Nelli is an important fruit-medicine from Sri Lanka. It is a small, green sour fruit with a very high quantity of vitamin C. There is hardly any disease for which the nelli is not used either singly or in combination with other herbs.

The nelli is given to strengthen the retina and improves weak and defective vision. If dried nelli is soaked overnight and the juice extracted and drunk each morning, it makes a good laxative. Leaves boiled and applied on skin eruptions is said to be beneficial. The ground leaves are said to cure eczema. Two tablespoons of nelli mixed with a tablespoon of bees honey, taken regularly each morning helps reduce bleeding piles, while raw nelli, sour as it may be, improves complexion. Half a cup of nelli juice twice a week helps keep bowel movements in order.

Courtesy of LankaLibrary.com