Date : 15/9/2014
By : Dr.Prasanth.K.P. BAMS
Place : Trichy
I have decided to bring before you details of drugs which you might not have seen in any of the commonly available books. This I refer from the malayalam book "CHEDIYUM AVAYUDE OUSHADHA GUNANGALUM" by Prof.V.V.Balakrishnan. Being a keralite the author starts with Coconut. Kera in Kerala means coconut.
According to the haindava puranas the coconut tree was brought from the deva lokas by Parasurama (who by throwing an axe over a peice of land created Kerala) and planted in Kerala. The tree which is very much liked by Lord Shiva , its fruit is placed over a bucket and is used as a worshipping tool for the lord of oceans Varuna deva. There are references about this Kalpavruksha in Ramayana and Mahabharata. The tree which is also liked by Durga devi is a part of all Hindu worships. 'NALIKEL DIVAS' a celebration in north india, where coconut is given for samudra deva.
Since the whole part of the tree right from the root to the branches are useful for daily home and other purposes, this is rightly called the kalpavruksha. But by taking into account also the medicinal properties of this tree, the name kalpa vruksha is not a misnormer.
Uses of roots :
The deeper roots of coconut tree are useful in mitigating hot flushes. 4 kazhanju(16gm approx) of roots boiled in 750ml of water for 15mts, and that decoction when taken many times cures abdominal pain and all sorts of ascites.
For all uterus related complaints of ladies roots are the best drug available. A decoction prepared out of 48gm of powders of coconut roots and 48gm of barks of Asoka tree is useful for all menstrual complaints. This particular decoction not only cures impotency in females but also gives cooling to the body and softness. Even after doing D+C and both husband and wife examined for their counts, abscence of conception is seen. For such couples who are desirous of a child this particular potion is like nectar in bringing about a pregnancy, but is seldom given importance in usual medical practises by any ayurvedic physician.
Oliguria :
When you consult a doctor for scanty urination along with lower abdomen pain and burning sensation, the most common medicine prescribed by the doctor is Lasix. The medicine is so powerful that even before it reaches the tongue the urine flushes out like that from an opened pipe. In a soceity which is takes anacin, paracetamol and other OTC's even without proper medical supervision as per will, even the doctor's are unaware about its harmful effects of such allopathic medicines on kidneys, heart and liver. In such a circumstance coconut is ever dependable. There is no expense for drug, especially there is no harm done to the body.
Tender roots of coconut+Roots of pepper plant+Roots of palm tree+Gokshura+Cucumber seeds all made into a paste with rice water when applied over below umbilical area provides relief for scanty urination.
Skin :
The barks of cocnut tree is a siddha drug for all skin diseases. The barks collected from lower portion of the tree, dried in sunlight, and oil prepared out of it, is a one drug cure for all skin diseases.
Bark :
Crushed juice of tender barks of coconut tree, 2 ounces taken for a few days regularly with honey is adviced by the siddha yogis in Madhumeha, Intestinal worms, Poly uria and ulcers.
Inflorescence (Kuruthola) :
That portion of the inflorescence of the coconut tree which is edible one is beneficial in phlegm accumulations in the chest. It is also beneficial in piles.
Like adalodaka, kuppamani and gokshura the inflorescence (pookkula) of the tree is diuretic. The rice of inflorescence when chewed daily by young women is beneficial in leukorrhoea, rakta dosha, rakta pitta, scorpion bites, itching etc. It also gives strength to the body.
Look what the siddha vaidya vishaarad Kumma muni says about it as a song :
" மெகம் அகக்கொதிப்பு
னீருவிரத்தபித்தம்
வின்னும் பாலிக்கும்
விதபாகம் பொகாமென்த்ரால்
தென்னும் பொலை பூவை தின்"
The oil prepared out of crushed juice of tender inflorescence is used to cure scabies, itches, pruritis, ulcers by all siddhas. It is also a part of ayurvedic medicines along with other roots.
A handful of rice of tender inflorescence used to boil milk and when taken for 41 days (one mandala) is beneficial for curing the common problem of todays youth like leukorrhoea, premature ejaculation, nocturnal emission. One thing to be remembered is to follow abstinence while drinking this potion.
For all those who have lost their potency by taking unnecessary steroids and antibiotics for various diseases, this drink is a god.
Rice of inflorescence, tender leaves of karuka, Bark of neem, Tender leaves of pullani, Tender leaves of Teak tree, Pavu- all made into kashaya and mashikka and honey added as mempodi, when drunk for two mandalas cures rakta dosa.
Rice of inflorescence when made into decoction cures dysentry. Juice of this when taken with sugar cures menorrhagia.
In women who get tired quickly, osteoporosis is the most common cause, many go unnoticed and spend their lives in pain and disdain, this drink is a nectar for such ladies.
Toddy :
It is the fermented juice of the inflorescence.It turns into alcohol only after three to four hours. We mean here the juice taken before that process, Madhu.
This madhu when taken with malarppodi for a mandala kala cures raja yakshma.
It can be given to children instead of complan. It is tasty and better than any Multivit.It contains abundance of Vitamin B comlexes.
" വാത പിത്ത കഫ ദ്വെശമ്
ചിരന്ഗുമ് ചൊരിയുമ് പുന
തെന്ഗിന് കല്ലു കുടിചെന്നല്
മന്ഗി മന്ഗി ഒഴിനിന്ജു പൊമ്"
The toddy which is available in all toddy shops are intoxicants mixed with penicillin powder and some other juices. It is not mentioned here, kalpamadhu is mentioned here. Its qualities are mentioned in tamil olaas....
" தென்கின் மதுவருன்த
தீயும் கனலழியும்
தனுயிதர் கொதுக்கும்
தனிய அரிப்புகலும் -தன்குமா?
இன்கிதமா இன்மொழிகல்
பெஸிவிதும் பைன்கிலியெ
வான்குதனெ பரவு,ம்
பதர்த்தாமரை சிரன்கு பொம்."
More tha cows milk cools our body, this kalpa madhu cools it much more. So it is called "AAGAAYA MADHU". In siddha traditions there are certain preparations with this and apamarga, for consumption, cough, piles and respiartory infections.
Tender coconut (Elaneer) :
A generation which has got ulcers for stomach due to consumption of beer, nescafe and bru from fridges, needs to know the qualities of this drink.
It is a divine drink for those with abdominal problems. It can also be given for typhoid patients. It is given is some hospitals for ascites patients. Compared to those thing which sages knew current physicians have only elementary knowledge and this is a good example for that. Elaneer contains pottassium, chlorine, albumin.
This is a siddha vachana about elaneer :
" ென்தும் இலனீர் னீர் இரக்கும்
கபம் அருக்கும் னீ
துன்னெலா சீதமென சொல்லுவான்
கான்தெழும்பு
பித்தமொது வான்திதும் பொம்
பெக்கிக்கத்து ரன்துமுன்தாம்
கொதலரும் பூன்குழலாய கூரு "
Red coloured drink for consumption, green for eye disorders, yellow for bile disorders, black for scabies thus goes the siddha pramaana about tender coconut drink. It is not adviced to mix this drink with milk.
Carbohydrate-13 g
Protein-45 g
Calcium-11 g
Cholestrol-41 g
Poshphorus-240mg
Niacin-8 g
Vitamin C-17 g
Ferrous- 2 g
Copper-32 g
Chlorine-114 g
Magnesium- 52 g
Sodium- 17 g
Pottassium- 426 g
The above looks like that seen in the label of complan and horlicks isnt it ? But it is not from a man made drink. It's not a tango or any other energy drink. It's prepared by our very own nature called the coconut. The above is the nutritive value in 100gm of coconut. In addition too above it also contains A, B, B2 vitamins in traces. There is an old saying based on the nutritive value of this tree, " manninga thinnaal mallanaakaam ", meaning if you eat coconut you can be a wrestler.
Coconut mik :
It gives cooling and nutrition for our body. It is similar to cows milk. It is also good for hair.
Chiratta(haard shell of coconut) :
While cooking hard meat of four legged animals, adding two peices of this shell softens the meat.
Those who take pan when they chew copra peices or coconut bits can help in preventing from cancers and ulcers of mouth. As said by Dr.Amaan of Mysore after conducting researches.
Ramaccha, Nannaari, Jeeraka, Taannikkuru mixed in coconut milk is beneficial in karappan (inflammatory skin diseases of children), Marottipowder+Coconut milk is also beneficial.
" PAYASYAA NAALIKERASYA PAARANTHI MOOLA VALKKALAM".....according to Aroggya kalpa drumam.
''AAMRASYA PISHTWA PRATYOOSHE PAYAYET KERALAAMBHASAA"
Paste prepared out of tender mango leaves and coconut milk cures all types of jaundice or kaamala. Its an easily usable drug for all people.
For obstructed bowel and urine, the tender coconut stripped off its outer green layer leaving the husks behind and boiled in 3 litres of water till the husks turn reddish, and taken along with ela powder cures it.
Stick : The greenish sticks taken out of leaves of coconut mixed with uluva, chukku, malar, koovala roots when made into a decoction cures vishoochika.
Husks :
The ahes of burnt husks of coconut contains stypic, a chemical. When mixed with equal quantity of jaggery and tender coconut water cures excessive menstrual bleeding.
Maangakku thenga, for excessive intake of mango coconut is adviced as nedicine.
Like pepper is called as a "black diamond", coconut is called the "green diamond"...........
So is there any mistake in calling coconut as a kalpavruksha, that satisfies the needs of all living beings like a huge mother...???
For kerala farmers, this phrase is familiar, "thengu chadikkilla", meaning coconut never betrays, it gives fruits in all seasons at all times in one way or another !!!
