#Ethnobotany

Nestled within the lush forests of Thailand and Southeast Asia, เมื่อยขาว (Whenyai khao, also known as มะม่วย or Gnetum montanum Markgr.) stands as a silent pillar of traditional healing. Revered in multiple regions under names such as เมื่อย in Trat, ม่วย in Chiang Rai and Ubon Ratchathani, and มะม่วย in Chiang Mai, this resilient vine spans generations of Thai culture, medicine, and folklore. It finds its place at the crossroads between ancient herbal empiricism and emerging scientific insight, inviting a closer look at what makes this unassuming plant part of both rural remedy cabinets and contemporary research labs.

Across the rice fields and riverbanks of Thailand’s Northeast, stories spin about a curious plant whose roots are as twisted as the folklore surrounding them. Known as “ปลาไหลเผือกน้อย” (pla lai phueak noi) or regionally as “เอี่ยนด่อน,” Eurycoma harmandiana Pierre has woven itself into the medicinal traditions of Thai and neighboring Lao communities for generations. Bearing a name that translates to “white eel” in local dialects—“เอียน” meaning eel and “ด่อน” denoting the white color—this small but potent shrub holds a revered place in Isan folk practice as a source of wellness, vitality, and resilience, cherished particularly for its powerful roots.

Pe-rah Pa, known scientifically as Kaempferia marginata, is a humble forest ginger that has long held a place in Thai healing traditions. In villages across Thailand, its aromatic rhizomes have been used in decoctions, poultices, and remedies for fever, wounds, and inflammation. Today, researchers are beginning to validate parts of these age-old beliefs, linking traditional wisdom with modern pharmacology to chart a path from the forest to future medicine.

Pe-rah Pa is more than a plant; it is a cultural landmark in Isan and other regions, where locals call it by names such as ตูบหมูบ and เปราะเขา. Healers and families have relied on its cooling properties to balance internal heat and ease inflammatory symptoms. In Thai communities, the herb also holds ritual and holistic value, reflecting a tradition where healing and daily life are deeply intertwined.

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.

In Thai herbal traditions, pla lai puek stands out as a revered root with centuries of healing lore and rising scientific interest. Known across regions by names such as krung badan in Surat Thani, khanang in Trat, and tung sor in the North, this root from the Eurycoma longifolia Jack shrub—often called tongkat ali in Southeast Asia—sits at the meeting point of folk wisdom and modern research. For health-conscious readers in Thailand, it offers a lens into how ancient plant knowledge can inspire today’s medicine.

Along Thailand’s riverside landscapes, the mighty mahad tree—Artocarpus lakoocha—has long stood as a symbol of healing. Its traditional extract, Puag Haad, is celebrated for cleansing the body and targeting parasites. Now, researchers examine how the heartwood’s compounds might benefit today’s health challenges, from intestinal infections to diabetes and skin concerns. The bridge between ancestral knowledge and modern science is growing stronger, with Thai researchers leading in evaluating safe, effective use.

Across Thailand’s Northeast, locals tell of a small shrub whose roots are said to renew strength and vitality. Known as ปลาไหลเผือกน้อย (pla lai phueak noi) or “เอี่ยนด่อน” in some regions, Eurycoma harmandiana Pierre has long featured in Isan and Lao healing traditions. The name, literally describing a “white eel,” underscores the plant’s place in local folklore and its honored status as a tonic with powerful roots.

This piece traces Eurycoma harmandiana from ancient practice to contemporary science. Rural healers, village stories, and modern laboratories converge as researchers examine whether traditional claims hold up under today’s standards. Thailand’s renewed interest in botanical heritage highlights the potential of this humble root to inspire both cultural pride and new health insights.

Along the banks of lush Thai rivers and deep within the traditions of herbal wisdom, the tree known as Artocarpus lakoocha—or in local parlance, มะหาด (“mahat”)—stands tall as a symbol of healing heritage. Its storied extract, called Puag Haad (ปวกหาด), is a time-honored remedy in Thai medicine, celebrated for purifying the system and fighting parasites. Today, as a bridge between tradition and science takes shape, researchers are unraveling its secrets and exploring how the revered heartwood of this tropical tree may offer real benefits for modern ailments, from intestinal infections to diabetes and skin concerns.

In the vibrant tapestry of Thailand’s traditional medicine, few plants are as revered yet as underappreciated by the modern world as เปราะป่า (Pe-rah Pa), known scientifically as Kaempferia marginata. For generations, the aromatic rhizomes of this humble forest herb have played an essential role in rural healing, weaving together folklore, ritual, and everyday remedy. But in recent years, a fresh wave of scientific validation is finally shedding light on the remarkable pharmacological powers that echo the wisdom of Thailand’s ancestors. Today, Pe-rah Pa stands as a living bridge—connecting village healers with laboratory scientists and the old ways with the promise of new medicine.

In the realm of Thai herbal tradition, few remedies stand as tall—both literally and culturally—as “pla lai puek” (ปลาไหลเผือก), a revered root with centuries of healing lore and, increasingly, mounting scientific interest. Known across the country by a patchwork of regional names—krung badan in Surat Thani, khanang in Trat, and tung sor in the North—this unassuming root from the Eurycoma longifolia Jack shrub, also called tongkat ali throughout Southeast Asia, is at the crossroads of folk wisdom and modern research, offering health-conscious readers a window into how ancient plant knowledge can inspire today’s medical science.

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.

In the forests and farmlands of Southern Thailand, the aromatic bark of chaluud (Alyxia reinwardtii), a vine entwined with the region’s folklore, continues to waft through herbal markets, rural kitchens, and spiritual ceremonies. Revered for generations, chaluud is prized in traditional medicine as both a fragrant offering and a versatile herbal remedy. Yet only now is its rich legacy being scientifically decoded, shedding new light on its time-honoured role as a “natural protector” for body, spirit, and environment alike.

In southern Thailand, the fragrant bark of chaluud (Alyxia reinwardtii) threads through markets, kitchens, and spiritual ceremonies. For generations, chaluud has been valued in traditional medicine as both a comforting scent and a versatile remedy. Today, scientists are tracing its biochemistry, highlighting its longstanding role as a natural protector of body, spirit, and environment.

Chaluud goes by several local names, including lood, chanuud, and nuud. Its healing reputation runs alongside daily life in Thai villages, where the bark is dried as incense, woven into garlands, and kept at home to bless spaces during Buddhist rituals. In the dry and stormy seasons of the south, families rely on chaluud as a protective charm and practical remedy.

Across Thailand’s fields and villages, Chum Hed Thet, the Cassia alata shrub, holds a valued place in everyday health. For generations, its golden blossoms and reputed skin-soothing and digestive benefits have shaped local healing practices. Now researchers are examining its science, translating a traditional remedy into contemporary health conversations for Thai readers.

In northern communities, elders recall using fresh or dried leaves topically for fungal skin infections, and decoctions were sipped to ease occasional constipation. The plant bears many local names, including Chum Hed Thet and ส้มเห็ด, reflecting its deep presence in regional health rituals. This shared knowledge embodies a belief that nature holds both problems and cures—a core idea in Thai traditional medicine that continues to influence today’s discussions of health.

Across verdant fields and rural homesteads in Thailand, the humble shrub known as ชุมเห็ดเทศ (Chum Hed Thet), or Cassia alata, has for centuries been regarded by communities as a botanical guardian—renowned for its vibrant golden-yellow flowers and, more significantly, as a stalwart remedy for skin ailments and digestive woes. As tradition finds intersection with contemporary medical research, the remarkable journey of this “ringworm bush”—as it’s known for one of its most common applications—embodies the bridge between ancestral healing and modern science, raising intriguing questions for health-conscious Thais today.

In the heart of rural Thai kitchens and the storied shelves of traditional medicine shops, a small, unassuming seed has quietly shaped generations of healing wisdom. Known locally as “chumhet Thai,” and scientifically as Cassia tora L. (sometimes listed as Senna tora), this leguminous plant—found in fields, roadsides, and rice paddies across the country—has been celebrated for centuries for its nourishing, purifying, and protective properties. Today, the ancient knowledge held by Thai elders and traditional healers is finding scientific validation, as modern botanical and pharmacological research reveals how this humble seed may hold genuine promise for contemporary health challenges.

In rural Thai kitchens and traditional medicine shops, a small seed known locally as chumhet Thai has long shaped healing practices. Scientifically, it is Cassia tora L. This legume grows on farms, roadsides, and paddies across Thailand and is famed for nourishing, purifying, and protective qualities. Today, Thai elders’ knowledge meets modern science as researchers explore whether this ancient seed can address today’s health challenges.

Chumhet Thai sits at the crossroads of tradition and evidence. In Isaan, the North, and Central Thailand, it is celebrated for gentle digestive support, liver toning, and skin conditioning. Across Asia, Cassia tora has been used in Ayurveda and traditional Chinese medicine to cool the body, ease constipation, and support heart health. What makes the Thai story distinctive is how local healers prepare the seed—decoctions, ferments, and ground powders used in teas, tinctures, and even foods.

In rural Thailand, a stately tree known as Ngiew (Bombax anceps) has long underpinned local healing practices. Also called นุ่นป่า, งิ้วป่า, งิ้วขาว, and ไกร, it has carried generations of medicinal knowledge within communities. Today, scientific inquiry is rediscovering Ngiew’s potential, highlighting a meaningful link between Thai heritage and contemporary pharmacology.

Traditional healers have long valued Bombax anceps for its diverse healing properties. Parts of the tree—the wood, bark, roots, and flowers—have been used to treat fevers, wounds, digestive issues, and more. As Thailand modernizes, this botanical knowledge faces risks. New studies aim to preserve and validate Ngiew’s healing legacy, offering a pathway that respects tradition while embracing science.

Ngio Pa, a modest tree known to Thai communities as Bombax anceps, has long woven itself into daily life, healing practices, and cultural rituals. Today, scientists are studying its bark and wood to explore traditional remedies through modern research, bridging centuries of wisdom with evidence-based medicine.

In Thailand, Ngio Pa evokes vivid flowers and familiar landscapes. For traditional healers, it is more than a tree; it is a versatile resource for care. Wood and bark are collected for decoctions and topical applications, trusted across communities to help with fever, skin conditions, wounds, and inflammation. In northern and northeastern regions, elders share knowledge about wound care and detoxifying folk remedies that have been passed down through generations.

In the heart of Thailand’s forests stands an unassuming tree called งิ้วป่า, or Bombax anceps. For generations, it has woven itself into the daily life and healing practices of Thai communities, quietly serving as medicine, spiritual symbol, and cultural mainstay. Today, this ancient remedy is stepping into the spotlight as scientists seek to validate and decode the secrets of its bark and wood, exploring the bridge between old-world healing and modern evidence-based medicine.

In the heart of Thailand’s forests and rural communities, a stately tree known as “Ngiew” (Bombax anceps) has quietly woven itself into local healing traditions and daily life. Known by many names—including นุ่นป่า, งิ้วป่า, งิ้วขาว, and ไกร—this member of the Bombacaceae family carries generations of medicinal wisdom passed from healer to healer. Today, as science casts new light on ancient remedies, the story of Ngiew is emerging anew—showcasing a fascinating intersection of Thai heritage and modern pharmacological research.

For centuries, the humble leaves of khlu, known botanically as Pluchea indica (L.) Less., have quietly woven themselves into the tapestry of Thai traditional medicine. Heralded in folklore from Isan to the Southern provinces, this plant—also called หนาดงั่ว, หนวดงิ้ว, เพี้ยฟาน, ขลู, คลู, and ขี้ป้าน, depending on local dialect—has been held as a village remedy for everything from inflamed joints to kidney health. Today, Pluchea indica stands at a fascinating crossroads, with a growing body of research seeking to validate and explain the benefits extolled by generations of healers. How does ancient wisdom surrounding khlu measure up to the scrutiny of modern science, and what should health-conscious Thais know about harnessing its potential responsibly?

In markets across Thailand and much of East Asia, you can often find bundles of slender, aromatic roots known as “โกฐหัวบัว”—the dried rhizome of Ligusticum sinense. This centuries-old herbal remedy, revered in Asian traditions for its multitude of uses, is now experiencing renewed interest as modern science digs deeper into its potential health benefits, chemical secrets, and applications in everyday wellness. From its roots in dynastic pharmacopeias to its present-day status as a subject of pharmacological research, Ligusticum sinense offers an instructive window into how ancient wisdom and contemporary science can together illuminate the path toward holistic health care.

Thai traditional medicine has long valued the dried rhizome of Neopicrorhiza scrophulariiflora, known locally as โกฐก้านพร้าว. This rare alpine herb sits at the crossroads of ancient rituals, folk healing, and contemporary research. Thai herbalists also call it กะฎุกะ or กฏุโรหินี, and its roots feature prominently in traditional cabinets, Buddhist ceremonies, and growing scientific interest. Across Southeast Asia and the Himalayas, researchers are asking what makes this plant a staple for fevers, digestive concerns, and protective healing. Today’s overview ties its cultural significance to current science, with Thai readers in mind.