Last Updated on March 1, 2024 by Partha Protim Choudhury
Quick Take
A social media post claims that coconut-choir-infused water can cure typhoid. We fact-checked and found this claim to be Mostly False. Although there have been studies that show the antimicrobial activity of coconut husk. More evidence requires to prove that it has as a therapeutic remedy for typhoid.
The Claim
A Facebook post reads, “AN ULTIMATE SOLUTION TO TYPHOID AND A BLOOD BOOSTER
Sometimes because you don’t pay for these remedies or because I’m not a medical doctor, you don’t value the information, some great information doesn’t cost you a penny, and it saves lives.
This is Coconut peel, for typhoid or to boost your blood dry it very well with sun and cook it with a pinch of potash,drink a cup morning and night
Check yourself within two weeks and see how typhoid will fly away.”
Fact Check
What is Typhoid?
A bacterium known as Salmonella Typhi causes an infection that results in Typhoid fever. It can spread throughout the body, causing various symptoms such as high fever, diarrhea, vomiting, etc. Typhoid fever spreads through contaminated food, water or close contact with an infected person. Therefore, it is necessary to consult a doctor and get proper treatment from the doctor, as it can cause life-threatening complications. Safe drinking water, improved sanitation, and adequate medical care are the measures that can help prevent and control typhoid fever.
Can coconut choir-infused water cure typhoid?
Not exactly. The available evidence is not enough to confirm that coconut choir-infused water can cure typhoid. While researching coconut choirs, we found an article published by the Journal of Natural Science, Biology and Medical, which showed that the extract of Cocos nucifera showed a significant concentration-dependent antimicrobial activity. Nevertheless, researchers conducted this study to evaluate the inhibitory action against oral pathogens. Further studies are necessary to determine if the same results exist for typhoid-causing agents to prove this claim.
Similarly, another study evaluated the antimicrobial activity of coconut husk extract and researchers found that the husk extract exhibited increased antimicrobial activity with higher concentrations and proved to be more effective against gram-negative organisms than gram-positive organisms, attributed to the presence of tannins and other phenolic compounds. However, this study showed results for pneumonia causing agents and not Salmonella Typhi.
Also, even though consuming fluids like Coconut water prevents dehydration during typhoid fever, there are scant studies about treating the disease with coconut choir-infused water.
We asked Dr. Kashyap Dakshini, General Physician in Mumbai, whether coconut choir-infused water cures typhoid. He responded that “Typhoid fever is a life-threatening infection caused by the bacterium Salmonella Typhi which is spread through contaminated food or water and may have symptoms like prolonged fever, fatigue, headache, nausea, abdominal pain, constipation or diarrhea. Typhoid can be treated with antibiotics. Coconut coir is not edible and cannot be used to cure typhoid.”
The NHS states, “Typhoid fever requires prompt treatment with antibiotics. If untreated typhoid fever persists, statistics say that up to 1 in 5 people with the condition will die. Some of those who survive will have complications caused by the infection.”
Dr. S Krishna Prasanthi, MBBS, MD (PGIMER) doesn’t recommend using such home remedies to treat Typhoid and states, “Salmonella Typhi causes typhoid, a bacterial infection. It causes nearly 100,000+ deaths per annum. There is an increasing resistance to multiple antibiotics. In this scenario, depending on home remedies like coconut coir infused water delays diagnosis and proper treatment, which may turn fatal.”
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