The ancient science of Ayurveda teaches how one can be in perfect health and live a long life. Long before tea was introduced to Sri Lanka, people were used to drinking herbal tea. Even today, we still find herbal plants boiled and brewed and taken as a drink.
Some of the most common are Polpala, Ranavara and Beli flowers. These drinks are very popular in Kataragama, Anuradhapura and many other religious places situated in the dry zone.
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Ceylon Tea – Black and Green Tea
This is not a traditional Ayurvedic drink in Sri Lanka, but it was during the British era that tea first began to be cultivated and manufactured here. Tea (Camellia sinensis) from Ceylon soon gained the reputation of being the finest in the world.
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Ranawara
Ranawara or Ranavara (Cassia auriculata) flower has been widely used for generations in Sri Lanka as a Herbal tea totally natural, caffeine free Ranawara Ayurvedic Herbal Tea that offers many medicinal benefits.
Ranawara Ayurvedic herbal Tea gives a clear complexion. Ranawara herb acts as an agent in restoring sexual vitality, increases sperm count, and counteracts ejaculatory disorders. Ranawara herb is used as a treatment for diabetes Ranawara Ayurvedic herbal tea is also effective in relieving urinary problems, and assists in stomach cleaning and restoration of the skin to its natural glow.
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Beli Flowers
The fresh flowers of the Beli tree (Aegle narmelos) is used to produce Beli Mal Herbal Tea which has a significant fragrance and a good and lasting taste and fresh breath. Beli mal tea relieves palpitations, heart burn Indigestion, bowel disorders, and vomiting. It is used for treating asthma and malaria.
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Polpala
Polpala (Aerva lanata) is dried, preserved and used to make herbal tea. In Sanskrit it is Pashanabhedi and in Tamil, it is known as Tengappu keerei.
This herb is described as “one of the best known” remedies for bladder and kidney stones. Polpala is effective in the treatment of cough and indigestion and is specially used in the treatment of diabetes and urinary troubles. It is a diuretic and is used as an antidote in cases of arsenic poisoning.
In Sanskrit Polpala has another name Nagajihva. This name refers to the fact that the tap root resembles the tongue of a naga or cobra. It is used either by itself or in combination with other herbs to treat snake bites. Polpala can also be made into a paste with cold water and used as an application for skin eruptions. Polpala can also be cooked as a vegetable.
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Gotukola
Gotukola (Centella Asiatica) dried and cut into small pieces can be poured like tea. This is a very popular drink among many. It is a remedy for worm diseases in children. It is a very common plant that could be grown in pots as an indoor plant. This drink enriches the appetite in children. It is also a very effective herbal tea for those who suffer from hay fever and Catarrh.
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Mukkunuwenna
Mukkunuwenna (Altemanthera sessilis) is a common weed used in curry form. This weed is also used as a drink, prepared in the same form as Gotukola. This is a herbal tea that cools the system and clears urinary complaints.
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Asswanna
Asswanna (Alysicarpus Vaginalis) is another herb that is used often in Ayurveda. Prepared as a tea, this helps the balance of unbalanced watha and helps to reduce rheumatic pains.
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Myla flower
In rural areas Buddhist monks drink more of these herbal teas than the common tea: In the dry zone, the Myla flower (Wood fordia fruticosa) is used as a herbal tea. It is a delicious drink. This herb is largely used in indigenous medicine. In Sanskrit it is known in AngiJvala which means fire flame. It is a remedy against dysentery and diarrhoea. This herbal tea reduces flatulence.
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Adathoda
There is a great deal of influenza in the country and children often suffer from a heavy nose and painful coughs. Adathoda flowers dried or freshly poured as tea is a very effective remedy for this. Add sugar candy (preferably Thai Sookiri) instead of sugar.
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Aruda or Rue (Ruta graveolens)
Ruda or Rue (Ruta graveolens) is a native plant in Europe. Rue was then used as a protection against poison and as a preventive for epilepsy and vertigo. In Sanskrit, it is known as Anganapriya, a herb dear to women.
