#ScienceAndTradition

For centuries, the humble leaves of khlu, known botanically as Pluchea indica (L.) Less., have quietly woven themselves into the tapestry of Thai traditional medicine. Heralded in folklore from Isan to the Southern provinces, this plant—also called หนาดงั่ว, หนวดงิ้ว, เพี้ยฟาน, ขลู, คลู, and ขี้ป้าน, depending on local dialect—has been held as a village remedy for everything from inflamed joints to kidney health. Today, Pluchea indica stands at a fascinating crossroads, with a growing body of research seeking to validate and explain the benefits extolled by generations of healers. How does ancient wisdom surrounding khlu measure up to the scrutiny of modern science, and what should health-conscious Thais know about harnessing its potential responsibly?

Red holy basil, known in Thailand as gaprao daeng, remains a cornerstone of Thai kitchens and traditional healing. While globally called holy basil and scientifically Ocimum tenuiflorum, it is the red-tinged cultivar that captures Thailand’s enduring link between plant-based living and wellness. Thai households long used gaprao daeng to ease coughs, fevers, and various ailments, while modern researchers explore its potential to address chronic disease and stress. This evolving dialogue between old wisdom and new science holds particular relevance for Thai readers who value both cultural heritage and evidence-based health.

Red holy basil, known locally in Thailand as “กะเพราแดง” (gaprao daeng), is cherished across the country both for its distinctive spicy aroma and as a revered medicine in traditional healing. Although famed globally as “holy basil” or by its scientific name, Ocimum tenuiflorum (synonyms: Ocimum sanctum, etc.), it is the dramatic red-tinged cultivar—celebrated in Thai folklore, kitchens, and herbal medicine—that captures the nation’s deep connection to plant-based health. Long before the rise of modern clinics and pharmacies, gaprao daeng was already a mainstay of Thai homes, used to treat everything from coughs and fevers to spiritual malaise. Now, as researchers worldwide search for new therapies to tackle chronic diseases and stress, science is returning its focus to this humble herb, striving to validate the ancient wisdom held by countless Thai elders.

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.

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.