Coconut oil (Cocos nucifera)
What coconut oil is, how classical Indian texts describe it, what published studies show and where they fall short, how to use it safely, and which GraceYes products contain it.
Names
Nariyal tel (Hindi); Narikela taila (Sanskrit). It is cold-pressed from the kernel.
Classical Indian view
API Vol III (Narikela) covers the dried kernel, not the oil. It describes the kernel as cooling (Shita virya), soothing to Vata and Pitta, and used for Daha (burning sensation). A secondary source quotes Kaiyadeva Nighantu calling the oil good for hair and wounds (secondary source); we have not been able to check the verse ourselves.
Key compounds
Lauric acid and other medium-chain fatty acids.
What studies show
- Virgin coconut oil matched mineral oil for dry skin in a double-blind trial (n=34) (PubMed).
- In children with mild to moderate atopic dermatitis, the SCORAD eczema score fell 68% with coconut oil versus 38% with mineral oil. This was a double-blind trial (n=117) (PubMed).
- Coconut oil was the only oil tested that reduced protein loss from hair, before or after washing (PubMed).
Safety
Allergy is uncommon. It may feel heavy on acne-prone faces.
GraceYes products that contain it
23 products. These are Coconut Oil, Hair Oil, Baby Cream, Baby Diaper Rash Balm, Lip Balm, Lip Scrub, Lip Tint, After Shave Balm, Shaving Cream Bar, Natural Gangajal Baby Soap, and all 13 soaps in the Soaps collection, where coconut oil gives the lather.
This page is for general information and is not medical advice. Studies are linked so you can read them yourself. Always patch-test a new product, and speak to a doctor about any skin or scalp condition.