Biologia Molecular: Acesso Aberto

Bio-prospecting of medicinal plants in Sri Lanka for therapeutic use

Abstract

Kshanika Hirimburegama

A plant gets a medicinal value when it is has a positive effect on wellbeing of a man. However some plants are specifically used for many ailments and are generally known as “Medicinal plants”. It is known that nearly 1500 species of medicinal plants have been identified in the world and 189 of these are endemic to Sri Lanka. Medicinal plants are distributed more in tropical rain forests and many illicit narcotic drugs are now being considered as having a medicinal value, i.e. “ Medical Marijuana” The emerging science of applying marijuana’s beneficial side effects to an individual patient’s needs while minimizing the undesirable side effects on the patient’s life that was practicing in pre-historic era.