#ComplementaryMedicine

Mushrooms such as Reishi, Lion’s Mane, and Chaga have long been valued in traditional medical systems across Asia and parts of Europe. Today, health-conscious Thai readers are increasingly exploring natural options to strengthen immunity, reduce stress, and support brain health. The tale of these fungi sits at the crossroads of folklore and biomedical research, with new studies clarifying which traditional claims may hold true and where caution is needed.

Historically, medicinal mushrooms appear in early Traditional Chinese Medicine and regional Thai herbal manuscripts. Reishi, known as Lingzhi in China and Phiman or Sang Hwang in Thai tradition, has been linked to longevity and resilience. Lion’s Mane, or Yamabushitake in Japan and Houtougu in China, is celebrated for memory and mental clarity. Chaga—found on birch trees—has roots in Russian, Korean, and Northeast Chinese folk practices. In Thailand, palm-leaf manuscripts and temple medicine scrolls reflect a rich knowledge of these fungi, prescribing them for ailments ranging from blood purification to throat discomfort and inflammatory conditions. This cultural lineage underscores a Thai appreciation for mushrooms as part of holistic wellness.

For centuries, mushrooms like Reishi, Lion’s Mane, and Chaga have been treasured in traditional medical systems across Asia and Northern Europe for their diverse healing properties. Today, as more health-conscious Thai readers seek natural remedies to boost immunity, combat stress, and support brain health, these ancient fungi stand at the remarkable crossroads between herbal folklore and cutting-edge biomedical research. Are these earthbound wonders truly worthy of the superfood label, or is their reputation largely myth? New studies are beginning to unravel what traditional wisdom has known for generations—the story of medicinal mushrooms is both timeless and ever-evolving.

In an era where modern medicine often dominates our healthcare conversations, ancient herbal remedies are finding new relevance as scientists uncover the pharmacological secrets behind traditional formulas. One particularly fascinating example is the Bencha Lo Ka Wi Chian remedy (เบญจโลกวิวรณ์ or “Ha Rak”), a famed Thai herbal formulation used for centuries to treat fevers and inflammation. Today, both cultural respect and rigorous science converge, highlighting just how much we can learn at the intersection of ancient healing and modern pharmacology.

In Thailand’s health landscape, traditional remedies are making a careful comeback alongside modern treatments. Bencha Lo Ka Wi Chian, also known as Ha Rak, is a time-honored herbal blend used for fevers and inflammation. Today, cultural reverence intersects with scientific inquiry, offering lessons from the past for today’s healing.

Ha Rak comes from traditional Thai medicine and is named for its five principal roots: Harrisonia perforata, Ficus racemosa, Capparis micracantha, Clerodendrum petasites, and Tiliacora triandra. The formula has long been believed to harmonize the body and cool excess heat during feverish illness, a common concern in Thailand’s tropical climate. Its widespread use in temples, homes, and clinics reflects deep cultural trust in its healing potential.

In the lush backyards and traditional herbal pharmacies of Thailand, the vivid blooms and distinctive red-tinted roots of Plumbago indica—commonly known as เจตมูลเพลิงแดง (jetmool phloeng daeng)—have for centuries lent their magic to remedies, rituals, and recipes. Now, as scientists turn their microscopes and test tubes toward this remarkable root, Plumbago indica finds itself at the lively intersection of tradition and technology, embodying both the country’s botanical heritage and its quest for evidence-based healing.

In Thai villages and traditional apothecaries, Plumbago indica, known locally as jetmool phloeng daeng, has long stirred remedies, rituals, and culinary lore. Now scientists are examining its root with modern methods, placing this iconic plant at the crossroads of heritage and evidence-based medicine.

For many in Thailand, jetmool phloeng daeng carries familiar names across regions—ปิดปิวแดง in the north and ไฟใต้ดิน in the south—rooted in a tradition that blends herbal knowledge with Buddhist beliefs and local storytelling. Families have passed down uses for digestion, circulation, and women’s health, underscoring a deep respect for nature’s healing power.

Thailand’s traditional medicine is a vibrant tapestry, woven with centuries-old remedies passed down through generations. Among these, the curious Hua Roi Ru (หัวร้อยรู) stands out not just for its name, which literally means “a hundred holes tuber,” but for its striking peculiarities—both botanical and medicinal. Known also as กระเช้าผีมด, ร้อยรู, ปุ่มฟ้า, and ดาลูบูตาลิมา, and bearing the scientific title Hydnophytum formicarium Jack. in the Rubiaceae family, this plant is as enthralling for modern researchers as it has long been revered in Thai folk healing.

In the forests and hills of Thailand, the evergreen climber known locally as Wheny Daeng (Gnetum macrostachyum) has long been a part of traditional healing. With local names like Wheny Dook, Muay Daeng, Wheny Lued, and Kamphaeng Phet Jet-Chan, this resilient vine embodies rural wisdom and holds promise for scientific exploration. Recent research is beginning to unpack folk knowledge, suggesting that this traditional remedy may possess real pharmacological potential and could bridge ancient healing practices with contemporary biomedical science.

Tucked within the lush forests and hills of Thailand, an evergreen climber known locally as เมื่อยแดง (Gnetum macrostachyum) has woven itself into the fabric of traditional medicine for generations. With monikers like เมื่อยดูก, ม่วยแดง, เมื่อยเลือด, and กำแพงเพชรเจ็ดชั้น, this resilient vine is more than botanical curiosity—it is a symbol of local wisdom and a promising subject for scientific discovery. Recent research has started peeling back the layers of folk knowledge, finding that this traditional remedy may indeed hold genuine pharmacological potential, offering a fascinating convergence of ancient healing rituals and contemporary biomedical science.

Across Thailand’s hills and sacred forests, the red-hearted wood known as Chandan Daeng (Dracaena loureiroi) has long stood at the crossroads of culture and healing. The heartwood’s deep crimson colors Buddhist altars and crafts, while traditional uses symbolize vitality, protection, and wellness. As global interest in herbal remedies grows, Chandan Daeng invites a closer look at how ancient wisdom and scientific inquiry intersect for Thai readers.

Communities have long valued Chandan Daeng for supporting blood circulation, easing pain, and speeding wound healing. In regional languages, its name echoes in healing chants and village lore. Legends speak of monks discovering its power after fungal transformation, portraying the wood as a bridge between earth and spirit. Today, researchers explore whether this vivid heartwood offers more than symbolism, examining its chemistry for evidence-based benefits.

Across the winding hills and sacred forests of Thailand, few plants carry a legacy as rich as จันทน์แดง (Chandan Daeng), known botanically as Dracaena loureiroi. The deep red core of its wood, prized for generations, has not only painted the color palette of Buddhist altars and traditional handicrafts, but also infused traditional Thai medicine (TTM) with a symbol of vitality, healing, and spiritual protection. As global interest in herbal medicine surges, Chandan Daeng stands at the powerful intersection of cultural reverence and science-backed discovery, inviting both renewed appreciation and critical questions about its role in modern wellness.

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.