Kola Kenda (broth) and ‘Ath Beheth Mangusawa’ of the Hela Weda Athpotha

Cures that could be prepared and administered for minor ailments prior to seeking medical treatment

This is part of our series on using Sri Lanka’s herbs for everyday use for better health, especially the boosting of immunity. We will be using diverse books and advice from indigenous doctors for this series. For the first weeks, until we complete much of the book, we will focus on the publication Hela Weda Athputha authored by Ayurveda Shasthri, Ayurveda Doctor Palitha Shri Gagana Arachchige and published by Dilmah Conservation. We are continuing from last week focusing on Kenda varieties and its uses while also featuring the Athbeheth Mangusawa segment of the book that focuses on minor ailments that could be treated at home with generally found herbs prior to seeking medical advice. 

Below is the continuing series on the Ath Beheth Manjusawa (Cures that could be prepared and administered for minor ailments prior to seeking medical treatment):

Navaratna Kalkaya 

To be obtained from an Ayurveda/Traditional medicine pharmacy.

This could be prepared and given for ailments such as indigestion/vomiting.

Take some lime juice and bees honey in equal proportions and dissolve the Kalkaya the size of 2-4 Madatiya seeds and drink morning and evening. 

For Vatha caused pains the above can be taken dissolved in water where Babila and Garlic has been boiled.

The quantities taken are as follows:

For adults the size of 3-5 Madati seeds 

For those above seven years the size of one Madati seed

For those between two to seven years the size of half Madati seed

For those below two years the size of one pepper seed 

This above mentioned Navaratna Kalkaya should not be given to pregnant mothers.

Desandun Kalkaya 

This is suitable for young children. Recommended ailments include cough, fever and phlegm related ailments. 

The treatment is the use of coriander roasted well and boiled in water to be administered morning and evening. 

For constipation related ailments the Desandun Kalkaya could be consumed with water boiled in Lunuwila.

For heat related ailments the kalkaya could be administered for young children that it is meant for in the following manner;

With coriander boiled water

Diluted and mother’s milk 

Given diluted with water boiled in Rathmal and Wada mal.

Manner of administration:

For children below the age of one – the kalkaya should be given the size of Kothamalli (Coriander seeds 1-2). For children between the age of one and five the Kalkaya should be given the size of one Olinda seed. For children above the age of five the administering should be given the size of one Madati seed. 

The above should not be given to children who have low weight at birth. It should also not be given to children having symptoms such as acute vomiting. 

We will continue this series from the book Hela Weda Athpotha next week covering the traditional medicine based home remedies for minor ailments. 

Sharkaradhi Kalkaya

For infant phlegm issues and constipation related ailments.

Can be used as treatment for wheezing/cough and fever like symptoms.

Method of preparation: 

Take Kalanduru, Suduru, Katuwalbatu, Katukarosana and Sirithekku into four segments (kalang) and additionally the size of a Madati seed and collectively boil in water measured in four average tea cups until it has evaporated to one cup. Drink this morning and night diluting the Kalkaya in it.

Dilute the kalkaya in ginger and coriander boiled water. 

For infants up to age of three months the kalkaya should be the size of one wee ataya (grain of rice).

For infants between three months and one year the kalkaya should be the size of one seed of pepper. 

For children above the age of one the size of the kalkaya should be the size of one madati seed. 

Jeewananda Guliya 

(For ailments of children)

Can be used to seek relief from stomach pains and vomiting. 

Manner of administration:

Take gotukola with roots with water in which Walangasahal, Uluhaal has been boiled. 

The Guliya should be given for children between the age of six months and one year – half a Guli twice a day 

For children between the age of one and five one Guli once a day 

For children above the age of five one Guli morning and evening 

(SV)