#DigestiveHealth

On the shelves of Thai herbal shops and in village kitchens, the curious dark seeds of Samrong—known scientifically as Scaphium scaphigerum—have long been a staple for cooling drinks and traditional remedies. Recognizable for the way they swell into a jelly when soaked in water, these seeds hold centuries of therapeutic lore. In recent years, Samrong, also called “Malva nut,” is drawing scientific attention for its reported health benefits, revealing a compelling intersection between folk wisdom and contemporary research that resonates with Thailand’s heritage and modern wellness trends.

Nestled in the heart of Thai forests and markets under local names such as “จอง,” “สำรอง,” and “พุงทะลาย,” the brown, almond-like dried fruit of the Scaphium scaphigerum tree has long held a revered place in Thailand’s herbal medicine chest. For generations, this indigenous botanical—found in everything from refreshing summer drinks to traditional remedies for coughs and constipation—has provided both sustenance and hope for wellness. Now, with a resurgence of scientific inquiry into Southeast Asian folk medicine, Scaphium scaphigerum is gaining new attention at the dynamic crossroads of ancient healing and modern pharmacology.

Known locally as “กระวานไทย” and scientifically as Amomum krervanh Pierre ex Gagnep, Thai cardamom has held a revered place in Southeast Asian kitchens and apothecaries for centuries. With a pungent aroma and a lineage traced to the Zingiberaceae, or ginger family, this modest spice has been at the core of both Thai culinary arts and traditional medicine. Researchers are now looking beyond its fragrance, finding that ancient Thai wisdom may be holding new answers for 21st-century health challenges. What is the truth behind the folklore, and which claims stand up to rigorous scientific inquiry?