#Capparismicracantha

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.

Ching Chi, a hardy shrub with tangled branches and spines, has long functioned as a quiet healer in Thai forests and fields. Referred to locally as ชิงชี่ (Ching Chi) and known by many regional names—from กระดาดป่า in Chonburi to เม็งซอ in Chiang Mai and พญาจอมปลวก in the Northeast—Capparis micracantha DC. carries a lineage that spans generations. Today, science is beginning to clarify the plant’s pharmacological potential while honoring its cultural roots.