Karapincha
A popular flavouring leaf that is used widely in Sri Lankan curries
known as 'karapincha' is also very medicinal. The leaves, roots, bark,
stalk and flowers can be either boiled or powdered together to relieve
any type of stomach disorder.
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Bittergourd (
Karawila)
The leaves of the Bittergourd plant or 'karavila' can be crushed and
the juice massaged into the scalp for a good growth of hair and to
help prevent hair loss. The 'karavila' fruit, bitter as it is,
increases the flow of milk in nursing mothers, when eaten in
sufficient quantities.
Juice extract from karawila is drunk by diabetics and get immedite
result.
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Kikirindiya
This is known as Eclipta prostrata botanically, and it is a herb used
in many forms to cure various diseases. In Sanskrit it is known as 'kasaraja'
which refers to growth of the hair. This herb prevents the hair from
becoming prematurely grey. Diseases of the skin can also be cured
through this herb.
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Cucumber
Cucumber, popular in salads, is a herb which is known to keep the
kidneys healthy. Cucumber seeds when roasted, powdered and made into a
coffee-like drink have been known to relieve colic. Thin slices of
cucumber placed on tired eyes is supposed to have a soothing effect.
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Pomegranate
For sore eyes, the flowers of the pomegranate (Punica granatum) tree
known as 'delun' can give great relief. The buds of the tree are
boiled and the infusion given to stop chronic diarrhoea especially in
children. The same infusion also relieves bronchitis. Bleeding from
the nose can be checked by powdering the flowers of the pomegranate
tree and applying it on the bleeding area.
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Jak
The intriguing jak fruit is extremely nutritious and medicinal. Jak (Artocarpus
reterophyllus) comes in two varieties in Sri Lanka. They are soft or 'vala'
and hard or 'waraka'. The latter is more popular than the soft. The bark
of the jak tree is used mainly for medicinal purposes including sprains
and fractures.
Tender jak which is known as 'polos', can be made into a delicious curry
and, in the diet of ancient Lankan royalty this was a dish that was
rarely absent. Nursing mothers are given 'polos' and boiled jak to
increase milk. 'Polos' curry also helps those recovering from diarrhoea,
because 'vala' or the soft ripe jak is a laxative which can be eaten as
it is. It helps clear the bowels and assists in digestion. It also helps
relieve bronchitis when kept in bees honey and given to the patient each
morning. 'Waraka' or the hard jak variety is beneficial to diabetic
patients.
The leaves are dried, powdered and made into a coffee-like drink to be
given to diabetics. According to an ancient recipe the ripe jak leaves
are pounded and fried in gingili (sesame) oil and given to the diabetic
patient each day. It is hard to imagine that such a simple recipe can be
a cure for diabetes but the fact that it has been mentioned often in
ancient books is proof of its efficacy. |
Mango
The delicious mango (Mangitera indica) too has its share of medicinal
properties. All parts of the tree can be used medicinally. Tender
leaves dried and powdered are given for diarrhoea and diabetes. The
smoke from the burning leaves can be inhaled for the relief of throat
disorders and hiccups. The ash is an effective remedy for burns. And
to remove warts on eyelids, the midrib of the mango leaves is burnt
and the ash applied on the wart.
The juice of the mango tree bark has a remarkable effect on the mucus
membrane. It can be given as a medicine to stop the discharge of mucus
from the uterus, bowels and intestines. Bleeding piles and dysentery
can be cured by the juice in addition to the white of an egg and a
pinch of opium. The green skin of the raw fruit is dried and powdered
and two teaspoons of this powder in half a cup of cow's milk with a
teaspoonful of bees honey is another tonic for dysentery and piles.
Meanwhile, the white juice that oozes near the stem when unripe
mangoes are plucked, can be mixed with lime and applied as a remedy
for skin infections or diseases.
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Timbiri
An excellent gargle for sore throats is the fruit juice of the 'timbiri'.
Known botanically as Diospyris malabarcia, the tree of this fruit is
found commonly in the dry zone of Sri Lanka. The ripe fruit is said to
contain a high quantity of tannin contained in a gummy juice which is
also useful in diarrhoea and internal haemorrhage. A poultice of the
bark helps in boils and tumours while a decoction of the bark mixed
with ghee is a soothing remedy for burns. A powder of the root bark
can be prepared in a manner similar to coffee, which helps cure coughs.
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Coral Tree
For an earache 'erabadu' (Erythrina variegeta) and also known as Coral
Tree is highly recommended. The juice of the leaves of this decorative
tree with brilliant scarlet flowers, can be gently applied in drop
form to the ears for relief. The fresh juice of the leaves mixed with
a bit of bees honey is a good remedy for tapeworm, threadworm and
roundworm and the dosage is one teaspoon once a day. A preventive
against worms is the cooking of tender leaves with coconut milk. The
juice of the leaves can also be applied to the gums to relieve
toothache. A poultice of the leaves can be applied to joints of the
body for relief from rheumatic pains.
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Nelli
Another important fruit-medicine is the 'nelli'. This is a small,
green sour fruit with a very high quantity of vitamin C.z There is
hardly any disease for which the 'nelli' is not used either singly or
in combination with other herbs.
The 'nelli' is given to strengthen the retina and improves weak and
defective vision. If dried 'nelli' is soaked overnight and the juice
extracted and drunk each morning, it makes a good laxative. Leaves
boiled and applied on skin eruptions is said to be beneficial. The
ground leaves are said to cure eczema. Two tablespoons of 'nelli'
mixed with a tablespoon of bees honey, taken regularly each morning
helps reduce bleeding piles, while raw 'nelli', sour as it may be,
improves complexion. Half a cup of 'nelli' juice twice a week helps
keep bowel movements in order.
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kohomba (margosa or
azadirachta)
this is useful for certain diseases. It has definite antiseptic
properties.
katukarosana(picrorhiza kurroa)
the roots of this plant have been used to make a preparation for blood
purification; it is also employed in cough remedies.
These are medicinal properties of just a few of the many invaluable
plants found in Sri Lanka. For every ailment there is probably a plant
cure with none of the side-effects that strong synthetically processed
drugs on the market have. In ancient Sri Lanka such remedies were
commonly and effectively used although down the ages many of these
medicinal remedies have become extinct.
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gotukola (sentella asiatica)
this is known as remedy for hey fever and catarrh. It has a high content
of vitamin A and folic acid. It's commercially available now as a herbal
and in capsule form.
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