A Review on Medicinal uses of Weeds in Sri Lanka

Abstract

Island of Sri Lanka was occupied by Homo sapiens since 40,000 years ago. They separated into Yaksha, Naga and Deva tribes. A Yaksha king called Ravana ruled Sri Lanka around 10,000 BC and established methods of medical practices. In 509 BC a team led by Indian prince Vijaya arrived and started agriculture civilization. In 341 AD King Buddadasa wrote a medical pharmacopeia; Sarartha Sangrahaya in which he medicinal values of Cannabis were described. Since then medical books described Cannabis as an important herbal ingredient. These books include Yogarnavaya and Prayagorathnavaliya (1232), Vaidyacintamani – wish-fulfilling gem of Medicine (1707), Glossary of Synonyms of Medicinal Plants (1798), Yogasekaraya (1894), Kolavidiya (1900), Es Veda Potha (Opthalmic treatments) (1908). Saraswathi Nigantuwa (1918), Sri Sarangadara Samhitha (1929), Chemistry and Pharmacology of Indian and Sri Lankan Medicinal Plants (1935), Sri Lankan Ayurvedic Pharmacopeia (1937), Senehe shathakam (1940), Thel beheth potha (book of Medicinal Oils) in 1954, Atheesara Chikithsawa (Diareal treatments) in 1962, Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants (1963), Purana Rahas thel beheth Potha (Ancient secretes of Medicinal Oils) in 1969, Desheeya Vaidya Sabdakoshaya (Dictionary of Indigenous Medicine) in 1970, Go Rathnaya (Treating Cows) in 1980, Desheeya Guli Kalka Sagaraya (Edible Medicines) in 1999. In 2015 Minister of Health, Nutrition & Indigenous Medicine Dr. Rajitha Dissanayake initiated promotion of Cannabis for Indigenous Medicine. In 2017 a comprehensive book about Cannabis was written by W.S. Weliange. Government interference is necessary to educate people about the overall importance of Cannabis for health, society and the Nature.