Herb Library
Browse our comprehensive collection of traditional medicinal plants and herbal remedies.
Godapara (Dillenia retusa): Sri Lanka's Endemic Natural Shampoo
(Dillenia retusa)
Godapara (Dillenia retusa) is endemic to Sri Lanka — it grows wild nowhere else on earth. Before sha
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Kaha (Turmeric): The Golden Spice, the Supplement, and the Lead Problem
(Curcuma longa)
Kaha (Curcuma longa) is the most researched medicinal plant in the world and the most oversold. It i
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Komarika (Aloe Vera): Excellent on Skin, Complicated to Swallow
(Aloe vera)
Komarika (Aloe vera) sits in a pot by countless Sri Lankan kitchen doors for one very good reason: w
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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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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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Hathawariya (Asparagus racemosus): Shatavari, the Women's Tonic
(Asparagus racemosus)
Hathawariya (Asparagus racemosus) carries a name that tells you how it has been understood: shatavar
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Ranawara (Senna auriculata): The Golden Flower Tea of Sri Lanka
(Senna auriculata)
Few sights are more distinctly Sri Lankan than a ranawara bush in flower — a mass of bright yellow a
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Heen Bovitiya (Osbeckia octandra): Sri Lanka's Traditional Liver Herb
(Osbeckia octandra)
Heen bovitiya (Osbeckia octandra) is a plant with an unusually specific reputation. Where many herbs
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Nelli (Phyllanthus emblica): Amla, Triphala's Third Fruit
(Phyllanthus emblica)
Nelli (Phyllanthus emblica) is the fruit that plays a trick on you: bite it and it is astringent and
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Aralu (Terminalia chebula): Haritaki and the Triphala Tradition
(Terminalia chebula)
Aralu (Terminalia chebula) carries an unusual reputation: Tibetan medical texts depict it in the han
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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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