A Review on Medicinal Plants Used in Certain Skin Diseases in Sri Lanka

Abstract

This article aims to review the therapeutic potential, chemistry, and botanical aspects of certain medicinal plants used in indigenous medicine in Sri Lanka for treating skin diseases. Medicinal plants have been utilized for generations across various cultures, including Sri Lanka, reflecting a rich body of empirical knowledge regarding their efficacy and safety. Examining these traditional practices can provide valuable insights into potential new therapeutic agents and treatment approaches for skin diseases. This review article focuses on explaining the traditional medicinal usage of 15 medicinal plants, Curcuma longa L., Azadarachta indica (A.Juss), Coscinium fenestratum (Gaertn.) Colebr., Hemidesmus indicus (R.Br.), Ricinus communis L., Mimosa pudica L., Moringa oleifera Lam., Ixora coccina L., Atalantia ceylanica (Arn.) Oliv., Murraya koenigii L., Aloe vera L. Burm., Cassia fistula L., Carica papaya L., Cocos nucifera L., and Elaeocarpus serratus L. The review article is based on a literature review of selected studies published between 1990 to 2024. The databases used included PubMed and Google Scholar. The keywords used in the search included “medicinal plants [name of the plant] + skin diseases + Srilanka”, “[name of the plant] + phytochemicals”, “[name of the plant] +clinical studies +skin diseases” and “[name of the plant] + botany”.

Key words: Indigenous medicine, Medicinal plants, Phytochemicals, Skin diseases, Sri Lanka