G
| Sinhala Name | Gotu Kola |  |
| Tamil Name | Wallaraikire | |
| English Name | - | |
| Scientific Name | Centella asiatica (l.) Urban. |
Description
| Introduction | The leaf resemble a toad, and hence called – Mandukarpani- There are two varieties. (1) Thin and narrow leaves (2) Broad leaves. Thinner leaf variety is more medicinal. A very popular leafy food item. Can be planted in the compound as a decorative plant. |
| Physical Characteristics | It is a creeper and roots come out at the nodes. Leaves are small, and 2-4 cm. long, has a circular shape and split at the end. Flowers are tiny and have a orange-red color. Flowers come in bunches, and appear as a canopy. |
| Habitat | Plant grows well in wet soil, such as fields and wetlands, and may be harvested after about three months. |
| Medicinal Value | The whole plant, roots, stems, leaves. |
| Medicinal Properties | Improves intelligence and memory power, Activate hunger, purifies blood, a cure for catarrh, favorable action on eyes, hair and also the voice. A cure for constipation and improves virility. |
R
| Sinhala Name | Rathambala, Diya Rathmal |  |
| Tamil Name | Ashogam | |
| English Name | Asoka Tree | |
| Scientific Name | Saraca asoca (Roxb.) De Wilde |
Description
| Introduction | During female illnesses, it reduces the pain in body and hence called ‘asoka'. Specially used in the ailments of the womb. |
| Physical Characteristics | Plant grows to a height of 6-9 m. The leaf blades are divided. 4 – 6 pairs of leaf in one stalk. The leaf tapers from the base to the tip. There are two sepals found at the base of the stalk, and these fall off as the plant matures. Flowers are in a bunch and are scented, but without petals. Calyx of a flower at the base is colored orange – yellow and later turnsred. All flowers, found in a bunch, stand at the same level. There are 4 -8 seeds found in each fruit. |
| Availability | Found in the low country, wet zone, mostly around water-logged valleys of the Knuckles Range. |
| Medicinal Parts | Bark, seeds and flowers. |
| Medicinal Values | Reduces phlegm, and bile. Acts as a pain killer, and neutralizes poison. Has purifying action on blood. Reduces inflammation. Relaxes the internal tissues of the womb. Reduces the chances for the formation of stones in the bladder. Has a tendency for increasing the quantity of urine formation. |
| Cultivation | Matured live seeds are left to germinate in beds of sandy soil for 14 – 17 days. When the seedlings grow up to 4 – 6 ins. They can be removed from the bed, and plant them directly in the field or in polythene bags containing soil and mixed nutrients. Those in polythene bags can be planted after 3 – 6 months in prepared locations keeping to a space of 1.5 – 2 m. apart. Plants usually grow well in wet or wet/dry zones. |
