“Deshiya Chikithsa” is a medical system that bears some resemblance to Indian Ayurveda but produced and evolved into “Hela Wedakama” in Sri Lnaka (“Hela Diva”). Although it is not clear how Deshiya Chikithsa was originated, ancient sources state that Pulasthi Irshi, a descendant of the three Vedas, represented the Hela Diva at the Irshi Conference in the Himalayas of India.
King Rawana is considered to be the grandson of Pulasthi Srishi. He is considered as a Piler of Knowledge for he was versed in “Hela vedakama”, “Guptha Shasthra” and “Rasa Shasthra”. He has also authored several books including “Nadi-tantra”, “Kumara-tantra”, ”Udeesha-tantra” and “Arka-prakasha”. Some pamphlets state that in the time of Ravana, medicines were used extensively to improve the capacity of memory of the people. Considering the information contained in the ancient epics such as Ramayana and Mahabharata, the community lived in ancient Hela Diva was endowed with various knowledge systems such as Mathematics, Architecture, Botany, Medicine, Mysticism, Irrigation and Astronomy.
The obvious difference between indigenous medicine and Indian ayurveda is that many of the medicines used in indigenous medicine are not found in ayurveda and some of the drug modifications and therapies are unique to indigenous medicine.
Eight major components of deshiya chikithsa can be identified.
Kadum Bindum vedakama (Treatments for Fractures)
Es vedakama ( Treatments for Eye Diseases )
Vata Roga
Sarpa Visha Vedakama ( Treatments for Snake bites)
Gedi Vana Pilika Vedakama ( Treatments of Wounds and tumors )
Dawum Pillissum Vedakama ( Treatments for Burns)
Jala beethika vedakama ( Treatments for Rabies)
Charma Roga Vedakama ( Treatments for Skin Diseases )
Apart from this, medical systems such as Penus Vedakam, Yantra Mantra Gurukam (Gupta Shastra), Sattva Vedakam, Vriksha Vedakam etc. are also found in local therapy in connection with certain lineages of doctors.
Much credit goes to King Buddhadasa (337 – 365 AD) for the development and popularization of indigenous medicine. Hela Annals mentions him as a great statesman who had a good knowledge of various medical methods such as linguistics, jurisprudence, surgery, physical therapy, psychotherapy, gynecological therapy and animal therapy (veterinary science) etc. It has been mentioned in the Maha Vamsa that during his reign Hela Div built medical centers in every village and local doctors were appointed to those centers to provide services to the people. It is mentioned in the historical sources that the book "Sarartha Sangraha" was composed by him.
