Medicinal values of plants that are habitat to coastal area of Sri Lanka: a literary study

Abstract

Herbs cover the complete range of growth habits and sizes of plants, and they can be annuals, biennials, perennials, trees, shrubs, climbers, creeping vines and grasses. Sri Lanka has a rich ecosystem diversity because of its topographic and climatic heterogeneity as well as its coastal influence. As a tropical country there are several plants available in Sri Lanka coast that are habitat in large scale. Cocos nucifera, Borassus flabellifer, 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. Problems with drug-resistant microorganisms, side-effects of modern drugs, and emerging diseases where no medicines are available, have stimulated renewed interest in plants as a significant source of new medicines. This literary study was conducted to identify the medicinal values Cocos nucifera, Borassus flabellifer, 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. This 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, 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, gastrointestinal system, respiratory system, blood circulatory system, urinary system, reproductive system and immune system. The results emphasize the medicinal utility of Cocos nucifera, Borassus flabellifer, 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.