Skeletal fluorosis in Vavuniya District: an observational study.

Background: The WHO recommended safe upper limit for fluoride in drinking water is 1.5 mg/l. Groundwater sources in many parts of Sri Lanka often exceed this limit.

High prevalence of dental fluorosis among schoolchildren in three villages in Vavuniya District: an observational study.

Background: Studies of groundwater sources in Sri Lanka show that in the entire Northern, North Central, Uva and Eastern Provinces, and also in a large area of the North Western Province, groundwater fluoride content is within the range 1.0 mg/l and 3.0 mg/l.

The effect of thriphala, a herbal Ayurveda formulation, on serum lipids, in patients on a maintenance dose of atorvastatin for hyperlipidaemia: a randomized controlled trial.

Introduction: Thriphala, a herbal medicinal formulation, is a bedrock of Ayurveda therapeutics with many postulated benefits.

Objectives: We performed a clinical trial to test the effects of Swastha Thriphala®, a proprietary preparation of thriphala, on serum lipid parameters in patients receiving atorvastatin.

Methods: Consenting adults receiving a maintenance dose of atorvastatin 10mg (Atorlip®) daily from a clinic of the Institute of Cardiology, National Hospital of Sri Lanka for lipid regulation, were randomly assigned, after counselling, to receive either the proprietary herbal medicinal product Swastha Thriphala® (Treatment Group, n= 101) or a placebo (Control Group n= 97), at the stipulated dose daily, for three calendar months.

The effect of a herbal formulation on the incidence and severity of upper respiratory symptoms in healthy volunteers: an open-label, randomised controlled clinical trial.

Introduction: Many traditional preparations with varying combinations of herbs have been used for over 1500 years to treat upper respiratory ailments, and reduce their incidence and severity. Link Samahan® is a formulation containing the extract of 14 such medicinal plants.

Objectives: To test the efficacy of Link Samahan® in reducing the incidence and severity of upper respiratory symptoms in consenting healthy volunteers.