Polpala (Sinhala) or Poolaipoo (Tamil) is a medicinal plant belonging to the Amaranthaceae family. It is widely spread in the drier parts of the tropics and the sub tropics of the world, including Southeast Asia and Africa. The plant is native to many countries in the Indian sub –continent. The plant is an erect under shrub that grows throughout Sri Lanka as a common weed in fields and waste lands. It is a 60-70 centimeters tall, woody plant with green stems. The plant has 2.5 centimeters long and 0.9-2.5 centimeters broad oval shaped leaves.Polpala is a perennial herb which grows at altitudes from sea level to 900 meters.
The whole plant, especially the leaves are edible. The leaves are put into soups or eaten as spinach or as a vegetable. It can also be used to prepare a variety of salads. The plant provides grazing for stock, game and chickens. In Ayurvedic tradition, Polpala tea is drunk early in the morning to cleanse the kidneys.Polpala drink has become an everyday beverage in rural Sri Lanka. The drink is recommended for pregnant women because it helps maintain the body’s metabolism.
A large number of medicinal benefits of Aervalanata have been identified in Ayurveda and other traditional medicinal systems in the sub- continent. The herb is described as "one of the best known remedies for bladder and kidney stones."A leaf-decoction is prepared as a gargle for treating sore-throats. It is also used in the treatment for
guinea-worm. The leaves are also used for the washing of babies who have become unconscious due to malarial fever. Smoke from the burning plant is also inhaled to maintain overall health and wellbeing. The leaf-sap is used for eye-complaints. An infusion of Polpalais given to cure diarrhea.
The root has a camphor-like aroma. It is used in snake-bite treatment. The powdered root is administered with yogurt to patients with Hepatitis.The juice of the root is given to patients with liver congestion, jaundice, stomach pain and indigestion. The roots are also used in the treatment of headaches.
The leaves and flowers are reduced to ashes and rubbed to cure pains in the lower back. This ointment also heals cuts. The dried flowers which look like soft spikes are sold under the commercial names Buikallan or Boor.The decoction of the whole plant is used to cure pneumonia, typhoid and other prolonged fevers.
Aervaelanatae promotes the production of urine and stimulates kidney function. Polpala is extremely beneficial in purifying the kidneys, the bladder and the bile. It successfully cuts away crystallized formations – stones. At the same time Polpala stimulates the urinary tract, helping to bring the accumulated deposits in our bodies and restores smooth performance. This plant also helps cure other kidney problemswhich contributes to the healing of peptic ulcers. Moreover this herb can be used for non-specific kidney and urinary tract inflammations. It sooths and restores the overall wellbeing of the body.Polpala positively affects the central nervous system, improves recall and memory. It also helps one to become proactive, It is also used to regulate metabolism.
Polpala can also be used as an antiseptic. The herb also contains potassium nitrate. Therefore, it helps save potassium in organism. Polpala is to be taken for pyelonephritis, cystitis, urolithiasis, for salt metabolism disorders (gout, spondylosis). The herb possesses antimicrobial,Anti-hyperglycemic and anti-diabetic properties. It has the ability to prevent damage to the liver ( Hepatoprotective). It also possesses antitumor and anti- diarrheal properties.It is also anti-parasitic and has been found to be effective against tapeworms and earthworms. It is also used to treat acute renal injuries. It has been used in the treatment of urethral discharge, Gonnorrhea, diabetes and malarial fever.
Many small and medium scale enterprises are using polpala to manufacture a herbal beverage that come in cup size tea bags. This can be drunk as an alternative to tea and can be consumed several times a day depending on the health condition of the person. Polpala is also been used to make facial and body oils due to its ability to heal and restore the body.
A version of this story originally appeared in Island Newspaper, Sri Lanka
The whole plant, especially the leaves are edible. The leaves are put into soups or eaten as spinach or as a vegetable. It can also be used to prepare a variety of salads. The plant provides grazing for stock, game and chickens. In Ayurvedic tradition, Polpala tea is drunk early in the morning to cleanse the kidneys.Polpala drink has become an everyday beverage in rural Sri Lanka. The drink is recommended for pregnant women because it helps maintain the body’s metabolism.
A large number of medicinal benefits of Aervalanata have been identified in Ayurveda and other traditional medicinal systems in the sub- continent. The herb is described as "one of the best known remedies for bladder and kidney stones."A leaf-decoction is prepared as a gargle for treating sore-throats. It is also used in the treatment for
guinea-worm. The leaves are also used for the washing of babies who have become unconscious due to malarial fever. Smoke from the burning plant is also inhaled to maintain overall health and wellbeing. The leaf-sap is used for eye-complaints. An infusion of Polpalais given to cure diarrhea.
The root has a camphor-like aroma. It is used in snake-bite treatment. The powdered root is administered with yogurt to patients with Hepatitis.The juice of the root is given to patients with liver congestion, jaundice, stomach pain and indigestion. The roots are also used in the treatment of headaches.
The leaves and flowers are reduced to ashes and rubbed to cure pains in the lower back. This ointment also heals cuts. The dried flowers which look like soft spikes are sold under the commercial names Buikallan or Boor.The decoction of the whole plant is used to cure pneumonia, typhoid and other prolonged fevers.
Aervaelanatae promotes the production of urine and stimulates kidney function. Polpala is extremely beneficial in purifying the kidneys, the bladder and the bile. It successfully cuts away crystallized formations – stones. At the same time Polpala stimulates the urinary tract, helping to bring the accumulated deposits in our bodies and restores smooth performance. This plant also helps cure other kidney problemswhich contributes to the healing of peptic ulcers. Moreover this herb can be used for non-specific kidney and urinary tract inflammations. It sooths and restores the overall wellbeing of the body.Polpala positively affects the central nervous system, improves recall and memory. It also helps one to become proactive, It is also used to regulate metabolism.
Polpala can also be used as an antiseptic. The herb also contains potassium nitrate. Therefore, it helps save potassium in organism. Polpala is to be taken for pyelonephritis, cystitis, urolithiasis, for salt metabolism disorders (gout, spondylosis). The herb possesses antimicrobial,Anti-hyperglycemic and anti-diabetic properties. It has the ability to prevent damage to the liver ( Hepatoprotective). It also possesses antitumor and anti- diarrheal properties.It is also anti-parasitic and has been found to be effective against tapeworms and earthworms. It is also used to treat acute renal injuries. It has been used in the treatment of urethral discharge, Gonnorrhea, diabetes and malarial fever.
Many small and medium scale enterprises are using polpala to manufacture a herbal beverage that come in cup size tea bags. This can be drunk as an alternative to tea and can be consumed several times a day depending on the health condition of the person. Polpala is also been used to make facial and body oils due to its ability to heal and restore the body.
A version of this story originally appeared in Island Newspaper, Sri Lanka