creating a buildup of heat and a worsening of the rash (or eczema, etc.). We have an oil called “SVA Pitta Abhyanga Oil” which has herbs cured into it to prevent the pores from closing up, which will help give you the benefit of the cooling coconut oil without the side effects of the heat getting trapped under your skin. Keep in mind that the skin absorbs all the beneficial nutrients in the oil; you don’t have to swallow and digest the oil to gain its benefits.
Adding some coconut to your daily regimen, either through your diet, or transdermally, through Vaidya’s creams or oils, can only be a great step towards optimizing your health mental and physical.”
