Recommendation for Conservation and Sustainable Use of Indigenous Medicine of Sri Lanka

Abstract

Deshiya Chikitsa of Sri Lankan indigenous medicine (IM) is a purely native kind of medicine that has been practicing since pre-historic Sri Lanka. The general objective of this study was to make recommendations for conservation and sustainable use of indigenous medicine of Sri Lanka. Qualitative data collection methods were used for collecting primary data. Data were analyzed by Correlation Analysis under Chi-Square test using SPSS statistical software. The attitudes of indigenous physicians, not being documented of IM, commercialization of the society, endangering medicinal plants, and not being developed as a profession affected conservation of IM. Availability of essential medicinal plants, providing infrastructure for drug manufacturing, providing legal cover for indigenous treatments, standardization of indigenous medical treatments, and giving social recognition to indigenous physicians have an impact on the sustainable use of IM. In statistical analysis, alternative hypotheses of the above factors were accepted in a highly significant manner. The recommendation made in this study may provide a road map to researchers for planning their strategies in conservation, sustainable use, and empowering indigenous physicians.