Main description:

The Sri Lankan medicinal system predominantly utilizes herbs and spices for the treatment of various ailments. This is mostly because Sri Lanka is a tropical country, a biodiverse hot-spot blessed with a plethora of flora and fauna. Traditional Herbal Remedies of Sri Lanka looks at the traditional medicinal practices of the country that utilize plant material from a cultural, philosophical and scientific perspective. When it comes to the scientific aspects, several Sri Lankan herbs have been in the spotlight for possessing bioactive constituents with promising therapeutic effects. It is hoped that these will be considered as strong candidates to combat currently prevailing global disease conditions.

Key Features:

Reveals the science behind the traditional wisdom passed down in Sri Lanka's long history of using herbal medicines

Emphasizes the increasing global interest in botanical drugs

Reviews the hot topic of Sri Lankan herbs, which possess bioactive constituents and have promising therapeutic effects

Aids the international natural product communities to better understand the herbal resources in Sri Lanka

Contents:

Introduction

Sri Lanka: The Pearl of the Indian Ocean

Traditional medicinal practices in modern times

Causes and prescribed herbal remedies of some common disease conditions

Arthritis

Cancer

Cardiovascular disease

Diabetes

Gastrointestinal disorders

Hypertension

Skin disorders

Scientific evidence on the therapeutic properties of some popular herbs and spices of Sri Lanka

Aegle marmelos

Alternanthera sessilis

Annona squamosal

Artocarpus communis

Cassia auriculata

Centella asiatica

Coccinia grandis

Cinnamomum zeylanicum

Momordica charantia

Murraya koenigii

Pterocarpus marsupium

Salacia reticulate

Scoparia dulcis

Wattakaka volubilis

Concluding remarks

Safety and quality assurance

The way forward: A SWOT analysis.