#Antioxidant

In the land of dazzling orchids and golden temples, traditional herbal wisdom weaves silently through daily life, quietly shaping the nation’s health traditions. Among these ancient remedies, ธาตุบรรจบ (That Bun Job)—a renowned Thai herbal mixture—embraces a crucial place in the Thai identity. Once recommended by royal and temple traditions alike, its journey now stretches beyond folklore and enters the emerging arena of scientific validation. What does the evidence reveal about this ancient blend, and how should modern Thais view its health promises?

A supplement derived from cantaloupe melon and wheat protein—little-known to most Thai consumers—has been making waves among international health experts, promising a host of benefits from heart disease prevention to slowing down skin aging and even aiding cancer therapies. New claims about this antioxidant supplement, called GliSODin, have surfaced in a widely circulated article in the New York Post, as well as in emerging research across Europe, North America, and Asia. But can this “wonder supplement” live up to the hype, and what does the evidence mean for Thai health seekers?

Deep within the forests and fields of Thailand, a hardy shrub with tangled branches and sharp spines has played a subtle yet enduring role in traditional healing. Known locally as ชิงชี่ (Ching Chi) and by a multitude of other evocative regional names—from กระดาดป่า in Chonburi, to เม็งซอ in Chiang Mai, and พญาจอมปลวก in the Northeast—this plant, scientifically classified as Capparis micracantha DC., boasts a lineage stretching through centuries. While its tangled roots were once gathered in village apothecaries for herbal remedies, modern science is now beginning to unravel the real pharmacological promise hidden within.

Saba (สะบ้า), known to botanists as Entada rheedii Spreng., is a giant climber found winding its way through Thailand’s forests, bearing massive pods filled with glossy, oval seeds. Known by many local names—สะบ้ามอญ, สะบ้าใหญ่, มะบ้าหลวง, มะนิม, หมากงิม, and more—this remarkable plant holds a special place in traditional Thai and Southeast Asian herbalism. Yet, while Saba’s seeds have long been a source of healing, ceremony, and even magic, a new chapter is unfolding as science begins to validate—and sometimes challenge—the wisdom sewn into local customs. For Thai readers curious about natural health solutions with ancient roots, Entada rheedii represents a fascinating intersection of folklore, pharmacology, and global botanical research.

For centuries, the spiny shrub known to Thais as “som poi” has quietly played a role in kitchens, bathing rooms, and healing traditions across the country. From using its pods as a cleansing shampoo to brewing its leaves for herbal teas, Acacia concinna—once a staple in village life—is now at the center of a scientific renaissance, as researchers unravel its ancient secrets and unlock new health possibilities for the modern age (prosea.prota4u.org; phar.ubu.ac.th).

For centuries, สีเสียดเทศ—known scientifically as Uncaria gambir—has been a trusted remedy in the apothecaries and homes throughout Southeast Asia. Revered in both Thai and wider Southeast Asian herbal traditions, it has historically served as a versatile medicinal ally, from soothing stomach complaints to tending to wounds. Today, สีเสียดเทศ’s transformation from regional folk remedy and trade commodity to a subject of modern pharmacological research reveals a vibrant intersection of culture, tradition, and science—one that offers intriguing prospects, but also calls for careful scrutiny and respect.

In the vibrant tapestry of Thai traditional medicine, few plants captivate the imagination and curiosity of healers and researchers alike as much as ย่านางแดง (Yaanang Daeng), scientifically known as Bauhinia strychnifolia Craib. Revered for generations in rural villages and cited with mounting interest in cutting-edge biomedical studies, this scarlet-hued vine is emblematic of the enduring dialogue between ancient wisdom and contemporary science.

Yaanang Daeng has long been woven into daily life across the North and Northeast of Thailand, where local names such as “เครือขยัน” (the diligent vine) and “หญ้านางแดง” (red Yaanang grass) echo in folk stories and home remedies. Traditionally, its leaves, stems, and roots are believed to harbor detoxifying, anti-fever, and tonic properties, earning it a significant presence in classical Thai herbal texts and household apothecaries. Today, curiosity about the scientific underpinnings of these ancient claims drives researchers to unlock the biochemical secrets of this unassuming forest dweller.

In the fragrant shadow of Thailand’s grandest temples and the quiet corners of family gardens, the sweetly scented flowers of the Pikun tree (Mimusops elengi) have bloomed for centuries. Revered in Thai traditional medicine and cherished for its beauty, the “Spanish cherry” or “Bullet wood” is more than an ornamental plant—it is a living pharmacy whose age-old uses are now drawing the interest of modern science. As the world looks increasingly toward natural remedies, Pikun stands at the crossroads of tradition and research, offering lessons in healing, culture, and caution.

In the world of Thai traditional medicine, few herbal remedies are as multi-faceted, aromatic, and steeped in history as chaluud (ชะลูด). Harvested mainly from the bark of Alyxia reinwardtii—also known locally as “luud,” “chanud,” or “nood” depending on region—chaluud has perfumed Thai homes and pharmacies for centuries. Today, as interest in natural medicines grows worldwide, this “white cinnamon” is drawing modern scientific scrutiny, revealing an intriguing intersection between age-old folk wisdom and contemporary pharmacological research.

On the shelves of Thai herbal shops and in village kitchens, the curious dark seeds of Samrong—known scientifically as Scaphium scaphigerum—have long been a staple for cooling drinks and traditional remedies. Recognizable for the way they swell into a jelly when soaked in water, these seeds hold centuries of therapeutic lore. In recent years, Samrong, also called “Malva nut,” is drawing scientific attention for its reported health benefits, revealing a compelling intersection between folk wisdom and contemporary research that resonates with Thailand’s heritage and modern wellness trends.

Nestled in the lush landscapes of Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam, a distinctive hardwood known locally as “จันทน์ขาว” (chandan khao, or white sandalwood) has quietly served generations as a cornerstone of traditional healing. The botanical hero of this story, Tarenna hoaensis Pit., holds a place not only in herbal lore but also on the threshold of contemporary scientific curiosity. While ancient practitioners revered its aromatic wood and heartwood extracts as cooling agents, fever reducers, and components of ceremonial offerings, today’s researchers are beginning to unlock its deeper biochemical secrets, exploring the very real possibility that chandan khao holds pharmacological promise fit for modern times.