Among the lush, shaded understories of Thailand’s tropical forests grows a plant shrouded in both botanical intrigue and cultural tradition—the enigmatic Tacca chantrieri, known locally as “Nerapusee Thai,” or more vividly as the “black bat flower.” With striking purplish-black petals that mimic a bat in flight, this unusual plant has captured both the imaginations of herbalists and the attention of modern scientists, standing at the crossroads of folklore and pharmacology.
For generations, the rhizome of Nerapusee Thai has served as a treasured component of Thai folk medicine. Through whispered stories and careful practice, healers across various regions—from the North’s “Dee Ngu Wha” and the Central Plains’ “Mangkorn Dam,” to the South’s “Wan Phang Phon”—have incorporated its powdered or boiled extracts into remedies said to ward off aliments ranging from body rashes and digestive complaints to venomous bites and mysterious fevers. Such widespread use—linked to its many local names, like “Ma Thon Lak” in Chumphon and “Wan Nang Khruan” in Nakhon Si Thammarat—testifies to the plant’s deep cultural roots in rural Thailand, where the boundaries between food, healing, and spiritual belief have always been fluid (see archive.lib.cmu.ac.th/full/T/2011/phars30811ss_ch2.pdf).
The rich folklore surrounding Nerapusee Thai reflects Thailand’s longstanding reverence for natural remedies, a legacy enshrined in the evolution of Thai traditional medicine (TTM). Historical accounts note that as early as the Ayutthaya period, royal courts and village healers alike drew upon local flora for both physical and spiritual ailments, guided by texts and oral traditions that form the backbone of indigenous wisdom (tpd.dtam.moph.go.th). Within this ecology of healing, Nerapusee Thai occupies a special niche, prized for its believed ability to draw out toxins and harmonize internal “wind” energies—a concept deeply tied to Thai Buddhist and animist understandings of illness and health.
While the plant’s presence in kitchens is rare, some regions use tender leaves and flower stalks in local curries, an intriguing overlap between medicine and cuisine (nparks.gov.sg, portal.cybertaxonomy.org). The plants’ status as a magical and ritualistic object—sometimes grown as a protective charm near houses or placed in spirit shrines—further highlights the intertwining of botany, belief, and existential security in Thai village life.
Yet what, if anything, supports these centuries-old faiths from a scientific standpoint? In the past three decades, a surge in ethnobotanical research and phytochemical analysis has aimed to separate myth from measurable effect. Investigators in Thailand and abroad have focused particularly on the rhizome, examining its chemical profile and biological activities. Consistently, studies reveal that Tacca chantrieri is rich in bioactive constituents such as triterpenoids, saponins, phenolic acids, and unique steroidal glycosides, including the famed “taccalonolides.” These compounds underpin both the plant’s traditional uses and its growing pharmacological interest (researchgate.net, intechopen.com).
Most notably, a cascade of laboratory and preclinical studies have investigated the potential of Nerapusee Thai as an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer agent. For example, research published in 2025 demonstrated significant antioxidative and cytotoxic activity in extracts of T. chantrieri, particularly in the context of cancer cell lines such as cholangiocarcinoma, a liver cancer with high prevalence in Thailand. These findings suggest the plant’s chemical arsenal may be useful in reducing inflammation and curbing oxidative stress, both of which are implicated in a wide range of chronic ailments (pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov, journals.plos.org).
The taccalonolides extracted from Nerapusee Thai have garnered special attention for their ability to disrupt microtubules, the scaffolding within cancer cells. Laboratory research from universities in Thailand and abroad has shown that these compounds can kill various tumor cells, even those resistant to classical chemotherapy drugs. Unlike traditional taxanes (a mainstay in cancer medicine), taccalonolides seem to work via a unique mechanism that evades the usual pathways of drug resistance (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov, pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/article/PMC3922119/).
In addition, animal studies have provided evidence for the plant’s analgesic, antipyretic (fever-reducing), and anti-inflammatory effects. One investigation found that ethanolic extracts of the rhizome reduced pain and inflammation in laboratory rodents, lending support to folk uses for pain relief and the treatment of body aches. The same study affirmed some anti-fever properties, aligning with the plant’s role in combatting symptoms of sickness in traditional medicine (academicjournals.org).
However, it is vital to stress that almost all these studies are preclinical—conducted in test tubes or animals, with little to no validation yet in large-scale human clinical trials. The leap from the laboratory bench to the bedside is a long one, fraught with both promise and uncertainty. While evidence continues to accumulate for the plant’s potent chemical activities, actual efficacy and safety in human use have not yet been established to the standards required in modern medical practice.
Cultural and historical context further reveal the complexity and resilience of traditional knowledge systems in Thailand. The multiple regional names for Nerapusee Thai—reflecting a tapestry of dialects, beliefs, and ecological familiarity—underscore how rural communities have served as both stewards of biodiversity and experimenters in healing for centuries. In some southern provinces, for example, the plant features in sacred rituals intended to invoke protection against malevolent forces. In northern traditions, the extraction of the rhizome is performed with set prayers, marking the act as both medicinal and spiritual.
On the question of safety, sources differ. Some gardening websites and regional guides describe Tacca chantrieri as “not toxic to humans,” while others warn that it may cause mild nausea or gastrointestinal upset if ingested improperly or in large quantities (greg.app/black-bat-flower-toxic-to-humans, gardenia.net/tacca-chantrieri-black-bat-flower). Evidence for severe toxicity is lacking, but the potential for allergic reactions, misidentification with harmful plant species, or unpredictable interactions with prescription medicines remains. Recent ethnobotanical reviews emphasize the need for more rigorous, systematic safety evaluations, particularly in contexts where the lines between herbal medicine, dietary use, and ornamental cultivation are often blurred.
The story of Nerapusee Thai thus reflects broader currents in contemporary Thai society. Driven by renewed interest in natural health products—often marketed as “Oon Jai” or wellness supplements—urban and rural Thais alike are rediscovering the wisdom of indigenous remedies. At the same time, the push for scientific validation and integration into evidence-based healthcare has become a national priority, with academics, government agencies, and traditional healers collaborating, sometimes uneasily, in the search for safe, effective therapies rooted in local heritage (mdpi.com/plants/12/23/3956).
For readers keen to explore the gifts of Thailand’s forests, practical advice is paramount. First and foremost, never self-administer Nerapusee Thai—or any herbal remedy—without consulting a licensed healthcare provider. Identification errors, improper preparation, and unforeseen drug interactions can turn well-meaning self-care into a health hazard. Those interested in traditional medicine should seek out certified practitioners of Thai traditional medicine, who are trained in both the lore and the science of botanical healing.
Looking ahead, the future of Nerapusee Thai is likely to straddle both conservation concern and therapeutic possibility. As wild populations dwindle due to habitat loss and overharvesting, sustainable cultivation and ethical stewardship have become essential. Research into domestication, propagation, and phytochemical variability among regional varieties—areas now receiving scholarly attention—offers hope that future generations of Thais will continue to benefit from their floral heritage (sciencedirect.com).
Ultimately, the enduring allure of the bat flower lies not just in its dramatic appearance, nor even in its chemical arsenal, but in its power to unite old wisdom and new science. In the shadowy reception rooms of rural clinics and the bright laboratories of research universities, the lessons of Nerapusee Thai remind us that every medicine is a story—one braided from faith, curiosity, and the patient work of learning from nature.
If you are considering herbal remedies for your health, remember that all natural products carry potential risks as well as benefits. Always consult with a healthcare professional, particularly if you are pregnant, have pre-existing medical conditions, or are taking other medications. As the bridges between traditional Thai knowledge and modern bio-medicine continue to be built, both caution and curiosity remain your best guides.
Sources:
- Tacca chantrieri - Traditional uses and scientific reviews,
- Antioxidative and anticancer effects of Tacca chantrieri,
- A Review of the Multifaceted Therapeutic Potential of Tacca chantrieri,
- Thai Traditional Medicine at a Glance (Ministry of Public Health),
- Phytochemical Profiling and Antioxidant Capacity,
- Tacca chantrieri - Gardenia.net safety information,
- Black Bat Flower and Toxicity Awareness,
- Analgesic, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory effects of Tacca chantrieri Andre.