#Plantbasedwellness

The green wetlands of Southeast Asia nurture many ancient botanical treasures, but few rival the enduring popularity of ผักกระโฉม (Limnophila rugosa). Known by Thai names such as อ้มกบ, ผักกะโสม, and ราน้ำ, this aromatic marsh plant has grown alongside Thai civilization—seasoning food, perfuming homes, and playing pivotal roles in both folk and formal medicine. Today, amidst a resurgence in interest for time-tested natural remedies, Limnophila rugosa stands out as a compelling example of how traditional wisdom and modern science can enrich our path to wellness.

Limnophila rugosa, known locally as ผักกระโฉม, has long flourished along Thailand’s wetlands and remains a cornerstone of traditional life. In Thai households, the plant is prized for its aromatic leaves, used in cooking, perfumed spaces, and as a gentle remedy in local medical practices. Today, renewed interest in time-honored, plant-based remedies positions Limnophila rugosa as a prime example of how ancient wisdom can complement modern science.

Generations of Thai communities have turned to ผักกระโฉม for a range of conditions. Across regions, the leaves are celebrated for their cooling, pungent aroma and dual role as food and remedy. Traditional texts and oral knowledge describe digestive benefits—relief from stomach discomfort, diarrhea, and loss of appetite—and topical applications for wounds and skin irritations. In central Thailand, decoctions are used as mild diuretics and febrifuges, while in the northeast, crushed fresh leaves are applied to irritations and insect bites. These practices reflect a rich, holistic approach to everyday health.

In the forests and hills of Thailand, the evergreen climber known locally as Wheny Daeng (Gnetum macrostachyum) has long been a part of traditional healing. With local names like Wheny Dook, Muay Daeng, Wheny Lued, and Kamphaeng Phet Jet-Chan, this resilient vine embodies rural wisdom and holds promise for scientific exploration. Recent research is beginning to unpack folk knowledge, suggesting that this traditional remedy may possess real pharmacological potential and could bridge ancient healing practices with contemporary biomedical science.

Tucked within the lush forests and hills of Thailand, an evergreen climber known locally as เมื่อยแดง (Gnetum macrostachyum) has woven itself into the fabric of traditional medicine for generations. With monikers like เมื่อยดูก, ม่วยแดง, เมื่อยเลือด, and กำแพงเพชรเจ็ดชั้น, this resilient vine is more than botanical curiosity—it is a symbol of local wisdom and a promising subject for scientific discovery. Recent research has started peeling back the layers of folk knowledge, finding that this traditional remedy may indeed hold genuine pharmacological potential, offering a fascinating convergence of ancient healing rituals and contemporary biomedical science.

Dibua, the jade-green sprout inside sacred lotus seeds, has long been part of Thai folk healing. As science explores plant-based remedies, this ancient treasure is gaining attention for potential health benefits. This piece traces Dibua’s journey from temple ponds and family kitchens to laboratories and journals, while grounding its relevance for Thai readers today.

In Thai culture, the sacred lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) holds a revered place in daily life, religion, and cuisine. The seeds, flowers, and roots symbolize purity and spiritual growth, and their healing uses span generations. The plumule—Dibua—has traditionally been brewed into teas and blended into mixtures to calm the mind, support sleep, and promote cardiovascular wellness. Thai herbal manuals describe Dibua as cooling and bitter, with properties that may ease restlessness, reduce internal heat, and potentially aid heart health. Data summarized by Thai health guides show this plant is used for insomnia relief, calming agitation, and fever management, often without formal medical oversight.

In Thai forests and markets, the dried seeds of Scaphium scaphigerum—known locally as จอง, สำรอง, or พุงทะลาย—have long been a comforting staple. Traditionally used in soothing drinks, cough remedies, and gentle laxatives, this native fruit supports digestion and seasonal well-being. Today, researchers are exploring its potential, bridging age-old wisdom with contemporary science for Thai audiences.

Across Thailand, communities have treasured the Malva nut. In provinces such as Ubon Ratchathani and Chanthaburi, the dried seeds are soaked in water until they swell into a gelatinous mass, creating a dessert called Malva nut jelly. Herbal practitioners describe its mucilage as cooling for the body in hot seasons, aiding regular bowel movements, and soothing throat irritation. Data from Thailand’s health resources reinforces these traditional roles, noting its historic use as a bulk-forming agent in digestive care.

Nestled in the heart of Thai forests and markets under local names such as “จอง,” “สำรอง,” and “พุงทะลาย,” the brown, almond-like dried fruit of the Scaphium scaphigerum tree has long held a revered place in Thailand’s herbal medicine chest. For generations, this indigenous botanical—found in everything from refreshing summer drinks to traditional remedies for coughs and constipation—has provided both sustenance and hope for wellness. Now, with a resurgence of scientific inquiry into Southeast Asian folk medicine, Scaphium scaphigerum is gaining new attention at the dynamic crossroads of ancient healing and modern pharmacology.

For generations, the people of Thailand and other Asian cultures have cherished “Dibua”—the tiny, jade-green sprouts hidden inside the seeds of the sacred lotus (Nelumbo nucifera)—for their healing power, symbolic value, and distinctive place in folk remedies. Now, as modern science shines new light on this ancient botanical treasure, health enthusiasts and researchers alike are rediscovering its vital intersection of tradition and research. What story do these delicate sprouts tell, and how do their uses today connect with the wisdom of the past? Join us as we trace the journey of Dibua from temple ponds and herbalist shelves to international journals and cutting-edge laboratories.

In the bustling markets of Thailand, amidst vibrant displays of herbs and spices, the deep crimson hue of roselle—known locally as “กระเจี๊ยบแดง” (krajiap daeng)—stands out not only for its beauty but also for its powerful presence in traditional remedies. From cooling teas to medicinal tonics, roselle’s evocative sour flavor and vivid color have found their way into the hearts, kitchens, and medicine chests of Thai people for generations. Today, as wellness seekers pivot to time-honored natural remedies in pursuit of holistic health, roselle emerges as a potent symbol of the intersection between ancient wisdom and scientific validation.

In Thai markets, the deep crimson roselle, known locally as กระเจี๊ยบแดง, stands out for its beauty and traditional healing value. From cooling teas to medicinal tonics, roselle’s tart flavor and vibrant color have long captivated Thai households. Today, wellness seekers increasingly turn to time-honored remedies, and roselle embodies the bridge between ancient practices and scientific validation.

For centuries, Hibiscus sabdariffa, a member of the Malvaceae family, has a special place in Thai herbal culture. The calyces—bright red sepals that form after the flower withers—are harvested from late rainy season to early winter and used fresh or dried. Across Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, roselle beverages are celebrated for their refreshing tartness. In Thailand, herbalists prize it for more than taste.