SRI LANKAN HERBAL PRODUCTS

Sri Lanka has a rich collection of medicinal plants, including many endemic species. Although the island is small, it is one of the biodiversity hotspots in the world. Due to the great climate ranges within this small country, the collection of plant species also differs in each part of the country.

Sri Lankan indigenous medicine has close affinity to Ayurveda but has its own unique properties. It has been practiced for more than 3000 years. The history also revealed that the physicians were considered noble people in society and their secret prescriptions have been passed down from generation to generation within those families in the form of manuscripts. Strengthened by the influences of Buddhism, the relationship between native medicine and royalty continues in the country and even now there are people coming from these families.

Cosmetology seems to be one of most demanding fields from the ancient Sri Lanka. Queens and Princesses have used various secret herbal combinations to improve their skin beauty. In Sigiriya, the rock-based kingdom of King Kassapa, there are several rock paintings revealing the beauty of ancient royal ladies of Sri Lanka.