Sri Lanka has unique heritage of own medical system handed down from generation to another over a period of 3,000 years.  Native medical practitioners in different disciplines are inherited within a family tradition and their treatments are still effective and accepted by the Sri Lankan community.  Nagaraja Guliya is one of traditional preparations prescribed as internal or external medicaments by the traditional physicians in the southern province in Sri Lanka since ten decades for poisons of animal origin. The study has been focused to standardize the herbo mineral formula in respect of quality, safety and analyze the potential of Nagaraja Guliya. The formulation consists of the eight herbo mineral ingredients; Aconitum ferox, Zingiber officinale, Myristica fragrans, Syzygium aromaticum, Mercury, Arsenic trisulfide, Copper sulphate and Luffa cylindrica. Authentication of the ingredients was carried out at Bandaranayaka Memorial Ayurveda Research Institute, Nawinna, Sri Lanka. Data has been gathered from Sri Lankan traditional manuscripts, Ayurveda authentic texts and different scientific journals. The results revealed that the Nagaraja Guliya contains secondary plant metabolites like Alkaloids, Tannins, Saponin and Phenols. The pH of the formulation was found to be 5.28 and is in acceptable range for oral administration and external application. Further, heavy metal contents of Mercury and Arsenic in the preparation was not reached to the harmful level to the human body. In Ayurveda view point; pharmacodynamic properties of the formula showed that maximum number of ingredients consist of Katu Rasa (pungent taste) Laghu Guna (Light property), Ushna Veerya (Hot in potency) and Katu vipaka with properties of pacification of Kapha and Vata dosha. Kushtagna, Vedanastapana, Raktashodaka, Shotahara and Vishahara. Hence, future studies should be planned to evaluate the existing data on traditional use of Nagaraja Guliya, along with experimental and clinical trials.

Aim: The present study aimed to compare the Sharibadi decoction which was prepared in two different ways. Sharibadi decoction A: All the ingredients are available including a local variety of H. indicus and Indian variety of H. indicus. Sharibadi decoction B: All the ingredients are available except the local variety of H. indicus and double the amount of Indian variety of H. indicus. Methodology: Phytochemical (in terms of secondary metabolites and Thin Layer Fingerprint profiles) and Physico-chemical (in terms of ash values and extractable matter) analyses were carried out to compare the Sharibadi decoction A with the Sharibadi decoction B. Results: Comparison of phytochemicals and Thin Layer Fingerprint profile of Sharibadi decoction A with that of Sharibadi decoction B revealed the differences in phytochemical compound/s presence in both decoctions. However, Physico-chemical parameters of Sharibadi decoction A were almost similar to that of Sharibadi decoction B. Conclusion: Absence of local variety of H. indicus gives an impact on phytochemical constituents rather than Physico-chemical parameters of Sharibadi decoction. However, phytochemicals play a major role when a drug exhibits its therapeutic effect/s. Therefore, to get the best therapeutic effect of Sharibadi decoction, both local variety of H. indicus and Indian variety of H. indicus should be used with other ingredients.

Abnormal pigmentation in cutaneous wound healing has become a major cosmetic issue in the current society. Rising popularity of green labeled cosmetics which are environmentally sustainable with minimum side effects have greater demand in the world cosmetic market.  Standardization of herbal formula is essential in order to assess the quality of drugs. Hence, the research study was designed to standardize the selected herbs based on comprehensive literary study on selected Varnaya Dravya (complexion promoting herbs) mentioned in Ayurveda authentic texts and Sri Lankan traditional manuscripts comprising of Terminalia chebula Retz, Terminalia belerica (Gaertn). Roxb, Phyllanthus emblica Linn, Rubia cordifolia Linn, Curcuma longa Trim, and Sesamum indicum Linn. Authentication of herbal ingreedients has been carried out at Bandaranayaka Memorial Ayurveda Research Institute, Nawinna, Sri Lanka. Microscopic identification, Moisture content, pH value, Total ash content and Colouring matter were tested determind through paper chromatography under WHO (2011) guidelines. Microscopic identification revealed that the poly herbal cosmetic formula in powder form contains yellow colour cells, stone cells, group of elongated stone cells, transparent cells, pitted vessels, spiral vessels, vessels filled with red, small fibers, oil globules, starch granules, needle shape crystals, hair and Trichoid. Moreover, moisture content of the formula was 6.3%, pH - 5.92 and total ash value - 4.45%. Determination of colouring matter indicated formula does not contain synthetic dyes. In addition, secondary plant metabolites like phenolic, tannins and saponins were present. Pharmacodynamics potential of the formula showed 25% kashaya (astringent) and tiktta (bitter) rasa (taste) accordingly. Further, 46% and 27% of formula showed ruksha (dryness) and laghu (lightness) guna (properties) along with 83% and 67% indicated ushna virya. (hot in potency) and madura (sweet) vipaka respectively. Due to presence of secondary metabolites, the poly herbal formula has anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-oxidant potentials which will be favorable for skin complexion protection from bacteria and fungi. Moreover, Lekhana action gives scraping effect which is important for removing the scar. The study suggested that parameters found to be sufficient to evaluate the herbal cosmetic powder and could be used as reference standards and applicability of this formulae should be validated with a preclinical and clinical trials.