Ethnobotany of coconut: A review on its traditional, cultural and economic significance

Abstract

Cocos nucifera L. (2n = 2x = 32), the only species within the genus Cocos, is a diploid perennial oilseed plant belonging to the Arecaceae family, earning its’ title as “Kalpavriksha or Tree of Heaven”. Coconut palm holds enormous cultural, traditional, and economic significance across tropical and subtropical regions.  Originating from the land fragments of the ancient Gondwana landmass, coconut has undergone wide geographic dispersal and ecological adaptation, thriving along coastal areas from Pacific regions. Despite its significance, ethnobotanical research on coconut remains limited and coconut cultivation faces increasing threats from rapid urbanization. In India, coconut is deeply integrated into indigenous health systems, used for its ethnomedicinal properties including analgesic, anti-inflammatory, cardioprotective, antidiabetic, antioxidant, antibacterial and immunomodulation. Coconut contains high levels of fatty acids such as caprylic acid (9%), capric acid (8%), caproic acid (5%) and myristic acid (20%) which enhances its potential in nutritional therapy and functional food development. This review integrates phytochemical, pharmacological and ethnobotanical evidence, emphasizing coconut’s potential in food, medicine, and sustainable development. Cocos nucifera L. (2n = 2x = 32), the only species within the genus Cocos, is a diploid perennial oilseed plant belonging to the Arecaceae family, earning its title as “Kalpavriksha” or “Tree of Heaven”. Despite its widespread cultural, traditional and economic importance, ethnobotanical research remains limited and cultivation faces increasing threats from urbanization. Originating from the land fragments of the ancient Gondwana landmass, coconut has undergone wide geographic dispersal and ecological adaptation, thriving particularly along the coastal areas of the Pacific and Indian Ocean regions. In India, coconut is deeply integrated into indigenous health systems, used for its ethnomedicinal properties including analgesic, anti-inflammatory, cardioprotective, antidiabetic, antioxidant, antibacterial and immunomodulatory activities. It is rich in fatty acids such as caprylic, capric, caproic and myristic acids, enhancing its potential in nutritional therapy and functional food development. This review integrates phytochemical, pharmacological and ethnobotanical evidence, emphasizing coconut’s potential in food, medicine and sustainable development.