ஆயுர்வேத மருத்துவ தாவரங்கள்

இலங்கையின் ஆயுர்வேத பாரம்பரியம் பல நூற்றாண்டுகளாகப் பயன்படுத்தப்படும் பல்வேறு வகையான மருத்துவ தாவரங்களைக் கொண்டுள்ளது. இலங்கை அதன் பூர்வீக அறிவையும் பல்வேறு வகையான மருத்துவ தாவரங்களையும் பயன்படுத்தி ஆயுர்வேத மருத்துவத்தில் ஒரு வளமான பாரம்பரியத்தைக் கொண்டுள்ளது. இலங்கையில் காணப்படும் சில குறிப்பிடத்தக்க ஆயுர்வேத மருத்துவ தாவரங்கள் இங்கே.

ஆயுர்வேத மற்றும் மூலிகை ஆயுர்வேத சுற்றுலா

Tragia involucrata

Tragia involucrata, commonly known as Indian stinging nettle or locally in some regions as “Thakshiri,” is a perennial climbing shrub belonging to the Euphorbiaceae family. It is widely distributed across tropical and subtropical regions of Asia, including India, Sri Lanka, and Southeast Asia. The plant is notable for its tiny stinging hairs, which can cause skin irritation on contact, similar to nettles.

This plant typically grows in forests, hedges, and along roadsides, thriving in moist and shaded environments. The stems are slender, twining, and covered with trichomes that give it a stinging effect. Its leaves are simple, ovate, and alternately arranged, while the small, inconspicuous flowers appear in clusters and are usually greenish or yellowish. The fruit is a small capsule containing seeds, which contribute to the plant’s propagation.

Tragia involucrata has a long history in traditional medicine, particularly in Ayurveda and Siddha practices. Various parts of the plant—leaves, roots, and stems—are used to treat ailments such as skin diseases, respiratory disorders, fever, and inflammation. Its medicinal properties are attributed to bioactive compounds like flavonoids, alkaloids, and tannins, which exhibit anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant effects.

Beyond its medicinal use, Tragia involucrata also plays a role in local ecosystems as a host plant for certain insects and contributes to soil stabilization due to its climbing and spreading habit. Despite its small size, the plant is considered highly valuable both ecologically and therapeutically, reflecting the traditional knowledge embedded in rural herbal practices.