Herbal Mediciness

It's a amiazing just how many herbaltreatments and cures there are inSri Lanka. Almost even herb, vegtable and fruit has a wide variety of medicinal properties. In short, there's a cure for every ailment if you know herbs well enough. Herbal medications are also becoming popular exports in Sri Lanka.

Heart Seed.

One of the romnionest herbs with an array of medicinal uses is 'Welpenela'. Its botanical term is cardiospermum halicacabum and some of its other names are heart seed, black liquorice and balloon vine. It is found aplenty in markets and growing in many a home garden. This small and delicate wiry climber can be treat piles, rheumatism, nervous disorders and chronic bronchitis. its power lies mostly in its leaves which can also be used as a poultice for skin diseases. A paste of the leaves a dressing for sores and wounds. Crushed leaves can also be inhaled to relieve headaches and the seeds used to relieve fever and body aches.

Karapincha

A popular flavourins leaf that is used widely in Sri lankan curries known as 'karapincha' is also very medicinal. The leaves, roots, bark,stalk and flowers can be either boiled or powdered together to relieve any type of stomach disorder.

Bittergonrd

The leaves of the Bittergourd plant or 'karavila' can be crushed and the juice massaged into the scalp for a good growth of hair and to help prevent hair loss.
The 'karavila' fruit, bitter as it is, increases the flow of milk in nursing mothers, when eaten in sufficient quantities.

Kikirindiya

This is known as Ectipta prostrata botankally, and it is a herb used in many forms to cure various diseases. In Sanskrit It is known as 'kasaraja' which refers to growth of the hair. This herb prevents the hair from beconiing prematurely grey,
Diseases of the skin can also be cured through this herb.

Cucumber

Cucumber, popular in salads, is a herb which is known to keep the kidneys healthy. Cucumber seeds when roasted, powdered and made into a coffee-like drink have been known to relieve colic. Thin slices of cucumber placed on tired eyes is supposed to have a soothing effect.

Pomegranate

For sore eyes, the flowers of the pomegranate (Punica granatum) tree known as 'delun' can give great relief. The buds of the tree are boiled and the infusion given to stop chronic diarrhoea especially In children. The same infusion also relieves bronchitis. Bleeding from the nose can be checked by powdering the flowers of
the pomegranate tree and applying it on the bleeding area.