#PlantPharmacology

Deep in the lush forests of Thailand and across Southeast Asia, a powerful traditional remedy has long whispered its healing secrets. Known locally as khunthongphayabat (ขันทองพยาบาท) and by a host of regional names—from Duk Sai in Isan to Jaduk Lekluam in the North—the wood of the Suregada multiflora tree has woven its way through the patchwork of Thai herbal medicine for generations. Now, with the surge of scientific interest in plant-based pharmacology, khunthongphayabat is poised to make an impression far beyond traditional medicine cabinets, as researchers illuminate how its ancient uses resonate with cutting-edge health studies.

Unfolding a jasmine garland instantly evokes the colors, scents, and gentle rituals of Thai culture. Yet beneath this delicate beauty lies a medicine chest centuries old. Jasminum sambac, known in Thai as “มะลิลา,” has graced not only shrines and homes but also pharmacy shelves in Thai and Southeast Asian traditions. Today, thanks to scientific inquiry, this celebrated flower is revealing its secrets—offering new hope for health-conscious readers seeking the harmony of ancient wisdom and modern evidence.

Nestled in the folklore and village gardens across Thailand, the unassuming Kan Tee Saw—known scientifically as Vitex trifolia—has for centuries been revered as a multifaceted healer. Called by names as varied as kan tee saw khaw in Chonburi, khon din saw in the central regions, phii suea noi in the North, or thian khaw in Phetchaburi, this plant’s rich medicinal history threads through every region and dialect, embodying a unique harmony of nature’s bounty and human ingenuity. Today, as researchers turn magnifying lenses and test tubes onto the ancient remedies of Thai traditional medicine, Kan Tee Saw emerges not just as a cultural artifact but as a botanical protagonist on the cusp of scientific validation. What follows is a journey through its uses, lore, modern research, and what the future may hold for this cherished herbal medicine.