Sri Lanka's Fruits and their Medicinal Values
Use of Pulp, Flowers, Seeds, Juices, Barks in Ayurveda or Homeopathy
Apr 17, 2009
In Sri Lanka, when one's not well, a person may channel for appointment with Western medicine practitioners, or see an Ayurvedic doctor, or turn to Homeopathy.
Traditional Medicine according to the Mahawamsa Chronicles
According to Upali Pilipitiya, Director of the Bandaranaike Memorial Ayurvedic Research Institute, in his paper, "Traditional Use of Non-wood Forest Products in Ayurvedic Medicine in Sri Lanka," the Mahawamsa Chronicles, the country's recorded history, mentioned that around 173 BC, King Dutugemunu established hospitals for the clergy and pregnant women, while King Buddhadasa (AD 388-416) also built a hospital, with nurses to serve the sick. Ruins of hospitals and medical schools are scattered around the ancient capitals of Anuradhapura and Pollonnaruwa, "where traditional medicine was taught and practiced."
Sri Lanka Fruits in Ayurveda and Sinhala Medicine
Beli or bael (Aegle marmelos) is important to traditional physicians. Dr Seela Fernando, author of "Herbal Food and Medicines in Sri Lanka," writes that the fruit is used to combat dysentery, diarrhoea and irritations of the alimentary canal. Mixed with roasted rice, a half-ripe beli may cure bleeding haemorrhoids, while in powdered form, it's drank like tea in the case of bleeding piles. The beli tree itself is a "living" first-aid kit, its leaves in a hot poultice to cure delirium and acute bronchitis, its flowers in an infusion to clear the kidneys, and with a bit of sugar, one may drink an infusion of its roots, for quenching deep thirsts, especially during summer. Its trunk is good timber material, but the tree's medicinal value far outweighs the demand for its wood.
Divul or woodapple (Feronia limonia) is endemic to Sri Lanka. Eating the pulp is a first recourse to treating sore throat and mouth infections. A milkless divul sherbert is made with honey and given to someone suffering from dysentery. Its juice is used to irrigate the eye to remove foreign bodies. Divul is also given to scurvy patients.
Then there's Delum or pomegranate (Punica granatum); though native to Iran, it has adapted well to Sri Lankan climate and soil. Oozing with vitamins and antioxidant properties, the fruit's rind is dried and powdered and mixed with coriander, cumin seeds, pepper and other spices and herbs. Drunk like coffee and sweetened with honey, it supposedly cures dysentery. The bark of the root rids the body of tapeworms. Its red-orange flowers are used to treat sore eyes and roundworms, while the buds are boiled in an infusion that's given to children suffering from chronic diarrhoea and bronchitis.
The Siyambala or tamarind (Tamarindus indica) is a popular curry ingredient. The pulp is boiled with milk and dates, to which certain spices and camphor are added to combat fever, loss of appetite and other gastric problems. For rheumatism, a paste of pulp and salt makes a good liniment. The tender leaves of the tamarind tree are eaten as vegetable, to fight biliousness. Dried tamarind leaf powder is poured over ulcers. Supermarket shelves carry bottles of ready-to-drink tamarind juice to drive hangover woes.
Folk Medicine in China, the Philippines and Malaya
Dr Ralph Moss, writing on the CancerDecisions.com newsletter, quotes botanist's Julia Morton's notes on mangosteen's uses in folk medicine in China, the Philippines and Malaya, that says the dried rind powder of the mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana) is "made into an ointment which is applied to eczema," and a "decoction is taken to relieve diarrhea, cystitis, gonorrhea and gleet..." There's also a drink that has invaded the market, touting the anti-cancer powers of the xanthone-rich fruit, but more scientific studies are needed to back up the manufacturer's claims.
The General Goodness and Health Benefits of Eating Fruits
Sri Lanka, a veritable fruit basket, cultivates some of the juiciest strawberries and rambutan, the sweetest passionfruits, the creamiest avocados, the crunchiest rose apples, and grows several varieties of bananas. The country is just bursting with nourishing, energizing and health-giving fruity options, her people need only to check their backyard trees or walk a few paces to the neighborhood store, for all their fruit requirements. In Sri Lanka, "a banana a day keeps the doctor away."
Note: This article serves as general information only, not a dispensation of medical advice or recommendation for treatment. For all your medical needs, please consult your physician.
Reference:
Fernando, Seela Dr. Herbal Food and Medicines in Sri Lanka. New Delhi:Navrang, 1993.
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