a source of K for cholera patients. Fruit—stomachic, laxative, diuretic, styptic, sedative; useful in dyspepsia and burning sensation. Oil from
endosperm—antiseptic; used in
alopecia. Root—astringent; used in urinary and uterine and disorders.
Tender coconut water is rich in potassium and other minerals and vitamins. It contains reducing sugars 2.22— 2.85%, total sugars 3.5—4.25%; brix 5.5—
6.2%. It is used as a substitute for normal saline in cases of dehydration.
Alcoholic extract of coconut shell (2% in petroleum jelly, externally) was found very effective in dermatophytosis. Lighter fractions of the tar oil are used as antiseptics.
Flowers, mixed with oil, are applied to swellings, leaves to treat abscesses, shoots and ashes of dry meat to deep cuts, grated meat to burns, roots to wounds and gonorrhoea.
Shell and fibre—antimicrobial.
Dosage Dried endosperm—lO— 20 g powder. (API Vol. III.)
Coffea arabica Linn.
Habitat Grown in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala.
English Arabian coffee.
Unani Kahvaa.
Siddha/Tamil Kaapi, Bannu.
Action Diuretic, antinarcotic, psychotropic agent, direct heart stimulant (raises blood pressure). Neutralizes therapeutic effects of many herbs; potentiates the action of aspirin and paracetamol; depletes the body of B-vitamins. Charcoal of the outer seed parts—astringent, absorbent.
Key application Powdered coffee charcoal—in nonspecific, acute
diarrhoea; local therapy of mild
inflammation of oral and pharyngeal
mucosa (average daily dose 9 g). (German Commission E.)
According to WHO, coffee drinking is not responsible for breast cancer and may protect against cancer of colon and rectum. Caffeic and chlorogenic acids in coffee act as anticarcinogens.
Bronchial asthma is less frequent among coffee drinkers due to caffeine and theophylline.
The aroma components include several furfuryl methyl mercaptan derivatives. Coffee extracts yielded organic acids. Atractyloside, several sterols and acids, as well as alkaloids, have been reported. Caffeine is the major alkaloid of coffee. One cup of coffee contains approx. 60—120mg caffeine; other active constituents include chlorogenic acid, caffeol and diterpenes.
