#BotanicalResearch

For generations, the roots of Raak Saam Sip—known locally as “สามสิบ”, with aliases including “ผักชีช้าง”, “สามร้อยราก”, and many more—have held a cherished place in Thailand’s traditional medicine cabinets. Revered for its power to restore femininity and balance, yet often shrouded in myth, this unassuming plant, scientifically classified as Asparagus racemosus Willd., now finds itself in the crosshairs of rigorous modern investigation. As interest in plant-based wellness surges both in Thailand and globally, uncovering the true potential and limitations of Raak Saam Sip is more relevant than ever before for health-conscious readers seeking a bridge between the old and the new.

For generations, the peka tree—known in Thai as เพกา (Central), ลิ้นฟ้า (Isan), and มะลิดไม้ (North)—has been a quiet staple in kitchens and traditional medicine across Thailand. Its long, sword-shaped pods appear in rural curries, while the bark and seeds underpin many folk remedies. Today, researchers are exploring whether Oroxylum indicum bark can live up to its long-standing reputation, bridging ancient practice with contemporary science.

Thai households and their Asian neighbors have long relied on peka for a range of ailments. The inner bark is central to folk medicine, used in decoctions and pastes to ease fevers, treat skin conditions, calm digestive issues, and even repel livestock pests. This knowledge travels through generations, woven into Thai traditional medicine and Ayurveda texts. Peka embodies resilience, resourcefulness, and cultural identity in rural and indigenous communities across the country.

For generations, the “peka” tree, known by its many Thai names—เพกา (Central), ลิ้นฟ้า (Isan), มะลิดไม้ (North), among others—has been quietly revered in kitchens and medicine cupboards across Thailand. Its long, sword-shaped pods often grace rural soups and curries, while the bark and seeds underpin numerous folk remedies. But what lies beneath these centuries-old rituals? Can the bark of Oroxylum indicum, the scientific identity of “peka,” truly live up to its enduring status? Modern research is now beginning to shed light on the potent intersection of tradition and science found within the rough, unassuming bark of this native tree.

Thai readers have long known the sugar apple, or noi-na, as a beloved fruit with a creamy interior and a place in village cures. Today, researchers are exploring its seeds, leaves, and bark for health applications, bridging ancestral wisdom and contemporary science. This piece reviews what we know, what remains uncertain, and how Thais can navigate use with safety and cultural pride.

In Thailand, the sugar apple is more than a dessert staple. It thrives across the Central Plains, the North, and the Northeast and appears in proverbs and folk stories. While the fruit itself is cherished for its texture and sweetness, traditional practice has emphasized the seeds for home remedies. Elders have ground the seeds into topical preparations, often mixed with coconut oil, to combat lice and skin conditions.

For centuries, the knobby green fruit known as “noi-na” in Thailand—Annona squamosa, or sugar apple—has delighted tastebuds and found a revered place in folk healing. But beyond its creamy sweetness, this humble fruit’s seeds and leaves have garnered scientific attention for an astonishing range of medicinal properties that stretch from Thai village traditions to cutting-edge global pharmacology. As interest in herbal remedies revives across Thailand, demystifying the sugar apple’s role in both culture and modern medicine offers crucial insight for health-conscious readers seeking trusted natural options—while recognizing the real risks and the need for professional guidance.