Resource information
In Sri Lanka, ayurveda (a holistic
system of medicine and health care which originated in
India-in Sanskrit, "Ayu" means " life'
and "veda" means " the knowledge of ")
and the traditional system of health care have been
systematically used for over two thousand years to treat
illnesses. When last listed, 1,414 plant species have been
used for this purpose. These species include several endemic
species which are becoming increasingly rare and under
threat of extinction. Approximately 200 species of medicinal
plants are in common use, and of these 50 are heavily used
in ayurvedic and traditional health care systems. Nearly 80
medicinal plant species are now considered threatened. In
addition to recognizing their curative and therapeutic
value, Sri Lankans uses medicinal plants in rituals,
cultural activities and in religious functions.
