Narikel Lavan is an Ayurvedic medicine, in powder form. It is used in the Ayurvedic treatment of gastritis and related abdominal pain and burning sensation. This medicine is most commonly used in North Indian practice. Narikela means coconut, which is the main ingredient of this medicine.
Benefits
It is used in treatment of gastritis, acidity and abdominal pain.
It is used in the management of cholecystitis.
Effect on Tridosha – Calms Vata and Pitta.
Dosage
1 – 2 grams given along with ghee, once or twice a day before or after food or as directed by your doctor.
It is usually administered with a pinch of long pepper.
With western medicines
Seek your doctor’s advice if you are taking this product along with other western (allopathic/modern) medicines. Some Ayurvedic herbs can interact with modern medicine.
If both Ayurvedic and allopathic medicines are advised together, then it is best to take allopathic medicine first, wait for 30 minutes and then, after a gap of 15 – 30 minutes, take Ayurvedic medicine or as directed by the physician.
Can this be used while taking Homeopathic medicine?
Yes. This product does not react with homeopathic medicine.
With supplements like multivitamin tablets, Omega 3 fatty acids etc?
Yes. Generally, this product goes well with most of the dietary supplements. However, if you are taking more than one product per day, please consult your doctor for an opinion.
Side Effects
In higher doses, it may cause burning sensation and loose motion.
It is not ideal to use this medicine in people with excessive tiredness, emaciation and who are underweight.
Care should be taken while administering this medicine to people with high BP.
Shloka Sanskrit Verse
Ingredients
Narikela – Coconut – Cocos nucifera
Lavana – Rock salt
Method of preparation
Coconut is made a hole in the top. It is filled with rock salt. Wrapped with cloth and burnt in open air. After complete burning, the wrapping and the external shell is removed. The burnt kernel and the salt is powdered and collected.
Caution
Since this absorbs moisture readily, it is more prone to get spoilt quickly. Hence it should be preserved in air tight container.
Reference and Manufacturers
Bhaishajya Ratnavali Shoolaroga Chikitsa 30/69-70
Manufacturers:
Impcops
Sri Sri Ayurveda Pharmacy
Proprietary Ayurvedic medicines with Kala Namak as ingredients:
Amlycure DS oral drops – manufactured by Aimil Company. It is mainly used in the treatment of anorexia and indigestion Diseases.
Comments by respected Vaidyaraj Subhash Sharma sir
Bhaishya Ratnavali, it says Narikela Kshara instead of Narikela Lavana. .
नारिकेलक्षारः – नारिकेलं सतोयञ्च लवणेन प्रपूरितम् ।
मृदाऽवेष्टितं शुष्कं पक्वं गोमयवह्निना।पिप्पल्या भक्षितं हन्ति शूलं च परिणामजम् ।वातिकं पैत्तिकञ्चापि श्लैष्मिकं सान्निपातिकम्’ भै र 30/69-70
Not only extract salt or coconut salt but all the alkalis should be included in them.
Lavana and Kshara usually perform the action of anulomana or sransan.The difference between the two according to the action, ‘लवणं विष्यन्दयति, क्षारः पाचयति, मधु सन्दधाति, सर्पिः स्नेहयति, क्षीरं जीवयति, मांसं बृंहयति, रसः प्रीणयति, सुरा जर्जरीकरोति ….’ च सू 27/4
Like Nrisar or Naushadar increases the contraction and diffusion of the small and large intestines and stops the absorption of stools and cleanses the stools and increases their circulation.
Salt, alkali and sour juices present you with a very interesting aspect on all this in which many additional queries will be answered.
‘रसेनाम्लेन तीक्ष्णेन वीर्योष्णेन च योजितः
आग्नेयेनाग्निना तुल्यः कथं क्षारः प्रशाम्यति ।
एवं चेन्मन्यसे वत्स! प्रोच्यमानं निबोध मे
अम्लवर्जान् रसान् क्षारे सर्वानेव विभावयेत् । कटुकस्तत्र भूयिष्ठो लवणोऽनुरसस्तथा अम्लेन सह संयुक्तः स तीक्ष्णलवणो रसे ।माधुर्यं भजतेऽत्यर्थं तीक्ष्णभावं विमुञ्चति माधुर्याच्छममाप्नोति वह्निरद्भिरिवाप्लुतः’ सु सू 11/22-25
Acharya Sushruta was a surgeon who proved the science of matter at that time is still a surprise as here the formula says that acid juice itself is the form of fire and alkali is the same as fire then one is like fire to another How is the fire-like substance extinguished? Here Lord Dhanvantari answers that in addition to the acidic taste in alkali, understand also. In alkali, bitter taste is predominant and abundant and salty taste is pleasant in it. When it is combined with cold touching acidic taste, it should give up its sharpness and attain sweetness goes.Just as the sprinkling of heated water also calms the fire.
How is sour taste cold to touch?
If it is burnt by fire, how will the alkali, which is itself equal to fire, quench it?
‘विशेषादत्र सेकोऽम्लैर्लेपो मधु घृतं तिलाः। वातपित्तहरा चेष्टा सर्वैव शिशिरा क्रिया,अम्लो हि शीतः स्पर्शेन क्षारस्तेनोपसंहितः,यात्याशु स्वादुतां तस्मादम्लैर्निर्वापयेत्तराम्,विषग्निशस्त्राशनिमृत्युतुल्यः क्षारो भवेदल्पमतिप्रयुक्तः, स धीमता सम्यगनुप्रयुक्तो रोगान्निहन्यादिचिरेण घोरान्’अ ह सू 30/38-39
If it is too burnt, it is appropriate to irrigate with acidic substances such as kanji, mastu etc., grind sesame seeds which are also hot and mix them with honey and ghee and apply them. Amla rasa is cool to the touch and combines with alkali to achieve sweetness. Therefore, the burning caused by the use of alkali is relieved by the use of acidic juice drinks. Only in summer, when you get sun stroke or heat, it is recommended to drink amla drinks like raw mango or tamarind panak.
Please consult your doctor before taking this medicine.
This article is written by Dr. Janardhana V Hebbar BAMS, MD (Ayu), PGDPSM, Managing Director, Easy Ayurveda Hospital.
It is reviewed by Dr. Shilpa Ramdas BAMS, MD (Ayu), Chief Ayurvedic Physician, Easy Ayurveda Hospital
