#CulturalHeritage

Among the vibrant tapestry of Thailand’s gardens and temple courtyards, few plants evoke more nostalgia, sensory delight, and curiosity than the cananga, known locally as กระดังงาไทย (Cananga odorata). Its drooping, frilly yellow-green blossoms are a familiar sight, their heady, exotic perfume lingering in memories of childhood, religious ceremonies, and herbal home remedies. But beyond its decorative and fragrant appeal, cananga’s journey through Thai culture and across Southeast Asia is far richer—a story that bridges folk wisdom and emerging pharmacological science, raising the intriguing prospect that this beloved flower may hold genuine promise for holistic well-being.

Beneath the dappled canopies of Thailand’s evergreen and deciduous forests, a modest woody climber has quietly served as an ally in the country’s traditional medicine for generations. Known as “กำแพงเก้าชั้น” (Kamphaeng Kao Chan), or by local names such as “ตากวง” and “ตากวาง” in Northeastern dialects, Salacia verrucosa Wight. represents a remarkable bridge between ancient healing traditions and modern scientific investigation. As renewed interest in natural remedies sweeps across global wellness communities, this indigenous herbal medicine invites a closer look—not only for its practical benefits but for the cultural wisdom encoded in its bark and roots.

Red holy basil, known locally in Thailand as “กะเพราแดง” (gaprao daeng), is cherished across the country both for its distinctive spicy aroma and as a revered medicine in traditional healing. Although famed globally as “holy basil” or by its scientific name, Ocimum tenuiflorum (synonyms: Ocimum sanctum, etc.), it is the dramatic red-tinged cultivar—celebrated in Thai folklore, kitchens, and herbal medicine—that captures the nation’s deep connection to plant-based health. Long before the rise of modern clinics and pharmacies, gaprao daeng was already a mainstay of Thai homes, used to treat everything from coughs and fevers to spiritual malaise. Now, as researchers worldwide search for new therapies to tackle chronic diseases and stress, science is returning its focus to this humble herb, striving to validate the ancient wisdom held by countless Thai elders.

In the lush forests and fertile soils of Thailand, a deep violet rhizome known locally as “krachaidam” (กระชายดำ) stands at the remarkable crossroads of traditional therapy and modern science. Revered for generations, krachaidam—scientifically identified as Kaempferia parviflora—is much more than a culinary curiosity or folk medicine staple. Today, this member of the Zingiberaceae family, sometimes called “Thai black ginger” or “Thai ginseng,” is stirring global scientific interest for its possible role in human health, bridging ancient wisdom with clinical promise.