For centuries, the spicy, aromatic vine known as สะค้าน (sakaan)—derived from the species Piper interruptum, Piper ribesioides, and Piper wallichii—has occupied a unique place in Thai and Southeast Asian herbal tradition. Sometimes called ตะค้านเล็ก or ตะค้านหยวก, this plant has been handed down through generations of healers as both a culinary delight and a medicinal powerhouse. Now, as the scientific community shines a modern spotlight on herbal medicine, sakaan invites us to examine its rich cultural tapestry as well as the emerging evidence behind its traditional uses.
Sakaan is not just a botanical curiosity: in northern and northeastern Thailand, it’s a familiar ingredient in the toolkit of folk doctors for treating ailments ranging from stomach upsets to inflammation. Across the Laos border, it takes on a starring role in “or lam,” the peppery, numbing national stew where its woody vines impart signature flavor and sensation, making it inseparable from the region’s food culture (Wikipedia, Wikipedia Piper ribesioides). But beyond the kitchen, sakaan’s use as a remedy for digestive discomfort, flatulence, and as a general “tonic” highlights its enduring role in Thai holistic wellness traditions.
This magazine feature explores sakaan’s roots in folklore and everyday life before bridging into contemporary studies—translating scientific jargon into everyday insights, shedding light on what’s known, what’s promising, and what still remains mysterious about this multi-faceted vine.
The significance of sakaan is best understood within the nuanced context of Thai and Lao culture. Here, traditional medicine interweaves with daily routines—herbs don’t just heal, they flavor, comfort, and connect people to ancestral knowledge. “Or lam” exemplifies this: the iconic laotian stew employs the woody stem (sakhan) for its distinctive taste, which is said to numb the tongue slightly, setting it apart from ordinary peppers and drawing on the ancient belief in balancing bodily elements (Wikipedia Or Lam). In Thai folk medicine, the vine’s stems are commonly decocted to make tonics or chewed to ease flatulence and digestive troubles—a practice dating back centuries (Pichiensunthon and Jeerawongs, Traditional Pharmacy Handbook).
Regionally, sakaan’s value is reinforced by its scarcity and symbolism. In the northeast, where links to Lao heritage are especially strong, gathering and preparing sakaan reaffirms community identity and a shared sense of place. Beyond the fields, the vine’s somewhat numbing, peppery qualities have come to symbolize an energetic approach to overcoming life’s hardships, an attitude that permeates traditional health beliefs.
But what does modern science say about sakaan and its relatives? Recent pharmacological research reveals a complex picture—one that validates folk wisdom in some respects but also encourages a careful, critical perspective. Among the three main species, Piper interruptum has received particular attention from Thai researchers seeking to verify its anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects.
A pivotal animal study (Sireeratawong et al., 2012) using ethanolic extracts of Piper interruptum Opiz. demonstrated significant anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antipyretic activity. In standard laboratory models, the extract inhibited swelling (edema) induced by chemical irritants, lessened chronic inflammation, reduced formalin-induced pain, and lowered fever in rats, often at levels comparable to modern NSAIDs such as aspirin (PMC3317034). The mechanisms, researchers concluded, included both suppression of certain inflammatory mediators (like prostaglandins) and possible steroid-like effects. Notably, these findings echo the claims of Thai folk healers who use sakaan, or related vine stems, to manage pain and inflammation.
On the immune system front, a Thai study on natural killer (NK) cell activity and lymphocyte proliferation found that water extracts of Piper interruptum could significantly stimulate lymphocyte activity—a marker of immune response—though they did not appear to directly activate NK cells (PubMed 25518305). This lends some support to the plant’s role as an immune “tonic,” as cited in traditional medicine.
Elsewhere in the broader Piper genus, secondary metabolites such as piperine—a spicy alkaloid also found in black pepper—have drawn pharmacological interest for their potential roles in combating oxidative stress, modulating inflammation, and even possessing anti-cancer activity (MDPI Molecules). For Piper ribesioides, known in Laos as sakhan or Lao chili wood, essential oil studies report antioxidant, antimicrobial, and even tyrosinase-inhibiting effects, with possible uses in skin lightening products or as natural pest control agents (ResearchGate, SpringerOpen).
The insecticidal properties of Piper ribesioides are particularly noteworthy in agriculture. Recent studies reveal that combining its extracts with compounds like thymol in binary mixtures can produce synergistic effects—enhancing efficacy against pests while delaying resistance development (SpringerOpen). Active compounds such as piperine, phenethylcinnamamide, and cinnamic acid were isolated and shown to possess significant insecticidal activity, providing a scientific basis for traditional practices where sakaan was once used to protect food supplies.
Turning to Piper wallichii, although less frequently referenced in popular Thai herbal medicine compared to its relatives, studies nonetheless highlight its antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant capabilities. Phytochemical analysis revealed a bounty of bioactive compounds, including aryl alkanones and phenylpropanoids, with potential applications ranging from anti-thrombotic to immunomodulatory effects (PubMed). In local folk medicine outside Thailand, such as in China and India, the species has a reputation for treating rheumatism and inflammatory disorders.
What binds these diverse threads together is the rich complexity of the Piper genus—sakaan’s “family”—celebrated for centuries in traditional healing across Asia, yet only now being systematically examined by the scientific establishment. The plant’s valued culinary and medicinal attributes, while long anecdotal, are increasingly being substantiated through animal studies and laboratory assays.
However, it’s important to highlight that despite these promising results, research on sakaan’s safety and clinical effectiveness in humans remains limited. Most studies to date involve animal models or in vitro experiments—useful for understanding biological mechanisms but not definitive proof of efficacy for human conditions. Differences in preparation method, plant part, dosage, and patient susceptibility all mean that what works in the lab may not always translate safely or predictably in real-world settings.
In Thailand, where demand for botanical remedies is resurging, integrating traditional herbal knowledge with evidence-based medicine is both a challenge and an opportunity. Thai health authorities and herbal practitioners are increasingly recognizing the necessity of standardized extraction processes, quality control, and ongoing research to clarify both the potential benefits and possible risks of traditional remedies. The popularity of sakaan-laden foods and over-the-counter decoctions has led to a renewed appreciation for the plant, but also underscores the importance of consumer education—especially about the limits of traditional knowledge and the need for professional consultation.
For individuals wishing to explore sakaan as part of a holistic wellness routine, several practical recommendations arise:
- Use only products sourced from reputable suppliers. Wild or improperly prepared sakaan can carry risks of contamination or misidentification, especially as several Piper species closely resemble one another.
- Be aware of possible interactions with prescription drugs or pre-existing health conditions. Some compounds in the Piper genus may affect blood clotting, blood pressure, or liver enzymes.
- Understand that a “natural” label does not guarantee safety or efficacy. Herbal remedies, like all medicines, can cause adverse reactions or undesirable effects, especially when misused or over consumed.
- Consult qualified healthcare providers—especially if you have chronic illnesses, are taking medication, or are pregnant/breastfeeding—before integrating any herbal remedy into your routine.
- Consider that, while animal and laboratory research is encouraging, robust clinical studies on humans remain scarce, and further investigation is needed before firm recommendations can be made.
Sakaan, with its intertwined culinary, cultural, and medicinal legacy, invites us to reflect on the adaptive power of traditional healing while demanding the careful scrutiny that modern science provides. Its story is not just about a plant, but about the broader quest for balance—a recurring theme in the Thai worldview, seen in the way food and medicine, past wisdom and present inquiry, continue to enrich and inform each other.
As scientific understanding grows, the hope is not to diminish the value of ancient remedies but to enhance their role in public health—validating their use with modern methods, refining safety standards, and empowering future generations to draw upon the full spectrum of Thai and Southeast Asian herbal heritage.
For now, sakaan’s peppery bite and numbing warmth remain an indelible part of everyday life in the region. As more research emerges, this quiet vine may yet take a greater role in the evolving dialogue between tradition and innovation.
Educational Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Readers interested in traditional herbal remedies should consult qualified healthcare professionals before use, especially in the presence of pre-existing conditions or ongoing treatments.
Sources:
- Anti-Inflammatory, Analgesic, and Antipyretic Activities of the Ethanol Extract of Piper interruptum Opiz. and Piper chaba Linn.
- Effect of Piper chaba Hunter, Piper sarmentosum Roxb. and Piper interruptum Opiz. on natural killer cell activity and lymphocyte proliferation
- Piper ribesioides (Wikipedia)
- Or lam (Wikipedia)
- Synergistic interaction of thymol with Piper ribesioides extracts
- Chemical constituents and antibacterial activity from the stems and leaves of Piper wallichii
- Piper Species: A Comprehensive Review on Their Phytochemistry and Antioxidant Activities