Ayurveda in Sri Lanka

Ayurveda is nature's way of caring and curing. The preparation of ayurvedic medications is usually a long process with ingredients being ground in a pestle for a prescribed period of time. Juices and extracts of plants are simmered until they reduce to a fraction of their original volume. Besides decoctions, wines, pills and powders for internal use, ayurveda also uses poultices, pastes, ointments and oils for external application. The methods of ayurvedic treatment vary from steam baths to massages, and recommended codes for healthy living which include dietary and sodo-cultural practices. Ayurveda is a cure for a lifetime and a way of life. Generations of Sri Lankans continue to use these age-old remedies, living to a ripe old age in excellent physical and mental condition. Together with its meditative aspects, ayurveda is a gentle and relaxed treatment for both mind and body resulting in tranquility, zest and energy.