title: Ethnobotanics used in folk medicine of Tamil culture in Sri Lanka: a scientific review.
abstract: Tamil culture has recognized the potential use of plant herbs for prevention and treatment of different diseases. These folk remedies have been practiced by Sri Lankan Tamils even after modernization. This review focuses on frequently used medicinal plants among Sri Lankan Tamil communities, such as Cuminum cyminum, Azadirechta indica, Coriandrum sativum, Sesamum indicum, Zingiber officinale, Trigonella foenum-graecum, Moringa oleifera, Plectranthus amboinicus, Allium sativum and Curcuma longa, for their documented medicinal properties, which include antimicrobial, antioxidant, antitumor, anti-inflammatory, antihypertensive, hypocholesterolemic, antidiabetic and diuretic effects.
authors.affiliation: Medical Laboratory Sciences Unit, Department of Allied Health Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Gangodawila, Nugegoda 10250, Sri Lanka.
authors.forename: Anternite Shanthi
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Jesuthasan
authors.affiliation: Medical Laboratory Sciences Unit, Department of Allied Health Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Gangodawila, Nugegoda 10250, Sri Lanka.
authors.forename: Deepthi Inoka
authors.initials: DI
authors.lastname: Uluwaduge
mesh_terms: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003469:Culture; D005006:Ethnicity; D006801:Humans; D019684:Magnoliopsida; D008519:Medicine, Traditional; D008517:Phytotherapy; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010946:Plants, Medicinal; D013188:Sri Lanka
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D000975:Antioxidants; D028321:Plant Preparations