Table 2.

Medicinal plants used in topical cosmetic treatments of Sri Lanka.

No.	Family	Scientific name	English name	Vernacular name	Plant part	Potential usage	Treatment/s for	Mode of application	RFC	UV	RI
1	Acanthaceae	Barleria lupulina Lindl.	Hophead Philippine violet	Ranwan katu karandu	Leaves	S	PI	JU	0.09	0.09	0.04
2		Barleria prionitis L.	Crossandra	Katu karandu	Leaves	S, H	SH, GH	JU	0.11	0.16	0.06
3		Justicia adhatoda L.∗	Malabar nut	Adhatoda	Leaves	O	OH	OT	0.42	0.42	0.20
4	Acoraceae	Acorus calamus L.	Sweet flag	Wada-kaha	Rhizome	S, H	PE, SC, FA	PA	0.62	1.05	0.36
5	Amaranthaceae	Alternanthera sessilis (L.) R.Br. ex DC∗	Sessile joyweed	Mukunuwenna	Leaves, stem	H	HH	JU	0.30	0.30	0.14
6	Amaryllidaceae	Allium sativum L.	Garlic	Sudulunu	Bulb	S	PI	PA	0.31	0.32	0.15
7	Annonaceae	Annona muricata L.	Prickly custard apple	Katu-anoda	Tender leaves	H	PE	JU	0.28	0.28	0.13
8	Apiaceae	Centella asiatica (L.) Urb∗	Indian pennywort	Gotukola	Entire plant	S, H	DH, HE	PA	0.71	1.27	0.42
9	Apocynaceae	Cryptolepis dubia (Burm.f.) M.R.Almeida		Wel rukkattana	Leaves, bark, flowers	S, O	MM, MB	DE	0.08	0.12	0.04
10		Hemidesmus indicus (L.) R. Br. ex Schult.∗	Indian sarsaparilla	Iramusu	Leaves	S, H	HF, SC	JU	0.66	0.92	0.35
11		Holarrhena antidysenterica (Roxb.) Wall.	Kurchi	Kelinda	Bark	O	OH	DE	0.20	0.20	0.10
12	Arecaceae	Areca catechu L.	Areca nut	Puwak	Flowers	O	OH	DE	0.08	0.08	0.04
13		Caryota urens L.	Wine palm	Kithul	Bark, tender flowers	H	HH	OT	0.06	0.07	0.03
14		Cocos nucifera L.∗	King coconut/Pol	Thambili/Coconut	Fruit kernel	H	HH	OI	0.63	0.63	0.30
15	Asparagaceae	Asparagus racemosus Willd.∗	Wild asparagus	Hathawariya	Entire plant	S, H	HC, HH. HF, GH, AG, SC, FR	JU	0.60	2.20	0.51
16	Asphodelaceae	Aloe vera (L.) Burm.f.∗	Aloe plant	Komarika	Leaf gel	S, H	FR, PI, HF, DN, AG, EX	GE	0.83	3.66	0.80
17	Asteraceae	Eclipta prostrata (L.) L∗	False daisy	Keekirindiya	Leaves	S, H	HH, SD, AG	OI, JU	0.68	1.09	0.38
18		Vernonia anthelmintica (L.) Willd.	Purple fleebane	Sanninayam	Seeds	S, H	FR, PE	PA	0.01	0.02	0.01
19	Berberidaceae	Berberis aristata DC.	Indian barberry	Daruharidra	Bark	O	OH	DE	0.02	0.02	0.01
20	Bombacaceae	Bombax ceiba L.	Red silk cotton tree	Imbul	Thrones, seeds	S	SC, FR, PI	PA, OI	0.05	0.08	0.03
21	Boraginaceae	Heliotropium indicum L.	Indian heliotrope	Ethhoda	Leaves	S	PI	JU	0.03	0.03	0.01
22	Brassicaceae	Brassica juncea (L.) Czern	Indian mustard	Aba	Seeds	S	SS, SC	OI	0.36	0.53	0.20
23	Calophyllaceae	Mesua ferrea L.∗	Iron wood	Na	Flower stamens	S	MB, FR, SC, FA	PA	0.24	0.36	0.13
24	Cannabaceae	Celtis timorensis Span.	Stinkwood	Gurenda/Burenda	Wood	S	DR, SC	PA	0.02	0.03	0.01
25	Caricaceae	Carica papaya L.∗	Papaya	Gaslabu	Ripen fruit	S	FR	PA	0.61	0.61	0.29
26	Celastraceae	Celastrus paniculatus Willd.	Black oil plant	Duhudu	Bark	H	PE	PA	0.03	0.03	0.01
27		Kokoona zeylanica Thwaites∗		Kokun	Bark	S	SC, PI	PO	0.73	1.37	0.44
28	Clusiaceae	Garcinia mangostana L.	Mangosteen	Mangus	Bark	O	OH	DE	0.09	0.09	0.04
29		Garcinia quaesita Pierre.∗	Red mango	Goraka	Fruit rind, bark	O	OH	OT	0.29	0.28	0.14
30	Combretaceae	Terminalia arjuna (Roxb.) Wight & Arn.	Arjuna myrobalan	Kumbuk	Bark	S, O	PI, OH	PA	0.18	0.19	0.09
31		Terminalia bellirica (Gaertn.) Roxb.∗	Beleric myrobalan	Bulu	Seeds	H	HC, HF	OI	0.72	1.12	0.40
32		Terminalia chebula Retz.∗	Myrabalans	Aralu	Fruit	S, O	OH, AG	IN	0.70	1.03	0.38
33	Convolvulaceae	Argyreia populifolia Choisy	Sri Lankan elephant creeper	Giritilla	Shoots	O	OH	JU	0.05	0.05	0.02
34		Cuscuta chinensis Lam.	Dodder	Agamula nathi wal	Entire plant	H	HC, HF, DN	IN	0.01	0.03	0.01
35		Evolvulus alsinoides (L.) L.	Slender dwarf morning- glory	Vishnukranthi	Entire plant	H	HH	OI	0.07	0.08	0.04
36		Ipomoea pes-caprae (L.) R. Br.	Goats foot creeper	Binthamburu	Leaves	S	FH	DE	0.02	0.02	0.01
37	Costaceae	Costus speciosus (Koenig) Smith	Crape ginger	Thebu	Bark	S	FR	OT	0.01	0.01	0.00
38	Cucurbitaceae	Cucumis melo L.	Bitter cucumber	Gon kakiri	Fruit	S	PI	PA	0.01	0.01	0.00
39		Cucumis sativus L.∗	Cucumber	Pipingna	Fruit	S	HE	SA	0.65	0.65	0.31
40		Trichosanthes cucumerina L.	Wild sankegourd	Dummalla	Leaves	H	GH	DE	0.03	0.03	0.01
41	Cyperaceae	Cyperus rotundus L.∗	Nutgrass	Kalanduru	Tuber	S	AC	PA	0.54	0.53	0.26
42	Dilleniaceae	Dillenia retusa Thunb.∗		Godapara	Fruit	H	HH, HCL	PA	0.64	1.00	0.36
43	Ebenaceae	Diospyros malabarica (Desr.) Kostel.	Riber ebony	Timbiri	Fruit	O	OH	DE	0.01	0.01	0.00
44	Elaeocarpaceae	Elaeocarpus serratus L.∗	Wild olive	Weralu	Leaves	H	HCL	IN	0.72	0.73	0.34
45	Euphorbiaceae	Jatropha curcas L	Purging nut	Rata endaru	Bark	O	OH	DE	0.08	0.08	0.04
46	Fabaceae	Abrus precatorius L.	Wild liquorice	Olinda	Seeds	S	AC	PA	0.27	0.27	0.13
47		Acacia concinna (Willd.) DC.		Seenidda	Pods	H	HH, DN, PE, HCL	PO	0.01	0.03	0.01
48		Acacia nilotica (L.) Delile	Gum Arabic tree	Babbula	Leaves, bark, stem	S, O	DR, OH	PA	0.01	0.02	0.01
49		Adenanthera pavonina L.∗	Red lucky seed	Madatiya	Leaves	S	PI, SC	JU	0.30	0.43	0.16
50		Caesalpinia bonduc (L.) Roxb.	Molucca bean	Kumburu	Seeds	S, O	PI, OH	OI, PO	0.02	0.03	0.01
51		Caesalpinia sappan L.	Sappanwood	Patagi	Heartwood	S	WH, AC	PO	0.05	0.08	0.03
52		Crotalaria verrucosa L.	Blue rattle weed	Nil-adanahiriya	Leaves, shoots	O	OH	IN	0.01	0.01	0.00
53		Entada rheedii Spreng.	Elephant creepes mackay	Pus-wel	Seeds, bark, stem	S, H	PI, HCL	PA	0.04	0.03	0.02
54		Glycyrrhiza glabra L.∗	Liqourice	Walmee	Roots	S	SC	OT	0.52	0.52	0.25
55		Indigofera tinctoria L.∗	Indigo	Nil-awari	Leaves	S, H	SC, HF, HH	OI, PA	0.60	1.30	0.39
56		Mimosa pudica L.	Sensitive plant	Nidi-kumba	Entire plant	S, O	HE, OH	PA, DE	0.10	0.14	0.05
57		Pongamia pinnata (L.) Pierre∗	Indian beech	Karanda	Seeds	S	SD	OI	0.12	0.12	0.06
58		Pterocarpus marsupium Roxb.	Indian kino tree	Gammalu	Gum	O	OH	OT	0.01	0.01	0.00
59		Pterocarpus santalinus L.f.∗	Red sandalwood	Rath-handun	Heartwood	S	PI	PA	0.67	0.67	0.32
60		Saraca asoca (Roxb.) Willd.	Ashoka tree	Asoka	Bark	O	MM, OH	PO	0.01	0.02	0.01
61		Senna alata (L.) Roxb.∗	Candle bush	Eththora	Leaves	S	SD	PA	0.54	0.53	0.26
62		Senna alexandrina Mill.	Indian senna	Senehekola	Leaves	H	DN, HH	DE	0.02	0.03	0.01
63		Senna auriculata (L.) Roxb.∗	Tanner's cassia	Ranawara	Flowers	S	SC	PA	0.15	0.15	0.07
64		Sesbania grandiflora (L.) Pers.∗	Vegetable hummingbird	Kathurumurunga	Leaves	H	HH	OI	0.47	0.48	0.23
65		Tephrosia purpurea (L.) Pers.∗	Purple tephrosia	Kathurupila	Roots	O	OH	OT	0.73	0.73	0.35
66		Trigonella foenum-graecum L.∗	Fenugreek	Uluhal	Seeds	H	DN	IN	0.64	0.64	0.30
67	Hypoxidaceae	Curculigo orchioides Gaertn.	Black musale	Binthal	Tuber	S	SC	PA	0.01	0.01	0.00
68	Lamiaceae	Ocimum tenuiflorum L.∗	Holy basil	Heen maduruthala	Leaves	S	FA, PI, FR	OI, JU	0.19	0.32	0.11
69		Pogostemon heyneanus Benth.	Patchouli	Gas-kollankola	Leaves	O	OH	IN	0.01	0.01	0.00
70		Premna obtusifolia R.Br.		Heen midi	Leaves	H	HCL	JU	0.01	0.01	0.00
71		Tectona grandis L.f.	Teak	Thekka	Fruit	H	HH	PO	0.01	0.01	0.00
72	Lauraceae	Cinnamomum verum J.Presl∗	Ceylon cinnamom	Kurundu	Inner bark	S, O	PI, OH	PA	0.60	0.99	0.34
73	Lecythidaceae	Barringtonia acutangula (L.) Gaertn.	Indian oak	Midella	Leaves, bark, flower	O	OH	DE	0.01	0.01	0.00
74		Careya arborea Roxb.	Patana oak	Kahata	Bark gum	S	SS	OT	0.01	0.01	0.00
75		Couroupita guianensis Aubl.	Cannon ball tree	Sal	Leaves	S	HE	OT	0.01	0.01	0.00
76	Lythraceae	Lawsonia inermis L.∗	Henna	Marathondi	Leaves	H	GH, HH	IN	0.44	0.64	0.24
77		Punica granatum L.∗	Pomegranate	Delum	Leaves, fruit rind, roots	S, O	OH	DE	0.07	0.08	0.04
78	Magnoliaceae	Michelia champaca var. blumei Moritzi	Champak	Gini sapu	Flowers	S	FA, HE	OI	0.05	0.08	0.03
79	Malvaceae	Abutilon indicum (L.) Sweet	Country mallow	Behethanoda	Leaves	O	OH	PA	0.01	0.01	0.00
80		Gossypium arboreum L.	Cotton	Kapu	Leaves	S	HE	OT	0.06	0.07	0.03
81		Hibiscus abelmoschus L.∗	Musk mallow	Kapukinissa	Seeds	S, O	MM, FA	PA	0.40	0.63	0.22
82		Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L.∗	Shoe flower	Pokuru wada	Leaves, flowers	S, H	HH, GH, HF, DN, SD, PI, FR	OI, PA	0.09	0.41	0.09
83		Sida cordata (Burm.f.) Borss. Waalk∗	Heart leaf sida	Wel bebila	Leaves, stem	S, H	HH, PI	PA	0.16	0.23	0.08
84		Theobroma cacao L.∗	Coco	Kokova	Seeds	S	DR, SS	OT	0.73	1.09	0.40
85	Meliaceae	Azadirachta indica A.Juss∗	Neem	Kohomba	Leaves, roots	S, O	PI, OH	PA, DE	0.74	1.22	0.42
86	Menispermaceae	Coscinium fenestratum (Goetgh.) Colebr.∗	Calumba wood	Weniwel	Stem	S	EX, AC	PA	0.74	1.27	0.43
87	Moraceae	Fiscus racemosa L.∗	Country fig	Attikka	Leaves	S	FR, SD	PA	0.46	0.65	0.25
88	Moringaceae	Moringa oleifera Lam.∗	Drumstick tree	Murunga	Leaves	S	PI, FR, SS, SH	JU, PA	0.07	0.13	0.04
89	Myristicaceae	Myristica fragrans Houtt.∗	Nutmeg	Sadhikka	Seeds	S, H, O	PE, HCL, OH	OI	0.69	1.53	0.45
90	Myrtaceae	Melaleuca leucadendra (L.) L.∗	Cajuput tree	Lothsumbulu	Bark	S	SC	OT	0.52	0.52	0.25
91		Psidium guajava L.∗	Guava	Pera	Leaves	H	HH	JU	0.73	0.73	0.35
92		Syzygium aomaricum (L.) Merr. & L.M.Perry∗	Clove	Karabu	Flower buds	O	OH	OT	0.09	0.09	0.04
93		Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels	Indian black berry	Madan	Bark	O	OH	OT	0.14	0.14	0.07
94	Nymphaeaceae	Nymphaea nouchali Burm.f∗	Blue water lily	Nil manel	Flowers	H	HC	PA	0.32	0.33	0.15
95	Oleaceae	Jasminum grandiflorum L.∗	Jasmine	Samanpichcha	Flowers, leaves, roots	S, H	SD, FA, SCO	PA, OI	0.19	0.36	0.11
96		Jasminum multiflorum (Burm.f.) Andrews	Sambac Jasmine	Geta pichcha	Flower buds	S	SC	PA	0.06	0.07	0.03
97	Oxalidaceae	Averrhoa bilimbi L.	Bilimbi	Bilin	Leaves	S, H	PI, PE	JU	0.56	0.79	0.30
98	Pedaliaceae	Sesamum indicum L.∗	Gingelly	Thel-thala	Seeds	S, H	HH, HE	OT	0.70	1.12	0.39
99	Phyllanthaceae	Phyllanthus emblica L.∗	Emblic myrobalan	Nelli	Leaves, fruit	S, H	SC, HF, GH,	OT	0.18	0.38	0.11
100	Pinaceae	Cedrus deodara (Roxb. ex D.Don) G.Don∗	Himalayan cedar	Dewadara	Heartwood	S	FA	OT	0.24	0.24	0.11
101	Piperaceae	Piper nigrum L.∗	Pepper	Gammiris	Seeds	S, O	FA	OT	0.58	0.58	0.28
102	Plantaginaceae	Bacopa monnieri (L.) Wettst.∗	Thyme leaved gratiola	Lunuwila	Entire plant	S, H	AG, DN	OT	0.16	0.25	0.09
103	Poaceae	Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) Stapf∗	Lemon grass	Sera	Entire plant	H	PE, DN, FA	OI	0.72	1.13	0.40
104		Vetiveria zizanioides (L) Nash∗	Khas-khas	Sawandara	Roots	S	FA	OI, PA	0.70	0.70	0.33
105	Ponterderiaceae	Monochoria vaginalis (Burm.f.) C. Presl∗	Oval leafed pondweed	Diyahabarala	Roots	O	OH	IN	0.18	0.18	0.08
106	Rubiaceae	Coffea arabica L.∗	Coffee	Kopi	Seeds	S	EX	PO	0.12	0.12	0.06
107		Geophila repens (L.) I.M.Johnst.		Kothurubedda	Leaves	S	SD	PA	0.01	0.01	0.00
108		Morinda citrifolia L.	Indian mulberry	Ahu	Leaves, fruit	S, O	OH, EX, HE	JU, PA	0.15	0.26	0.09
109		Oldenlandia corymbosa L.	Diamond flower	Pathpdagam	Entire plant	S	PI	OT	0.01	0.01	0.00
110		Rubia cordifolia L.∗	Heart leaved madder	Velmadata	Roots	S	FR, SD	PA	0.43	0.63	0.23
111	Rutaceae	Acronychia pedunculata (L.) Miq.∗	Claw flowered laurel	Ankenda	Leaves	S	PI	PA	0.39	0.39	0.19
112		Aegle marmelos (L.) Correa∗	Bael fruit tree	Beli	Ripen fruit	S	SC	PA	0.53	0.53	0.25
113		Citrus aurantifolia Panzer. (Christm.) Swingle∗	True lime	Dehi	Fruit	S, H	HCL, SCL, DN, PE	In, PA	0.59	1.30	0.38
114		Citrus hystrix DC.	Kaffir lime	Gada dehi	Fruit	H	DN, FA	JU	0.13	0.20	0.07
115		Citrus limon (L.) Osbeck∗	Lemon	Lemon	Fruit	S	SCL, DR	JU	0.69	1.10	0.39
116		Melicope lunu-ankenda (Gaertn.) T.G. Hartley		Lunu-ankenda	Leaves	S	SC	PA	0.02	0.02	0.01
117		Murraya koenigii (L.) Spreng.	Curry leaf	Karapincha	Leaves	H	HH	JU	0.50	0.50	0.24
118		Ruta graveolens L.∗	Garden rue	Aruda	Leaves	H	HH	OI	0.52	0.52	0.25
119	Santalaceae	Santalum album L.∗	Sandalwood	Sudu handun	Heartwood	S	PI, FR, SC, AG	PA	0.74	1.91	0.52
120	Sapindaceae	Sapindus mukorossi Gaertn.∗	Soap nut	Gas penela	Fruit	H	HCL	PA	0.07	0.08	0.04
121		Schleichera oleosa (Lour.) Merr.∗	Ceylon oak	Kon	Seeds	H	HH	OI	0.19	0.19	0.09
122	Sapotaceae	Mimusops elengi L.∗	Bullet wood tree	Munamal	Bark	O	OH	DE	0.69	0.69	0.33
123	Solanaceae	Datura metel L.	Datura	Attana	Roots	O	OH	PO	0.01	0.01	0.00
124		Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal∗	Indian ginseng	Amukkra	Roots	S	AG	OT	0.04	0.03	0.02
125	Symplocaceae	Symplocos cochinchinensis (Lour.) S. Moore		Bombu	Bark	O	OH	DE	0.01	0.01	0.00
126	Theaceae	Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze∗	Tea	Thae	Tender leaves	S	WR	OT	0.13	0.13	0.06
127	Vitaceae	Leea indica (Burm.f.) Merr.	Bandicoot berry	Gurulla	Leaves	S	SD, SC	PA	0.01	0.02	0.01
128	Zingiberacea	Alpinia malaccensis (Burm.f.) Roscoe∗		Rankihiriya	Flower buds	O	OH	JU	0.01	0.01	0.00
129		Curcuma aromatic Salisb.∗	Wild turmeric	Kasthuri kaha	Rhizome	S	SC	PA	0.67	0.67	0.32
130		Curcuma longa L.∗	Turmeric	Ath kaha	Rhizome	S	SC	PA	0.70	0.70	0.33
131		Curcuma zedoaria (christm.) Roscoe∗	Zedoary	Haran kaha	Rhizome	S	SC, FA	PA	0.05	0.08	0.03
132		Kaempferia galanga L.	Java galanga	Ingurupiyali	Rhizome	S, H, O	OH, SC, DN, WH	In, PA	0.25	0.65	0.18
133		Zingiber officinale Roscoe∗	Ginger	Inguru	Rhizome	S	PI, SC	JU	0.23	0.35	0.13

Note. RFC: relative frequency of citation; UV: use value; RI: relative importance; S: skin care; H: hair care; O: oral care; OH: oral hygiene; MM: malodour of the mouth; HH: healthy hair; DN: dandruff; PE: pediculosis; HCL: scalp and hair cleansing; DH: damaged hair; HF: hair fallen; GH: grey hair; HC: hair color; SCO: scalp cooling; SC: skin complexion; PI: pimples; FR: freckles; HE: healing; AG: aging; SD: skin discoloration; AC: acne; DR: skin dryness; EX: exfoliate; SS: soften the skin; INF: infections; MB: malodour of the body; SCL: skin cleansing; SH: skin health; WH: whitening; WR: wrinkles; FA: fragrant agent; FH: foot health; PA: paste; JU: juice; OI: oil; DE: decoction; PO: powder; IN: infusion; GE: gel; SA: salad; OT: others. ^∗ Plants used in commercial herbal cosmetic products in Sri Lanka.