Abstract:
Due to their vast experiences, most of the people in the Jaffna District seek traditional
herbal treatment for their children. Traditional practitioners have their own formulae
for the preparation of certain medicines. They have preserved them as their family
secrets. These formulae are being handed over to their generations. The aim of this
survey was to document the information concerning medicinal plants used for
treating the diseases of children by traditional practitioners. This is a Cross-sectional
descriptive study. Traditional practitioners were interviewed by using
questionnaires and open conversations to collect the data. 98 Traditional Doctors
were interviewed in Jaffna District. This study revealed that 95 types of herbs used
for treating different diseases of children by Traditional practitioners. Among the 95
plants 23(24%) were trees, 57 (60 %) were herbs and shrubs, 13 (14 %) were
climbers and creepers and 2 (2 %) were grasses. Most commonly used plants were
Anisochilus garnosus, Clitori aternatea, Ocinum sanctum, Azhadirachta indica, Justicia
adhatoda, Terminalia chebula, Acalypha indica, Zizyphus jujube, Bacopa monniera and
Punica granatum. Part use was the leaf 49% (48) and the juice 33% (32), decoction
48% (47) and oil 65% (64) were the most common prepared drugs in the diseases of
children. Preparations of medicines from these plants are simple. They are easily
available and economical because collected from their surroundings.
Pharmacological actions of the most these plants are correlated with Siddha
pharmacology. It is required for scientific study to confirm the efficacy and safety of
the above herbs.
