Question 1

What is Laportea interrupta used for in traditional medicine?

Accepted Answer

In Sri Lanka's ayurvedic tradition, Laportea interrupta is used in preparations addressing inflammatory conditions, skin disorders, and musculoskeletal complaints. Practitioners typically use the leaves, stems, or root. Any use should be directed by a qualified ayurvedic physician.

Question 2

Is Laportea interrupta a stinging nettle?

Accepted Answer

Laportea interrupta belongs to the Urticaceae (nettle) family and may carry stinging trichomes similar to those of the common stinging nettle. Contact with the plant can cause skin irritation. This stinging property is a shared characteristic of many plants in the genus Laportea.

Question 3

Where does Laportea interrupta grow in Sri Lanka?

Accepted Answer

The plant is typically found in the wet and intermediate zones of Sri Lanka, growing in disturbed habitats such as roadsides, forest margins, and cultivated land edges. It favours moist, semi-shaded conditions and has been recorded in the southwest and central regions of the island.

Question 4

What family does Laportea interrupta belong to?

Accepted Answer

Laportea interrupta belongs to the family Urticaceae, commonly known as the nettle family. This family includes well-known plants such as Urtica dioica (common stinging nettle) and numerous tropical species with documented medicinal uses.

Question 5

Is Laportea interrupta recognised in Sri Lanka's official ayurvedic system?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Sri Lanka's Department of Ayurveda includes Laportea interrupta in its catalogue of medicinal plants, reflecting its formal recognition within the island's regulated traditional healthcare system. This distinguishes it from plants that are only used in informal folk practice.

Question 6

What does the species name 'interrupta' mean?

Accepted Answer

The epithet interrupta refers to the interrupted arrangement of the plant's flower spikes — clusters of small flowers spaced along the stem in a broken or discontinuous pattern rather than a continuous spike. This morphological feature is a useful identification characteristic.

Question 7

What other ayurvedic plants are documented in Sri Lanka?

Accepted Answer

Sri Lanka's ayurvedic pharmacopeia includes hundreds of plant species. Notable examples include Acacia chundra, used in wound healing and oral health preparations, and Pongamia pinnata, applied to skin diseases and rheumatic conditions. Classical compound formulations such as Yogaraja Guggulu also draw on multiple local plant sources.