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| Friday, 13 February 2004 |
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Extinction of medicinal herbs by Neetha S. Ratnapala Sri Lanka is a paradise with its evergreen foliage and herbs. But as Sri Lankans do we stop to ponder about its riches gifted by nature? In spite of the disturbances and turmoil Sri Lanka reigns supreme among so many countries devastated by nature or war. One area that needs attention is the unique species of medicinal herbs that sprout and grow in our remote rural areas in all divisions of the country. What is so fascinating is that these herbs draw from the soils of these particular areas a healing quality that may not be found in another part of the island. The plants are indigenous, cure is also therefore indigenous. Some of the herbs provide the base for international formulae. In the days of the Sinhala kings special attention was paid to the planting, up keeping and using of medicinal herbs. History speaks of king Buddhadasa of the Anuradhapura Kingdom, the first royal domain, who learnt and developed the art of using indigenous plants for healing. Ruins speak of Medi-baths or tubs used at the time. It was established and practised that medicinal plants were good for one's health and well-being. These plants found their way into the royal parks from the groves and forests surrounding the kingdoms. The medicinal value of the plants may vary. Each plant so used may have a different tale to tell. For example the Margosa or Kohomba tree is still popular for its varying remedial effects. From its function as an air purifier, to a natural antibiotic and antiseptic in certain cases. A glow giver to ailing or drying skins particularly in the naturally dry areas of the country. It also acts as a destroyer of small species of harmful insects or maggots. In contrast the famous Kumbuk tree now almost extinct is a purifier and also a cooling agent/cooler of deep water in the tanks or wells. The ancient farmers and house builders never failed to see this close relationship between 'Kumbuk' and drinking water. It also provided ample shade to the water reservoirs, preserving the drying of underground springs of pools of water. Fortunately after much negligence and destruction there is a surge in demand for preservation of valuable plants and herbs. For some time this demand was for commercial timber, and the health sector was almost overlooked. Due to a growth in the global market for natural remedies, the Asian countries are looking inwards over the demand for artificial products that flowed from outside their boundries. However it's yet a matter of regret that the habitats for such indigenous plants are being disturbed or removed by humans encroaching on nature. In the outskirts of the cities this happens when property developers lay their hands on all fauna and flora to level the land for building purposes. With the increasing demand for housing projects this is almost inevitable. The builders themselves pay naught attention to any existing valuable trees or plants leave aside shrubs and undergrowth. In areas away from the congested suburbs or dwelling sites 'killer plants' are introduced among the existing medicinal plants, which in turn devour the latter and overshadow the naturally lustrous medicinal plants. These plantations are illegitimately cultivated. Repeated raids of ganja plantations in the deep South is one such example. Setting fire to the uprooted plants creates another environmental hazard, besides the fertile land being ill used for lustrous growth of the above. Though tobacco was a money spinner we notice the decline in the tobacco plant, which in turn should make the farmer divert his attention to the cultivation of herbs suited and needed for human existence, and medicinal research. The global demand for natural remedies is growing. Almost 80 per cent of the world's population is believed to rely on plant based medicine as the primary source of health care. Those who live by the cultivation and harvesting of such plants/herbs in developing countries would be deprived of their livelihood if stocks run out or fail. Plantlife International cautions such countries to switch to sustainable harvesting, which would include boosting the number of plants cultivated for production. This could be a long-term solution. There is also a need for diversification of crops with the growing trends in such industries as beauty care and cosmetics, which is turning from artificial manufacturing to natural extracts such as Aloe-Vera, Margosa, Citrus fruits and wild berries. Intake of natural herbs over artificial oral vitamins is also another development. Use of natural oil extracts of nuts and herbs has created an increasing demand for growth of such plants. So from Head to Toe medicinal herbs play a major role in our lives. A broken leg or bone is treated by herbs and oils of medicinal plants. Europeans come to the East in search of a luxurious healthy herbal bath or steam pot in a Sauna. Thus the medicinal herbs have come to occupy an unrivalled position in the life of every man, woman or child. Back to nature should be our slogan or guiding principle in life. This is true from the undisputed quality of mother's milk to the natural plants that envelope us particularly in our part of the world. So unless we preserve and boost the natural medicinal plants, our survival would be grim indeed. |
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