Abstract

REVIEW ON ACNE IN SRI LANKAN INDIGENOUS MEDICAL TEXTS

Lakshmi Wasana* and Harsha Dharmawijaya

ABSTRACT

Acne is a common skin disease, especially in adolescents without gender difference. Acne was described under various medical systems including allopathic, Ayurveda and Sri Lankan indigenous medicine. But not found any review from Sri Lankan indigenous medicine. This study was designed to review acne and find out the management of acne mentioned in Sri Lankan indigenous medical texts. Data was collected from Yogārnawaya, Warayogasāgaraya, Lakdiva Raktha Roga Samgrahaya, Peeyushārnawaya, Sārārtha Samgrahaya, Sinhala Yogarathnākaraya, Sankshiptha Gedivana Chikitsā Samgrahaya, Bhaisajja Manjusāwa and Thalpathe Piliyam book series. Definition, synonyms, causes, classification and management were mentioned in texts. In Indigenous Medicine of Sri Lanka, acne resembled “Yawwana pilika”which is just like a throne of “Imbul” tree (Bombax ceiba L.) arisen due to vitiation of Pitta, Kapha Dosas and raktha (blood); associated with Medas granthi (sebaceous gland) especially in face. It also called as “Kurule”, “Yuwana Pidakā”, “Yawwana pidakā” and “Mukha dusikā”. Vamana (therapeutic emesis), Nasya (nasal instillation) and Pralepa (poultice) with their formulations were mentioned above texts as treatments according to stages of disease condition. Herbal, animal, herbo- mineral, herbo- animal, minero- herbal, minero -animal, herbo- minero- animal formulations which were mainly as fresh juice, powder, paste, oil and ash mentioned in Sri Lankan indigenous medical texts. Sri Lankan indigenous Medicine has clear explanation about acne with its management.

Keywords: Acne, Sri Lankan indigenous Medicine, Yawwana pilika, Texts.