A Review in Morphology, Health Benefits and Propagation Methods of Selected Medicinal Plants in Sri Lanka

Abstract

There has been growing interest in medicinal plants due to their extensive use in traditional medicine and their potential for extracting active compounds used in drug production worldwide. As a tropical country, Sri Lanka boasts a rich diversity of flora and fauna, making it a significant reservoir of medicinal plants ranging from small herbaceous species to large perennial woody trees. Many of these plants, which have long been valued in traditional medicinal practices, are now being cultivated in commercial and home gardens to preserve them and enhance their utilization. However, due to overharvesting in traditional medicine and ongoing deforestation, the populations of these valuable plants are currently under threat. To ensure the sustainable conservation and multiplication of these plants, it is crucial to accurately identify them based on their morphological features and to thoroughly explore their propagation methods. In response to these challenges, various countries have adopted in vitro micropropagation techniques as a means of propagating medicinal plants. Therefore, observing and developing novel propagation techniques is vital for the sustainable conservation of these species. This study aims to evaluate the morphology, health benefits, and propagation methods of commonly grown medicinal plants in Sri Lanka, including Salacia reticulata Wight, Coscinium fenestratum (Gaertn.) Colebr., Hemidesmus indicus (L.) R. Br., Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal, and Celastrus paniculatus Willd.