Ethno-botanical survey on “Wellangiriya”

Abstract

Many people in developing countries still rely on traditional healing practices and medicinal plant for their health care need. In Sri Lanka, medical practitioners use Wellangiriya plants for their treatments. Wellangiriya plant is used in medicinal preparations in Ayurveda and Deshiya Cikitsa such as Winaraja Kayama, Sathwawadi oil, Sarwawishadi oil etc. But there are some varieties of Wellangiriya. Therefore, ethno-botanical survey of ‘’Wellangiriya’’ is essential for the society. A questionnaire was prepared to be distributed among Ayurveda medical practitioners of the Western Province, Southern Province & Sabaragamuwa Province for collecting details such as, Capparis zeylanica, Capparis mooni and Pereskia aculeata used for Wellangiriya by the medical Practitioners. According to the results they use 2 plant species for Wellangiriya in Capparacae family. Pereskia aculeata is an introduced plant for Sri Lanka. Mainly 3 varieties of plants are used for Wellangiriya. They are Capparis mooni, Capparis zeylanica and Pereskia aculeata. It varies from the areas. Most commonly used variety for the medicinal preparations and treatments is Capparis zeylanica