Ethnobotany,Medicinal plants,Folk medicine,Traditional medicine,Tamil culture,Remedies," /> Ethnobotany,Medicinal plants,Folk medicine,Traditional medicine,Tamil culture,Remedies,"/> Ethnobotanics used in folk medicine of Tamil culture in Sri Lanka: A scientific review
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Journal of Integrative Medicine ›› 2017, Vol. 15 ›› Issue (1): 19-26.doi: 10.1016/S2095-4964(17)60317-0

• Review • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Ethnobotanics used in folk medicine of Tamil culture in Sri Lanka: A scientific review

Anternite Shanthi Jesuthasan, Deepthi Inoka Uluwaduge   

  1. Medical Laboratory Sciences Unit, Department of Allied Health Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences,University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Gangodawila, Nugegoda 10250, Sri Lanka
  • Received:2016-09-15 Accepted:2016-10-09 Online:2017-01-15 Published:2017-01-15
  • Contact: Anternite Shanthi Jesuthasan; E-mail: sha.jesu@yahoo.com

Tamil culture has recognized the potential use of plant herbs for prevention and treatment of different diseases. These folk remedies have been practiced by Sri Lankan Tamils even after modernization. This review focuses on frequently used medicinal plants among Sri Lankan Tamil communities, such as Cuminum cyminum, Azadirechta indica, Coriandrum sativum, Sesamum indicum, Zingiber officinale, Trigonella foenum-graecum, Moringa oleifera, Plectranthus amboinicus, Allium sativum and Curcuma longa, for their documented medicinal properties, which include antimicrobial, antioxidant, antitumor, anti-inflammatory, antihypertensive, hypocholesterolemic, antidiabetic and diuretic effects.

Key words: Ethnobotany, Medicinal plants, Folk medicine, Traditional medicine, Tamil culture, Remedies

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