chronic kidney disease of unknown aetiology is a significant public health problem in sri lanka . 
 the final report by the who mission recommended regulation of herbal medicines containing aristolochic acid , which is an established nephrotoxin . 
 the use of complimentary and alternative medicine ( cam ) has a  history of more than 2500 years in sri lanka . 
 aristolochia species are rarely used in ayurveda and traditional medicine in sri lanka . before regulating 
 the analysis of herbal preparations using aristolochia , collecting data from cam practitioners regarding the use of aristolochia is necessary . 
 analysis of ayurveda pharmacopeia shows the doses used are negligible and some preparations are used for external applications .