SLC S21 Week 1 - A Comprehensive guide to Herbal Medicines

Hey Steemian friends!

Ayurveda, I'm sure if you are interested in Herbal Medicines you should have heard this term. Sri Lanka is a world leader in this field and recognized as one of the official system of medicine in Sri Lanka. Many Sri Lankans always try to blend Ayurveda with modern treatments whenever possible. Hence Herbal Medicines are something very close to us since the day we born. I hope I can share many interesting details about Herbal Medicines in this topic.

🌿 Ayurveda: Sri Lanka’s Gift of Natural Healing

These days, it's like everyone’s reaching for pills the second they feel a little off. But honestly, think about this, before all these pharmacies opened up on every corner, people had to use what was around them. And in Sri Lanka, that meant turning to the rich, natural remedies that grow practically in our backyards.

Thanks to Ayurveda our centuries-old system of herbal medicine Sri Lankans have been thriving on plants and herbs that are simple, safe, and kind of magical. Dating back to the 9th century AD we believed to have had some of the world’s earliest hospitals with herbal medicine baths, treatment rooms, and advanced drainage systems.

Sri Lankan Ayurvedic practice uses more than 1,400 documented medicinal plants and countless other herbs to heal people. When Buddhism spread to Sri Lanka around the 3rd century BCE, Buddhist monks were taught herbal medicine and temples were served as both spiritual and healing centers.

🌿 Cultural Believes

We Sri Lankans love our nature, hence we have a lot of belief in our Ayurveda system. I mean, for thousands of years, our ancestors believed that health wasn’t just about curing a cough or fixing a stomach ache! It was about living in harmony with your body, your mind, and the world around you.

Because of that most of us even still go for the outside the door herbs, roots, flowers, all loaded with healing power. It’s this holistic approach that makes Ayurvedic practices not just “medicine” but a whole lifestyle.

Take the gotu kola leaf, for instance. There’s this old saying that elephants eat gotu kola to stay strong and sharp—and that’s something! In villages, elders often chew a few leaves every morning, believing it’ll help keep their memory sharp. They say it keeps the mind young and calm. Is it folklore? Maybe a little. But with studies showing that gotu kola supports brain health, you gotta wonder how they knew!

🌿 Modern Medicine vs. Herbal Remedies

When it comes to handling common issues like headaches or that nasty cold which will ruin your day, there's no argument that modern medicine can be a fast fix. But then again, everything comes with a catch, right? Here’s a little comparison between modern and herbal remedies for some common ailments.

Ailment	Modern Medicine	Pros	Drawbacks	Herbal Medicine	Pros	Drawbacks
Cold	Paracetamol, Ibuprofen	Works fast	Upsets the stomach, strains the liver	Ginger, Eucalyptus leaves	Boosts immunity naturally	Stomach upset if overused
Headache	Aspirin, Paracetamol	Eases pain quickly	Can cause ulcers, rebound headaches	Peppermint, Feverfew	Gentle on the stomach, calming	Takes longer for severe pain
Stomach Ache	Antacids	Calms symptoms fast	Can mess with digestion long-term	Ginger, Peppermint	Eases digestion naturally	Can cause heartburn in excess

Modern medicine gives that quick relief, but we’ve all heard of side effects, especially when you overdo it. On the other hand, herbal medicine doesn’t give that instant hit of relief. It’s gentler and sort of works with your body. Like, ginger tea doesn’t just ease your stomach—it makes you feel warm and cozy, almost like it’s healing more than just one thing at a time.

🌿 Three Healing Herbs from a Sri Lankan Kitchen

In Sri Lanka, some of our best herbal medicines are just part of everyday cooking and how do we find them? well, we just go to our backyard and pluck them. You could say "all organic" 👌

o1. Curry Leaves (Karapincha)

If you ever try a Sri Lankan curry you will find plenty of curry leaves in it. We toss them in almost everything, and honestly, it’s not just for the flavor they add, it is because the goodness these little leaves have.

They can lower your cholesterol, known to improve digestion, regulate blood sugar levels, and even improve hair health! Yep, curry leaves are a main ingredient in most of the hair oils which keep hair strong and shiny. Many people use them in oils to reduce hair fall and premature graying. Also there’s a belief that chewing a few fresh curry leaves in the morning could “cleanse” the body.

o2. Pandan Leaves (Rampe)

I believe everyone who has a garden in Sri Lanka this tree is a must. If not even in balconies they would plant this tree because like curry leaves this is something you can't miss out in Sri Lankan rice, soups, and curries. Why? well, first of all it gives you lovely aroma that makes our dishes so comforting and think home.

And then we believe that this plant has magical power to extract all the toxic from the cooking. In a lot of families, adding a pandan leaf to the rice pot is almost a daily ritual. Normally we don't eat it and throw it away after cooking. Other than that Pandan Leaves can helps with blood flow, reduces stress, and eases pain.

o3. Turmeric

Turmeric is a big favorite in Sri Lanka. It’s that bright yellow spice you see in curry powder, and most cooks use it to add a natural color to yellow rice, dhal, and curries. But turmeric does a lot more than just add color, the healing power it’s believed to have is amazing. People say it helps reduce swelling and strengthens the immune system.

You’ll find turmeric in almost everything, from curries and rice dishes to homemade skincare. Lots of people even make turmeric face masks to keep their skin fresh and clear. Some also mix turmeric with water to clean floors or use it as a sanitizer to kill germs. It’s like turmeric is this all-around natural “cleanser” that makes you feel good, inside and out.

🌿 Different Ways Herbs Can Be Used

• Fresh Herbs: Fresh in the sense that we just-picked and used right away, like what I get from my backyard.

• Dried Herbs: In order to keep herbs longer and taste stronger we try to make them dried and keep away from water. We can often find dried herbs in teas and spice mixes. Now a days there are herbal capsules also.

• Powdered Herbs: Herbs in powder form are easy to add to drinks and food. It gives more commercial options to herbs. Turmeric, black pepper, and ginger are some of the example of this.

• Infusions: Infusing herbs in hot water makes a simple tea. Common ones, like peppermint or cinnamon tea, can be really soothing, gives lovely aroma.

• Oils and Balms: We use herbal oils and balms are directly on the skin. For example, coconut oil with herbs can feel cool on the head and even help ease headaches when rubbed in.

🌿 Using Garlic Safely

We all know that Garlic packed with health benefits. But, just like with anything else, it needs to be used carefully.

Possible Side Effects of Garlic,

• Stomach Upset: Too much Garlic can give you an upset stomach, especially raw. Like nausea, maybe even some aches. “more isn’t always better” so managing how much you take anything to your body is quite concerning.

• Blood Thinning: I didn't know this but apparently Garlic can actually slow down blood clotting. If you’re prepping for surgery or on certain meds, it’s best get medical advice on usage of Garlic .

• Bad Breath and Body Odor: Garlic doesn't have best of smell and it can stick for a while. So, if you are meeting someone important make sure to use mouthwash 😁

How to Use Turmeric Garlic,

• Start Small: Wondering how much to use? Start tiny! maybe half a clove or single clove. This lets you see how your body handles it, and you can always build up from there.

• Eat with Meals: Garlic can be intense on an empty stomach, so adding it to meals can soften the effect.

So to conclude, Herbal Medicine combined with Ayurveda is more than just some old tradition here in Sri Lanka. We live through it everyday and it is a part of our lives. With these simple herbs that we can easily find even in our backyard, we are connecting with a way of life that’s as much about self-care as it is about medicine. So, let’s keep these natural remedies close, celebrate the wisdom of our heritage, and enjoy the health that nature gives us.

Thank you for choosing this interesting course @afzalqamar. Looking forward to taking on the next week’s lesson. I would like to invite @pathanapsana, @kathy-cute & @sojib1996 to participate in this contest.

Thank you.

Peace to all 🙏

^{Cover image has been developed by Midjourney / Dall E and photoshoped by me. The remaining images are from my backyard, and I’ve ensured proper sourcing for all other pictures used.}