Question 1

What is Cicer arietinum called in Sinhala?

Accepted Answer

Cicer arietinum is commonly known as 'Kadala' (කඩල) in Sinhala, referring to the chickpea or Bengal gram. In Tamil it is often called 'Kadalai'. Both terms are widely used in Sri Lankan markets and traditional medicine contexts.

Question 2

What are the ayurvedic uses of chickpea?

Accepted Answer

In Ayurveda, chickpea seeds are used to support digestive health, provide sustained energy, and assist in managing blood sugar levels. The leaves and the acidic secretions of the plant have been employed in folk preparations for skin conditions and respiratory complaints. Traditional practitioners typically use it as part of compound dietary or herbal formulations.

Question 3

Is Cicer arietinum grown in Sri Lanka?

Accepted Answer

Yes, chickpea is cultivated in Sri Lanka, particularly in the dry and intermediate zones during the maha cultivation season. It is not grown on a large commercial scale but is present in home gardens, small farms, and traditional agricultural plots.

Question 4

What part of the chickpea plant is used medicinally?

Accepted Answer

The seeds are the most widely used part, valued for their protein, fibre, and phytochemical content. Leaves, tender shoots, and the glandular secretion of the plant have also been recorded in ethnobotanical literature for specific traditional applications, though the seed remains the primary medicinal and dietary component.

Question 5

Does chickpea have anti-diabetic properties?

Accepted Answer

Scientific studies suggest that chickpea has a low glycaemic index and contains compounds that may help moderate blood glucose responses, which is consistent with its traditional use in ayurvedic dietary management of metabolic conditions. This remains an active area of nutritional research, and clinical evidence is still building.

Question 6

How does Cicer arietinum fit into Sri Lanka's ayurvedic plant catalogue?

Accepted Answer

Sri Lanka's Department of Ayurveda maintains an official list of medicinal plants used in traditional practice, and Cicer arietinum is included as a recognised food-medicine. It is documented alongside a wide range of herbs, legumes, and trees that form the pharmacopoeia of traditional Sri Lankan healing.

Question 7

Can I find chickpea dishes in Sri Lanka?

Accepted Answer

Chickpea is widely available in Sri Lanka in both cooked and raw form. Boiled chickpea seasoned with coconut and spices is a popular street snack, and chickpea curries appear regularly in Muslim and Tamil cuisine. Chickpea flour is also used in local sweets and batters.