Another common herb is Adathoda or pavatta or Agaladara in Sinhalese. In English it is called the Malabar nut tree and its botanic name is Adathoda Visca. The leaves contain powerful curative values specially for the treatment of chest diseases. It is a special remedy for Pthisis or consumption. An infusion of fresh pavatta leaves, two or three tablespoons mixed with one teaspoon of ginger juice and bee's honey is very effective for the treatment of coughs accompanied by a heavy chest. A decoction prepared with Adathoda roots, Katuwalbatu (Solanum Jacquini) Elabatu, raw ginger and Tippili root (long pepper) of equal quantities (2 1/2kalandas) is very effective for severe coughs and for catarrhal fever.Another preparation with Adathoda consists of the juice of raw Adathoda leaves (4 tablespoons), Thippili powder (16 tablespoons), white sugar or sugar candy (2 ounces), ghee (10 tablespoons). Boil them together till reduced to the consistency of an extract; when cool add one tablespoon of bee's honey and stir it well till it is well mixed.
Dose: one or two tablespoons for a cough with pain on the sides of the chest or Asthma.
Adathoda roots could be used as coffee powder specially for chronic bronchitis.
Adathoda roots, bark, flowers, leaves and fruits are all used in medicine. A poultice or the leaves is applied over fresh wounds, rheumatic joints and inflammatory swellings. A warm decoction of the leaves is used for scabies and other skin diseases, neuralgic pains and bleeding from the nose.
Smoking is harmful for the lungs, but smoking dried leaves of Pawatta is a cure for Asthma.
