#SustainableHerbs

Pe-rah Pa, known scientifically as Kaempferia marginata, is a humble forest ginger that has long held a place in Thai healing traditions. In villages across Thailand, its aromatic rhizomes have been used in decoctions, poultices, and remedies for fever, wounds, and inflammation. Today, researchers are beginning to validate parts of these age-old beliefs, linking traditional wisdom with modern pharmacology to chart a path from the forest to future medicine.

Pe-rah Pa is more than a plant; it is a cultural landmark in Isan and other regions, where locals call it by names such as ตูบหมูบ and เปราะเขา. Healers and families have relied on its cooling properties to balance internal heat and ease inflammatory symptoms. In Thai communities, the herb also holds ritual and holistic value, reflecting a tradition where healing and daily life are deeply intertwined.

In the vibrant tapestry of Thailand’s traditional medicine, few plants are as revered yet as underappreciated by the modern world as เปราะป่า (Pe-rah Pa), known scientifically as Kaempferia marginata. For generations, the aromatic rhizomes of this humble forest herb have played an essential role in rural healing, weaving together folklore, ritual, and everyday remedy. But in recent years, a fresh wave of scientific validation is finally shedding light on the remarkable pharmacological powers that echo the wisdom of Thailand’s ancestors. Today, Pe-rah Pa stands as a living bridge—connecting village healers with laboratory scientists and the old ways with the promise of new medicine.

Among the lush forest canopies and the age-old village herb gardens of Thailand, there exists a rather unassuming yet remarkable climbing vine known locally as “Buap Lom” (บวบลม), “Chuk Rohini,” or “Thao Phung Pla.” Known scientifically as Dischidia major, this plant has woven its way through centuries of Thai folk medicine and whispers of ancient wisdom. Today, it stands at the crossroads of traditional healing and emerging modern research, inviting a new generation of health-conscious individuals to rediscover its legacy.

In Thailand’s forests and village herb gardens, the climbing vine Buap Lom—also known as Chuk Rohini or Thao Phung Pla—has long threaded itself into local healing. Scientifically named Dischidia major, the plant sits at the intersection of traditional Thai medicine and emerging scientific inquiry, inviting a new generation to rediscover its legacy.

For many Thai households, Buap Lom is more than a wild vine. village healers have used its leaves, roots, and stems to address fevers, digestive discomfort, coughs, and skin irritations. This knowledge has been handed down through generations, blending practical treatment with a respect for the plant’s ecological role. As one rural practitioner notes, “the entire vine has its uses.” Buap Lom’s significance spans practical care and ritual healing, reflecting a deep intertwining of health, spirituality, and ecology.