Medicinal values of plants that are habitat to coastal areas of Sri Lanka: A literary study

Abstract

Herbs cover the complete range of growth habits and sizes of plants. As a tropical country there are several plants available in Sri Lanka’s coastal areas that are habitat in large scale. Borassus flabellifer, Cocos nucifera, Ipomoea pes-caprae, Pandanus tectorius and Calotropis gigantea are the plants and creeping vines which are available in large range. They are rich in pharmacodynamics, mentioned in Ayurveda authentic books and as well as in the details of Sri Lankan oral tradition. But none of that information is famous among Sri Lankans. This literary study was conducted to identify the medicinal values Borassus flabellifer, Cocos nucifera, Ipomoea pes-caprae, Pandanus tectorius and Calotropis gigantea which are habitat to the coastal part of Sri Lanka for conservation, sustainable development of natural medicines and share the benefits of their medicinal value. Study was based on the Ayurveda and Sri Lankan traditional authentic books and findings related to the plants were considered and analyzed. According to the results obtained, pacts of whole plant’s parts such as flowers, leaves, bark, roots and fruits have medicinal values and they are used for medicines. Every plant has pharmacodynamic actions which are related to Nerve system, Gastro intestinal system, Respiratory system, Blood circulatory system, Urinary system, Reproductive system and Immune system. Results emphasize the medicinal utility of Borassus flabellifer, Cocos nucifera, Ipomoea pes-caprae, Pandanus tectorius and Calotropis gigantea and it is essential to bring it up to the Sri Lankan society for the enhancement of natural medicine through the natural resources.