TRADITIONAL USES OF MEDICINAL PLANTS IN SRI LANKA WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO HERBAL DRINKS: A REVIEW

Plants and their products have been systematically used around the world for various purposes, including traditional medicinal needs. Though the advance importance of Western medicine is well recognized, the traditional use of medicinal plants to treat various illnesses is not obsoleted. The medicinal plants play a major role in almost all traditional medical systems. Sri Lanka is endowed with wealthy traditional medicinal systems that predominantly utilize the medicinal plants. The island consists of a great diversity of medicinal plants, which is over 1400 species, with 838 genera belonging to 181 families. In addition, approximately 250 medicinal plants are widely used in traditional medicine, while 50 species are heavily used. Today, about 60-70% of the population in Sri Lanka uses medicinal plants to full fill their health requirements. This paper reviews the available information on the current status of medicinal plants in Sri Lanka and threats to its sustainable use. As well, the most spaces were given to highlight the medicinal value and therapeutic properties of herbal plants that are used to prepare the island the most famous traditional and home-prepared herbal drinks; “Paspanguwa” and “Kola Kanda”. The ‘‘Paspanguwa” is famous in the island to treat minor ailments such as fever, cold, cough, sneezing and physical aches and pains. While “Kola Kanda” is traditionally used as a breakfast, for its various phytochemical properties and thus, as a natural herbal medicine too, that might enhance the immune system, naturally.