Coconut Oil Benefits, Uses, Side Effects According to Ayurveda

Metabolic Nature of Coconut Oil

See a complete list of all biocharacteristics.

METABOLIC NATURE

Metabolic Nature

Ayurveda assesses metabolic imbalances through 20 main biocharacteristics (gunas). Aggravating them weakens your body and causes imbalance. By knowing which biocharacteristics are habitually imbalanced in your body, you will be able to identify and correct metabolic imbalances before you get sick. Every biocharacteristic has an opposite which balances it (i.e. hot balances cold). You restore balance by favoring diet and lifestyle choices that increase the opposite biocharacteristic.
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COLD

ABOUT COLD BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Cold refers to anything that reduces body temperature, metabolism, and blood flow.

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EASY

ABOUT EASY BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Easy refers to anything easy to digest, or digests quickly.

LEARN MORE ABOUT EASY

LIQUEFIED

ABOUT LIQUEFIED BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Substances that thin fluids (lower viscosity of blood plasma). These may include blood thinners or mucolytic herbs.

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OILY

ABOUT OILY BIOCHARACTERISTIC

In Ayurveda, oily refers to anything moistening. More specifically, oily refers to building substances that increases fat, or are themselves fatty. For example, sugar is Oily.

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TASTES

The 6 Tastes

Taste is used to sense the most basic properties and effects of food. Each taste has a specific medicinal effect on your body. Cravings for food with certain tastes indicate your body is craving specific medicinal results from food. Taste is experienced on the tongue and represents your body's reaction to foods. Sweet taste causes physical satisfaction and attraction whereas bitter taste causes discomfort and aversion. Kapha should use less sweet taste while Vata and Pitta would benefit from using more sweet taste. One of the first signs of illness is that your taste and appetite for food changes. The six tastes are sweet, sour, salty, pungent, bitter, and astringent. Do you crave foods with any of the tastes below?
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SWEET

ABOUT SWEET BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Sweet refers to anything builds tissue, including macronutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins and fats.

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DOSHAS

The Three Doshas / Body Types

Ayurveda is a metabolic theory of medicine that explains individual health, tendencies, and disease patterns through the concept of doshas, which can be understood as your metabolic patterns and tendencies.
Each dosha reflects a distinct metabolic nature and describes strengths & weaknesses in bodily function, and how these affect energy levels, digestion, susceptibility to disease, and many other tendencies.
Your metabolic nature not only affects your physical characteristics, but also influences your mental thought patterns, confidence, and enthusiasm.
Ayurveda balances these metabolic strengths & weaknesses to support your body's vitality and prevent recurrent disease cycles. This support is a critical aid, especially in chronic or incurable disease conditions.
The 3 metabolic body types (doshas), are Catabolic (Vata), Metabolic (Pitta), and Anabolic (Kapha).
Through dosha, Ayurveda empowers people to identify metabolic imbalances early, break repetitive patterns of disease, and cultivate habits that support long-term vitality and well-being.
Ultimately, these metabolic patterns also provide a framework for understanding yourself, including body, mind, and spiritual tendencies.
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PACIFIES

AGGRAVATES

GREEK MEDICINE / TEMPERAMENTS

The Four Temperaments / Humors

Ayurveda & Greek Medicine were the dominant form of medicine along the Silk Road from England to China and South Asia. They work by assessing your metabolic type, patterns, and nature. Greek medicine recognizes 4 metabolic temperaments, Melancholic, Choleric, Sanguine, and Phlegmatic.
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PACIFIES

CHOLERIC

ABOUT CHOLERIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Has a hot and dry metabolic nature. Enthusiastic, vibrant and bright. In excess burns up fluids and ojas, irritable. Corresponds to high bilirubin in the blood that irritates and heats up the body and liver.

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MELANCHOLIC

ABOUT MELANCHOLIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Cold and dry with a slow, variable or erratic metabolism. Colicky, tense. Withdrawn, pensive, anxious, and hesitant. Analytical, intelligent, detail oriented and creative. Prone to ojas depletion, dehydration, an overactive nervous system, and depression.

LEARN MORE ABOUT MELANCHOLIC

SANGUINE

ABOUT SANGUINE BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Hot and oily with a moderate metabolism and a well nourished body. Vigorous, vivacious, outgoing and generous, and prone to impulsivity and self indulgence. Bullish and intense when out of balance.

LEARN MORE ABOUT SANGUINE

AGGRAVATES

PHLEGMATIC

ABOUT PHLEGMATIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Wet & cold. When out of balance becomes congested, stagnant, and overweight. Loving, trusting, and patient.

LEARN MORE ABOUT PHLEGMATIC

Other

Tissue (dhatu):

Blood Plasma Lymph

BLOOD-PLASMA-LYMPH

Plasma (Rasa Dhatu) includes plasma, white blood cells, and lymph.

SEE ALL 'BLOOD-PLASMA-LYMPH' FOODS / HERBS

Nerves

NERVES

Marrow tissue (Majja Dhatu) includes bone marrow and nervous tissue.

SEE ALL 'NERVES' FOODS / HERBS

Fat

MILD FAT

Fat tissue (Meda Dhatu) includes adipose tissue and sebum (skin oil).

SEE ALL 'FAT' FOODS / HERBS

Family:

Arecaceae

Medicinal Benefits, Uses & Herbal Actions of Coconut Oil
Experiences are Personal
Experiences vary according to the person and constitution. Individual results may vary. The list of herbal-actions below has not be approved by the FDA and should not be used to treat a medical condition.

(see all)

Mind, Stress & Sleep:

Brain Tonic

BRAIN-TONIC

An herb that strengthens the brain and thereby enhances memory or other cognitive functions and improves mental stamina or stability.

SEE ALL 'BRAIN-TONIC' FOODS / HERBS

Energy Vitality:

Stimulates Energy

STIMULATES-ENERGY

This category groups thyroid and adrenal stimulating herbs.

SEE ALL 'STIMULATES-ENERGY' FOODS / HERBS

Nutritive

NUTRITIVE

An herb that is strengthening and nourishing.

SEE ALL 'NUTRITIVE' FOODS / HERBS

Tonic

TONIC

A tonic herb restores function through strengthening tissue. This can happen through a combination of nourishing the tissue, and invigorating tissue metabolism. The tonic should not be withering, as in caffeine.

SEE ALL 'TONIC' FOODS / HERBS

Skin Care & Beauty:

Emollient

EMOLLIENT

Soothes & softens the skin. Often a topical demulcent or oil.

SEE ALL 'EMOLLIENT' FOODS / HERBS

Skin Tonic

SKIN-TONIC

An herb that strengthens and nourishes skin, improving tone, color, moisture and complexion.

SEE ALL 'SKIN-TONIC' FOODS / HERBS

Immune System:

Anti Inflammatory

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY

Reduces inflammation in the body. Different herbs and carriers target different body systems.

SEE ALL 'ANTI-INFLAMMATORY' FOODS / HERBS

Antifungal

ANTIFUNGAL

Herbs that destroy fungus.

SEE ALL 'ANTIFUNGAL' FOODS / HERBS

Antiviral

ANTIVIRAL

Herbs that inhibit the development of viral infections. Antivirals also can be found in essential oils of some herbs, such as eucalyptus oil.

SEE ALL 'ANTIVIRAL' FOODS / HERBS

Heart & Circulation:

Refrigerant

REFRIGERANT

An herb or substance that strongly cools the body. Can be helpful in cases of heat conditions.

SEE ALL 'REFRIGERANT' FOODS / HERBS

Liver & Gallbladder:

Livotonic

LIVOTONIC

An herb that strengthens the liver. It is helpful for people with a history of substance abuse, chronic liver issues from hepatitis and hemolytic anemias. Generally, liver tonics are oily, cool, sweet, mildly sour, or contain beta-carotene.

SEE ALL 'LIVOTONIC' FOODS / HERBS

Weight Loss:

Raises Thyroid

RAISES-THYROID

An herb that increases thyroid function.

SEE ALL 'RAISES-THYROID' FOODS / HERBS

Reproductive Health:

Promotes Virility

PROMOTES-VIRILITY

Encourages virility and potency.

SEE ALL 'PROMOTES-VIRILITY' FOODS / HERBS

Bone & Joint:

Hair Growth Tonic

HAIR-GROWTH-TONIC

An herb or formula that encourages healthy hair growth.

SEE ALL 'HAIR-GROWTH-TONIC' FOODS / HERBS

Other:

Medium Chain Triglycerrid

Foods with a Similar Nature to Coconut Oil

Coconut Oil

Coconut Oil has these Actions in Common
Refrigerant, Tonic, Antiviral, Hair-growth-tonic, Promotes-virility, Skin-tonic, Anti-inflammatory, Brain-tonic, Livotonic, Raises-thyroid, Stimulates-energy, Antifungal, Emollient, Nutritive
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Coconut Flakes

Coconut Flakes has these Actions in Common
Stimulates-energy, Anti-inflammatory, Livotonic, Raises-thyroid, Tonic, Antifungal, Nutritive, Refrigerant, Brain-tonic, Promotes-virility
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Coconut Butter

Coconut Butter has these Actions in Common
Brain-tonic, Promotes-virility, Stimulates-energy, Anti-inflammatory, Livotonic, Raises-thyroid, Tonic, Antifungal, Nutritive, Refrigerant
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Coconut Cream

Coconut Cream has these Actions in Common
Anti-inflammatory, Livotonic, Raises-thyroid, Tonic, Antifungal, Nutritive, Refrigerant, Brain-tonic, Promotes-virility, Stimulates-energy
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Sesame Oil

Sesame Oil has these Actions in Common
Livotonic, Skin-tonic, Emollient, Nutritive, Stimulates-energy, Hair-growth-tonic, Promotes-virility, Tonic
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Eggs

Eggs has these Actions in Common
Nutritive, Tonic, Emollient, Promotes-virility, Hair-growth-tonic, Skin-tonic
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Almonds

Almonds has these Actions in Common
Nutritive, Stimulates-energy, Promotes-virility, Tonic, Brain-tonic, Skin-tonic
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Ghee

Ghee has these Actions in Common
Emollient, Promotes-virility, Livotonic, Tonic, Nutritive
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Sesame Seeds

Sesame Seeds has these Actions in Common
Promotes-virility, Tonic, Skin-tonic, Nutritive, Stimulates-energy
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Honey

Honey has these Actions in Common
Nutritive, Tonic, Promotes-virility, Emollient, Stimulates-energy
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Tahini

Tahini has these Actions in Common
Skin-tonic, Nutritive, Stimulates-energy, Promotes-virility, Tonic
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Herbs & Supplements with a Similar Nature to Coconut Oil

Amalaki

Amalaki has these Actions in Common
Refrigerant, Skin-tonic, Stimulates-energy, Anti-inflammatory, Tonic, Brain-tonic, Hair-growth-tonic, Nutritive, Promotes-virility
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Almond Oil

Almond Oil has these Actions in Common
Hair-growth-tonic, Nutritive, Skin-tonic, Tonic, Anti-inflammatory, Emollient
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Pitta Massage Oil

Pitta Massage Oil has these Actions in Common
Emollient, Nutritive, Refrigerant, Skin-tonic, Anti-inflammatory
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Vata Shirodhara Oil

Vata Shirodhara Oil has these Actions in Common
Nutritive, Skin-tonic, Tonic, Brain-tonic, Emollient
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Bala

Bala has these Actions in Common
Anti-inflammatory, Nutritive, Promotes-virility, Stimulates-energy, Tonic
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Brahmi - Gotu Kola

Brahmi - Gotu Kola has these Actions in Common
Skin-tonic, Anti-inflammatory, Brain-tonic, Hair-growth-tonic, Refrigerant
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Chyavanprash Nutritive Jam

Chyavanprash Nutritive Jam has these Actions in Common
Anti-inflammatory, Nutritive, Promotes-virility, Stimulates-energy, Tonic
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Ginseng, Chinese

Ginseng, Chinese has these Actions in Common
Stimulates-energy, Tonic, Antifungal, Brain-tonic, Nutritive
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Bhringaraj

Bhringaraj has these Actions in Common
Hair-growth-tonic, Livotonic, Skin-tonic, Tonic, Anti-inflammatory
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Licorice Ghee (9oz)

Licorice Ghee (9oz) has these Actions in Common
Refrigerant, Anti-inflammatory, Antiviral, Livotonic, Nutritive
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Licorice Root (Yastimadhu)

Licorice Root (Yastimadhu) has these Actions in Common
Anti-inflammatory, Antiviral, Livotonic, Nutritive, Refrigerant
LEARN MORE

Joyful Belly is a recognized college of biocharacteristics medicine.

Reviews for Coconut Oil

(5.00 out of 5 stars) 1 rating

melissa Lansing, MI

2013-07-30

“I love the Coconut Oil! I have never tried it before and ordered it to give to my dog. But I love it! I have it every morning on toast and its so good. I haven't even tried the other 99 things it is good for!"

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College of Ayurvedic Diet & Digestion

AYURVEDIC HERB SUPPLEMENTS

Coconut Oil Herbal Oil (Cocos nucifera)

Customer Reviews

Table of Contents

How Does This Ayurvedic Herb Supplement Improve Wellness?

CLINICAL AYURVEDIC REVIEW

Metabolic Nature of Coconut Oil

Metabolic Nature

ABOUT COLD BIOCHARACTERISTIC

ABOUT EASY BIOCHARACTERISTIC

ABOUT LIQUEFIED BIOCHARACTERISTIC

ABOUT OILY BIOCHARACTERISTIC

The 6 Tastes

ABOUT SWEET BIOCHARACTERISTIC

The Three Doshas / Body Types

The Four Temperaments / Humors

ABOUT CHOLERIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

ABOUT MELANCHOLIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

ABOUT SANGUINE BIOCHARACTERISTIC

ABOUT PHLEGMATIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Other

BLOOD-PLASMA-LYMPH

NERVES

MILD FAT

Medicinal Benefits, Uses & Herbal Actions of Coconut Oil Experiences are Personal Experiences vary according to the person and constitution. Individual results may vary. The list of herbal-actions below has not be approved by the FDA and should not be used to treat a medical condition.

BRAIN-TONIC

STIMULATES-ENERGY

NUTRITIVE

TONIC

EMOLLIENT

SKIN-TONIC

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY

ANTIFUNGAL

ANTIVIRAL

REFRIGERANT

LIVOTONIC

RAISES-THYROID

PROMOTES-VIRILITY

HAIR-GROWTH-TONIC

Foods with a Similar Nature to Coconut Oil

Coconut Oil has these Actions in Common

Coconut Flakes has these Actions in Common

Coconut Butter has these Actions in Common

Coconut Cream has these Actions in Common

Sesame Oil has these Actions in Common

Eggs has these Actions in Common

Almonds has these Actions in Common

Ghee has these Actions in Common

Sesame Seeds has these Actions in Common

Honey has these Actions in Common

Tahini has these Actions in Common

Herbs & Supplements with a Similar Nature to Coconut Oil

Amalaki has these Actions in Common

Almond Oil has these Actions in Common

Pitta Massage Oil has these Actions in Common

Vata Shirodhara Oil has these Actions in Common

Bala has these Actions in Common

Brahmi - Gotu Kola has these Actions in Common

Chyavanprash Nutritive Jam has these Actions in Common

Ginseng, Chinese has these Actions in Common

Bhringaraj has these Actions in Common

Licorice Ghee (9oz) has these Actions in Common

Licorice Root (Yastimadhu) has these Actions in Common

Guidelines - Preparation & Dose

TRADITIONALLY INDICATED FOR THESE SYMPTOMS

Skin Care

Weight Loss

Reproductive-Health

Diet

Mind, Stress & Sleep

Heart, Blood & Circulation

CONTRAINDICATED FOR THESE SYMPTOMS

Herb Drug Interaction Risk

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Medicinal Benefits, Uses & Herbal Actions of Coconut Oil
Experiences are Personal
Experiences vary according to the person and constitution. Individual results may vary. The list of herbal-actions below has not be approved by the FDA and should not be used to treat a medical condition.

TRADITIONALLY INDICATED FOR
THESE SYMPTOMS

CONTRAINDICATED FOR
THESE SYMPTOMS