Sri Lanka Ayurveda

The Health Benefits of Eating Nuts

2012-01-06T02:38:00.001-08:00

Nuts are an important source of nutrients for both human and animal consumption. Being rich in a whole host of necessary nutrients it can be eaten in its raw form, cooked or as an additive to already pre existing dishes. Thought nuts are defined as a hard shelled fruit, there are many other foods that are included in the nut family.

It is now common knowledge that nuts greatly help in keeping a lot of ailments in check or from occurring at all. For instance, nuts have been known to be able to keep the possibility of coronary heart diseases manifesting, even for those whole come from a long line of family members with this problem.

Consuming nuts like almonds and walnuts have been known to lower serum cholesterol concentrations within the body system. Nuts are also highly recommended for those individuals suffering from insulin resistance problems like diabetics.

Turning to nuts rather that junk food to quell cravings is also another healthier alternative. Containing essential fatty acids is also another plus point when it comes to choosing nuts as a healthier alternative. Because nuts are healthy and can be consumed in its raw form, it is also another added advantage to keeping these around and handy as snacks.

Almonds are often used to normalize blood lipids because of their slow burn characteristics, which help to keep the blood sugar levels consistently healthy. Rich in a varied amount of different nutrients the almond is a popular additive to the stale diet of most Mediterranean people.

The Brazil nut is also another nutritious nut which comes with its own set of benefits when consumed in moderation. Noted for its omega 3 fatty acid content, the Brazil nut is also a good source of calcium.

Cashew nut is another very popular nut that is often consumed as a salted snack. However it would be a much healthier food product without the addition of salt, as it is already quite a flavorful nut on its own. In some parts of the world these nuts are made into oils.

The Health Benefits of Honey | Latest Research Information

2012-01-06T02:31:00.001-08:00

Over the years honey has been proven to the one sustaining power behind the energy circle. Benefiting the human body in various areas it is foremost still unrivaled in its energy producing entity. Honey is nature’s most natural energy booster. It also acts as an effective immunity system builder while providing the natural remedy to a host of varied ailments too.

The natural benefits of honey has been widely acknowledged and accepted. Besides its great taste, honey is also a natural source of carbohydrate, which is an energy maker for boosting performance, endurance and reducing levels of muscle fatigue.

This is especially useful for athletes. The sugar content in the honey helps to play a role in preventing fatigue during exercise sessions and also during training sessions for sports enthusiast. These sugar make ups are divided into glucose and fructose and functions in different but complimenting ways.

The glucose content in the honey is generally absorbed at a faster rate and gives off an immediate energy boost while the fructose works at a slower pace for a more sustainable and prolonged energy dispersement. When it comes to addressing blood sugar levels in the body system, honey has been known to help keep the levels fairly constant.

As honey is a pleasant food product and it’s natural in its form, consuming it is not a very difficult exercise. People of all ages are generally quite willing to consume honey in any of its accompanying forms. It’s even popular with children.

The energy produced from consuming a small amount of honey daily helps children cope with the physical strains of daily school activities and sports commitments. For the adults too consuming a daily small dose of honey can go a long way in keeping the energy levels at its best during a demanding day at work.

Making sandwiches with honey accompanied with other fillings is one way of creating a pleasant snack. Applying honey on a freshly toasted slice of bread is also a welcome breakfast alternative. Adding honey to drinks instead of using sugar is definitely encouraged.

Onion Home Remedies

2010-04-13T21:08:00.001-07:00

Hoarseness in the throat is cured by eating onions baked in hot ashes and mixed with ghee or butter.

Onions for Hemorrhoids:
For those afflicted with bleeding or non-bleeding hemorrhoids, eating raw onions either daily with their food or chopped onions mixed with ghee or sugar is most helpful.

Onions for Constipation:
Raw onions eaten with food helps to relieve constipation.

Onions as Aphrodisiac:
Onions act as an effective aphrodisiac. Steam a few onions, squeeze and extract the juice (1/2 cup), add 2 tablespoons of ghee. Drink daily on an empty stomach.

Onions for Menstrual Disorders:
Eating red onions helps to correct menstrual disorders. Remember to eat raw onions a few days before your menstrual period.

Onions as Sleeping Drug:
Red onions also form an efficacious sleeping drug. Eat raw onions with your dinner. They bring you sound sleep.

Onion Coughs Remedies

2010-04-10T19:27:00.000-07:00

Homemade Onions Recipes for Coughs

Onions form a useful remedy for coughs and bronchitis. They can be taken as a decoction.

Cut 3-6 onions, put into a pint of water, boil for 5-10 minutes, strain and sweeten with honey. Drink 5-6 times a day, 3 tablespoonsful at a time.

They can also be prepared as a syrup. Boil quarter pound of chopped onions in half a bottle of water for 5-10 minutes, strain, add 10 tablespoons of sugar and boil gently until it is of a thick syrup consistency.

Dose: 2-6 teaspoonsful per day.

Homemade Onion Recipes for Better Health

2010-04-08T19:54:00.000-07:00

Onions are an incomparable aid to health.

Onion Recipes #1
Take four medium size onions, sliced. Pour one cup of hot water, leave to macerate for two or three hours. Strain and drink two or three times a day, before meals.

Onion Recipes #2
Grate one or two onions as finely as possible. Mix together with a spoonful of bee's honey, and take two to three times a day. In the West this same preparation is taken in a glass of wine.

Onion Recipes #3
There is another preparation of onions known among ancient physicians for certain complaints.

Macerate 100 grams of finely chopped onions in a litre of pure coconut arrack for 48 hours; press and strain through a fine cloth, and drink two tablespoonful in the mornings on an empty stomach, for eight or ten consecutive days preferably when the moon is on the wane or at the time of the new moon.

This recipe is effective for anaemia, exhaustion, bronchial complaints, flatulence, dropsy, urinary infections, arthritis, rheumatism, diabetes and gravel retention in urine. It lowers the blood-sugar level.

Health Benefits of Onions

2010-04-08T18:57:00.000-07:00

Onions are popular because they add taste to our food. Onions have highly curative values which are known only to a few people.

The botanical name for it is Allium Rubrum. In Sanskrit, Red Onions are known as 'Plapandu' and Bombay-onions or Allum-Sepa is known as 'Bukhadusana' (giving a bad smell in the mouth).

They grow freely in the dry regions of Sri Lanka. Their origin is believed to be from Egypt. The onion is a tonic, a diuretic, vermifuge (expels worms from the body), emollient (having a softening and soothing effect) and an antiseptic.

It has been held in high esteem through the ages. Its uses are many. It has been useful during epidemics of plague and cholera. It has been praised as an aphrodisiac.

The Egyptians have a traditional onion soup after a night's revels, as the custom in some regions. They have the practice of taking onion soup to a young couple after their wedding night.
It has been considered a contributing factor in longevity.

The Bulgarians are known as great eaters of onions and it is believed that they have a good record as centenarians. It has been said that onions help colour the hair, and foster hair-growth.

It has been recommended in old Ayurveda texts for obesity. Those who were fat were advised to eat raw onions.

Onions give the best of results when eaten raw, for cooking partially destroys their active properties contained in highly volatile oil. Their raw juice is an irritant, but onions should be eaten raw as often as possible, in salads or added (chopped finely) to soups and vegetables.

Home Remedies for Indigestion In Children

2010-01-03T17:27:00.000-08:00

Indigestion is another common ailment in our country. It is commonest in children. According to Ayurveda indigestion in children is divided into two categories.

Indigestion in infants, children not weaned, and indigestion in children who are weaned. The medicine and method of treatment also differs. Infants who are bottle fed suffer from indigestion more often than those who are breast fed.

The ancient post natal care helped the mother's health and produced enough milk for the baby. The bath given with five kinds of herbal leaves, the fermentation of the breasts and the spine with these boiled leaves helped to preserve the mother's health. The "Tambun Hodda" or the "Kayam Hodda" helped the mother region a healthy womb. The lactating mothers were careful in the selection of food they ate so that no stomach disorders occurred. If the mother has irregular bowel movements, the baby generally contracts it. So, when treating such babies we already consider the mother's health too.

The symptoms of indigestion in infants are often that the stools are of a mixture of water and loose stools. At times they pass mucus. Sometimes even a trace of blood. Infants at times strain even when passing mucus. The stools are usually strong smelling and they also appear green in colour.

Home Remedies for Indigestion In Children

At the start when the infant's stool are loose the following can be administered:

(1) Karapincha stems, Venivelgata, Asamodagam, Walangasal. Take (1 1/4 oz. of each) and boil with four teacupfuls of water. Boil it down to half a cup. Strain and give thrice a day. Dosage: two Table spoonfuls.

(2) Take Cloves, Asamodagam, dry ginger and Walangasal (1/4 oz. of each) and roast and powder. Dosage: 1 teaspoonful in 1 1/4 cup boiled water. Strain and give one teaspoon with 1-4 teaspoon bee's honey.

(3) About 1/2 oz. of Asamodagam slightly roasted and poured like coffee could be given. The dosage is I teaspoonful with 1/4 teaspoon of bee's honey.

The second stage of children's diarrhoea is when children are about one year old.

(1) Take Garlic, Sadhikka, Iriweriya, Asamodagam, Gotukola and raw ginger in equal quantities of 1 oz. Pound them together and steam them. Squeeze the juice and administer three tablespoonfuls at a time, twice a day.

(2) Gotukola stems, Walangasal, dry Ginger, Garlic, Kalanduruala, Elabatumul in equal quantities of 1 oz. should be boiled and simmered in six cups of water bringing it down to 1/2 a cup. The dosage to be given is three tablespoonfuls at a time, twice a day.

(3) If the diarrhoea is not very strong, Gotukola and Kalanduruala in equal quantities of two ozs. Should be pounded together and the juice (two tablespoonsful) with one teaspoonful of bee’s honey should be given twice a day. This is very effective.

If the child vomits give him or her one teaspoonful of lime juice, one teaspoonful of bee's honey and one teaspoohful ginger juice. Mix all together and administer twice a day.

The food is as important as these medicines. The infant's milk if it is not breast fed must be diluted or stopped aJtogether and parboiled rice roasted (Badihal) prepared in canjee form (very thin water), could be given as a feed. Sometimes arrowroot powder in canjee form could be given. .

If the infant is breast fed there is no problem. The mother must be careful to avoid indigestion. Children who are weaned must stop solids until the diarrhoea is reduced. Instead, a light diet of rusks with beef bone soup, strong tea, rice canjee water could be given.

These are very effective medicines in native treatment for this kind of condition. These medicines or decoctions have been administered for many years and have been passed down from father to son for several generations.

Medicinal Uses Of Ginger

2009-10-25T18:44:00.001-07:00

The effectiveness of Ginger in our indigenous medical system and our remedies has been proved often.

Though the Sanskrit name of Ginger is "SINGARA", it has been commonly called "MAHAUSHADHA" by early Sanskrit writers. The raw ginger is called "ARDRAKA" and by 20 other epithets while dry ginger is called "SUNTI" and by 24 other epithets. The Dravya Guna Niganduwa, the encyclopedia of tropical plants and drugs used in Ayurvedic medicine describes it as an ingredient in medicine for constipation, nausea, asthma, colic, palpitation of the heart, tympanitis etc. It also warns patients who suffer from skin diseases, anemia, kidney infection and high fever against using ginger.

A very efficacious medicine for acute colic, diarrhea followed by vomiting is the substance obtained by crushing together ginger, garlic and a piece of the bark from the "Drumstick" tree (Murunga pothu) with a small quantity of Buddha Raja Kalke. Sometimes diarrhea and vomiting makes the patient catch a chill and feel faint.

A home remedy at such a time is rubbing crushed ginger on the palms and soles of the feet and also tieing a little of it on the two big toes. Another remedy for this condition is : Corriander, ginger, iriveriya, kalanduru and beli root (3 kalan or 1 1/2 oz. of each) boiled down in 8 cups of water to one cup and administered twice a day. Yet another remedy which is also effective for amaeobiosis is ginger, kalanduru, atividayan and kelindasal in equal quantities roasted and made into a powder and poured like coffee. This is a safe medicine even for infants with diarrhea when given in small doses of 2-4 teaspoonfuls at a time.

Today there are many cases of fever and with its first sign we rush to the dispensary or the hospital without paying any heed to our local simple remedies. Take 3 kalans (1 1/2 oz.) of each of the following: ginger, Katuwalbatu, batumul and dewadara and 8 cups of water. Boil down to one cup and take twice daily.

Some people may think it is cumbersome preparing a decoction; ingredients are still obtainable in many shops even within the city. Boiling it is the same as making a soup; there is nothing special about it. What you have to do is boil down the 8 cups of water to one cup preferably on a slow fire.

Related Post: Medicinal Power of Ginger

Ancient Medicine in Sri Lanka

2009-10-25T18:37:00.000-07:00

The word medicinal herbs often leads us to think of some miraculous and supernatural cure. Our ancient literature has references not only to plants reputed to cure difficult and incurable diseases, but also to plants possessing many magical properties. For example, we read that a certain root chewed increases longevity or that a few drops of juice put in the mouth of a dying patient revives him.

In ancient times a medicine prescribed by a hermit earned more favour and became more famous than the one based on some test or experience. As times passed, and man started doing everything on the basis of reasoning several of the earlier beliefs seemed unsound and it happened that the use of medicinal herbs declined.

Today, the importance and efficiency of medicinal herbs is the subject of discussion, both in the developed and developing countries. In New York a general practitioner, Dr. Robert Giller says "We are learning that chemical pollution of foods and the environment may contribute to cancer, and this has been one of the factors responsible for a return to more therapies rather than loading up on synthetic chemicals, for minor aches and pains."

Most of the traditional physicians run their dispensaries in their homes and the medicines are prepared by the physicians themselves. The therapeutic scope of Ayurveda is very wide. It follows the classified pattern of taking into consideration the history of the patient which is very important for the diagnosis of the disease.

In Ayurveda the environmental factors are considered as a main cause of the imbalance of the three doshas. The "Tridosas" being the very soul of Ayurveda, all theories and principles are built around and based upon them. Thus the early morning hours are what are known as Watakala. The year is divided into six seasons. Food, clothing, and the mode of living during these seasons are clearly shown.

Ayurveda Acharyas insist on psychi-health and mental purification, and with the practical guidance they give for the conduct of daily life, such rules would make people healthy in body and mind. The importance of attending to nature's calls like hunger, thirst, defaecation , sleep etc., are taught clearly.

More than any other medical "pathy" Ayurveda has paid attention to this vital aspect of physiology. The therapeutic scope of Ayurveda helps to offer an appropriate rehabilitative measure to achieve equilibrium in the whole being. The prescriptions and hereditary formulae are composed of local herbs.

The physician is equally concerned with health problems, both physical and mental. The unique method of Ayurvedic treat merit is that it treats the whole person, while Western medicine treats only the disease.

How To Make Your Own Miraculous Yogi Tea?

2009-09-28T07:56:00.001-07:00

Herbal tea has become more popular in Western countries than in Sri Lanka. They have started to relieve their sore throats by gargling with simple herbal mixtures, their headaches, colds or flu by drinking pots of spicy herbal tea. In these countries you can purchase aromatic herbal tea-bags. Its preparation is quite easy.

In Sri Lanka we can get enough herbs to use as tea. To make herbal tea from loose herbs, use a heavy weight tea pot (not aluminium) and boiling water. Add one teaspoon of dried herbs or one tablespoon of fresh herbs to one cup of water. Put the herbs into a stainless steel tea pot, and steam in the boiling water for about three minutes, covered to preserve the aroma. Serve with a slice of fresh lemon or lime or a spoonful of honey.

How To Make Herbal Tea?

Make Your Own Miraculous Yogi Tea
It is taken for colds and congestion of the lungs and to improve circulation. Many of the larger health food stores in the West stock this blend. The following ingredients when mixed with a quart of boiling water makes Yogi tea :

How To Make Herbal Tea? - What You Need:

1 tablespoon coriander seed
8 cardamoms
1/2 inch long stick of cinnamon
8 cloves
5 black pepper corns
1 inch fresh ginger (pound slightly)
1/4 teaspoon any standard black tea (optional)
1/4 cup milk (optional)

How To Make Your Own Miraculous Yogi Tea? – Preparation Method
Boil herbal ingredients for 10 to 12 minutes, then add black tea for colour and simmer for an additional 3 minutes. Mix in milk and sweeten with honey.

Though milk is mentioned here, generally the true Yogi tea never includes milk or cream because it clouds the brew and dulls the aroma.

Use of Cardiospermum Halicacabum

2009-09-14T20:02:00.001-07:00

When it is the hot season we can get plenty of cooling herbs both as food and as medicine at our doorstep.

In the market and in our gardens we find plenty of 'Penela Wel’. It is a cheap kind of green leaf known to almost every one. In Sanskrit it is called 'Jyotishmati' or ‘Parawitapadi’, which means pigeon's foot. The botanical term is Cardiospermum Halicacabum.

It is an annual herb which is very common in the low-country and throughout the tropics. It is a small delicate, wiry, smooth, climber. Its leaves are alternate and the leaflets are coarsely toothed. The lowest pair of flower stalks are converted into spiral tendrils and the seeds are in three tangled capsules.

Cardiospermum Halicacabum Use #1
It was very largely used by the Sinhalese settlers to allay pains due to sprains and contusions about the joints. The roots and the leaves are commonly used in medicine.

Cardiospermum Halicacabum Use #2
A decoction of the Cardiospermum Halicacabum roots is given in half tablespoonful doses twice a day for bleeding piles.

Cardiospermum Halicacabum Use #3
The leaves are used for rheumatism, nervous diseases, hemorrhoids and chronic bronchitis. The juice of the leaves is put into the ear for ear-ache.

Cardiospermum Halicacabum Use #4
The leaves are used as one of the ingredients in a medicine recommended in the medical book 'Bhavaprakasha' for the abnormal suppression of menses.

Cardiospermum Halicacabum Use #5
Equal parts of Cardiospermum Halicacabum leaves, Sahinda-Iunu (Potassium carbonate), the root bark of Hin-kumbuk (Terminalia Arjuna), Vadakaha (Acorus Calanus) are pounded and made into a paste with milk.This is administered once or twice a day. Dosage: one teaspoonful each time.

Cardiospermum Halicacabum Use #6
Cardiospermum Halicacabum is a cooling drink when prepared as a canjee. You prepare it just like gotukola kenda. It can be taken in the morning as a drink for breakfast.

Cardiospermum Halicacabum Use #7
The external uses of Cardiospermum Halicacabum. The leaves are applied as a poultice for skin eruptions. They are coated with castor oil and are applied on swellings and tumours.

Cardiospermum Halicacabum Use #8
A paste of the leaves is a dressing for sores and wounds. The leaves are prepared into mallum, and used externally for Hydrocele. Some of the English names for Cardiospermum Halicacabum are Baloonvine, Black-Liquorice and Heart-seed.

Cardiospermum Halicacabum Use #9
The crushed leaves are inhaled to relieve headache. The seeds are used as a tonic in fever, and rheumatism.

Cardiospermum Halicacabum Use #10
Cardiospermum Halicacabum is used in preparing an oil for infants when they find it difficult to breath through the nose. Few people know about this.

Common herbs like Cardiospermum Halicacabum have not been catalogued in Sri Lanka, but more than 5,000 varieties of medicinal herbs have been catalogued in China. Most of these have been found to be more effective than Western drugs.

The Advantage Of Traditional Medicines

2009-09-14T19:58:00.000-07:00

Health care in the village can still be based on the ancient methods. The primary practitioners of traditional medicine should be supported by the community.

The people still have more confidence in the practitioner of traditional medicine. In the village its importance is in the community's involvement, support and co-operation.
If we look closely we see that the sick in the villages have been helped by their neighbours. Wise men and women are generally asked by the sick for advice. Herbs have been collected and used. In this manner before the advent of modem medicine folk medicine and an indigenous health system flourished.

Even now traditional medicine has a strong hold in many countries and is accepted by the community. One has to appreciate also that folk and traditional medicine have contributed a great deal to the development of modem medicine.

The advantage of traditional medicine is that it is used according to seasonal conditions and the constitutional state of the sick.

A large part of the population of our country live in rural areas and the majority of them are poor and have no access to the health services.

Health cannot be imposed upon a person; it has to be won in partnership. Our aim should be to bring the health services and the community together to ensure health care to the largest number at a minimum cost Low cost health services should be matched with simple but effective technology.

Benefits Of Medicinal Herbs Gardening

2009-08-03T06:06:00.001-07:00

A great deal of the interest in growing herbs lies in the widely varied uses to which they can be put. Herbs are attractive to look at, useful in cooking, beneficial to health and in many cases have a fragrant aroma. When grown outside the home their flowers attract bees and birds to our gardens. The fact that over 100 herbs are used in the distillation of the liqueur Chartreuse will certainly commend them to those who enjoy after dinner liqueurs. Added to this is the fact that with little care, herbs can be grown as indoor potted plants all the year round.

Apart from their practical use many herbs have beautiful flowers of many hues. If many of the herbs with attractive flowers and variegated foliage were offered as house plants in the florists shops it would promote many herbal farms in homes.

A great deal of curiosity is evinced these days in the West about herbs and spices that have medicinal value. Many of these herbs and spices are often preferred to allopathic medicines. John Gerard who was a herbalist in the 16th century knew the great. value of Tulsi or Ocimum basilicus. A pot of Basil in the kitchen window is said to discourage flies.

Several spices are used as herbal medicines and have been administered as aphrodisiacs. Corriander plants are one of them. They are known as an erotic stimulant. A strong decoction of the corriander plant is given with milk and sugar for the cure of bleeding piles and a decoction of corriander seeds is given for flatulence and colic. An oil is distilled from the seeds. It is rather volatile and is given in doses of 1 to 4 tablespoons for rheumatism and nueuralgia.

A poultice of the seeds is applied to chronic ulcers and carbuncles. A watery paste is used as a gargle for the cure of ulceration of the mouth and throat.

Asomodagam or Trachyspemum Ammi spragues or Omum is a seed rich in thymol; it is carminative, a stimulant and an antispasmodic. It is given for flatulence, colic, diarrhoea, hysteria and spasmodic disorders. The seeds are eaten with betel leaves. A teaspoonful of the seeds with a little rock salt boiled in hot water is a household remedy for indigestion. The infusion of the seeds is an efficacious drink for sore throat and habitual drunkenness. A hot dry fermentation with the seeds is a home remedy for asthma. Omum water is administered to infants who vomit and purge. The volatile oil is used locally for relief of rheumatic and neuralgic pains.

Parsley has been accepted not only as a spice but also as a medicinal herb. It is prized as a herb which enhances virility. Parsley seeds are also said to be a cure for baldness.

Vatsyayana in his "Kamasutra" has given a number of recipes for preparing aphrodisiacs. The ingredients for which are mostly spices and different types of herbs.

The health specialists from all over the world have agreed to establish a list of reliable, inexpensive and widely available herbal drugs. The World Health Organization (WHO) has explained in general that the scheme offers a potential solution to many urgent health problems.

It is our greatest advantage that these specialists trust medicines other than quinine, cocaine, mascalin and curare. Valuable medicine can be obtained from herbs which are yet to be discovered. These specialists assert that herbal plants can cure diseases like diarrhea, hypertension and even certain forms of diabetes with the aid of medicinal plants. Now scientific research organizations have sprung up specially for the study of plants used in traditional medicine.

Benefits Of Asafoetida

2009-08-03T05:40:00.000-07:00

Asafoetida is a gum exuded from the taproot of the Ferula herb which grows in Kashmir. In Sanskrit it is called Hingu, in Sinhalese Perumkayam. It is also imported from Iran and Afghanistan. Asafoetida though acrid and bitter in taste is extensively used for flavoring curries and pickles.

Asafoetida Benefits

Asafoetida is a carminative and a stimulant which helps digestion; asafoetida also acts as a sedative and a diuretic. It is commonly used in indigenous medicine for dyspepsia, flatulence, colic and diseases of the nervous system. It is also an ingredient in several medicinal oils.

Asafoetida gives relief in cases of asthma, hysteria, whooping cough. In spasmodic disorders of the bowels it is used as a suppository in constipation, or for lack of tension or muscular power of the bowel and also in partial paralysis. Recent studies have shown that it has more sedative properties and is used in diseases of the heart. In Sri Lanka in ancient times it was used as a disinfectant and was tied on the hand specially of infants.

There is a famous Ayurvedic Chumanamed "Hingusgrashtaka". This is composed of Asafoetida, ginger, long pepper, omum or asamodagam, cummin seeds and rock salt. Take equal parts, reduce to powder and mix well. Dose: 20 grams to be taken with the first mouthful of rice with butter at breakfast. This is administered to produce an appetite and increase the digestive powers and cure flatulence. It may be taken with lime juice in the form of a pill.

Home Remedies for Eye Diseases

2009-06-22T18:46:00.001-07:00

During the hot season eye diseases are common. The remedy is simple. Firstly, wash the eyes with king coconut water every morning and evening. If you have very red eyes which you find difficult to keep open and if they tear, there is a reason for it.

During the hot season, due to the intake of heaty food you get very small pimples-like blisters inside the eyes at the corner or on the eye lid, both upper and lower. For this there is a very effective and easy remedy. Take a Gallnut (Aralu), clean it and wash it. Then give a small tap to it and smash it. When the rice is boiling put the gallnut into the pot. When the rice is cooked take the gallnut and remove the seed inside. Put the rest into a fine clean piece of cloth and squeeze the juice into the eye.

Turn the eyeball and let the juice get in. Every morning and evening sore eyes must be washed with king coconut water. When the eyes become irritating and swollen it is good to ferment with delum (pomegranate) leaves and saman pichcha leaves boiled in water.

Sri Lankan Home Remedies for Coughs

2009-06-17T03:57:00.001-07:00

There are many children suffering from coughs and colds. We are used to giving them antibiotics. This helps to reduce the cough and cold but the remedy is too quick and the cause remains. As a result coughs and colds recur over and over again. Parents have no patience so they go in for more and more antibiotics or come to the conclusion that these children are allergic to some pollen or domestic animals like cats and dogs.

But let us try a home remedy. Take equal parts of Elabatu, Tibbatu, Katuwalbatu, Babila, Adathoda and Muddarappalam (Weigh in Kalandas approximately one ounce). Prepare a decoction with 8 cups of water boiled down to one cup on a slow fire. Use 1/3 of a tea cup for a dose twice a day. Take 2 1/2 Kalandas of Aratta, Adathoda, Bebila, Katuwal battu, Weltibbatu and boil in 8 cups of water down to one cup. Half a cup taken for a dose twice a day is very effective for fever with a cough.

When having a cough and cold dry ginger should not be used. It is better always to use raw ginger. Any kind of cord drink, ice cream etc., should be avoided. Plenty of Gotukola, red onions should be taken with your food. Spring onions or lunugas in salad form or plain with food is health giving food for such children. Every morning a teaspoonful of Gotukola juice with bee's honey is a good cure for catarrh.

Sri Lankan Herbs - Medicinal Power and Usage of Nelli

2009-05-06T18:55:00.001-07:00

Nelli is found in plenty these days as it is the season. We see basketfuls of nelly sold cheap on the pavements. Very few people stop to buy these fruits. It is one of the most important medicines in indigenous treatment. There is hardly any disease for which it is not used, singly or in combination with other herbs. It has a specific effect on the eyes and is given to strengthen the retina or for weak or defective sight.

Soak the dried Nelly overnight and extract the juice. Take it with sugar candy to taste every morning on an empty stomach or the last thing at night. It is a good laxative for constipation. Nelly leaves boiled are very effective for skin eruptions. For eczema Nelly leaves ground and used as a plaster gives quick relief to the unbearable burning sensation. It also dries the weeping wounds.

Two tablespoonful of Nelli mixed with one tablespoonful of bee's honey taken regularly every morning helps to reduce the bleeding of piles. Nelli will also give you a good complexion. Nelli must be eaten raw. If you drink half a cup of nelli twice a week, it helps to keep bowel movements in order.

Nelli is very cooling. Therefore while nelli is eaten or drunk any other cooling food or drink should not be taken on the same day. Frequent use of nelli is not good for catarrah patients; but is very good for eczema and rheumatic patients. Also for patients suffering from hemorrhoids. Application of nelli leaves as a plaster on hemorrhoid glands helps to reduce the burning sensation.

Health Benefits Of Pomegranate (Delum)

2009-04-21T18:29:00.000-07:00

Pomegranate is very often used in indigenous medicine in Sri Lanka. The rind of the fruit is dried and powdered like coffee. Two tablespoonful can be taken thrice a day for dysentery.

Pomegranate For Chronic Bowel Complaint

For any chronic bowel complaint the following medicine is very effective:

Ingredients:
One ounce each of pomegranate rind, corriander, cummin seed, walangasal, thippili and quarter ounce of pepper and dry ginger.

Preparation:
Powder all ingredients together.

Dosage:
Two tablespoons of this powder poured like coffee in half cup of hot water. Mix one tablespoon of bee's honey and drink thrice a day. The bark of the root of the Pomegranate tree is considered a specific cure for tapeworms. It is given in decoction form: 2 ounces of the root bark is boiled in one and a half pint of water and is reduced to 3/4 pint.

Pomegranate For Bleeding Piles
Pomegranate is very effective in cases of bleeding piles. Take one cup full of the juice of the green fruit. Mix together aralu, cloves and dry ginger and powder it. Take one teaspoonful of this powder and mix it in the pomegranate juice and drink every morning.

Pomegranate For Eye Diseases
When the eyes become irritating and swollen it is good to ferment with delum (pomegranate) leaves and saman pichcha leaves boiled in water.

How to Prepare a Decoction?

2009-04-17T18:42:00.000-07:00

When boiling the decoction the vessel must not be covered. It must always be over a low fire. The liquid must be strained and never kept in the same vessel, with the boiled herbs. The strained liquid could be sweetened with bee's honey. It is always best to use bee's honey because by itself it is a medicine.

Adding bee's honey to the medicine must be done when the liquid is slightly warm. It is not advisable to drink the decoction before meals as it would dilute the gastric juice and interfere with digestion, unless it is specially advised by the physician.

Related Blog Post:

Decoctions, "Peyavas" And "Kalkas"

Healing Plants: Best Way to Good Health

2009-04-07T23:18:00.000-07:00

Early man believed that the Creator had put a sign indicating the use of plants-some for food, others for their curative value. A red resin for example meant that the plant was good for the blood. A heart shaped leaf signalled its cardiac properties, a liver shaped leaf was a sign of efficacy against Jaundice.

Man probably put most plants into his mouth. Many were harmless; a few nourished him and a number relieved him from discomfort or sickness. The modem concept of healing plants began in Europe with the appearance of herbals in the Sixteenth Century. Healing plants act in a variety of ways. Many (e.g. Carminatives) exert a soothing action. A large number act on the nervous system. Others have muscular activity. In herbal plants there are variable benefits.

Plants like cannabis have been valued from the earliest times for their powerful psychoactive and physical effects. Cannabis contains many healing properties. It is a very important plant used specially in many kinds of Guli (Pills) in indigenous medicine. It was used as a sacred plant for ceremonial use. It was known in India and China as early as 1500 B.C. or even before. At present it is classified as a narcotic.

The curative value of most beneficial plants and their healing art has been handed down from generation to generation. These herbs still have a useful place in coping with many ailments. As home remedies, this is particularly true in the case of minor ailments such as indigestion, coughs and pains. Nature has many remedies for our ailments and they have been tested over the years.

Herbs still claim our attention as natural remedies. The efficaciousness of herbs in fevers is something very important.

How to Treat Fever?

2009-03-29T23:51:00.000-07:00

In treating fever there is a strict method in indigenous practice. Fasting is advised at the beginning of fever arc at the second stage canjee water should be given. At the third stage medicine is administered, and on recovery a laxative must be given. This method differs with children. Instead of fasting, children are given only a liquid diet.

The laxative at recovery is also given according to the age of the child. Canjee water or rice boiled in water is very good medicine for fever. For children of one or two months of age water in which rice is boiled could be fed at intervals. In the ancient days canjee water was drunk instead of bed-tea. In the decoction administered for fever, Margosa is a herb frequently used. If you take Margosa (Kohomba) daily or at least twice a week you will be healthy.

Related Blog Post:
Treat Your Fever with Herbal Recipes

Treat Your Fever with Herbal Recipes

2009-03-11T18:48:00.000-07:00

The following is a list of herbal medicines for fever.

Herbal Recipes for Fever #1

Ingredients:
Margosa bark,
Corriander, Dummalla (Vatica obscura),
Rasakinda (Tinospora Cordifolia),
Aralu (Terminalia Chebula),
Bulu (Terminalia Belerica),
Nelli (Phyllanthus embilica).

Preparation Method:
Equal parts are boiled into a decoction in the usual way.

Dosage: Half a tea cup twice a day. This decoction is for adults only.

Herbal Recipes for Fever #2

The following decoction is for infants.

Ingredients:
Patpadagam (Aporosa-cardiosperma),
Ginger,
Corriander,
Veniwelgeta or Bangeta (Cosinium Femestratum).

Preparation Method:
Equal quantities of two kalandas must be boiled in six cups of water; simmer down to half a cup.

Dosage: Three teaspoonful to be administered morning and evening.

Herbal Recipes for Fever #3

The following decoction is for fever in older children (8 to 15 years).
Ingredients:
Patpadagam (Aporosacardiosperma),
Kalanduru (Cyperus Rotandua),
Rasakinda (Tinospora Cordifolia),
Binkohomba (Munronia Pumila)
Ginger.

Preparation Method:

Equal quantities of 2 1/2 kalandas must be boiled into a decoction (eight cups of water boiled down to one cup).

(If the fever is not cured by-these remedies a physician's advice must be sought.)

Related Posts:

How to Treat Fever

How to Make Herbal Teas and Other Herbal Medicines?

2009-03-05T17:30:00.000-08:00

Herbal tea is very popular in the west and it is gaining good ground even in Sri Lanka. Those who drink herbal tea must try to store their own herbs properly. You could also build up your own family herbal store. When preparing herbal tea, use the purest water possible. Preferably use bee's honey to sweeten your herbal tea.

Infusion is different from decoction. Place the plants in a tea pot, pour onto them a prescribed quantity of boiling water, cover and leave to infuse for the necessary length of time.

This will depend on the type of plant. This is how an infusion is prepared. For a decoction, place the given amounts (12 kalandas) of herbs in a saucepan or a pot and pour 8 cups of cold water and boil on a slow fire to one cup; strain and use as prescribed.
Decoctions should not be kept for too long a period. One cup of decoction should be finished in one day or in one and a half days.

Maceration - softening by soaking. Put the prescribed amounts of herbs into the given quantity of liquid: leave to soak for the specified length of time, strain through a clean cloth, squeeze all the juice out of the plants.

The most important thing when preparing an infusion or decoction is to remember to respect the prescribed amounts in use, and not make your medicines on assumptions. If so, it would not do any good, but certainly does no harm. Herbs never cause the havoc that certain drugs do.

Herbal plants can provide a flexible and effective form of medical therapy, totally without dangerous side-effect and adaptable to the needs of each individual patient.

The indigenous physician is thus able to prescribe a personal course of treatment that is appreciated a great deal by the patient, who feels he is being treated as an individual and not like every one else. There is a revival of interest in herbal treatment in Sri Lanka, and it is going through its second infancy.

Nature and Herbal Plants for Better Health

2009-03-03T02:13:00.000-08:00

Plants engage in a real alchemy drawing from the soil vital nutritive substances which they store and convert into food. They are therefore a natural reservoir of precious elements.

Plants like human beings, have their own particular preferences and characteristics so we must know to look for them and learn to recognize them. This is more difficult than recognizing the people we often see.

Nature is the best gardener in the world, but with the chemical invasion of the world we must be very cautious in gathering plants. Never gather plants that are grown on cultivated land or in orchards; they may be well poisoned and in any case they no longer remain as nature created them.

The soil that feeds them is saturated with chemical fertilizers and synthetic hormones intended to destroy weeds. They are also repeatedly subjected to a fall out of equally poisonous insecticides.

You must gather your herbal plants far away from civilization. There are still areas uncontaminated by human intrusion and waste lands, valleys and mountains to satisfy those who have a liking for herbal infusions.

The Ayurveda books such as Susruta and Charaka pay much attention to the gathering of herbs. Herbs should be gathered at the right moment.

Even the great Western herbalist Dioscorides has said that before all else, it is proper to use care both in the gathering of herbs during the correct season and in storing them.

It is according to these rules that medicines either do their work, or become quite ineffective.

The moon is the closest planet to the earth and most rapid in its motion. It has a great influence upon plants and all other living things when it waxes and wanes every month.

The curative components contained in plants vary according to the age of the plant, the time of picking, the nature of the soil and the climate. Hence the cardinal rule that must be followed by us, is that they should be gathered at the moment of full maturity. It is best to gather herbs on a dry and sunny day. You should not start to pick them too early in the day, nor continue too late. The herbal roots must be pulled out after the rains. Even handling of herbal plants needs a certain amount of care. You should not squeeze or crush the flowers and leaves you' gather, because if they become warm or bruised they will be less effective.

Herbs are ruined mainly due to the careless way in which they are gathered. You should not remove too many leaves or branches from the same plant.

If a plant is stripped of too much bark or leaves it will die. You should refrain from taking too many roots within a limited radius as it is the mainstay of the plant.

In collecting herbs you should also have a choice of plants. The ancient Ayurvedic Acharyas have laid down that a wild plant is always better than a cultivated plant. Choose plants that have the most fragrance, taste and colour. Also select plants which are healthy, bitter, and not attacked by pests or disease.

How to Store Herbs?

2009-03-03T02:09:00.000-08:00

Storing the herbs for your use needs a lot of care. Before you store, dry the herbs in a well ventilated place. Do not expose them to the direct rays of the sun. Spread out the herbs as soon as you collect them, or else they will rot.

Never wash the plants before putting them to dry. Spread them out in a single layer. For the first few days keep turning them over so that the drying is even and thorough. When the drying is over, cut them into small pieces, and store the herbs in a clean bottle with a lid. In the case of roots, they must be washed and cut into small pieces before drying.

Never store the herbs whether dry or fresh, in plastic bags or wrappings. Scientific experiments have shown that plastic wrappings bring about certain chemical alterations, and the herbs kept this way no longer have the same efficacy.

The Art of Healing with Herbal Plants

2009-02-22T17:23:00.001-08:00

Study of herbal plants is not something one can master at once. Whenever there is time at one's disposal, one can set oneself the pleasant task of studying plants, one by one at a time. Then you will be well prepared to meet an emergency when it comes.

In this way, you will learn to recognize them when you see them growing wild, and you will begin to acquire an intimate knowledge of herbs. You will learn to grow them in your garden. You will not miss the right time to gather them, and you will build up for yourself that natural pharmacy which will be very useful to you.

Much patience is needed before you get the feel of the herbs and can predict the effect that a plant will have on a particular case. The plants that are all around us, e.g. garlic, onions, ferns etc., are so familiar that we cannot believe in their efficiency.

On the whole, people tend to have more faith in drugs that come from the farthest and most advanced regions, or those which cost the most money.

A good medicine is one that makes use of all the resources that nature and man's intelligence have put at our disposal. Nothing should be neglected.

The art of healing did not start in the 20th century. It has a long history, and at the same time we accept the progress of science. But to cure common ailments or in order to help in the treatment of serious illness, you can use herbs. To trust in nature does not mean that you must deprive yourself of the discoveries of modern science.

During the time of the Great Asoka, the Hindu Materia Medica contained about 700 herbs which were used by the vaidyas. They were mostly cultivated in the gardens allover the country. The time of collection, the parts used, the methods of curing, the reservation were well known.

Since the number of drugs commonly used in those days was not very large, no elaborate descriptions were given with their identification. The student of medicine used to live with his Guru in the Gurukulas, and received practical training in connection with the identification and proper time of collection.

Medicinal Power and Uses of Spinach

2009-02-22T17:15:00.001-08:00

Indigenous medicine is always guided by seasonal behaviour, as it regulates the three forces in the body. We have started the hot season, and many suffer with skin eruptions and cracked skin in the soles of our feet. Some even suffer from sore mouths.

During this season we must avoid 'heaty' food and eat more cooling vegetables and those which contain a higher percentage of water.

Spinach is one such vegetable which gives energy and strength. Spinach has come to us from the Middle East. It was grown in the 11th century in Spain, and in the 15th century in France. It is rich in protein; it helps digestion and is a stimulant of all secretions of the stomach, the liver, and the pancreas.

Medicinal Power of Spinach

It is also very rich in minerals. Most people know that it contains a lot of iron, but according to scientific experiments, it also contains phosphorous iodine and many other elements essential to keep the system in good shape. Spinach can be recommended for children, adolescents, con valescents, anaemics, and all chronic invalids. It is called "Snigdhpatra" or "Gramini" in Sanskrit and its botanical name is Basella Alba.

There are creepers with a red stem and a green stem. It also grows as a shrub. The shrubs are known as "Upodaki or Galodaki". All these varieties have the same type of curative value.

In Ayurvedic books it is said that spinach is cooling, suppresses the Rakta and Pitta imbalance. It is a good laxative. It helps to enrich your complexion. This herb helps to reduce the suppression of urine.

In the old texts on Ayurveda, spinach is mentioned as "Sukkra Janaka" which means that it is an aphrodisiac. Spinach is one of the basic medicines given for insomnia and insanity.

Eat more and more spinach if you need good rest in the night. Spinach leaves are bandaged on to the forehead for severe headaches. It is used as a poultiee for l!lcers. Niviti is a good remedy for eczema, and can be applied on the skin.

In old Ayurvedic books, it is mentioned that niviti improves eyesight. It can be used as an infant food to cure worms. It is an accepted remedy for anaemic invalids as it improves the blood circulation.

Spinach (Niviti) generally grows in cold and water-logged places. It also could be grown in pots as an indoor plant.

Ayurveda Cures for Prickly Heat

2009-02-16T17:39:00.000-08:00

Natural Remedies for Prickly Heat

This is more annoying than painful as it irritates all the time.

Prickly Heat Cures #1
A cold water bath taken sometime after applying a watery paste of gram (kadalay) four on the body brings relief.

Prickly Heat Cures #2
The powder of sandal wood used as a dust all over the body is effective in giving relief in cases of prickly heat.

Ayurveda Cures Cures #3
The paste of the pini-jambu (Big Jambu) applied over the body cleans the skin and relieves the itching.

Ayurveda Cures Cures #4
When prickly heat is severe, an infusion made overnight of 180 grains each of lightly crushed pomegranate roots, cummin seeds, corriander seeds, red rose petals and sugar is given the following morning; this drink relieves itching caused by prickly heat.

Sri Lanka Ayurveda Cures for Pimples

2009-02-16T17:29:00.000-08:00

Home Remedies for Pimples

This is a problem of youth. Mischievous fingers always squeeze out pimples. When they are pricked they remain as black heads or even leave tiny holes on the skin. Let us not meddle with them. Instead apply a paste of cummin seeds (suduru) over the pimples. It gives wonderful relief. A paste of nutmeg (sadicka) made with milk is an efficacious remedy for removing pimples on the face. A paste of red sandalwood (rathadun) and turmeric (kaha) made with milk is a useful local application.

A mixture made of one part sandalwood oil and two parts mustard oil is also a very effective application.

Home Remedies for Ringworm

2009-02-16T17:22:00.000-08:00

This skin disease leaves marks on the skin. It is very irritating and sometimes the patches are moist. It is also highly contagious.

Ringworm Home Remedies #1
A paste of the Ehela (Cassia Fistula) is applied over the parts affected by ringworm.

Home Remedies #2
A paste of the roots of Aththora (Aristida Setacea) mixed with honey or a paste of the roots made with sandalwood or the seeds mixed with butter-milk is very effective.

Home Remedies #3
The juice of Aththora leaves mixed with butter-milk too can be used to cure this condition.

Ringworm Remedies #4
The mixture of the juice of Pani tora (Cassia tora) leaves with lemon juice or mixed with butter-milk is an effective remedy.

Ringworm Remedies #5
The juice of tamarind leaves rubbed on the affected area is an easy cure.

These home remedies have been tested for hundreds of years and they have proved to be effective. All we need is to identify the herbs.

Very old men in the villages are often the best authorities on herbs and their curative value. Sri Lanka has an abundance of greenery, so why should we not make use of it.

Home Remedies for Headache and Migraine

2009-02-04T17:21:00.000-08:00

Worry, traveling in crowded vehicles, walking in the hot sun are the most common reasons for headaches. When your daily routine of health is in disorder you can get a headache. Herbal plants or herbal seeds can give us much relief by their correct usage.

Corriander seeds made into a paste with cold water and applied on the forehead is an easy and Effective remedy. A paste of raw ginger or cloves or nutmeg with cold water gives quick relief. Raw ginger juice mixed with cow’s milk is very effective. If your headache is a neuralgic headache a paste of ginger, cloves, cinnamon and the roots of the caster oil plant is recommended by the indigenous physician.

The paste of Nelli (Phyllanthus Emblica) fruit and saffron mixed with rose water also gives quick relief. A paste of betel leaf is much better than taking tablets. If your headache is due to a chill, a hot paste of cinnamon made with hot water is applied on the forehead. There are snuffs that you can prepare at home. The mixture of equal parts of very finely powdered Valmi (Liquorice) roots, Atividayan (Atis root) comes in handy. A very small pinch of this mixture will reduce the heaviness in the head and heal the headache.

Home Remedies for Migraine Headache:
This headache comes on periodically and is confined to a particular part of the head. This is considered to be an incurable disease. According to my experience herbal plants have done wonders. As a home remedy, the moist paste of three leaves of the Holy Basil (Tulsi) and three black peppers used as smelling salt relieves the unbearable headache. The mixture of the powder of long pepper (Tippili) and the root of Vadakaha (Acorus Calamus) can be used as snuff.

A paste of black pepper made with the juice of Nika (Vitex Negunda) could be sniffed occasionally. If the headache is due to catarrh, dry nika leaves can be smoked. If you suffer from constant headaches it is advisable to sleep on a pillow made with nika leaves. A paste of the leaves applied to the temples makes you comfortable. A medicated oil prepared with nika leaves is also very effective for sinuses.

Herbal Remedies for Ring Worm of the Scalp

2009-02-01T17:28:00.000-08:00

Herbal plants and their usage are so many that one cannot limit them only to the medicine chest. Herbs have been around us from the beginning of time. Egyptian hieroglyphics show their use by the Queen of Sheba and her gift of their seeds to King Solomon.

Early records show that many of the herbs we use today were in use centuries ago as medicine, as charms, and as a means to preserve and improve the taste of food. They add a whole new dimension to cooking, bringing the flavour and aroma of foreign lands into our kitchen. Part of the fascination of herbs is the link they provide between the ancient civilizations of China, Egypt, India and Sri Lanka. It is amazing to think that the herbs we pick today, may be the same as those mentioned in the year 2000 B.C.

These herbal plants can cure many of our common ailments and many of them can be found at our door step.

Ring worm of the scalp is a common disease which leaves you worried. This is noticed as round bald patches on the scalp and they spread gradually. Some men even get this disease on the face leaving bald patches on the beard. The following remedies have been tested and found very effective.

The juice of the Oleander (kaneru) leaves is applied on the affected parts of the scalp. The easiest medicine you can get from your kitchen cupboard is a mixture of powdered black pepper, onions and salt. This mixture when briskly rubbed on the bald patches of the scalp caused by Ring worms will not only check the infection but also encourage the growth of new hair.

Home Remedies with Puhul

2009-01-29T02:29:00.001-08:00

The root of the puhul creeper with that of the komadu (which is also of the puhul family) made into a paste by rubbing them on a stone can be applied on carbuncles. For severe burns a drink of puhul juice mixed with kitul jaggery is the first thing to be given to the patient. Puhul is also applied on the burnt area of the skin. The five parts of the lime tree, the leaf, bark, root, flower and the fruit ground to a fine paste with lime juice is applied on the burnt surface of the skin.

Sri Lankan Home Remedies for Cracked Lips and Sore-Mouths

2009-01-29T02:28:00.000-08:00

At certain times of the year especially in the colder climates we experience cracked lips and sometimes sore-mouths. A good remedy for this is Katurumurunga leaves cooked in gingelly oil. In Sanskrit this leaf is called AGASTI after the great sage and master of medicine. It's also called VERNI meaning enemy of sores. It is very effective for sores and ulcers when used as plaster. Oil made with these leaves brings relief to those suffering from catarrh.

Home Remedies with Ash Plantain

2008-12-03T17:24:00.000-08:00

The ash plantain is another useful plant. Every part of it has some medicinal use. The juice extracted from the yam, the trunk and the flower is used in decoctions for bleeding piles and female disorders. The unripe fruit which is called Mochaka in Sanskrit, has astringent properties and is used in cases of dysentery and diabetes. The juice extracted from the trunk is generally the first thing given in cases of poisonous snake bites. The ripe ash plantain is a sure remedy for constipation. The stem of the fruit burnt down to ash together with slacked - lime is used in the treatment of gangrenous wounds.

An old ola manuscript gives tender ash plantains boiled in their skins as a remedy for cancer and stomach ulcers. In the United States a syrup made of plantain is said to be very effective in chronic coughs and bronchitis. Cut the fruit into slices, add an equal weight of sugar and cold water and boil the contents in a closed vessel till reduced to the consistency of a syrup. The dose is one teaspoonful every day. Incidentally, ash plantains should always be cooked in their skin to obtain the best food value.

Photo From: http://flickr.com/photos/himadhuk/292922451/

Medicinal Power of Sugar Cane

2008-11-30T18:21:00.000-08:00

Sugar cane is another plant found in the back gardens of some homes and now grown in large plantations. There are two varieties - the yellow and the black. The black variety has a lower sugar content and a higher mineral content than the yellow. Sugar cane is considered indigenous to Sri Lanka, and is the type used in medicine. Equal quantities of the juice of sugar cane and king coconut water with a little gingelly oil is given to pregnant mothers to induce pains even now in certain rural areas. Copious quantities of sugar cane should be given to patients with chicken pox, measles and like diseases which are accompanied by high fever.

In cases of continued fever, except enteric fever, a drink made from sugar cane syrup, king coconut water and powdered Bulu seeds keeps the patient comfortable. Sugarcane is also the chief ingredient for a decoction for bleeding piles when used in combination with kooratampala and the yam of the ash plantain tree.

Sri Lankan Home Remedies Using Iriveriya (Plectanthus zeylanicus)

2008-11-30T18:20:00.000-08:00

Iriveriya is another plant found in gardens. It grown successfully as an indoor plant. It is aromatic and grows easily and is used in many prescriptions for fever and diarrhea. The book Yogasatakaya gives details of how to use Iriveriya in various stages of diarrhea. For example, in long standing cases it is a mixture of Iriveriya and Kalanduru; if the diarrhea is accompanieg by loss of blood, the ingredients are Iriveriya, Kalanduru and unripe beli fruit. If there is a severe gripe then it has to be lriveriya, Kalanduru, unripe beli with kelindahall. It has to be administered together as a decoction.

Medicinal Power of Ginger

2008-11-27T00:57:00.000-08:00

Ayurveda is a subject widely spoken of in Sri Lanka today. Ayur means long life, and veda means science, the science of long life. It would therefore apply to all medical systems, although it has come to mean the Eastern system only.

Sinhala medicine has a long history and probably dates as far back as the origin of the Hela or the 'Sinhalese nation itself. In the last two centuries however during foreign domination our ancient system of ayurveda might have been lost forever, but for the efforts of a devoted few who received Pirivena education.

The native physicians did not have a great variety of ready-made or prepared medicines. They had a few Guli, Kalka, Arista and Asawa, but these they used with the juice of a variety of herbs grown in their own home gardens to treat different diseases. Therefore we see that it is really the herbs in various combinations that do the good work.

Ginger is one of more common home-grown plant. Ginger is known as Mahausadi in Ayurvedic circles. Besides, it has 20 epithets when in the raw form and 24 when dry. The Dravya Guna Niganduwa, the Encyclopaedia of tropical plants and drugs used in Ayurvedic medicine describes it as acrid and digestive and, as an ingredient in medicine for costiveness, nausea, cough, colic and palpitation of the heart.

But dry ginger should not be used by those who are suffering from skin diseases, anemia, kidney complaints and high fever. A person suffering from acute diarrhea and vomiting is generally liable to catch a chill. A piece of ginger, a piece of equal size of the bark of the murunga tree and a few bulbs of garlic all crushed and rubbed on the palms and soles of the foot and also a little of it tied on to the two big toes would warm him up. For diarrhea and colic, the liquid extracted by crushing together raw ginger, Iriveriya and Undupiyali and mixed with a tablespoon of lime juice and bee's honey is good. Into this is dipped a red hot piece of iron. The dose is one tablespoon at a time three times a day. This should bring quick relief.

Dry ginger is the chief ingredient in the treatment of amoebiosis. Dry ginger, stems of Karapinchcha and Tamarind leaves, the rind of a raw lime are taken in equal quantities and roasted as for coffee. A tablespoon of this powder is mixed with a tablespoon of coffee powder and brewed in half a cup of boiling water. When cold, add bee's honey to sweeten. This should be taken three times a day for the best results.

Garlic and Sri Lanka Home Remedies

2008-11-18T18:17:00.000-08:00

Garlic is cultivated as a spice. It contains a large quantity of medicinal properties. It is given in fevers, coughs, flatulence, disorders of the nervous system, dropsical affections, pulmonary phthisis, whooping cough, gangrene of the lungs and dilated bronchi.

A decoction of garlic made with milk and water is given in small doses in hysteria and sciatica (an inflammation of the sciatic nerve at the back of the thigh). Garlic in the form of a syrup is a valuab1e remedy for Asthma, hoarseness and disorders of the chest and lungs.

It is a disinfectant. It is applied to ulcerated surfaces and wounds. A poultice of the bulb is used for ring-worm. The poultice is applied on the abdominal and public regions in cases of retention of urine due to lack of tension or muscular power of the bladder. Raw garlic juice can be inhaled during a bout of whooping cough. The oil in which garlic has been fried is a useful liniment for rheumatic pains, nervous diseases like infantile convulsions and very old wounds.

The oil extracted from the pods is given for checking chilly fits or intermittent fevers.

Medicinal Uses of Malabar Nut Tree or Adathoda

2008-11-15T03:15:00.001-08:00

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.

Sri Lanka Herbs: Anoda or Abutilon Indicum

2008-11-15T03:10:00.000-08:00

A large number of plants of medicinal value are common weeds; some agricultural and horticultural crops commonly cultivated also have medicinal properties. Many of our herbal plants have economic use as well and therefore they can be described as useful plants too. These plants are used in making perfumery extracts and even cosmetics.

The Anoda or Abutilon Indicum grows mostly on waste lands. It is better known as bethanoda, a shrubby plant. The leaves are smashed and boiled with rice flour for use as a poultice for sores. The flowers and leaves are used as a local application for boils and ulcers. A decoction of the leaves is used as a mouth-wash for tooth ache and tender gums. A decoction of the leaves gives a soothing effect to the inflammation of the bladder and urethra. The roots are diuretic and their infusion makes a cooling drink in case of fevers.

The seeds are used in a decoction for hemorrhoids. These seeds are poisonous when taken in large quantities, but in old books it is said that women ate the seeds as a contraceptive.

Medicinal Uses of Liquorice or Walmi

2008-11-02T17:25:00.001-08:00

The popular remedies of herbal medicine were common throughout this country for many centuries until the advancing tide of synthetic drugs. Vegetable drugs have been known over the world for ages. Thousands of herbal plants are now recognized as drug-yielding plants in Europe and America.

Walmi (Phaseolus adenanthus) or wild liquorice is a common herb. The juice of Walmi (liquorice) is given for sore throat, dry cough and urinary ailments. The juice is also a good blood purifier. A paste of the leaves made with some gingelly oil applied over swellings, rheumatism etc., brings great relief; the leaves dipped in hot mustard oil or honey are used for the same purpose; a poultice of the leaves is used for removing freckles. A paste of walmi (liquorice) leaves and the roots of Plumbagorosea or Ratnitul is a stimulant dressing when applied over leucoderma patches for one month.

Decoctions, "Peyavas" And "Kalkas"

2008-11-02T17:24:00.000-08:00

Indigenous medicine is a self-reliant system with its own philosophy. It has unique medical methods in preparing peyavas, putapakas, kalkas and oils.

The decoction is fairly well known among the Sinhalese. Boil 8 cups to one cup. Peyava is to boil the ingredients in eight cups of water and simmer it down to four cups. Then you have to add the pori or rice pop-corns and boil again to one or one and a half cups. For the Putapaka the raw herbal leaves are pounded and steamed under hot embers and the juice extracted. For the Kalka the herbs are ground and boiled into a paste with sugar candy or sugar.

Medicinal Power of Kekiri & Karavila

2008-10-29T21:04:00.000-07:00

Medicinal Power of Kekiri:
Kekiri (Cucumis melo) is a cooling diuretic. It is nutritious and edible. It is used in painful and frequent passing of urine and retention of urine. There are many decoctions prepared with Kekiri seed. One of them is Kekiri seed, sahindalunu, cardamoms and tippili taken in equal quantities and powdered finely. It is to be taken in fermented toddy in the morning. The dosage is 2 tablespoonful of powder in a glass of toddy or fermented rice water (halpana watura) in cases where there is difficulty in passing urine or retention of urine.

Medicinal Power of Karavila (Bitter Gourd)
In the Karavila or bitter gourd family there are two varieties the cultivated kind and the wild growing thumba karavila. It is a wholesome vegetable usually given to convalescents. It is a domestic remedy for sores caused by urine infection. An effective remedy for weeping eczema and irritation is to first prepare a mixture of roasted karavila leaves well powdered and ground together with dried arecanut (karunka puwak) in equal quantities. Sprinkle gingelly oil over the affected parts and dust over with the powder. Karavila leaves roasted and powdered are applied on the scalp with pepper, coconut milk and sandalwood powder in cases of ring-worm on the head (undugowwakema).

Medicinal Power of Pumpkin or Wattakka

2008-10-28T19:05:00.000-07:00

Pumpkin or Wattakka is found in plenty and is cheap too. Jaundice and fever patients, who are given a cup of pumpkin juice with an equal quantity of cow's milk and honey or sugar to sweeten it, feel greatly relieved. It is good for cases where there is flatulence with constipation as it acts as a purgative. The same is given to hemorrhoid patients too. The late Dr. White who practiced in Colombo many years ago used pumpkin as an external application in cases of pneumonia and it is said that the Chinese doctors also use it for the same purpose.

Sri Lankan Herbal Plants - Lunuwila

2008-10-28T19:00:00.001-07:00

Lunuwila, another useful herb, may not be found in the home gardens of all urban dwellings, but it is readily available in the vegetable market. For high fever resulting from chickenpox and measles, Lunuvila, aralu and kottamallie boiled as for a decoction is given with sugar to taste. If fever is accompanied by cough valmee and pathpadagam (from the Beheth Kaday) may be included.

Home Remedies for Whooping Cough

2008-10-26T17:46:00.001-07:00

Kapparavelliya is a plant worth mentioning. It is very much like Iriveriya and is of the same family. It is effective in catarrhal afflictions of children. A very useful prescription for whooping cough is Kapparavelliya, Kalandurua ala heerassa and red onions taken in equal quantities, pounded and its juice extracted. To this extract, an equal quantity of water is added together with sugar candy (sukiri) and brought to the boil till it becomes like a thick syrup. The dose is a teaspoonful or two as required. It has a marked effect in shortening the duration of the disease from about three months to as many weeks. If kept too long it is liable to ferment. Care should, therefore, be taken to see that it is prepared afresh every two or three days. It is also used as a medicine for treating cattle diseases.

Advantages and Future of Sri Lankan Home Remedies

2008-10-24T03:51:00.000-07:00

One of the advantages of the home remedies is that they have been practiced for many hundreds of years in Sri Lanka and in India. Another advantage is that there are no adverse after effects or side effects or danger of drug poisoning.

It is a matter for regret that Sri Lankan practitioners of Western medicine have paid so little attention, if at all, to the many useful and simple medicines of our native medical men. In India on the other hand the interest of Western medical practitioners was drawn to ayurveda as far back as the early 19th century.

However, the Sri Lankan research workers of the early 20th century are worthy of mention. They are Dr. Emmanuel Roberts and Dr. John Attygalle. Emmanuel Roberts was born in 1864, became a doctor at 23 years of age and entered Government service. He left Ceylon in 1902 to study in London and Glasgow. On his return to Ceylon he gave up his career in Government service and settled down to do General Practice and Research. The outcome of his research was "The Vegetable Materia Medica of India and Ceylon" which he produced in 1917. This book brought ayurveda to the home by giving several simple prescriptions within the reach of any Ceylonese home.

It is heartening to see that the Government is promoting research in this vast field due to the interest shown in the revival of the ancient Sinhala Medical system. This is specially due to the fact that the treatment is much cheaper than Western Medicine and effective as well.

It is interesting to read what Robert Knox had to say on this subject. He says "Here are professed Physicians but all in general have some skill that way and are Physicians to themselves. The woods are the Apothecaries shops, where with herbs, leaves and rind of trees they make all their Physic and plasters with which they do notable cures." That is history. Now let us try to go back to those herbs at our door steps which will certainly keep us healthy and wealthier too.

Indigenous Medicine or Desiya Vedakama in Sri Lanka

2008-10-21T19:53:00.000-07:00

Ayurveda is a common name for the science of medicine that prolongs or guards one's life. Whatever the method it employs the main target is to save life. Sri Lanka had its own system of medicine.

It is known as Indigenous medicine or Desiya Vedakama. It was a very rich science, though in recent years it has been declining. Indigenous treatment depends totally on herbs or plants.

The Indigenous physician need not have many varieties of herbs for his practice. One kind of herbal plant is used in many diseases. The different parts of the plant possess different curative properties. The efficiency of the herb depends on the total effect of the plant content rather than on the one or more chemical fractions separated from the herb. Moreover the time of collection, stage of growth of plant, locality, natural occurrence or place of cultivation, all influence the properties of the herb.

History proves that we had a valuable system of medicine. Sri Lanka is a granary of herbal plants. The more we peep into our gardens or neighboring groves the more can we collect enough herbs for any emergency such as for cuts, bleeding, aches and pains. We need not borrow any medicine from other sources.

All we need to do is open the old manuscripts and identify the herbal plants and learn their uses. These herbs have been tested and experimented with a thousand and one times. The traditional physicians have with them the secrets of this valuable medicine, but they fear to part with them. The reason for this is that when medicine is commercialized, the tendency is for it to be adulterated. The most essential thing for the upliftment of the Indigenous practice is to enrich the knowledge of students in the use of herbs with the aid of the traditional. physicians. They have much valuable knowledge which cannot be proved scientifically.

What is Kanjika?

2008-10-08T19:11:00.001-07:00

This is a sour liquid produced from acetous fermentation of powdered rice and dried habala pethi and not the canjee water which is common. This is prepared in a different way. Two seers (cups) of habala pethi are steeped in 7 seers (cups) of water and laid aside in an earthenware pot for 15 days and upwards. When the mixture undergoes acetous fermentation, the fluid is called Kanjee or Dhanyamala. Kanjee is a clear transparent fluid with an acid taste and vinous smell. It is cooling, refreshing and useful as a drink in fever, burning of the body etc.

This medicine is at times used as an external application for the relief of high fever. A wet sheet can be used as a wrapping cloth. This is steeped in fluid and wrapped round the body for the relief of high fever and to reduce the heat of the body. This is not unlike the wet pack treatment adopted by Western practitioners for pyrexia. It must also be noted that this mode of treating cases of continued fevers with high temperature was one that came into vogue among western practitioners not more than 20 to 40 years ago: but strange to say, it is seldom or never practised by their successors of the present day.

Type of Sri Lankan Ayurveda Medicines

2008-10-08T18:38:00.000-07:00

Ayurveda is the name given to the science of medicine which prolongs or guards one's life. Whatever the method it uses the main target is to save life.

Ayurveda has a separate system which lays down the forms and the special modes on which medicine is administered to patients. Chuma, Svarasa ,Kalka, Kasaya , Phanta, Sitakasaya, Paniya, Kshirapaka, Yavagu, Avaleha , Modaka, Vatika, Khandapaka, Bhavana, Putapaka, Sandanavarga, Kanjika, Dravaka, Asava, Arishta, medicated oils, Ghritas and many more. Each of these medicines are prepared in different ways.

Churna - or powder is prepared by pounding dry substances in a mortar with a pestle and passing the powder through a cloth.

Svarasa - or expressed juice is prepared by pounding fresh herbs in a mortar, extracting the juice and straining it through a cloth.

Kalka - or paste is prepared by grinding dry or fresh herbs on a stone with a mallet and then making a thin paste with the addition of water when necessary. These are also mixed sometimes with honey and sugar and cooked or boiled in ghee until they are reduced to a certain consistency. These medicines can be kept for a long time.

Phanta - or infusions are prepared by steeping one part of powdered herbs in 8 parts of hot water for 12 hours during the night. They are administered in the same way as decoctions (Kasaya).

Sitakasaya - or Cold infusions are prepared by steeping one part of a herb in 6 of water for a night and straining out the fluid in the morning.

Paniya - is a weak form of decoction, prepared by boiling one part of medicinal substances in 32 parts of water till the latter is reduced to one half. This preparation is usually taken for appeasing, thirst or some such thing.

Kshirapaka - or milk decoction. The proportion for this is one part of herbs, 8 cups of milk and 22 cups of water. The ingredients are boiled together till the water is evaporated and the milk alone remains. The decoction is then strained.

Yavagu - sometimes medicines are. added to powdered rice or powdered rice added to the decoction and made into a gruel.

A veleha - or extract. The decoction after being strained is again boiled down to the consistency of a thick extract.

Modaka - for this preparation no boiling is required. It is prepared by adding powders to cold syrup and stirring them together till they are uniformly mixed.

Vathika - or pills. These are usually prepared by reducing a decoction of herbs to a thick consistency and then adding some powders for making a pill mass. Sometimes powdered medicines with the addition of treacle or honey are used.

Khandapaka – or confections. These are made adding to a syrup, medicines in fine powder form and stirring it over the fire till it is well mixed and reduced to the proper consistency.

Bhavana - or maceration of powders in fluids. This is specially done with mineral substances. These are often soaked in various fluids, such as expressed juice of herbs, decoctions etc. and then dried. For this process the quantity of fluid added to the powder should be sufficient to cover it. The mixture is then allowed to dry in the sun. A single operation of this sort is completed in 24 hours, but the process is
generally repeated from 3 to 7 times and afterwards with a variety of fluids. This ensures that the resulting mass combines within it the active properties of various herbs.

Putapaka – or roasting. In this form raw herbs are reduced to a paste; they are wrapped up in jambu or plantain leaves firmly tied with fibres of some sort, covered with a layer of clay and roasted in a cowdung fire. When the layer of clay assumes a brick red colour on the surface the roasting is complete. The medicine is taken out and the juice is squeezed and administered with honey or medicinal pills.

Sandhanavarga - or products of acetones fermenting like vinegar.

Asava - This has a special method of preparation. Asava is not boiled. Dry herbs are steeped in 22 seers of water, adding 12 seers of honey and is then laid aside in an earthenware jar for fermentation. This jar is covered and made air .tight. It is then covered with clay and kept in a dark corner.

Arishta - To every pound of medicine one bottle of water is added. It is then boiled down to one forth of the quantity. Then it is strained and to every bottle of infusion 3/4 pound of sugar and powdered medicine is added and buried underground and covered with clay for one month. It is taken out later and strained through a cloth. It is almost like wine when correctly done. It is administered as a stimulant in exhausting diseases.

Gritas - are mostly prepared with powdered medicine cooked in ghee and sugar. It is a prominent feature of native practice. They are prepared in great variety and are extensively used in all sorts of diseases.

Medicinal Oils - These are always prepared with green herbs. In preparing these sesamum oil, castor oil and mustard oil are added.

How to Prepare Kasaya or Decoctions?

2008-10-08T18:35:00.000-07:00

Decoctions are as a general rule prepared by boiling one part of green herbal substances with sixteen parts of water, till the latter is reduced to one fourth. The medicine should be first pounded into small pieces, then boiled over a slow fire, and the decoction strained through a cloth. When decoctions are prepared with dry herbs, eight parts of water are-recommended. Decoctions are administered with the. addition of honey , sugar, treacle, clarified butter, oil or some medicinal powders. A general rule to be observed for a decoction of one pata (about a pint), no matter what the number of herbs are, is that the herbs should not, in the aggregate, be more than 12 kalans. If there are 3 herbs each should be 4 kalans and so on. If the herbs are too many, the quantity of water should be increased proportionately. As a rule it should be 8 parts of water added to the herbs, and reduced to one part of water by boiling over a slow fire.

Significant Concepts of Ayurveda

2008-10-07T08:28:00.000-07:00

One of the most significant concepts of Ayurveda is giving first preference to maintenance of sound health and achievement of a long and useful life. Evidently the ancients also believed in the motto of prevention being better than cure. In the section on health and hygiene, the Ayurvedic Acharyas have clearly described the rules and regulations for keeping diseases away, under the following heads. This is active immunology and hygienology.

(1) Din-charya : or the daily routine

(2) Ratu-charya : or the seasonal adaptations

(3) Sad-vritta : or mental culture

(4) Attending duly to "Nature's Calls".

Din-charya is found in the Third Chapter of Astanga Sangraha. Wake up early and attend to nature's calls. Brush teeth with fresh green twigs, which are astringent, bitter and pungent in taste, like the twigs of Neem or Pilla (Tephrossla Purpurea, and Bombi Lisea Sebifera). Clean the tongue, eyes, ears, nose. Put drops of oil in both nostrils and ears (Better done at bed time). Take an oil massage and bath. Rub the oil particularly well on the hands and soles of the feet and also on the head and specially on the crown. Take regular exercise and eat lunch in a happy frame of mind. Have a light evening meal and go to bed in a comfortable cot at an early hour. This Din-charya has a scientific background and basis.

The Tridosha theory is the being and very soul of Ayurveda. All other theories and principles are built around it and based upon it. The early morning hours are what are known as the Wata-Kala. The year is divided into six seasons. The food, clothing and mode of living during these seasons are clearly shown.

The Ayurveda Acharya insists on psychic health and mental purification. Practical guidance is given for using daily life to make every human being an ideal citizen with the attributes of good behaviour and conduct.

Ayurveda also shows us how important it is to attend to nature's calls at the proper time. The timely attention to nature's calls-hunger, thirst, defaecation, sleep etc., keep disease away and maintains health. No other medical "pathy" seems to have paid any attention whatever to this aspect of physiology, thus ignoring the very base and foundation of sound health and long life.

Ayurveda - The Science of Health and Healing

2008-10-07T08:16:00.000-07:00

Ayurveda is the science of health and healing, practised by the ancient Aryans. This science is based on Atharva- Veda, one of the oldest scriptures of the Hindus which is about 3000 years old. It is an encyclopaedia of ancient medical wisdom. In spite of its antiquity it is practised even today by at least one fIfth of the human race, Ayurveda is not considered to be merely a summary of therapeutics based on herbal, animal and mineral resources of the world. It is a philosophy of life and living; its object is to counteract the imbalance of the three essential forces Wata, Pita and Kapha. These three forces constitute the Thridosha, from which the human body originates. This Thridosha regulates the normal working of the human body.

The ancient "triple method" or the Wata, Pita and Kapha theory cannot be translated as wind, bile and phlegm, for the simple reason that a part cannot be equal to the whole. The Thridoshas are organic, material entities in control of all organic creation and are responsible for birth, existence and death (Utpatthi, Sthiti, Bhanga). Just as the potent, celestial triad of moon, sun and air is responsible for the smooth working .of the universe, similarly the Wata, Pita and Kapha are responsible for the smooth working of organic creation. The genealogy of the Thridosha theory can be traced to ancient Vedic times. It is vast in its teaching.

The Thridosha are once again connected with the Seven Dhatus and the Malas. The Seven Dhatus are Rasa, Raktha, Mansa, Meda, Asthi, Majja and Sukra. The three Malas are excreta, urine and sweat. The base of these are the external five elements. So in all, the body consists of thirteen physical constituents. Their physiological functions are Wata dosha, Pita dosha and Kapha dosha. The functions of the seven Dhatus are

1 Rasa (Blood):
As a forerunner of raktha or blood, it primarily nourishes the body and the mind.

2 Raktha:
Sustains life, nourishes the muscles and flesh and maintains the complexion.

3 Mansa:

Embraces the skeletal structure, nourishes the fatty tissues and helps excretion

4 Meda:

Greases the limbs, eyes, nose, ensures stability by nourishing the bones, large and small.

5 Asthi:

Maintains a sturdy, erect bodily structure and stature nourishing the marrow.

6 Majja:

Forms bulk inside the bone cavities, thus giving strength and nourishment to the seminal fluid.

7 Sukra:

Gives strength and joy plus a capacity to procreate.

A unique feature of Ayurveda is that even Malas have been described as having or serving a useful purpose in the body economy.

Faeces: Give temporary support in general to the body besides keeping the body heat and air intact.

Urine: Maintains fluid balance by throwing out the liquid ingested And consumed trough food and drink.

Sweet: Retains enough moisture in the body and grease in the skin and promotes the growth of hair.

The minute details such as symptoms that arise when Dosha Dhatu, Mala are increased or decreased are taught in Ayurveda.

The most interesting teaching is the subdivision of each Dosha and their particular functions and sites. For example the Watadosha is divided into five; they are Prana, Udana, Vyana, Samana and Apana. The Prana Vayu resides in the cerebral hemisphere extending up to the neck region. Its functions are activation of the intellect, brain activity, psychic activity and integrity of nerves etc.

The Udana Vayu resides in the chest extending up to the navel. Its functions are speech, energy, integrity of various channels., intelligence, bravery, memory and psychic alertness etc.

The Vyana Vayu resides in the heart extending to all parts of the body, and its functions are fast motion in various directions, relaxation, contraction, purification of body channels, blood circulation and other fluid circulations, and post-digestion analysis of food consumed.

The Samana Vayu resides in the navel extending along the lower digestive tract. Its functions are fanning of the gastric fire. This includes digestion, assimilation, selective analysis of the food consumed and carrying away of waste products further downwards.

The Apana Vayu resides in the pelvic region extending downwards all along the urinary bladder, genital organs and thighs. Its functions are urination and defaecation, passage of semen, menses and child delivery.

The details of Pita and Kapha are also given in such detail that the physician who masters them could hardly go wrong in his diagnosis and treatment. .

Ayurveda in Sri Lanka

2008-10-06T01:00:00.000-07:00

The system of medicine practiced by the Ayurvedic physicians of Sri Lanka is almost identical with that of India. Its history dates back to many thousands of years, and the books said to have been compiled by Rishis. These Ayurveda books are complete works of science including even the teaching of surgery and anatomy and they contain descriptions of surgical instruments used at that time.

Ayurvedic science in Sri Lanka shone at its best during the reigns of Kings Buddhadasa and Parakramabahu the Great. During these days, every Sinhalese of noble birth was expected to know Ayurveda; besides Royalty, they included Buddhist monks and poets. These physicians attained a high degree of efficiency in both medicine and surgery; yet they did not work for pecuniary gain. Even the Sinhalese kings, among whom were famous surgeons and physicians, practised medicine as an act of service to gain merit.

It may be interesting to inquire at this point why the indigenous system of medicine with such a historical background fell into disfavor. This disfavor may not be due to any grave defects in the system or the medical science itself. It could be due to a misconception on the one. hand and utter ignorance on the other. The Ayurvedic theory of causation of diseases is founded on the theory of Vayu, Pita and Kapha; many fail to gather their true meaning.

In Ayurvedic literature, Vayu, Pita and Kapha are mere technical terms used to mean three conditions or forces or doshas. They are supposed to exist in the human body and they can only be recognised by the phenomena they exhibit, as the forces themselves are intangible to the senses.

They should not, therefore, be understood in their literal sense. Pita does not mean bile but signifies heat production and includes the process of digestion, the formation and discoloration of blood and all the secretions and excretions. Vayu does not mean the wind we feel, but functions as respiratory, assimilation, speech, memory, relaxation and contraction pervading the whole body. Kapha does not mean phlegm, but primarily implies the heat regulation and the formation of all preservative fluids and secretions including the circulation of blood which was known to Ayurveda before Sir William Harvey discovered it in the 17th century.

According to the Ayurvedic theory of causation of disease by Vayu, Pita and Kapha health is maintained, so long as three doshas or forces, retain their equilibrium in the body. As soon as one or more of them are disturbed, it causes ill-health. When a condition is brought about by any cause or causes that disturb all three doshas, the condition is called 'Sannipatha' (typhoid state) by the Ayurvedic physicians.

The Sannipatha is not confined to fever alone, but may be met in other diseases, such as cholera and acute diarrhoea as well. It is obvious then that there is nothing irrational in this Ayurvedic theory of the causation of diseases, and it remains a fact that the sick are restored to health, when treatment is applied based on this theory.

This theory does not conflict with the theories of the West in this field. However it must be realised that Ayurveda was practised over the last three or four thousand years, while the Western system has a history of only three or four centuries: but in these same few centuries we have also had the greatest advancements in scientific knowledge. But this has not made the Ayurvedic system seem archaic pr useless in the light of new knowledge.

In many parts of the Island, people still have confidence in indigenous treatment. The main reason is that the indigenous physician is available in their hour of need. Even without state aid and without any facilities they still continue their valuable traditional medicine. This shows the usefulness of indigenous medicine to relieve mankind from suffering.

The indigenous practice of medicine has a vitality that the extensive spread of Western medicine has not been able to oust. Mild refinement of indigenous medicine may not damage the medicative properties. In India we find indigenous medicines in the form of tablets, pills and powders and the Western practitioners there administer the native medicine when the Western medicine fails. But there is no mixing of Western drugs and native medicine.

Having an advanced science of medicine with us, we have still not put it to the best use. The main reason could be the mixing of drugs by Ayurvedic physicians. So in the first place future Ayurvedic physicians should be trained to gain absolute confidence in the knowledge of their system of medicine. Only non-confidence in their own system would make them mix or resort to other systems.

The next drawback is that the native physicians rarely compose their prescriptions guided by a knowledge of the curative properties of the different ingredients. They use the prescription found in the old works and neither deviate nor add anything from personal knowledge or experience with Ayurvedic ingredients. They have left the science of Ayurveda at the point where the Rishis have left it. The reason for this is the lack of knowledge of the therapeutical properties of the ingredients. A complete knowledge of the curative values of the ingredients is very essential. This was considered an essential part of the preliminary education under the Gurus.

The esteem in which the profession is held is the other important thing. The Ayurvedic medical profession was held in the highest esteem. Physicians practiced merely to gain merit and not for worldly benefits. Their motto was "Relieve suffering mankind at all cost". For instance, Charaka tells his pupils. "Not for sale, not the fulfillment of any desire, not for earthly gain, but solely for the good of suffering humanity. Those who sell the cure for diseases as merchandise gather the dust and neglect the gold."

It would indeed not be easy to carry out Charaka's injunction today, but this can be adequately compensated by sincerely feeling for the sick and the diseased. The nobility of the honourable profession is lost when one's treatment is advertised in the mass media. Curing patients alone is sufficient publicity for a medical man. One reason for the downfall of Ayurvedic treatment is the countless sellers of oils and other medicines at various spots where the public gather. Our valuable treatment does not need soap box or curbside orators.

The gap between the Western doctor and the Ayurvedic practitioner must be brought much closer. A sound knowledge of the English language is very essential, to enable exchange of views and ideas of the two systems. English can be an easy medium for this purpose. The Ayurvedic books must be translated into English. Books like the Sinhalese "Materia Medica" would certainly give the Western doctors an insight into the Ayurvedic form of treatment.

We are urging the practice of both forms of treatment under one roof. This definitely is a step in the right direction and is bound to bring good results to us all in Sri Lanka.