#Healthliteracy

Nationwide Children’s Hospital in the United States has unveiled a major rebranding and expansion of its well-known pediatric mental health program. The initiative, previously known as On Our Sleeves, has distributed free educational resources to more than 15 million people since 2018. It will now operate as The Kids Mental Health Foundation, reflecting a strengthened commitment to addressing the growing mental health needs of young people nationwide.

This moment matters to parents, teachers, and health professionals. The US Surgeon General and other authorities have called children’s mental health a national crisis. In Thailand, educators and families report rising anxiety linked to intense academic pressure, social media, and the lingering effects of COVID-19 on youth. A recent survey conducted by the foundation indicates that about 70 percent of nearly 540 parents are worried about their children’s mental health, with almost 40 percent describing themselves as very concerned.

Red Kwao Krua, known to botanists as Butea superba Roxb., is a remarkable herbal remedy that has woven itself into the tapestry of Thai traditional medicine for centuries. Harvested from the tuberous roots of a robust climbing legume native to Southeast Asia, this “herbal hero” carries with it a blend of cultural reverence, folklore, and—thanks to contemporary research—burgeoning scientific interest. In a health-curious era when Thais and global audiences alike seek a synthesis of traditional wisdom and biomedical validation, Red Kwao Krua emerges as an emblematic plant deserving of closer attention.

Red Kwao Krua, known scientifically as Butea superba Roxb., has long anchored Thai traditional medicine. The tuberous roots of this robust climbing legume are revered in villages and royal courts alike, now attracting modern scientific interest. In an era hungry for evidence-based wellness, Red Kwao Krua embodies the conversation between age-old wisdom and contemporary research.

Across Thailand, Red Kwao Krua’s story begins in traditional apothecaries and extends into university laboratories. Folk healers have long used its root powders, decoctions, and tinctures to support vitality and stamina. In Thai, the plant is called กวาวเครือแดง, with regional names such as จานเครือ and จอมทอง. Roots are often prepared by infusion in water or alcohol or blended into polyherbal formulations.