Deep in the lush forests of Thailand and across Southeast Asia, a powerful traditional remedy has long whispered its healing secrets. Known locally as khunthongphayabat (ขันทองพยาบาท) and by a host of regional names—from Duk Sai in Isan to Jaduk Lekluam in the North—the wood of the Suregada multiflora tree has woven its way through the patchwork of Thai herbal medicine for generations. Now, with the surge of scientific interest in plant-based pharmacology, khunthongphayabat is poised to make an impression far beyond traditional medicine cabinets, as researchers illuminate how its ancient uses resonate with cutting-edge health studies.
For Thai readers, khunthongphayabat is both familiar and mysterious—a staple in rural medicine but rarely discussed in scientific terms in everyday life. Yet behind its ordinary appearance lies a botanical treasure trove. Its heartwood, derived from the sturdy Suregada multiflora tree in the Euphorbiaceae family, has been used for centuries in traditional Thai and regional therapies, including as a component in mixtures for treating rashes, inflammation, fevers, and various “hot” ailments viewed through the lens of Thai medicine’s balance of elements. In recent years, global scientific efforts have begun to validate—sometimes even to surpass—the folklore claims guiding its use, revealing the plant’s potential in areas as diverse as inflammation, infection, and even cancer support.
The name khunthongphayabat might evoke images of old herbal shops and the trusted wisdom of mo yaa baan (หมอยาพื้นบ้าน, local healers), but this plant is far from a relic. Thailand’s traditional medicine system, influenced by Buddhist, Ayurvedic, and indigenous beliefs, still draws heavily from plants such as khunthongphayabat—sometimes prescribed as “cooling” agents for angry, itchy skin; for fevers; or mixed with other barks and herbs in carefully balanced prescriptions. Its regional names—like Yai Pluak, Dook Hin, and Ma Duk Lueam—attest to its widespread knowledge and use among diverse communities, each adding nuance to its profile in the local pharmacopoeia. But what, exactly, is in this wood, and how have modern scientists put it to the test?
A recent surge in research has started to unravel the bioactive secrets of Suregada multiflora. According to a comprehensive scientific review published in the journal “Pharmaceuticals” (MDPI), the genus Suregada, and khunthongphayabat in particular, is rich in a class of compounds called diterpenoids—naturally occurring substances already known for their anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and even anticancer activities. Researchers have isolated over 100 distinct phytochemicals from the Suregada family, including abietane-type diterpenoids, triterpenoids, alkaloids, flavonoids, and lignans—each with unique biological properties that could contribute to the plant’s traditional efficacy.
Historically, khunthongphayabat has found its way into treatments tailored for skin ailments like eczema, rashes, and fungal infections, as well as for swelling, fever, gum disease, and even more severe conditions such as lymphatic disorders and venereal diseases. In Thailand, the plant’s wood and sometimes root or bark are powdered or decocted with other herbs, finding their way into topical creams, oral remedies, and—though more rare—specialized cancer-supporting formulas. Ethnomedical texts and surveys document its use throughout the region, a testament to its embeddedness in community healthcare (MDPI, 2023).
The leap from folklore to pharmacology is never simple, but recent laboratory studies have begun to provide a foundation for some of khunthongphayabat’s claims. One pivotal study investigated khunthongphayabat’s anti-inflammatory activity using extracts and isolated compounds from its bark. Scientists reported that a particular constituent, helioscopinolide A—among other diterpene lactones—powerfully inhibited the production of nitric oxide (NO), a signaling molecule closely linked to inflammation in the body (PubMed). The researchers tested the bark’s extracts on immune cells stimulated to mimic inflammatory conditions and found an “IC50” (the concentration needed to reduce inflammation by half) of 8.6 micrograms per milliliter—a level comparable to recognized anti-inflammatory agents.
Even more impressively, helioscopinolide A didn’t just block NO, but also dampened the production of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) by interfering with the expression of genes for key enzymes (iNOS and COX-2) that drive inflammation. This mode of action echoes the theoretical concept of “cooling” in Thai traditional medicine, translating it into tangible effects at the cellular level.
These results are not isolated. Other research, summarized in the same comprehensive review, has explored the wider pharmacological spectrum of compounds from Suregada multiflora and its relatives. Various extracts—from leaves, roots, or bark—have displayed noteworthy antibacterial and antifungal activity, particularly against pathogens commonly linked to skin and gum infections (MDPI). For example, studies have shown that both hexane and dichloromethane extracts from the leaves of Suregada multiflora inhibited growth of bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis—organisms notorious for complicating skin injuries and dental health.
The root extracts, in turn, revealed significant antimicrobial potency against Shigella, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas—a complex of germs responsible for diarrheal diseases and wound infections. Notably, some of these bacteria have acquired resistance to modern antibiotics, suggesting a potential supporting role for traditional herbal preparations in integrated care, especially in areas with limited healthcare resources.
This anti-infective reputation is reinforced by additional findings that Suregada multiflora extracts can disrupt the survival of troublesome fungal species, including those affecting the skin—a resonance with the Thai practice of applying its preparations to stubborn rashes and fungal lesions.
Turning to Thailand’s deeply rooted culture of integrative therapy, khunthongphayabat achieves an even broader significance. During the seasonal swings when heat rashes and fevers surge, traditional healers commonly reach for the wood of this plant in combination formulas. Local wisdom often emphasizes balance—the “hot” and “cool” tendencies assigned to symptoms and remedies. In this worldview, the bitterness and cooling nature of khunthongphayabat “draws out heat” from inflamed or infected areas, echoing its anti-inflammatory lab results.
Nonetheless, the bridge between traditional beliefs and clinical certainty is still under construction. Most modern research on Suregada multiflora—including nearly all anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antimicrobial studies—has been conducted on cell cultures or in laboratory animals, not in large human trials. A well-documented clinical pilot did include a topical cleanser containing Suregada multiflora among other herbs, suggesting benefits for people with atopic dermatitis (sensitive, eczema-prone skin), but stopped short of isolating its individual impact (PubMed). This cautious optimism is common in herbal research: promising signals, but a long road to robust evidence for everyday prescription.
Pharmacologists remain especially interested in the plant’s antitumor potential. In Thailand and elsewhere in Southeast Asia, traditional medicine recipes sometimes employ khunthongphayabat as one of several ingredients in mixtures designed to “support the body” in cancer or chronic liver conditions. Modern science is catching up, with studies highlighting certain abietane-type diterpenoids from Suregada multiflora for their anticancer effects in cell lines (MDPI). While these laboratory findings are intriguing, they remain a world away from clinical application—in part due to the high complexity of herbal extracts and the need for rigorous safety evaluation.
Traditional knowledge brings its own caveats, as many folk remedies come with warnings understood and passed down through the generations. For khunthongphayabat, improper use or excessive dosage has been linked to toxicity—especially from certain alkaloids present in the plant. Bitter herbs in Thai practice are often “tempered” with other components to balance effects and reduce risks, and respected mo yaa baan emphasize careful measurement, long preparation, and the avoidance of use in certain groups such as pregnant women and young children unless under expert supervision. In this way, the wisdom of centuries serves as an early form of risk management—underscoring the continued need for consultation with trained practitioners, especially as scientific research expands.
Another subtle beauty in khunthongphayabat’s story lies in the convergence of Thai practices with regional and even global herbal wisdom. Studies document preparations using Suregada multiflora across South and Southeast Asia, adapted for liver ailments in India, gum disease in Bangladesh, and as an organic pesticide in some rural communities (MDPI). Each use broadens the pharmacological conversation and serves as a reminder of the interconnectedness between people and their plants.
Looking forward, what does the future hold for this traditional remedy? Scientific momentum is building for more structured clinical trials and pharmacological analysis. The unique diterpenoid and triterpenoid compounds in khunthongphayabat—or synthesized derivatives inspired by their structure—are being eyed as platforms for new anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial drugs. This could mean new, Thailand-rooted options for managing chronic skin irritation, infections, and even supporting cancer therapy. However, the key is balance: researchers stress that the wide chemical variability between plants, and the need for standardized extracts, makes direct translation to medicine cabinet solutions a slow, careful process (PubMed).
For Thai readers, what practical steps should you consider? First, recognize the heritage—khunthongphayabat is an example of living tradition, but it should be treated with the respect and caution due any potent herb. If you are considering using a remedy containing Suregada multiflora for skin, fever, or more severe ailments, always consult a licensed medical professional or an accredited traditional medical practitioner. Seek out reputable sources and avoid self-medicating with raw herbs or high-concentration extracts, which carry real risks. If possible, participate in or encourage broader awareness of evidence-based research—look for products and treatments that can point to independent testing, safety checks, and clear labeling.
Most of all, continue the Thai tradition of combining ancient wisdom with the best of the new. Traditional herbs like khunthongphayabat offer not just biological effects, but also stories—stories of resilience, discovery, and respect for the living balance of nature and science. As we look to the future, the journey of this remarkable plant from folk medicine to scientific spotlight is only just beginning.
For further reading and scientific background, see the comprehensive review in Pharmaceuticals, MDPI, 2023, and research summarized on PubMed.