For centuries, Borapet (Tinospora crispa)—also known in different Thai regions as khruea khao ho, chong ching, or jetamoon yam—has twined its bitter stems through local gardens, folk medicine chests, and herbal lore across Thailand and Southeast Asia. Praised by elders for its invigorating and cooling qualities, Borapet has long been a household staple for treating a perplexing range of ailments: from fevers and diabetes to wound healing and indigestion. Today, as modern science turns its gaze toward ancient remedies, Borapet’s reputation as a local panacea is receiving fresh scrutiny—and, in some cases, careful scientific validation.
Throughout Thai provinces, Borapet is prized in traditional medicine as a bitterness that heals. Its deep bitterness, often considered its signature trait, has made it a core ingredient in classic Thai “ya dong” tonic infusions, cooling teas, and fever remedies. In Thai folklore, the climbing vine is believed to cleanse the blood, strengthen the body, and balance inner heat—a concept grounded in traditional humoral theories similar to those across Asia. Older generations recall being administered Borapet teas to “cut the fever,” stimulate lost appetites, or keep diabetes at bay. This lived knowledge survives today: roadside vendors still sell Borapet bundles across northeast and central Thailand, and Buddhist temples often include the vine among their garden herbs used for community healing.
What makes Borapet so compelling is its almost encyclopedic range of uses documented in oral tradition and historical texts. Across Thailand and neighboring countries, its stem, leaves, and occasionally seeds are employed to ease fevers, fight jaundice, quell diarrhea, relieve rheumatism, treat skin infections, and tackle parasitic diseases like malaria. As reported in the academic review by Ahmad et al., these uses are widespread from Malaysia and Indonesia to the Yao communities of southern China, testifying to a pan-regional consensus in its curative powers (PMCID: PMC4800188). In Thailand, the Ministry of Public Health lists Borapet among the 20 essential folk medicinal plants, underscoring its place in cultural and primary healthcare.
Yet, tradition alone cannot satisfy the rigorous demands of modern health consumers—or the concerns of safety and efficacy in an age of complex chronic diseases. This is where scientific research steps up, seeking to translate ancient wisdom into medical evidence, pharmacological profiles, and sometimes, new cautions.
Scientific inquiry into Borapet demonstrates a rapidly deepening understanding of its chemical complexity and therapeutic potential. The vine’s stems and leaves are a virtual “phytochemical cocktail” containing more than 65 identified bioactive compounds. These include clerodane-type furanoditerpenoids, alkaloids, flavonoids, lignans, nucleosides, and a host of steroids (Ahmad et al., 2016). Among these, the clerodane diterpenes—unique to Borapet and closely related Tinospora species—are currently under the most intense study.
Validating Tradition: From Diabetes to Malaria
Perhaps Borapet’s most prominent profile in modern science is its potential role in diabetes management. Several Thai studies have shown that extracts from Borapet’s stems can lower blood glucose in animal models of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Specific compounds—borapetosides A, B, and C—have been isolated and demonstrated to stimulate insulin secretion and enhance insulin sensitivity in laboratory mice (Lam et al., 2012). Experiments also suggest these compounds help the body’s cells utilize glucose more efficiently and reduce abnormal production of glucose in the liver.
Notably, a randomized double-blind clinical trial in Thailand tested Borapet capsules in patients with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes. While the study found no significant changes in fasting glucose or glycated hemoglobin, some participants experienced elevated liver enzymes—a potential signal for toxicity (Sangsuwan et al., 2004). This highlights two realities: Borapet’s antidiabetic effects are promising yet unproven for humans with current extracts, and there are genuine safety concerns when it is consumed in large or chronic doses.
Borrowing from ethnopharmacology, Borapet’s traditional uses in fever and malaria have also entered the crosshairs of scientific evaluation. In laboratory trials, extracts from the stems inhibited the growth of Plasmodium species—the parasites responsible for malaria—in both cell cultures and infected mice (Najib Nik a Rahman et al., 1999). These findings provide some backing for longstanding practices in Thai and Indonesian villages where Borapet stem infusions are used to manage malaria symptoms during outbreaks, though more rigorous human studies remain necessary.
With its anti-inflammatory reputation in Thai herbal texts, Borapet has also been tested in animal models and cell cultures. Extracts reduce markers of inflammation, such as cytokines and adhesion molecules, and have shown comparable effects to mild over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs in some studies (Hipol et al., 2012). These anti-inflammatory effects are believed to stem from the same diterpenoids and alkaloids credited for glucose-lowering, hinting at the “multi-target” action typical of traditional herbal medicines.
In addition, Borapet extracts display notable antioxidant capacities, likely due to high phenolic content, potentially supporting traditional uses for fatigue, convalescence, and general “cleansing” (Froemming, 2011). Some research even reports cytotoxic effects on cancer cell lines in vitro, though these are far from the threshold required to support clinical use for cancer therapy.
The Bitter Edge: Safety and Toxicity
Despite its renown as a gentle, cooling herb, Borapet’s reputation is not without sharp edges. Reports of toxicity, especially with overuse, are a sobering counterpoint to the common belief that “herbs are always safe.” Several studies highlight potential liver and kidney toxicity when Borapet is consumed at high doses or over extended periods (Chavalittumrong et al., 1997; Langrand et al., 2014). Histopathological examinations in animals revealed signs of liver and bile duct changes at chronic exposure. In human cases, hepatitis linked to Borapet use has been diagnosed through exclusion and reversed upon discontinuation of the herbal medicine.
Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health and local traditional practitioners now emphasize that Borapet should be used with caution, in limited duration and dosage, and always under supervision—especially for older adults or those with pre-existing liver conditions. This is a critical message, particularly as Borapet continues to be marketed online and at markets without regulatory oversight.
Thai Wisdom, Modern Skepticism: Bridging Two Worlds
How should Thai families and the health-conscious public view Borapet today? The vine’s story is an illuminating case study in the partnership between tradition and science. Thai society’s deep reserve of herbal wisdom provides valuable leads for modern biomedical research. At the same time, the growing body of pharmacological evidence reminds us that plant medicines are, in chemical reality, powerful drugs—deserving both respect and regulation.
Leading voices in Thai public health underline the importance of evidence-based herbal medicine and standardized extracts. As major trials such as those recorded in the national research registries continue, Borapet’s future as more than a folk remedy will depend on the development of consistent, safe, and effective preparations. Researchers, for example, have called for systematic toxicity trials, careful chemical standardization, and exploration of dose-response relationships across populations (Ahmad et al., 2016). More rigorous clinical trials, including for diabetes, fever, and even mild infections, are needed before Borapet can be safely integrated into hospital formularies or national public health recommendations.
A Living Symbol of Thai Healing Culture
Borapet’s enduring popularity is interwoven with the rhythms of rural Thai life—where the bitter vine twines up old mango trees, where a grandparent boils its stems for an ill child, or where community monks distribute homemade ya dong tonics after festivals. Its presence in temple gardens and market stalls anchors Borapet in the everyday, providing a sense of continuity and security in a rapidly modernizing society.
This persistence is not unique to Thailand but echoes across Southeast Asian cultures, where Borapet—called akar patawali in Malaysia, brotowali in Indonesia, and makabuhay in the Philippines—is esteemed for similar reasons. The plant’s cross-cultural journey is a testament to shared human needs: a search for health, resilience, and accessible medicine. In a global era, scientific exploration has the honor—and responsibility—of distilling these riches while ensuring safety.
What’s Next for Borapet? Is There a Place in Modern Thai Medicine?
The scientific journey with Borapet is only beginning. As Thailand modernizes its health system and grapples with lifestyle diseases like diabetes, obesity, and non-communicable chronic illness, interest in integrating traditional wisdom and contemporary therapy grows. Borapet, with its multifaceted chemistry and intriguing preclinical effects, offers both a cautionary tale and a field of promise.
The development of standardized Borapet extracts with clear labels on potency and safety can open the door to responsible use—particularly for those interested in complementary approaches. At the same time, general readers and herbal enthusiasts should recognize that “herbal” does not always mean mild or harmless. Like all potent medicines, the risks and benefits must be weighed carefully, especially in self-medication or when traditional products are used alongside prescription drugs.
Practical Recommendations for Thai Readers
If you are considering Borapet for health purposes:
- Always consult a qualified healthcare provider, especially if you have liver, kidney, or metabolic diseases.
- Use only standardized, quality-controlled products from reputable sources; avoid unregulated sales.
- Do not exceed traditional dosage and duration recommendations, and avoid chronic or high-dose use.
- Pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, young children, and older adults should not use Borapet without medical advice.
- Be alert for any signs of allergic reaction or liver dysfunction (such as yellowing of the eyes or skin, dark urine, or abdominal pain), and discontinue use if symptoms arise.
Readers should remember that information described here is for educational purposes only—it is not a substitute for professional diagnosis or treatment. As more is learned about Borapet, both from the laboratory and the community, its role in Thai life will continue to evolve—a living mirror of the ongoing dance between ancient knowledge and modern science.
Sources
- Ahmad et al., “Tinospora crispa (L.) Hook. f. & Thomson: A Review of Its Ethnobotanical, Phytochemical, and Pharmacological Aspects,” PMC4800188
- Najib Nik a Rahman et al., “Antimalarial activity of extracts of Malaysian medicinal plants,” J. Ethnopharmacol. 1999
- Lam et al., “Hypoglycemic diterpenoids from Tinospora crispa,” J. Nat. Prod. 2012
- Sangsuwan et al., “Randomized controlled trial of Tinospora crispa for additional therapy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus,” J. Med. Assoc. Thai. 2004
- Froemming, “Anti-proliperative and antioxidant effects of Tinospora crispa (Batawali),” Biomed. Res. 2011
- Hipol et al., “Anti-inflammatory activities of the aqueous extract of the stem of Tinospora crispa,” J. Nat. Stud. 2012
- Additional news: BBC Thai, MSN Thailand