#HealthInnovation

A Brazilian study suggests cannabidiol (CBD) may help ease autism symptoms in children and young adults. Researchers from the University of São Paulo reported that oral CBD led to improvements in social skills, fewer tantrums, and reduced aggression in participants. Presented at the 2025 European Congress of Psychiatry, the findings indicate CBD could complement traditional therapies, though experts urge larger trials to confirm results.

Interest in CBD arises from its role in supporting the body’s endocannabinoid system, which influences mood and stress. Unlike THC, CBD does not cause a high, making it a more acceptable option for neurological conditions beyond autism, such as epilepsy, while avoiding psychoactive effects.

In an exciting development, a Brazilian study has highlighted cannabidiol (CBD) as a potential supplement in easing autism symptoms in children and young adults. Researchers from the University of São Paulo have found that oral CBD intake led to significant improvements in social skills, reduced aggression, and eased tantrums among young participants. This promising research, presented at the 2025 European Congress of Psychiatry, suggests that CBD could be incorporated into autism treatment plans alongside traditional therapies. However, experts remain cautious, calling for larger trials to confirm these findings.

Hua Roi Ru, a tuber-bearing plant tied to Thai folk healing, continues to captivate researchers and communities alike. Known in Thai as Hua Roi Ru and also called กระเช้าผีมด, ร้อยรู, ปุ่มฟ้า, and ดาลูบูตาลิมา, it belongs to the Hydnophytum formicarium group in the coffee family. The plant is celebrated not only for its unusual hollow caudex that houses ant colonies but also for its long-standing use in traditional remedies that aim to ease pain, fever, and digestive discomfort. For many Thai families, Hua Roi Ru embodies a bridge between forest wisdom and everyday wellness.

For generations, the humble มะแว้งต้น (mawaengton), a native shrub found across much of rural Thailand, has held a prominent place in pharmacy cabinets and folk wisdom. Today, as health-conscious Thais turn back to herbal remedies for gentle relief and global researchers re-examine ancient cures, Solanum indicum L. stands at a fascinating crossroads—its pungent, bitter berries long trusted for soothing coughs now being verified and expanded upon by modern scientists.

มะแว้งต้น is known by several regional names—มะแค้งขม and มะแค้งดำ in the North and Northeast—and its distinctive round, greenish-black fruit is a familiar sight in fresh markets and traditional medicine shops throughout Thailand. Sometimes intermingled with closely related species like มะแว้งเครือ (Solanum trilobatum), the มะแว้งต้น is a member of the nightshade family (Solanaceae), which also includes eggplant, potato, and tomato. It is the fruit of this plant, often simply called “mawaeng” in Thai pharmacies, that’s prized as a gentle expectorant, cough soother, and phlegm reliever in the traditional Thai pharmacopoeia (thaiherbinfo.com).

Mawaengton, also known in Thai as มะแว้งต้น, is a native shrub found across rural Thailand. Its round, greenish-black fruit has long been valued in traditional medicine as a gentle cough reliever and phlegm expeller. Today, researchers are exploring Solanum indicum L. to better understand how this traditional remedy works and where it might fit in modern care.

Across Thailand’s regions, the plant goes by several names, including มะแค้งขม and มะแค้งดำ in the North and Northeast. The fruit is a familiar sight in fresh markets and shops that sell herbal remedies. As with close relatives in the nightshade family, the mawaeng fruit is celebrated for soothing coughs and throat irritation when used in tea, chews, or lozenges. Thai pharmacies often refer to the fruit simply as “mawaeng,” reflecting its central role in traditional pharmacopoeia. In recent years, these lozenges—made with mawaengton and other local botanicals such as holy basil and turmeric—have gained official recognition in Thailand’s regulatory framework.

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.

A new blood test shows promise for diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease and guiding treatment plans. By detecting a brain-related protein fragment, doctors can determine the presence and progression of dementia, moving toward more personalized patient care. Early identification may enable timely use of therapies most effective in the disease’s initial stages.

For Thai readers, these advances are especially relevant as Thailand’s population ages. Alzheimer’s places increasing strain on families and the healthcare system. Early and accurate diagnosis can improve quality of life and reduce long-term care needs, a concern echoed by health experts worldwide.