Two Malaysian Indian doctors claimed that coconut water is the answer to the dreaded chikungunya, and many other diseases. Although coconut water could not cure diseases, it would help patients recover faster, they said.

Natural science expert Dilip Kumar and Jagdev Singh, president of the Malaysian Dietary Supplement Association, said coconut water is good for several ailments like cholera, dysentery and typhoid.

Indians have long praised the virtues of coconut oil, which has been medically proven to have anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal components. "One can make the safe assumption that coconut water, too, would have anti-viral components," said Kumar.

The New Sunday Times newspaper reported that Chinese physicians were advising those afflicted with chikungunya to drink coconut water, herbal or water chestnut drinks.

Confirming the Chinese prescription, the ethnic Indian duo pointed out that there is no vaccine against the virus that causes chikungunya, which has symptoms similar to that of dengue - fever, joint pain, fatigue and mouth ulcers.

Jagdev Singh said coconut water helped those down with chikungunya because it was extremely good in detoxifying the liver, an organ which helps to control body temperature.

He said the virus develops in the liver over a period of time. Since this is the organ that benefits from coconut water, the virus is thus suppressed by its presence.

"There was no such thing as a cure. Once in the system, the virus will be there. It will come out when the time is right. So it comes down to controlling it. Coconut water will help in controlling or suppressing the virus," he was quoted as saying on Monday in the New Sunday Times.

Dr Dilip Kumar said coconut water was high in potassium and various other minerals. It helps against diseases such as cholera, dysentery and typhoid among others, he added.

"Coconut water should be drunk everyday if possible. It is a good food substitute," the duo prescribes.