Steemit Engagement Challenge Season 8 Week 2: My Traditional Medicine

Greetings my lovely friends!

Starting the second week, I decided to participate in the health contest and chose it as my first entry. Traditional medicine plays crucial aspect in our lives & culture because they are always our first choice before seeing a doctor. At least in my culture that is how it is every time 🤭 We have a traditional medicines for almost every disease and most of Sri Lankan mothers knows the remedies well, but our grand mothers are the true experts.

So let me share something I learned from my mother which I usually use in my meal.

What are the names of traditional medicines in your country that you know?

As I explained traditional medicine has been passed down through generations in Sri Lanka. We call it "Ayurveda" which means "science of life" in Sanskrit. There are certain parts which originated from India but we do have our own Ayurvedic medicines from our ancestors.

Ayurveda uses 100% natural remedies and techniques such as herbal medicines, diet, and lifestyle changes to treat various diseases and promote overall health.

Here are some common used Ayurvedic medicines,

• Turmeric: Widely used in every kitchen in Sri Lanka. We add some tumeric as a spice to many curries we prepare. It can boost the immune system.

• Ginger: Another very commonly used medicine. We use ginger when there is a digestive issues or vomiting.

• Fenugreek: This also we use as a spice. It believes that fenugreek can lower cholesterol levels, and regulate blood sugar.

• Neem: An herb that is used to treat skin disorders & infections.

• Cinnamon: Sri Lanka is famous for True cinnamon. They are highly valuable in the global market. When added to the curries cinnamon gives a wonderful natural fragrance. Cinnamon is wildly known medicine for blood sugar.

• Cardamom: It believes cardamom has anti-cancer properties and can help improve respiratory function.

• Coriander: We even have a song for coriander which goes as "අපට හැදුණ හැම ලෙඩටම අම්මා දුන්න එකම බෙහෙත කොත්තමල්ලී" translates to "Coriander is the only medicine my mother gave us for all our ailments" 😂 This is so true.

• Cloves: When there's a toothaches we usually put one or two cloves where it hurts and the pain will be gone within 05 mins.

Please share with us a traditional medicine recipe that you know, then write down the steps for making it.

Now I will share a herb which I grow and use almost weekly.

Thebu Leaves

The Thebu plant is a commonly grown plant in Sri Lanka because the leaves of this plant can lower blood sugar levels. Sri Lankans eat Thebu leaves as a salad. It's easy to prepare because the leaves are eaten raw. I have Thebu planted on my balcony because I love to add such healthy herbs to my meals more often.

This is how I made Thebu leaves Salad for my meal

Ingredients

• Handful of Thebu Leaves
• Grated coconut
• Small Onion
• Green Chilies
• Tomato
• Half a lime

• Get all the ingredients and wash them thoroughly, Slice Thebu leaves, Onion, Green Chilies & Tomato into very thin pieces.

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• Get some fresh grated coconut

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• Add onion to the grated coconut

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• Add Tomato & Green chilies

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• Add half lime juice and add some salt as per your taste

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• Now mix everything well

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• Finally add the finely sliced thebu leaves into the mixture

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• Mix it soft and make sure not to mix it too much otherwise it will become bitter in taste

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What are the uses (benefits) of these traditional medicines?

• Control blood sugar level
• Stimulate appetite for other meals
• Control phlegm and bile
• Treat skin issues

Are there any negative effects from it? If so, please state anything!

Thebu has a vey strong affect on blood sugar level. If we eat it daily the level can lead to a significant drop. Also it believed that eating thebu regularly is not suitable for kidney health, which can eventually lead to kidney damage in the long term. For that reason, thebu does not consider as a usual meal.

Selfie with the traditional medicine: Thebu Leaves Salad

• I'm ready to have my Thebu leaves salad for my lunch

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^{Hungry Face 😃}

I hope you learn one or two thing about Sri Lankan Traditional Medicine. To end the post I would like to invite my dear friends @dove11 , @mini80 and @katherine012 to join the contest.