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Hela Wedakama
The roots of traditional healing in Sri Lanka
The Origins of a Unique Medicine
Hela Wedakama is the original, millennia-old healing knowledge of the indigenous people of Sri Lanka, deeply connected to the island’s rich nature and spiritual culture. As an independent, holistic medical system, it emerged long before Indian Ayurveda and was preserved and passed down by the Hela tribes, the original inhabitants of Sri Lanka.
The transmission of Hela knowledge traditionally took place orally as well as through writings on palm leaves, the so-called Puskola manuscripts. As early as antiquity, kings established medical villages and clinics to ensure healthcare and preserve this knowledge for future generations.
In many cases, Hela Wedakama was passed down within families. Some of these healer lineages are still highly respected today, and their ancestral homes have even been declared national cultural heritage sites due to their medical significance.
This ancient knowledge is rooted in a profound connection with nature: more than 1,100 native medicinal plants – many of them endemic – form the foundation of remedies and therapies that bring body, mind, and soul into harmony. It unites original indigenous practices, Sinhalese folk medicine, and influences from Indian Ayurveda as well as other traditional medical systems such as Siddha and Unani.
The Healing Power of Nature – Medicinal Plants and Therapies
At the heart of Hela Wedakama lies the use of natural herbs, oils, pastes, and fermented preparations. These are individually adapted to your constitution and help to restore inner balance.
✧ Svarasa (herbal juices)
✧ Kalka (medicinal pastes)
✧ Kasaya (therapeutic teas)
✧ Thaila (healing oils)
✧ Panchakarma – the traditional cleansing cure
These treatments have a detoxifying effect, strengthen the immune system, and support the body’s natural self-healing abilities.
Holistic Health through Body, Mind, and Soul
Hela Wedakama understands health as the harmony of body, mind, and soul. Therefore, treatment includes not only physical therapies but also spiritual practices such as meditation, mindfulness, and mantra applications, which foster inner peace and mental clarity.
The millennia-old tradition of Hela Veda is closely interwoven with the Buddhist teachings of Sri Lanka, uniting profound medical knowledge with spiritual wisdom.
Historical Significance and Scientific Recognition
More than 2,500 years ago, kings such as Pandukabaya established nationwide hospitals – the first documented form of organized medical care. The healing knowledge of Hela Wedakama was recorded and preserved by renowned physicians and kings such as Buddhadasa, and has been safeguarded to this day.
Modern studies confirm the effectiveness of many Hela herbs, which are often more tolerable and have fewer side effects than many conventional medicines. One example is the active ingredient from the plant Adhatoda vasica, which is now used worldwide in cough syrups.
Research institutions and organizations are increasingly engaging in the scientific study and further development of this traditional healing method, seeking to connect it with modern insights and make it accessible internationally.
Your Journey to Natural Health
At the Hela Moksha Villa, we practice Panchakarma according to Hela Wedakama in its most authentic form – with genuine dedication, medical expertise, and deep respect for your individual process.
For your safety and optimal regeneration, we work closely with conventional medical doctors and coordinate with them upon request. The natural surroundings of the Moksha Villa, nestled in the untouched nature of Sri Lanka, support your inner peace, promote regeneration, and help you regain new strength and balance.
Find more information about the specific Ayurvedic treatments you will experience at the Moksha Villa during your Panchakarma cure here.
View the prices for our Panchakarma cures here.
A Panchakarma treatment with us is not a break from life – but a return to your original strength.
