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Plants currently used to treat diabetes in Sri Lankan Siddha Medicine – an ethnobotanical survey in the Eastern Province, Sri Lanka
Saravanan V. Sathasivampillai1, Rajamanoharan, P.R.2, Michael Munday1, Michael Heinrich1* 1UCL School of Pharmacy, University of London, London WC1N 1AX, United Kingdom
2Provincial Department of Indigenous Medicine, Trincomalee, Sri Lanka
Background
Diabetes is one of the health problems affecting the economic and social developments in countries like Sri Lanka. Siddha Medicine is one of the four traditional medical systems currently practised in Sri Lanka. It is also called Tamil Medicine. Furthermore, it is practised typically in the Eastern and Northern Provinces of Sri Lanka where majority of Tamils live. Plants are the most frequently used ingredient in Siddha Medicine. A recent review of historical documents revealed 171 plant species recorded for treating diabetes in Sri Lankan Siddha Medicine [1].
However, there is no record of the current use of antidiabetic plants in Sri Lankan Siddha Medicine. Thus, the aim of this study is to understand the importance of Siddha healers in Eastern Province of Sri Lanka for patients suffering from diabetes and to document the plants presently used to treat diabetes in the region.
Material and methods
An ethnobotanical survey was conducted including interviews with 27 Siddha healers living in Eastern Province in Sri Lanka between 1st July and 1st September, 2016 to identify and document the plant species currently used to treat diabetes. Voucher specimens of the reported plant species which are available locally only identified, collected, and deposited at the Herbarium at Eastern Provincial Herbal Garden in Kappalthurai, Trincomalee, Sri Lanka.
Conclusion
Consultation of Siddha healers and the subsequent use of herbal medicines is an important element of health care practice in the Eastern Province. Because, Siddha Medicine is also currently used as primary health care in rural areas in Sri Lanka including Eastern Province. This study provides a foundation for further understanding this usage, and for developing more integrative approaches in this rural and poor region, which, however, can only be a long term objective.
Reference
1. Sathasivampillai VS, Rajamanoharan, P, Munday, M, Heinrich, M. Plants used to treat diabetes in Sri Lankan Siddha Medicine – An ethnopharmacological review of historical and modern sources. J Ethnopharmacol. 2017; 198:
Results and discussion
The majority of the Siddha healers interviewed were male. Also, most number of healers participated in this study have 60 and 40 years of experience in practising Siddha Medicine. A total of 90 plant species from 47 families were recorded. Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels (Myrtaceae) is the most frequently reported plant species. Interestingly, one third of the reported species are not listed in the historical documents, including the globally used plants such as Catharanthus roseus (L.) G.Don. (Apocynaceae). Fabaceae is the family yielding the largest number of plants species used. The majority of the plants recorded are food plants including grains, green leaves (usually consumed as vegetable dishes in Sri Lanka), spices, fruits, and weeds. Remarkably, animal parts and inorganic substances mentioned in the antidiabetic preparations in historical documents [1] are not currently used to prepare preparations. Moreover, only oral preparations are presently prescribed. Consultation of practitioners seems to be widespread. On average 12 diabetic patients have seen per week by a Siddha healer. Furthermore, the majority of the diabetic cases are diagnosed by combining pulse reading (one of the eight Siddha diagnosis methods) and verifying Siddha diabetic symptoms.
Caption
32pt Garamond Italic
Figure 3. Some Sri Lankan Siddha liquid preparations
Figure 1. Map of study site (Eastern Province of
Sri Lanka). Source:
Figure 2. A home herbal garden of a Siddha healer where the most of the herbal ingredients obtained for preparations
Figure 4. Some Sri Lankan Siddha tablet preparations