SURVEY ON ETHNOMEDICINAL USES OF SIDDHALEPA BALM AMONG SRI LANKANS

Siddhalepa balm is a herbal preparation developed by the traditional Ayurveda physician family, the Hettigoda family from Imaduwa, Sri Lanka. It is widely used in Sri Lanka as a home remedy for various ailments. Although it has been popular for decades, no scientific survey had been conducted to assess its usage among Sri Lankans. A multi-centre survey was carried out to study the usage of Siddhalepa balm among Sri Lankans. A total of 375 citizens participated in the study. Based on the results, it was found that the participant applied the balm to relieve headaches, muscular aches and pains, toothaches and swelling, various forms of arthritis such as rheumatic arthritis, osteoarthritis and gouty arthritis, common cold, sneezing, breathing difficulties or wheezing, fever, and insect bites. Eighty to ninety eight percent of participants reported experiencing instant relief or relief within an hour of application, except in cases of myalgia, where the figure was 61%. Relief lasted two hours or longer in 64% to 91% of participants, except in myalgia (46%). No adverse effects were reported during the study. Therefore, it is concluded that Siddhalepa balm is a safe herbal product that provides rapid relief for a wide range of common ailments.