#Phytotherapy

In Thailand’s tranquil waterways and on the altars of temples across South Asia, the blue blossoms of Nymphaea stellata—known locally as บัวเผื่อน and sometimes as บัวแบ้—have long drawn fascination. This water lily is more than an ornament; it is a thread in Southeast Asian culture, spirituality, and traditional healing. Today, modern science is examining the plant’s traditional uses, offering a clearer picture of how ancient knowledge may align with contemporary medicine.

Under a bright canopy of yellow blooms, Cassia fistula—known in Thai as Khun or Chaiyaphruek and celebrated as the national flower—remains a powerful symbol of prosperity, renewal, and royal heritage. The tree’s golden blossoms announce Songkran, Thailand’s Buddhist New Year, while traditional healers have long dried the sweet pulp inside ripe pods for cleansing and digestive support. Today, scientific inquiry sits at the crossroads of heritage and pharmacological promise, revisiting age-old beliefs with modern methods.

Cassia fistula, known in Thai as khun, sheds bright yellow blossoms that mark summer and symbolize a healing lineage. This “golden shower tree” ties generations of traditional practice to contemporary science, as researchers explore what 21st-century medicine can reveal about its medicinal potential for Thai communities.

The tree is deeply rooted in Thai culture and regional healing. Beyond its national symbolism as Thailand’s national flower, Cassia fistula appears in Buddhist rituals as a sign of renewal and vitality. During Songkran, its golden blossoms are offered at temples and to elders, linking spiritual life with daily wellbeing. The bark, leaves, seeds, and pulp have long been used in Thai folk medicine and in formal herbal pharmacopeias for a range of ailments.

Across Thai fields, the bright yellow blooms and curved pods of chùm hèt thai (ชุมเห็ดไทย) are a common sight. Cassia tora L. has long been a staple in Thai traditional medicine and cuisine. Its seeds are valued for healing properties and practical uses in uncertain times. Today, ancient wisdom meets modern science as Cassia tora becomes a focus of pharmacology, offering potential remedies once found only in folk knowledge. The plant stands as a living bridge between tradition and discovery.

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.

Across Thailand’s fields and paddy dykes, the bright yellow flowers and curved pods of chùm hèt thai (ชุมเห็ดไทย) are as familiar as rainfall. Known by a host of regional names—chùm hèt khaw kwai, prom dan, lep muean noi—this modest herb, scientifically called Cassia tora L., is one of Thailand’s most enduring and cross-cultural medicinal plants. For centuries it has been woven into Thai traditional medicine and culinary life, its seeds valued not only for gentle healing properties but for their adaptability in times of need. Today, ancient wisdom is meeting global science, as Cassia tora emerges as a focus of modern pharmacology, promising remedies for ailments once treated only with resourceful folk knowledge. The story of Cassia tora is one of both change and continuity—a botanical bridge between tradition and discovery.

Dee bua, the lotus seed embryo inside the sacred Nelumbo nucifera seed, has long been a symbol of calm in Thai herbal practice. Trusted by royalty and village healers alike, this green shoot is tied to Buddhist rituals, traditional desserts, and quiet evenings of reflection. Today, health-conscious Thai readers are revisiting dee bua, inspired by scientific insights that echo age-old claims about its soothing and protective effects.

In Thai temples and markets, the purple-pink lotus remains a daily presence. The embryo inside each seed has traditionally been used to cool the heart fire, steady the mind, and ease sleeplessness or palpitations. The plant’s bitter note signals its cooling properties in Thai and broader Asian herbal systems. Dee bua is a familiar ingredient in herbal drinks, desserts, and wellness infusions aimed at promoting restful sleep and mental clarity.

Long pepper, known locally as Dipli, has long flavored Thai kitchens and traditional remedies. Today, regional research is validating some uses while flagging safety considerations. Harvested just before ripening from the Piper retrofractum vine, Dipli sits at the crossroads of heritage and science, inviting readers to explore its evolving story.

In Thai culture, health often centers on age-old plants and spices. Dipli holds a special place. The green fruit becomes a reddish spice when dried and carries many regional names that reflect its significance across the country. Dipli appears in Buddhist ceremonial mixtures and remains a common ingredient in northern and central folk remedies, as well as in certain curries and healing teas. Local knowledge has long credited Dipli with aiding digestion, soothing coughs, reducing fevers, easing asthma symptoms, and supporting conditions such as hypertension, rheumatism, and vitality. Contemporary references point to Dipli’s traditional uses in herbal preparations found in community clinics and markets.

Centuries before pharmacy shelves brimmed with modern medicine, Thailand’s rural communities turned to the earth for healing. Among the greenery that thrived along streams and in deciduous forests, the shrub known as เจตพังคี—Jetaphangkee—offered roots lauded for their potent effects. Today, Jetaphangkee (Cladogynos orientalis) is reclaiming its spotlight, as modern science begins to shine its lens on this fascinating herbal medicine, bridging ancient wisdom with contemporary research.

Jetaphangkee’s story is woven through the daily lives and cultural history of Thailand’s regions. Known by an array of local names—ใบหลังขาว, เปล้าน้ำเงิน, ตองตาพราน, among others—Jetaphangkee is not just an herbal remedy, but a living marker of regional identity and knowledge. For generations, communities across the North and Northeast have called on Jetaphangkee, particularly its roots, to treat ailments from digestive upset to fevers and mysterious “wind” symptoms (called lom in Thai healing traditions). In Thai folk medicine, roots are typically boiled into decoctions, alone or as part of multifaceted herbal blends, demonstrating the intricate layering of Thai pharmacopeia Medthai.com, Ubon Ratchathani University Herb Database.

Jun-Daeng (Dracaena loureiroi) sits at the heart of Thai herbal tradition. Its red heartwood and resin have long defined practical care, ritual use, and local lore. Today, researchers are exploring Jun-Daeng’s potential for 21st‑century health challenges, including cancer. Recent laboratory work is beginning to validate traditional uses and reveal how ancient remedies may align with modern pharmacology.

Across generations in Thailand and Southeast Asia, Jun-Daeng has shaped care for everyday ailments and serious disease. The plant’s red core forms after a unique fungal interaction with the wood, producing resin used in decoctions, tinctures, and powders. Traditional applications include cooling the blood, reducing fever, supporting menstrual regulation, and aiding wound healing. In some communities, the wood and resin are part of protective rituals linked to health and longevity, underscoring the cultural reverence for this plant.

In the heart of Thai herbal tradition, Jun-Daeng—known scientifically as Dracaena loureiroi—stands as a fragrant emblem of healing, blending centuries of local knowledge with a new wave of scientific curiosity. Long cherished for its deep red heartwood and storied applications in folk medicine, this enigmatic plant, also called Chandan Daeng, Lakchun or Chan-Pha, is now drawing the attention of medical researchers interested in harnessing its potential for 21st-century health challenges, including cancer. Recent laboratory studies are beginning to validate the wisdom embedded in its historical use, shining new light on the intersection between practical folk therapy and targeted pharmacological action.

In Thailand’s lush landscapes, the scarlet hue of kham ngeo—also known as annatto or Bixa orellana—has colored foods, fabrics, and healing practices for generations. Today, researchers and health-minded Thais are revisiting kham ngeo to explore its true potential, weaving ancestral knowledge with contemporary science.

As natural remedies gain traction, kham ngells dual roles as a dye and folk medicine gain renewed relevance. Thai consumers increasingly seek safe, plant-based options, and kham ngeo sits at the crossroads of culture and innovation. What science reveals about its traditional uses offers practical insights for daily well-being.

For generations, lemongrass—locally known as ตะไคร้แกง or ตะไคร้บ้าน—has enjoyed a treasured status in kitchens and clinics across Thailand. Its unmistakable citrus fragrance infuses classic Thai curries, soups, and teas, while ancient healers and modern folk alike have praised its medicinal powers. Today, scientific studies are beginning to unlock the reasons behind the enduring reverence for this remarkable plant, illuminating the complex chemistry underpinning its traditional uses and raising fresh questions about its future role in natural health.

Lemongrass, known in Thai as ตะไคร้แกง or ตะไคร้บ้าน, has long flavored Thai kitchens and informed traditional healing practices. Its bright, citrus aroma graces curries, soups, and teas, while healers and contemporary herbalists alike have praised its medicinal potential. Today, scientists are clarifying why this plant has earned enduring respect, examining the chemistry behind its traditional uses and exploring its future role in natural health.

Cymbopogon citratus is more than a culinary symbol. It serves as a bridge between ancestral knowledge and modern inquiry. Grounding new findings in Thailand’s cultural and medical roots helps promote responsible, evidence-informed use that respects the nation’s heritage and keeps lemongrass relevant for younger generations seeking holistic wellness.

For centuries, the slender, finger-like fruit known as ดีปลี (Dipli)—or long pepper to the wider world—has been valued in Thai kitchens and medicine cabinets alike. Revered for its spicy-hot kick and its potent medicinal reputation, Dipli has traveled the journey from sacred ritual and home remedy to the laboratory bench, where new research is validating some ancestral claims while raising important questions about its safety and efficacy. Today, this unassuming fruit—harvested just before ripening from the Piper retrofractum vine—stands at a crossroads between tradition and science, inviting curious minds and health enthusiasts to discover its story.

Mace, the delicate red lace-fringed covering of the nutmeg seed, known in Thai as “dok chan,” has long enriched Thai cooking and healing practices. Today, it sits at the crossroads of traditional wisdom and scientific inquiry as Thai researchers explore how this aromatic spice may support health beyond flavor.

In Southeast Asia, mace has a storied place in herbal traditions. Thai healers have long used it in ya-hom blends—herbal formulas that support digestion, circulation, and fever reduction—often paired with clove, cinnamon, and cardamom. Modern studies from Thai laboratories help explain why these four spices remain a trusted motif in local wellness practices. Data from Thai pharmaceutical research shows that nutmeg, mace, cardamom, and clove are frequently included in official herbal formulations, underscoring their enduring popularity in Thai society.

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.

Elephantopus scaber Linn. has long been part of rural Thai healing. Locally known as โด่ไม่รู้ล้ม, the plant’s name evokes resilience: “stands tall, refuses to fall.” Folklore uses its various names, including ขี้ไฟนกคุ่ม, หญ้าสามสิบสองหาบ, and หนาดผา, to describe its everyday role in traditional medicine. As herbal knowledge meets modern science, Elephantopus scaber is increasingly examined through rigorous research while remaining rooted in Thai culture.

The plant’s broad, rough-edged leaves and purple flower heads signal its versatility in folk remedies. Generations have used its leaves for wound care, decoctions from the root for urinary and kidney concerns, and whole-plant teas to help reduce fever. In rural communities, it is also linked with vitality and stamina, reflecting a holistic view of health that spans energy, urinary relief, and general well-being. Local narratives tie the herb’s sturdy growth to daily health practices and protective routines.

Safflower, known in Thai as kam-foy, has long been a staple in traditional healing across Asia, including Thailand. Its bright petals are celebrated for multiple uses, and modern science is beginning to uncover how it works. This piece examines how ancient Thai wisdom and current research intersect, with practical guidance for health-minded readers.

In Thai culture, safflower is more than a culinary ingredient. Dried safflower florets, prized for their golden color and subtle flavor, have been part of everyday wellness. Thai names for the herb, including ดอกคำ and คำหยุม, reflect its dual role in food and medicine. Across Isan and the central plains, safflower blends are used to support vitality, with traditional applications ranging from menstrual support and mild discomfort relief to hair darkening in some rural communities. Dried petals are brewed into teas or incorporated into topical preparations. Elders often link safflower to women’s health and life energy, a view rooted in a holistic understanding of body, mind, and environment, as seen in historical Thai and regional texts and practices.

Safflower, known in Thai as “คำฝอย” (pronounced “kam-foy”), has been a staple in traditional medicine for generations across Asia, including the Kingdom of Thailand. Revered for its vibrant yellow-orange petals and multifaceted benefits, this ancient remedy is enjoying renewed interest as modern research uncovers its scientific underpinnings. But where does the wisdom of Thai healers intersect with today’s lab-based evidence, and what should health-conscious readers know before embracing this herbal staple?

The Thai licorice vine, Albizia myriophylla Benth., known as ชะเอมไทย, has long sweetened traditional healing across the country. In Central Thailand it’s called “ชะเอมป่า,” while in Trat it’s known as “ตาลอ้อย.” Now, researchers are pairing age-old wisdom with modern science to explore its potential as a contemporary herbal remedy that resonates with Thai culture.

Traditionally, dried wood or bark of ชะเอมไทย was prepared as decoctions or candies to soothe coughs, freshen breath, reduce fevers, and ease digestive issues. Herbalists have praised its cooling properties, weaving it into blends meant to counter throat irritation and fatigue, and sometimes linking it to vitality and longevity. These practices persist from the North down to the South and are documented in the Royal Thai Pharmacopoeia, alongside community knowledge from markets and temples.

In the heart of Thai herbal tradition, few remedies are as evocative, symbolic, or deeply interwoven with spiritual and physical wellness as ดีบัว (dee bua), or lotus seed embryo—the delicate green shoot nestled inside the seed pod of the sacred lotus (Nelumbo nucifera). Once valued by royalty and rural healers alike, dee bua bridges centuries of Thai culture, connecting Buddhist rituals, culinary delights, and age-old remedies with a growing body of scientific research. Today, as health-conscious Thais and global audiences alike seek natural ways to manage stress, sleep, and chronic diseases, dee bua is enjoying renewed attention—not only for its spiritual and culinary significance, but for intriguing scientific findings that support many traditional claims about its healing potential.