#หนาด

In Thai villages and Southeast Asian herb gardens, the leaf of Blumea balsamifera, known locally as หนาด and by names like ใบหนาด, คำพอง, หนาดหลวง, ผักชีช้าง, and พิมเสน, has long served as a practical remedy. As interest in natural therapies grows globally, Thai communities are reexamining traditional use with fresh scientific insight.

For centuries, Blumea balsamifera has been a cornerstone of grassroots healing across Thailand, China, the Philippines, and neighboring regions. In Thai folk medicine, fresh leaves are applied externally for wounds, added to steam baths for postpartum care, and used in aromatic compresses to ease muscle discomfort. Thai ethnobotanical sources highlight its role in herbal preparations, insect repellent applications, and management of minor inflammation and skin conditions, reflecting a rich tradition of self-care and practicality.

Nestled in the heart of Thai villages and lush herb gardens across Southeast Asia, the “หนาด” leaf—known scientifically as Blumea balsamifera—has quietly maintained its reputation as a household remedy for generations. Revered under a bouquet of local names such as คำพอง, หนาดหลวง, ผักชีช้าง, and พิมเสน, this member of the Asteraceae family is woven into the tapestry of Thai self-care traditions. But what does modern science say about the plant that grandmothers once crushed and applied to wounds, or steeped into herbal compresses for aches and pains? As the world rediscovers natural therapies, the story of หนาด is coming full circle—inviting health-conscious Thais to examine old beliefs with fresh scientific eyes.