Abstract:
The indigenous system is very popular in Asian countries. Medicinal plants offer alternative
remedies with tremendous opportunities to indigenous treatments. In the present study we conducted a comprehensive survey on the types of medicinal plant materials, including the specific
plant parts that are available for this purpose. In addition, various treatment types, frequency
index, heavily used and rare materials, family wise distribution, challenges faced by traditional
practitioners and future prospects were also explored. The present survey covered area with a
high population of traditional practitioners for orthopaedic treatment in Sri Lanka. Information
was gathered from a total of eighty one (81) traditional practitioners from the Embilipitiya, Godakawela and Kolonna divisional secretary areas. A questionnaire was prepared and actual data
were gathered through face-to-face interviews. Collected data were tabulated and analysed. A
total of 258 different plant species belonging to 91 families were documented. The highest
number of plants was reported from the family Fabaceae (31 species). Different parts of the
plant such as leaves, barks, entire plant, roots, seeds, fruits, flowers, stems, latex, pods, bulbs,
buds, and husk were used for the preparation of different types of formulae. These treatments
include Mellum, oil, paste, Peyawa, juice, depression therapy, Kalka, Paththu, Arishta, steams
and smoking. A pioneering effort was made to utilize indigenous knowledge in orthopaedic
care for conservation of valuable medicinal plants and to promote indigenous medicine needs
in Sri Lanka. Plant information documented with traditional knowledge can be used effectively
for various orthopaedic diseases and for plant identification.
