Medicinal plants in sri Lanka(2)

There is a paucity of data on the occurrence of hepatotoxic and hepatocarcinogenic pyrrolizidine alkaloids in medicinal plants, and there are no data on the hepatotoxic properties of herbal medicines that are used in the traditional pharmacopoiea of Sri Lanka and other Asian and African countries. In view of the extensive consumption of these herbs and the occurrence of chronic liver diseases including hepatocellular cancer in this and other countries of South Asia, we have screened fifty medicinal plants for pyrrolizidine alkaloids and have obtained positive results with three species, namely Crotalaria verrucosa L., Holarrhena antidysenterica (L.) Br., and Cassia auriculata L. Feeding trials in rats with materials from these three species produced liver lesions--disruption of the centrilobular veins, congestion or haemorrhage in the centrilobular sinusoids, centrilobular or focal hepatocellular necrosis--and histopathology in the lungs and kidneys which were compatible with the action of pyrrolizidine alkaloids. The presence of alkaloids in C. auriculata has not been previously reported nor has the presence of pyrrolizidine alkaloids in H. antidysenterica. It is suggested that the consumption of herbal medicines that contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids could contribute to the high incidence of chronic liver disease including primary hepatocellular

Some of Medicinal Plants -
                                                                                                                   

•         Rath Handun (Red Sandalwood)
•         Masbedda (Sugar Destroyer)
•         Kothala- himbutu
•         Sudu Handun (White Sandalwood)
•         Amukkara
•         Thabili (King coconut)
•         Kurudu (Cinnamon varieties)
•         Ranawara
•         Beli
•         Akaveriya
•         Nil Awariya
•         Netul species
•         Akmalla
•         Kolankola
•         Nelli
•         Aralu

Dried products

•         Beli- mal
•         Ranawara
•         Pol- pala
•         Iramusu
•         Neeramulliya
•         Kothalahimbutu
•         Masbedda

Medicinal plants in sri lanka (1)

lPlant Families

•  Acanthaceae 

                                (Ada thoda)

Adhatoda vasica (Nees)

Description: It is a small evergreen, subherbacious bush. The leaves are 10 to 16 cms inlength, minutely pubescent and broadly lanceolate. The inflorescence is dense, short pedunculate, bractate and spike terminal. The corolla is large and white with lower lip streaked purple. The corolla is a 4-seeded small capsule. 

Propagation: By stem cuttingParts Used: Leaves, roots, flowers and stem bark.Chemical Constituents: The leaves of the plant contain an essential oil and Alkaloids vasicine, N-oxides of vasicine, vasicinone, deoxyvasicine, and maiontone. The roots are known to contain vasicinolone, vasicol, .peganine and 2glucosyl-oxychalcone. The flowers contain sitosterol glucoside, kaempferol, its glycosides and quercetin. 

Uses: Bronchitis and bronchial asthma. Local bleeding and thrombocytopenia. Pyorrhea. The leaf extract has been used for treatment of bronchitis and asthma for many centuries. It relieves cough and breathlessness. It is also prescribed commonly in Ayurveda for bleeding due to idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, local bleeding due to peptic ulcer, piles, menorrhagia etc. large doses of fresh juice of leaves have been used in tuberculosis. Its local use gives relief in pyorrhea and in bleeding gums.

      ( Heen Aniththa)     
Rhinacanthus nasut(Linn)

Synonyms: Rhinacanthus communis., Justicia nasuta
Vernacular Name: Sinhala: Heen Aniththa
Description: This useful plant is a slender, erect, branched, somewhat hairy shrub 1 to 2 meters in height. The leaves are oblong, 4 to 10 centimeters in length, and narrowed and pointed at both ends. The inflorescence is a spreading, leafy, hairy panicle with the flowers usually in clusters. The calyx is green, hairy, and about 5 millimeters long. The corolla-tube is greenish, slender, cylindric, and about 2 centimeters long. The corolla has two spreading lobes (lips); the upper lip is white, erect, oblong or lanceolate, 2-toothed at the apex, and about 3 millimeters in both length and width; and the lower lip is broadly obovate, 11 to 13 millimeters in both measurements, 3-lobed, and white, with a few, 

Chemical Constituents:  the roots contain an active principle, rhinacanthin. The plant is rich in potassium salts. rhinacanthin (1.87 per cent), from the roots which resembles chrysophanic and frangulic acids in its antiseptic and antiparasitic properties.
Uses: In India the fresh root and leaves, bruised and mixed with lime juice, are a useful remedy for ringworm and other skin affections. The seeds also are efficacious in ringworm. The root-bark is a remedy for dhobies itch. In Sind it is said to possess extraordinary aphrodisiacal powers, the roots boiled in milk being much employed by Hindu practitioners. The roots are believed n some parts of India to be an antidote to the bites of poisonous snakes.

(Heen bin kohomba)

Andrographis paniculata (Nees)

Vernacular Name: Sinhala: Heen bin kohomba; Eng: King of Bitters; Chinese: Chuan Xin Lian; Hindi: Kalmegh;
Description: Andrographis paniculata is an annual - branched, erect - running 1/2 to 1 meter in height. The aerial parts of the plant (leaves and stems) are used to extract the active phytochemicals. It grows abundantly in southeastern Asia: India (and Sri Lanka), Pakistan and Indonesia - but it cultivated extensively in China and Thailand (1), the East and West Indies, and Mauritius (2). Normally grown from seeds, Andrographis is ubiquitous in its native areas: it grows in pine, evergreen and deciduous forest areas, and along roads and in villages. Because of its well-known medicinal properties, it is also cultivated - quite easily, because it grows in all types of soil. Moreover, it grows in soil types where almost no other plant can be cultivated, particularly "serpentine soil," which is relatively high in aluminum, copper and zinc. Such hardiness helps account for its wide distribution.
Propagation: By seeds.
Parts Used: Leaves, roots.
Chemical Constituents:  Chemical Components & Their Effects: We know that Andrographis contains compounds that are analgesic (kills pain), antithrombotic (prevents blood clots), thrombolytic (breaks up blood clots), hypoglycemic (reduces blood sugar), and antipyretic (reduces fever). So, most of Andrographis' traditional uses have a scientific basis. Its most significant physiological effect is that of a "signal transducer," that is, it stops the unregulated cell growth caused by viruses (which may be why HIV sufferers are reported to show improvement with its regular use). Its most active component is andrographolide (see empirical formula at left), a colorless, bitter crystalline compound. Termed a "diterpene lactone" to describe its ringlike structure, this substance accumulates primarily in the brain, spleen, heart, and lungs. It is absorbed and excreted from the body quickly: 80% is removed within eight hours; 90%, within forty-eight hours.
Uses: Andrographis is an important "cold property" herb: it is used to rid the body of heat, as in fevers, and to dispel toxins from the body. In Scandinavian countries, it is commonly used to prevent and treat common colds. Research conducted in the '80's and '90's has confirmed that Andrographis, properly administered, has a surprisingly broad range of pharmacological effects, some of them extremely beneficial.

• Amaralidaceae

(Goda manel)
Crinum bulbispermum (Burm)

produces attractive grey green gracefully arching leaves during the summer months. A tall stem bearing large, hanging, lily-type flowers which are white with a pink to red stripe in each petal, is produced early in the growing season. The word "Krinon" means lily and the specific epithet refers to the bulblike shape and size of the seed.
Propagation: By seeds.
Part Used: Whole plant. 
Uses: This plant is used in traditional healing for the common cold, rheumatism, varicose veins, reduction of swelling and the treatment of septic sores. It is also used during the delivery of babies and to stimulate breast milk. Local people believe that this plant protects homes from evil.

 (Rathu lunu)

Allium ascalonicum  

Part Used: Bulb, Leaves & flowers.
Chemical Constituents:
Uses: Bulb - raw or cooked. A mild onion flavour, the bulbs can be up to 6cm in diameter. They can be added to salads etc, cooked as a vegetable or used as a flavouring in soups etc.
Leaves - raw or cooked. A pleasant onion flavour, though they should not be harvested in quantity since this would reduce production of the bulbs.
Flowers - raw. Used as a garnish on salads. The flowers are somewhat dry and are less pleasant than many other species.

 (Sudu lunu)

Allium sativum -  (Linn)   

Description: Bulb growing to 0.6m by 0.15m.It is hardy to zone 8 and is not frost tender. The flowers are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Bees, insects.
The plant prefers light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and requires well-drained soil. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline soil. It cannot grow in the shade. It requires dry or moist soil.
Propagation:By vegetativemethods. 

Part Used: Cloves
Chemical Constituents: Garlic contains a wealth of sulfur compounds; most important for the taste is allicin (diallyl disulphide oxide), which is produced enzymatically from alliin (S-2-propenyl-L-cysteine sulfoxide) if cells are damaged; its biological function is to repel herbivorous animals. Allicin is deactivated to diallyl disulphide; therefore, minced garlic changes its aroma if not used immediately. In the essential oil from steam distillation, diallyl disulphide (60%) is found besides diallyl trisulphide (20%), diallyl sulfide, ajoene and minor amounts of other di- and polysulphides.
Uses: Bulb - raw or cooked. Widely used, especially in southern Europe, as a flavouring in a wide range of foods, both raw and cooked. Garlic is a wonderfully nutritious and health giving addition to the diet, but it has a very strong flavour and so is mainly used in very small quantities as a flavouring in salads and cooked foods. A nutritional analysis is available. The bulbs can be up to 6cm in diameter. Leaves - raw or cooked. Chopped and used in salads, they are rather milder than the bulbs. The Chinese often cultivate garlic especially for the leaves, these can be produced in the middle of winter in mild winters.The flowering stems are usedasaflavouringandare sometimes sold in Chinese shops. The sprouted seed is added to salads.

    (Tholabo)

Crinum asiaticum (Linn) 

Description: Robust rosette-like herb arising from an underground bulb, upto 2 m high. Leaves linear, parallel veined somewhat fleshy evergreen upto 1 m long, arising from a crown atop a short erect rhizome. Flowers greenish-white, tubular, moderately large, with yellow anthers and purple style, the flowers borne in an inflorescence upto 50 cm long, bearing upto 30 flowers. Fruit yellowish-green with large seeds flowers and fruit available throughout the year.
Propagation: By vegetative method
Part Used: Leaves and rhizome.
Uses: Leaves are used in the healing of wounds. The leaves are applied to body swellings; and a preparation of the root is given to aid childbirth and for postpartum haemorrhage. The leaves are heated and applied to relieve backaches. The leaves are also used in a preparation to treat permanent retraction of the testes, Blubs are used in an emetic and as a poison antidote.  

 

  

 

 What is Health?.

                                                                                                                               

Health is the level of functional and/or metabolic efficiency of a living being. In humans, it is the general condition of a person in mind, body and spirit, usually meaning to being free from illness, injury or pain (as in “good health” or “healthy”).The World Health Organization (WHO) defined health in its broader sense in 1946 as "a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity."Although this definition has been subject to controversy, in particular as having a lack of operational value and the problem created by use of the word "complete", it remains the most enduring. Classification systems such as the WHO Family of International Classifications, which is composed of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) and the International Classification of Diseases (ICD), are commonly used to define and measure the components of health.

Determinants of health                                

See also: Social determinants of health The LaLonde report suggests that there are four general determinants of health including human biology, environment, lifestyle, and healthcare services. Thus, health is maintained and improved not only through the advancement and application of health science, but also through the efforts and intelligent lifestyle choices of the individual and society.

The Alameda County Study examines the relationship between lifestyle and health. It has found that people can improve their health via exercise, enough sleep, maintaining a healthy weight, limiting alcohol use, and avoiding smoking.A major environmental factor affecting health is water quality, especially for the health of infants and children in developing countries.Studies shows that developed countries, the lack of neighborhood recreational space that includes the natural environment leads to lower levels of neighborhood satisfaction and higher levels of obesity; therefore, lower overall well being. Therefore, the positive psychological benefits of natural space in urban neighborhoods should be taken into account in public policy and land use.

According to the World Health Organization, the main determinants of health include the social and economic environment, the physical environment and the person's individual characteristics and behaviors. Generally, the context in which an individual lives is of great importance on his life quality and health status. The social and economic environment are key factors in determining the health status of individuals given the fact that higher education levels are linked with a higher standard of life as well as a higher income. Generally, people who finish higher education are more likely to get a better job and therefore are less prone to stress by comparing to individuals with low education levels. 

Moreover, the World Health Organization lists a wide range of other factors that can influence the well being of a person. According to WHO, the gender, social support networks and health services in terms of both quality and access to them are to be considered as health determinants. Access to health care is one of the large issues of the nowadays society, maybe even greater than the quality of the service. Individuals in developing countries are more prone to suffer from different health conditions because their access to the health care system is restricted mostly from financial reasons.

Although many individuals are often criticized for not taking good care of their health based on the presumption that the mirror's of one's personality is one's health., it is now accepted that there are many factors that have a significant impact on one's health and which cannot be controlled.