Kaha, Ath kaha(Curcuma longa (Tumeric))

Botnical name: Calotropis procer

Family name: ASCLEPIADACEAE

Names in different languages:

     English: Tumeric

     Sinhala name:Kaha

     Tamil names : mancal, Manjal

     Sanskirt: -Haridra

Distribution: Sri Lanka, India .

Status:-Under cultivation

Edible parts:-Rhizoma

Ayurvedicusage:

Treatment for: bites, Snake bits , Colds, Fever, Catarrh, Rheumatisim, Bronchial ailments, Skin diseases,Bruises, Sprains, Wounds, Leach

Parts used to make medicine:Rhizoma  

Propagation: Rhizoma

 




Important condiment, spice and medicinal material in India and Sri Lanka. Believed to reduce uric acid levels in the blood, reducing gout symptoms. It is the main constituent of alternative-medicine treatments for Gout, arthritis. Ant-cancer effects have been claimed. It contains a di-ketone which can exist in a enol-form. A chain of nine conjugated carbon atoms linking two benzene rings explains the yellow colour of Turmeric

Girithilla- Argyreia populifolia

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Botanical name:-Argyreia populiolia

Family name:-CONVOLVULACEA

Names in different languages:

     English name:- Elephant creeper,Woolly Morning Glory

    Local name:- Girithilla

   Tamil name:- kakkatan, katar-palai, samuttira-p-pal

   Sanskirt name :-, vriddadaru, Vidhara, murva, samudraphalaka-

Edibal parts:-Leaves, Fruits

Status:-Endemic

Ayurvedic usage:-Dog bites, Anorexia, Gum diseases, Uterine disorders, Piles, Nervous system disorders, Rheumatism, Diabetes mellitus, Dyspepsia, Asthma, Leucoderma, Coughs, Asthma,

Parts use to make medicine:-Leaves, Roots

Propagation:-Seeds

Ginithilla is abundantly found in forests of Sri Lanka. The purple flower of Ginitilla is very beautiful. This is grown as a creeper and and it's leaves are quite large and contains a milky white secretion.It' s said that fruits are prepared as a curry.Parts of the plant are used to treat dog bites.This plant is endemic to Sri Lanka.

 

Kapparawalliya-Plectranthus amboinicus

Scientific name-Plectranthus amboinicus 
 English name-Country borage

 Belong to Lamiaceae family and equal to Thulsi plant of Hindus .It is known as ‘Pashanabedha ‘ in Sanskrit as it can remove bladder stones .50- 80 cm in height and leaves are having oblongated edges .The leaves are very fleshy and has a sharp odor .Flowers bloom at age of 2-3 years and are light purple in colour .Corolla is arranged as a ring around the axis .Can be easily cultivated in any area  of Sri Lanka .Propagated through immature stem cuttings and this should be done in rainy season as the fleshy parts of the stem may dry up in dry season .Stem cuttings should be obtained before flowering of plants.It is used in horticulture and have a very high medicinal value .Whole plant is used to prepare medicine.Can be boiled and drunk or steam of it can be inhaled as a cure for influenza .It is also used as  a cure for stomachache.I is applied around the eye for pain in eyes as the plant has a cooling effect . It’s  juice is used for athsma and to remove stones in bladder. 


Used in treatment for:Headaches, Worm infestation, Anorexia, Vaginal discharge, pains, Dysentery ,Liver diseases, Eye  diseases,Epilepsy, Asthma,Smallpox, Pneumonia, Whooping cough,

Parts used in treatment:Whole plant