Herbs for Asthma and Breathing

5 Sri Lankan medicinal plants traditionally used for this purpose. Open a herb to see its Sinhala, English and botanical names, the parts used, how it is prepared, the research behind it and safety notes.

Use with care: Traditional use does not prove that a herb works or that it is safe for you. Talk to a doctor or a registered Ayurveda practitioner before using herbs to treat a condition, especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medicines, or treating a child. Read our disclaimer

Fruits & Seeds

Cardamom (Enasal): The Queen of Spices for Digestion

(Elettaria cardamomum)

Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum) is expensive for a reason: the pods must be picked by hand, slightly

Succulents

Thotila (Oroxylum indicum): The Indian Trumpet Tree of Dasamula

(Oroxylum indicum)

Thotila (Oroxylum indicum) is unmistakable once you have seen it: a slender tree hung with enormous

Fruits & Seeds

Thippili (Piper longum): Long Pepper for Digestion and Breathing

(Piper longum)

Thippili (Piper longum) looks like a small grey catkin rather than a pepper, but one taste settles t

Leaves

Pawatta (Justicia adhatoda): Adhatoda, the Herb Behind a Modern Cough Medicine

(Justicia adhatoda)

Pawatta (Justicia adhatoda) has a distinction that few traditional herbs can claim. Its principal al

Roots & Rhizomes

Elabatu / Katuwelbatu (Solanum virginianum): The Thorny Nightshade for Coughs

(Solanum virginianum (syn. S. surattense, S. xanthocarpum))

Elabatu (Solanum virginianum) is the low, viciously spiny weed with purple flowers and yellow marble

Other uses

Digestion (42) Coughs and Colds (22) Skin Conditions (22) Blood Sugar and Diabetes (18) Fever (16) Urinary and Kidney Health (16) Cooling the Body (14) Joint Pain and Arthritis (13) Wound Healing (12) Sleep and Stress (9) Immunity (8) Diarrhoea (8) Oral and Dental Health (8) Constipation (7) Cholesterol and Heart Health (7) Hair Care (7) Liver Health (6) Women's Health (4) Inflammation and Swelling (4) Memory and Brain Health (4) Eye Health (4) Weight Management (3) Piles (Haemorrhoids) (3) Intestinal Worms (3)