Neelyadi Thailaya

Neelyadi Thailaya is a herbal oil prepared by Sri Lankan Ayurveda medical practitioners, used in both curative and preventive aspects of various diseases. Through literature study, it was found that there are two prescriptions of this herbal oil. The aim of this survey study was to investigate the method of preparation, indications, and specific alterations of the prescription of Neelyadi Thailaya among Sri Lankan Ayurveda practitioners. xxx

A self-developed questionnaire was used to collect data from randomly selected 20 Ayurveda medical practitioners who manufacture Neelyadi Thailaya in the Western Province of Sri Lanka. The majority of practitioners (75%) used the prescription from the Ayurveda Aushada Sangrahaya as the recipe for the preparation of this Thailaya. Out of twelve main ingredients, 11 ingredients were used by all practitioners (100%), and 10% of practitioners substituted Thala Thel for Pol Thel.

Additionally, 55% of practitioners incorporated other herbal materials besides the main ingredients to improve the medicinal value of Neelyadi Thailaya. Among the 9 Kalka Dravya, all practitioners (100%) used 8 Kalka Dravya, while 5% replaced Thippili with Gaja Thippi-li. Furthermore, 40% of practitioners used additional Kalka Dravya beyond the main prescribed ones.

The majority of practitioners (75%) adhered to the preparation method mentioned in Ayurveda Aushada Sangrahaya, and all practitioners (100%) used the Madyapāka Avasthawa process during the preparation of Neelyadi Thailaya. This study also identified specific indications for Neelyadi Thailaya, not mentioned in the Ayurveda Aushada Sangrahaya, based on the clinical experiences of the practitioners.

Interestingly, most practitioners (70%) applied their own traditional procedures while manufacturing Neelyadi Thailaya. In conclusion, Sri Lankan Ayurveda medical practitioners have introduced specific alterations to ingredients, processing methods, and indications, incorporating their own traditional procedures to enhance the medicinal value of Neelyadi Thailaya.