Question 1

What is Combretum albidum used for in ayurvedic medicine?

Accepted Answer

Combretum albidum is catalogued in Sri Lanka's ayurvedic medicinal plant registry and is associated with traditional therapeutic preparations. Related species within the Combretum genus have been studied for antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. Specific traditional applications vary between practitioners and classical texts, and formal clinical validation is still ongoing.

Question 2

Which family does Combretum albidum belong to?

Accepted Answer

Combretum albidum belongs to the family Combretaceae, within the order Myrtales. It is a woody climbing plant — a liana — native to parts of South and Southeast Asia including Sri Lanka. The genus Combretum contains a large number of tropical and subtropical species.

Question 3

Where can Combretum albidum be found in Sri Lanka?

Accepted Answer

The plant typically grows in wet and intermediate climatic zones, particularly in secondary forest margins, riverine vegetation, and disturbed forest edges. It is not widely cultivated and is most commonly encountered as part of natural forest regeneration in lowland areas.

Question 4

Is Combretum albidum endemic to Sri Lanka?

Accepted Answer

Combretum albidum is not endemic to Sri Lanka; it is distributed across parts of South and Southeast Asia. However, its inclusion in Sri Lanka's official ayurvedic plant catalogue reflects its recognised role in the island's indigenous medical tradition.

Question 5

What does the name Combretum albidum mean?

Accepted Answer

The genus name Combretum is an ancient botanical term applied to this group of tropical lianas and shrubs. The species epithet albidum comes from the Latin for 'whitish' or 'pale,' likely describing the colouration of the plant's flowers or young stems.

Question 6

How is Sri Lanka's ayurvedic plant knowledge being preserved?

Accepted Answer

Sri Lanka's Department of Ayurveda maintains an official registry of medicinal plants, and institutions such as the Royal Botanic Gardens in Peradeniya hold extensive collections and records. Community-based conservation programs and ongoing botanical research are also contributing to documenting and preserving this traditional knowledge.

Question 7

What other medicinal plants are part of Sri Lanka's ayurvedic catalogue?

Accepted Answer

Sri Lanka's ayurvedic pharmacopoeia is extensive, encompassing hundreds of species including Pongamia pinnata, Acacia chundra, and Syzygium aromaticum among many others. The island's biodiversity hotspot status means it supports a particularly rich diversity of medicinal flora across its tropical forests and wetlands.