Herb Library
Browse our comprehensive collection of traditional medicinal plants and herbal remedies.
Wel Penela (Cardiospermum halicacabum): Balloon Vine for Joints and Skin
(Cardiospermum halicacabum)
Wel penela (Cardiospermum halicacabum) is easy to identify and easy to overlook: a slender vine scra
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Karabu Nati (Syzygium aromaticum): Cloves and Eugenol for Toothache
(Syzygium aromaticum)
Karabu nati (Syzygium aromaticum) is one of the few household remedies whose active ingredient your
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Vada Kaha (Acorus calamus): Sweet Flag, and Why Dosage Matters
(Acorus calamus)
Vada kaha (Acorus calamus) sits awkwardly between reverence and risk. Ayurveda classes it as a medhy
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Lunuwila (Bacopa monnieri): Brahmi, and the Evidence for Memory
(Bacopa monnieri)
Lunuwila (Bacopa monnieri) is unusual on this site for a straightforward reason: there are actual ra
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Welmadata (Rubia cordifolia): Indian Madder, the Skin and Dye Root
(Rubia cordifolia)
Welmadata (Rubia cordifolia) has coloured cloth and treated skin for as long as either has been reco
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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
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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
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Bulu (Terminalia bellirica): Bahera and the Third Fruit of Triphala
(Terminalia bellirica)
Bulu (Terminalia bellirica) is the least famous member of a famous trio. Where aralu and nelli are w
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Senehe Kola (Senna alexandrina): The Herbal Laxative That Actually Works
(Senna alexandrina)
Most herbs on this site come with the caveat that their traditional reputation runs ahead of the evi
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Weniwelgeta (Coscinium fenestratum): The Yellow Vine of Sri Lankan Medicine
(Coscinium fenestratum)
Cut a stem of weniwelgeta (Coscinium fenestratum) and the inside is an astonishing sulphur yellow. T
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Polpala (Aerva lanata): The Traditional Kidney and Urinary Herb
(Aerva lanata)
Polpala (Aerva lanata) is a modest, woolly weed that most people would step over without noticing. I
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Iramusu (Hemidesmus indicus): Indian Sarsaparilla, the Cooling Root
(Hemidesmus indicus)
Iramusu (Hemidesmus indicus) is known first by its smell. Break a piece of the dried root and it rel
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