#Phytochemistry

Across Thailand’s forests and village gardens, a humble fern still whispers through the leaves. กระแตไต่ไม้, known regionally as ฮำฮอก, ใบหูช้าง, and กูดขาฮอก, climbs trunks and thrives in humid shade. For generations, Thai communities have trusted its rhizome for healing wounds, strengthening bones, and restoring vitality. Today, scientists and traditional healers are exploring how this emblem of cultural heritage might complement evidence-based medicine.

The plant is woven into local life from Isaan plains to the forests of Kanchanaburi and the southern coast. Its name evokes the nimble forest creature, underscoring how communities relate to nature. Thai herbalists have long prized the rhizome for treating fractures, fevers, and digestive issues. In rural areas where access to healthcare can be uneven, กระแตไต่ไม้ remains a familiar care option, integrated with other traditional practices that sustain local health rituals.

กระแจะ, also known as พญายา, ขะแจะ, or ตุมตัง, is a tree whose bark, stem, and wood have long been central to Southeast Asian healing traditions. In Thailand, the name กระแจะ evokes centuries of folk wisdom, aesthetic rituals, and everyday remedies. Today, researchers are spotlighting its phytochemicals for beauty, health, and disease prevention, linking heritage with modern science for Thai readers.

Thai healers have long used the pale, aromatic wood of กระแจะ to treat skin conditions, fevers, and inflammation. Thai herbal texts and university summaries note that the inner wood and heartwood are often combined with other traditional herbs or used alone in topical and oral preparations. These preparations have served as deodorants, remedies for skin irritation, and even components in historical court formulations where fragrance and healing intersect.

Known by many names across the region—กระแจะ, พญายา, ขะแจะ, ตุมตัง, and others—Hesperethusa crenulata is a tree whose bark, stem, and wood have long been treasured in traditional Southeast Asian medicine. In Thailand, the engraved word “กระแจะ” conjures centuries of healing practices, folk wisdom, and even romance, as this herbal ingredient not only soothes physical ailments but is often mentioned in the poetry and cultural traditions of the central plains, the north, and northeast. Today, กระแจะ’s ancient legacy is finding new life as research teams shine the spotlight on its potent phytochemicals and their promising applications for beauty, health, and disease prevention.

In Thailand’s lush forests and village gardens, the whisper of ancient healing can still be heard—in the shade of a sprawling tree, where กระแตไต่ไม้ (Drynaria quercifolia), known regionally as ฮำฮอก, ใบหูช้าง, กูดขาฮอก, and more, climbs trunks and flourishes in the damp shadow. For generations, Thais have entrusted “the oakleaf fern” with treating wounds, strengthening bones, and restoring well-being. But in an era of evidence-based medicine, how does this traditional remedy stand up to scientific scrutiny? From the wisdom of healers to breakthroughs in pharmacological labs, กระแตไต่ไม้’s story is a fascinating intersection of cultural heritage and modern validation.

In the vast herbal apothecary of Thai tradition, few remedies inspire as much fascination—and caution—as “กลอย” (Kloi), known in science as Dioscorea hispida Dennst. Revered by generations for its potent medicinal properties, yet infamous for its toxic nature, Kloi epitomizes the delicate balance between healing and harm inherent in many of nature’s gifts. This enigmatic tuber, found lurking beneath the forest floor across Southeast Asia, has sustained communities during times of hardship, but also demands deep cultural respect and wisdom in its preparation. Today, modern science is peeling back the layers of mystery surrounding Kloi, revealing how ancient detoxification rituals have a foundation in chemistry and pharmacology, while new applications in medicine and cosmetics beckon—but not without important warnings.

Kloi, known scientifically as Dioscorea hispida Dennst, stands out in Thai herbal lore for its dual identity: powerful medicine and dangerous toxin. Among communities across Southeast Asia, this tuber has sustained people through scarcity while demanding careful preparation and deep cultural respect. Modern science is now clarifying the chemistry behind traditional detox rituals and exploring safe, practical uses in health and cosmetics, all with crucial cautions.

In Thailand, Kloi has long appeared in both cuisine and folk medicine, especially in the Northeast and North. Local names vary by region, including man kloi, kloi khao nei, and kloi nok. Raw Kloi contains potent toxins such as dioscorine, an alkaloid that can paralyze the nervous system, and cyanogenic compounds that can release cyanide if improperly processed. These dangers did not stop communities from relying on Kloi during famine or as a traditional remedy, but they underscored the need for careful detoxification practices handed down through generations.