Ayurvedic Medicinal Plants

Sri Lanka's Ayurvedic tradition features a rich variety of medicinal plants used for centuries. Sri Lanka has a rich tradition of Ayurvedic medicine, drawing on its indigenous knowledge and a variety of medicinal plants. Here are some notable Ayurvedic medicinal plants found in Sri Lanka:

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Withania somnifera

Withania somnifera, known commonly as ashwagandha or winter cherry, is an evergreen shrub in the Solanaceae or nightshade family that grows in India, the Middle East, and parts of Africa. Several other species in the genus Withania are morphologically similar.

It’s been used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years to ease pain and inflammation, treat insomnia, and boost nutrition, along with other conditions.

Common Name In Sri Lanka: Ashwaganda (අශ්වගන්ධ)
Scientific Name: Withania somnifera
Habitat: The native habitats include open and disturbed areas.
Average Height: 35–75 cm

Withania somnifera is part of the catalog of ayurvedic medicinal plants of Sri Lanka.

Ashwagandha is a small evergreen shrub. It grows in India, the Middle East, and parts of Africa. The root and berry are used to make medicine.

Ashwagandha is commonly used for stress. It is also used as an "adaptogen" for many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these other uses.

Don't confuse ashwagandha with Physalis alkekengi. Both are known as winter cherry. Also, don't confuse ashwagandha with American ginseng, Panax ginseng, or eleuthero.