What is Cajanus cajan used for in Ayurveda?

In Sri Lankan Ayurvedic practice, Cajanus cajan is used for a range of purposes depending on which part of the plant is prepared. Leaves are applied externally for skin conditions and wounds, root decoctions are used for oral and respiratory health, and seeds feature in dietary therapy for their digestibility and nutritional value. Bark extracts also appear in classical formulations targeting liver and biliary conditions.

What is the Sinhala name for Cajanus cajan?

Cajanus cajan is known as Thora (තෝර) in Sinhala. The split seed form of the plant — familiar as the lentil-like legume used in everyday cooking — is commonly referred to as parippu in both Sinhala and Tamil-language households across Sri Lanka.

Is pigeon pea the same plant as toor dhal?

Yes. Toor dhal (also written tur dal) is the split, dried seed of Cajanus cajan. In Sri Lanka it forms the basis of parippu curry, a staple dish eaten daily with rice. The same plant's fresh pods and seeds can also be eaten as a vegetable before they fully mature and dry.

Does Cajanus cajan grow wild in Sri Lanka?

Cajanus cajan is primarily cultivated rather than wild in Sri Lanka, but it naturalises readily and is often found growing along field margins, roadsides, and degraded land in the dry and intermediate zones. It is particularly common across the North Central and Eastern provinces where the climate favours its growth.

What active compounds are found in Cajanus cajan?

Phytochemical studies have identified flavonoids (including cajanin), isoflavones, stilbenes, alkaloids, and tannins in various parts of the plant. These compounds are associated with antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory activity in laboratory research, providing a scientific context for the plant's traditional therapeutic uses.

Can pigeon pea be grown in home gardens in Sri Lanka?

Cajanus cajan is well-suited to home gardens in Sri Lanka's drier regions. It is low-maintenance, drought-tolerant, and benefits the soil through nitrogen fixation. Seeds can be sown directly and the plant typically begins producing pods within a few months of planting.

Where can I learn about Sri Lanka's Ayurvedic plant traditions as a visitor?

Ayurvedic herbal gardens attached to resorts, hospitals, and cultural institutions — particularly in the Kandy and Matale areas — often display and explain medicinal plants including Cajanus cajan. Rural agricultural communities in the dry zone also offer informal encounters with plants that are both farmed for food and used in traditional medicine.

Produits

Services▼

Hébergement mutualisé Création de sites web Certificats SSL Clients

Marques Séjours Transferts

DestinationsMenu▼

Lakpura® Produits Marques Séjours Transferts Circuits Activités À propos

Services Hébergement mutualisé Création de sites web Certificats SSL Clients

Triangle Culturel Anuradhapura Polonnaruwa Dambulla Sigiriya Kandy

Pays des Collines Nuwara Eliya Ella Hatton Badulla

Soleil et Sable Ahangama Arugam Bay Ahungalla Bentota Galle Negombo Kalpitiya Mirissa Koggala Kalutara Pasikuda Kalkudah Aluthgama Trincomalee Weligama

Faune Sauvage Kitulgala Gal Oya Yala Bundala Kumana Minneriya Kaudulla Habarana Pinnawala Udawalawe

Culture et Patrimoine Galle Fort Anuradhapura Jaffna Dambulla Polonnaruwa Kandy Sigiriya Colombo Chilaw Sinharaja

Aéroports/Ports Maritimes Colombo Seaport Hambantota Seaport Bandaranaike International Airport Ratmalana International Airport Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport Jaffna International Airport Batticaloa International Airport

Circuits Activités À propos

Lakpura®

Cajanus cajan

Cajanus cajan is part of the catalog of ayurvedic medicinal plants of Sri Lanka.

Voyages au Sri Lanka, conçus sur place. Nous sélectionnons hébergements, transferts et expériences depuis notre bureau à Colombo.

Toutes les destinations Hébergements au Sri Lanka Videos À propos de Lakpura® Contact

Conditions de réservation Confidentialité Livraison Remboursements Conditions d’utilisation

•••••2026Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor Travellers' Choice 2026 · Top 10% worldwide Google Reviews 4.7 · 272 reviews Trustpilot Reviews 4.9 · 124 reviews

Langue

English 中文 हिन्दी Español Français العربية Português Русский Deutsch 日本語 Türkçe 한국어 தமிழ் Italiano Polski Nederlands සිංහල Svenska Čeština Dansk Eesti

Ask Lakpura® Agent