#EvidenceBasedMedicine

Alum, known in Thai as “สารส้ม” (san-som), sits at the crossroads of everyday life and scientific inquiry. In Thai households it appears as a chunky mineral block beside water jars or a fine powder in bathrooms. Its long-standing presence reveals a culture that blends practical home remedies with curious exploration of new evidence.

Alum embodies the spirit of folk wisdom meeting science. Thai communities have historically used it to clarify water, reduce swelling, stop minor bleeding, and deodorize. From riverbanks to research labs, alum illustrates how ancient practices can inform, yet be refined by, evidence-based medicine.

For centuries, alum, known in Thai as “สารส้ม” (san-som), has shimmered as a crystalline cornerstone in Southeast Asian households. Its appearance in the home—whether a chunky mineral block resting beside a rural water container or a fine powder in bathroom cabinets—reveals a legacy interwoven tightly with both daily life and healing customs. But as modern science explores ancient remedies, alum emerges as a unique case: a mineral of almost mythical versatility, yet one that requires scrutiny for safety in contemporary times.

Lipeao, a delicate climbing fern native to Thailand, threads together folk wisdom, rural livelihoods, and growing scientific inquiry. In northern and southern communities alike, this plant—known by many regional names such as Kud Khreu, Kud Ngaod Ngaed, and Leh Phao—embodies a living link between age-old healing practices and contemporary research. As Thai health advocates push for evidence-based natural remedies, Lipeao’s reputation is being reexamined through a modern lens while remaining deeply rooted in local culture.

From the leafy forests of northern Thailand to the backyard gardens of the south, the lacy climbing fern known as Lipeao (ลิเภา), or Lygodium polystachyum Wall. ex T.Moore, weaves a distinctive presence through local culture, traditional healing, and rural livelihoods. Revered under many regional names such as Kud Khreu, Kud Gong, Kud Ngaod Ngaed, Kud Pae, Kud Yong, or Pak Teen Tokto in the north, and Leh Phao, Lipeao Yong, or Yaa Yai Phao in the south, this ancient fern connects the tapestry of Thai herbal wisdom with modern scientific inquiry. Today, as a new generation advocates for evidence-based natural health, interest in Lipeao’s medicinal reputation is being reawakened—and scrutinized—for its healing promise and scientific validity.

For centuries, the mysterious Kamlang Suea Khrong—literally, “Tiger’s Strength”—has been renowned throughout Thailand as a traditional elixir promising stamina, vitality, and resilience. Borrowing its name from brute force and feline grace, this herbal medicine is shrouded in local wisdom, handed down through generations as both a standalone remedy and a prized ingredient in restorative tonics. But as modern science peels back the layers of legend and lore, new questions arise: How much of the “tiger’s power” is rooted in pharmacology, and what do contemporary studies reveal about its efficacy and safety?

Kamlang Suea Khrong, literally translating to “Tiger’s Strength,” has long stood as a cornerstone of Thai traditional medicine. The herb is believed to boost stamina, vitality, and resilience, and its name evokes both raw power and wild vitality. Today, researchers and health-conscious Thai readers are exploring what modern science says about its efficacy and safety, while preserving its cultural significance.

Known in botanical terms as Strychnos axillaris Colebr., Kamlang Suea Khrong has historically been used as a decoction or as a component in restorative tonics and ya dong, the herbal-infused spirits popular in traditional culture. Healers describe its role in revitalizing energy, soothing muscle discomfort, and supporting overall balance within the body—a view rooted in Thai holistic wellness. The herb’s enduring appeal lies in its ability to bridge ancestral knowledge with contemporary curiosity, attracting interest from those seeking natural alternatives and prompting scientific inquiry.