#Ayurveda

Ashwagandha, known scientifically as Withania somnifera and traditionally described as the “strength of the stallion,” has moved from rural farms to international wellness shelves. In an era of dietary supplements and holistic health, its reputation invites scrutiny: can ancient wisdom stand up to modern science? For Thai readers, the question also resonates with familiar themes—nature-based remedies, stress resilience, and everyday vitality.

Ayurveda, a holistic medical system developed more than 3,000 years ago, centers on balance among mind, body, and environment. In this tradition, ashwagandha is valued as a rejuvenator that supports nerves, mental clarity, and immune function. The plant’s name combines roots meaning horse and smell, reflecting its robust aroma and perceived vitality. Traditionally, root powder mixed with ghee or honey has been used to address a wide range of concerns, from growth and debility to sleep and memory. Beyond India, this herb found its way into other regions, attracting interest as a tonic of vigor and longevity. In Thailand, where herbal remedies are deeply rooted in culture and daily life, ashwagandha’s emergence adds a familiar but novel chapter to local wellness narratives.

Ashwagandha, known to botanists as Withania somnifera and to traditional healers as the “strength of the stallion,” has captured the curiosity of the modern health world. This small, unassuming shrub—root and all—has been a cornerstone of Ayurveda, India’s ancient medicinal system, for centuries. In today’s climate of wellness trends, dietary supplements, and a yearning to reconnect with holistic traditions, ashwagandha’s reputation is surging, raising the question: How does this revered root truly measure up when ancient wisdom meets modern scientific scrutiny?

A recent scientific study suggests that taking just a single dose of ashwagandha, a traditional herbal remedy used extensively in Ayurvedic medicine, could offer a noticeable enhancement to cognitive performance and mood—effects visible as quickly as one hour after ingestion and consistent over a month of supplementation. These promising findings, published in the peer-reviewed journal Nutrients, have stirred significant interest among health-conscious Thais and supplement enthusiasts worldwide (PsyPost).

Ashwagandha, or Withania somnifera, has long been revered as a tonic in Ayurveda, the ancient Indian system of health and wellness. Known in Thai as สมุนไพรอาชวกันดา and sometimes called “Indian ginseng,” ashwagandha is botanically unrelated to ginseng but is valued for its ability to bolster resilience and manage stress, or adaptogenic properties. Its root and, less commonly, the leaves, are the primary sources of medicinal extract, used both in traditional herbal preparations and in modern dietary supplements, readily available in Thailand’s health stores and pharmacies.

A new study suggests that a single dose of ashwagandha, a traditional herb widely used in Ayurvedic medicine, could enhance cognitive performance and mood within an hour, with effects lasting after a month of use. The findings, published in Nutrients, have sparked interest among health-conscious Thai readers and supplement enthusiasts. Research by a team led by Megan Leonard tested a liposomal form designed to maximize absorption, reflecting a growing Thai market for scientifically backed herbal products.

Across Thailand’s lush landscapes, the cluster fig tree, known locally as มะเดื่อชุมพร, shapes both daily life and traditional healing. In Thai households and rural clinics, every part of the tree has long been used for health, ritual, and nourishment. As modern science investigates these age-old practices, new evidence supports many traditional claims, offering a bridge between cultural heritage and contemporary healthcare for Thai readers.

Thai communities have long valued Ficus racemosa for treating digestive issues, diabetes, and inflammatory conditions, while the tree also holds ceremonial significance in local spiritual life. Beyond Thailand, Southeast Asian herbal systems recognize the plant for its cooling and astringent properties, with fruit, bark, and root all playing roles in remedies, curries, and decoctions. This enduring relevance reflects a careful balance of practicality and reverence in Thai culture.

Across the lush landscapes of Thailand, the towering shade of the มะเดื่อชุมพร (Ficus racemosa) whispers stories woven into the fabric of traditional healing and everyday life. Also known in Thai as มะเดื่ออุทุมพร, เดื่อเกลี้ยง, and more, this versatile tree—known globally as the cluster fig—has been a cornerstone of local remedies passed down through generations. But as contemporary science delves into the healing secrets of this age-old botanical, new light is being shed on why the roots, bark, and fruits of Ficus racemosa have remained steadfast in Thai herbal medicine. These intersections offer a compelling bridge between cultural heritage and evidence-based healthcare that Thai readers can walk across, equipped with knowledge and curiosity.

Lac, the resin secreted by the lac insect Laccifer chinensis, has long bridged ritual, traditional medicine, and industry. In Thai, it’s known as ครั่ง; in Chinese contexts it’s referred to as จุ้ยเก้ง. This glossy, carmine-tinted material has colored textiles, sealed documents, and temple murals. Today, researchers are revisiting lac’s pharmacological potential, sparked by early evidence that aligns with some traditional uses. How should health-focused readers interpret these claims?

Lac’s influence runs deep in Southeast Asia and the Indian subcontinent. In northern Thailand, rural communities cultivate lac via host trees, securing a versatile resource for dye, varnish, and healing preparations. Across India, Ayurveda venerates lac, while Chinese traditional medicine documents its presence in materia medica. Historic murals in Lanna and Ayutthaya celebrated lac’s cultural significance, while contemporary herbal practitioners in Thailand continue to cite its astringent, coagulant, antifungal, and bone-supporting properties.

Few substances straddle the worlds of ancient ritual, traditional medicine, and modern industry quite like lac (ครั่ง)—the intriguing resin secreted by the lac insect, Laccifer chinensis. Known in Thai as ครั่ง and in Chinese as จุ้ยเก้ง, this natural exudate has colored textiles, sealed documents, delivered vivid reds in temple murals, and, more quietly, worked as a healing agent in traditional remedies across Asia for centuries. Today, as scientists revisit the pharmacological potential of natural compounds, lac is in the spotlight once again—not only for its rich legacy but for surprising early evidence supporting some of its traditional uses. What makes this glossy, carmine-tinted resin so special, and how can today’s health-conscious readers separate myth from material fact?

A traditional herb known as Bhulan Bel, scientifically related to Cuscuta and commonly called dodder, is drawing renewed global interest for potential stress relief, anxiety reduction, and mental clarity. Contemporary research and a revived interest in Ayurveda’s history are pushing Bhulan Bel into the spotlight for wellness and scientific exploration alike.

Bhulan Bel stands out for its use as a parasitic plant in ancient medicine to calm the nervous system. Proponents suggest its soothing compounds may offer a natural alternative to some pharmaceutical approaches, helping ease tension and reduce anxiety without the heavier side effects often associated with synthetic drugs. This aligns with a growing demand for holistic strategies to support mental well-being in a fast-paced world.

A small green fruit with a storied place in Thai culture is drawing renewed attention from researchers and health-conscious shoppers alike. Known locally as มะขามป้อม or amla, this fruit has many names across Asia and a long tradition of use in everyday healing. Now, its possible benefits are being explored through modern science, bridging ancient wisdom and evidence-based medicine for a Thai audience.

Tradition and daily life in Thailand keep มะขามป้อม at the heart of natural health. Folk remedies treat coughs, support immune resilience, and are valued as a cooling tonic in traditional Thai medicine. In northern and northeastern communities, the fruit also carries symbolic meaning—often exchanged as a gesture of well-being and care. Healers commonly prepare infusions, syrups, and dried pieces for regular use, reflecting a holistic approach to health that complements modern care.

Across generations and geographies, the small green fruits of the มะขามป้อม, or Phyllanthus emblica L., have occupied a near-mythical status in Thai culture and across Asia. Often referred to as “ma-kham pom” in Thai and known by various local names—including กันโตด in Khmer-speaking communities, กำทวด in Ratchaburi, and สันยาส่า among the Karen in Mae Hong Son—this traditional remedy stands at the crossroads of ancient wisdom and emerging clinical science. As evidence mounts for its health benefits, the มะขามป้อม is enjoying renewed attention, celebrated not only for its flavor and folklore but also for its role in preventive and integrative health approaches in Thailand and beyond.

From the tranquil waters of rural Thailand to the ornate altars of ancient India and Sri Lanka, the blue-hued blossoms of Nymphaea stellata—known locally in Thailand as บัวเผื่อน and occasionally as บัวแบ้—have captivated human attention for centuries. More than a mere aquatic ornament, this elegant water lily has woven itself deep into the fabric of Southeast Asian culture, spiritual practice, and traditional folk medicine. Today, as science peers ever more closely at ancient herbal wisdom, Nymphaea stellata stands out as a protagonist in the compelling story of how age-old remedies are finding renewed life—and validation—in modern pharmacology.

In Thailand’s tranquil waterways and on the altars of temples across South Asia, the blue blossoms of Nymphaea stellata—known locally as บัวเผื่อน and sometimes as บัวแบ้—have long drawn fascination. This water lily is more than an ornament; it is a thread in Southeast Asian culture, spirituality, and traditional healing. Today, modern science is examining the plant’s traditional uses, offering a clearer picture of how ancient knowledge may align with contemporary medicine.

Spikenard, known scientifically as Nardostachys grandiflora DC. and sometimes labeled Nardostachys jatamansi, sits at the crossroads of traditional healing and contemporary science. In Thai traditional medicine and global pharmacopoeias, this aromatic herb has long been linked to calming, balancing the body, and supporting recovery. Its story blends ritual use with ongoing efforts to understand nature’s remedies in today’s world.

From the Himalayas of Nepal, Bhutan, India, and Tibet to Thai clinics and holistic practices, spikenard has traveled far. In Thailand it is called โกฐชฎามังสี or โกฐจุฬารส. Trade over centuries helped it become a staple in Thai herbal formulas such as Pikad Kot blends used for fevers, detoxification, and purification. Its fragrance once scented robes and temples, and it now informs both spiritual and medical practices. Data from Thai pharmacopoeia and traditional texts frame its role in cooling and harmonizing the body during illness.

Long revered in sacred temples and in homes across Asia, the herbal medicine known as โกฐชฎามังสี, or “spikenard,” continues to spark curiosity among both traditional healers and modern scientists. Known scientifically as Nardostachys grandiflora DC. and often referred to by its synonym Nardostachys jatamansi, spikenard stands at the intersection of centuries-old wisdom and contemporary pharmacological research. Buried deep within Thai traditional medicine and world pharmacopoeias, its story is one of healing, ritual, and the ever-evolving quest to understand nature’s remedies in today’s world.