Home grown cures

By Risidra Mendis 

The good old days are gone. Those were the days when our ancestors relied heavily on nature to provide them with a cure for any ailment that affected them. Thousands of years ago it was not the modern doctor who treated patients with tablets, syrups and creams but the native doctor most often known as the Veda Mahaththaya to the villagers. The native doctor came to the rescue of people suffering from ailments such as digestive problems, colds, coughs, burns, fractures, eye diseases and even snake bites. Ancient traditional remedies were found by these native doctors from natural plants growing in forests and nearby jungles in the county.

Mystery

It is amazing, the way that these plants are able to cure, is the belief of the native doctors of Sri Lanka, and to cherish their cures and their aspirations nature has stood firm. But even though our native doctors had discovered these great values and uses of natural plants their discoveries still remain a mystery to the modern doctor.

Speaking to The Sunday Leader, Scientific Officer, Ayurvedic Department (Medicinal Plant Section), Piyal Marasinghe said there are around 1500 varieties of medicinal plants found in Sri Lanka. However, we are yet to find out how our native doctors discovered these ancient remedies.

According to him, both fresh and dried plants are used when making these natural medicines. "In some cases the whole plant is used to make the medicine where as in other cases only a part of the plant is required," says Marasinghe.

He went on to say that roots, bark, leaves, flowers and fruits, are used for traditional medicine. "Flowers from the Na tree are used as a medical remedy. In the case of Bin Kohomba the whole plant is used for medicinal purposes. We are in the process of encouraging the public and housewives to grow Bin Kohomba and other medicinal plants in their gardens," Marasinghe added.

Remedies in the backyard

The aloe plant if grown in home gardens can be used for burns, the Pawatta plant for problems in the respiratory system, Iriveriya for digestive problems, Vadakaha as a disinfectant for problems in the nervous system and stomach ailments, Sathsanda for snake bites and Ketakalla for fractures and dislocations.

Marasinghe meanwhile said, butterflies and birds are attracted to the Batakirilla plant. "The large bird Wing Butterfly, the largest butterfly in the country and endemic to Sri Lanka lays its eggs on the Sathsanda creeper."

He went on to say that even though a wide variety of medicinal plants can be found all over the world only 10% of these plants are made use of today.

In Sri Lanka, the modern generation is ignorant when asked about medicinal plants." Marasinghe who has visited outstation areas in the country was surprised and sad to find that many children and adults living close to jungles and forests cannot identify a common medicinal plant. "We have to create an awareness among the public because it is important for our people to know how valuable our plants are. Sri Lanka has been identified as a bio diversity hot spot in the world as the country is situated very close to the equator," he added.

According to him, the Ranawara tree is most often confused with another tree that has similar yellow flowers. Many people have used the look-alike Ranawara leaves as medication for their children and have ended up in hospital, due to the poisonous substance in the leaves.

Genuine plants

Marasinghe said the genuine medicinal plants are available at the Ayurveda Department Maharagama, Bandaranaike Memorial Ayurvedic Research Institute nursery and at the medicinal plant gardens in Haldumnulla, Pallekelle, Pattipola, Girandurukotte, Meegoda and Pinnaduwa.

But despite the numerous values of these plants the art of native medicine is slowly dying. Some native doctors have passed on their knowledge to others, but many native doctors have passed away without imparting their knowledge to others.

In order to create awareness among the public, Consultant, Aurvedic Project of Sri Lanka Conservation and Sustainable Use of Medicinal Plants, Dr. Danister Perera has for the first time in Sri Lanka organised a medicinal plant exhibition and sale. The sale will be held at the Viharamadevi Park from May 28 to 31.

According to Dr. Perera rare and useful medicinal plants such as Bin Kohomba, Sudu Hadun - one of the most valuable trees in Sri Lanka, Rath Hadun, Venivelgata and Thuhudu will be on sale at the exhibition.