#TraditionalRemedies

For centuries, Thais have cherished the delicate golden stamens of the sacred lotus flower—not just for their beauty or spiritual symbolism, but as a valued traditional remedy known as “เกสรบัวหลวง” (lotus stamen). Today, modern science is starting to illuminate the ancient wisdom behind this revered botanical, uncovering remarkable properties that bridge the worlds of tradition and innovation. As interest in natural health continues to rise among Thai and global wellness communities, the stamen of Nelumbo nucifera (the sacred lotus) is emerging as a fascinating example of how ancient remedies can inform the future of medicine.

In a world seeking natural remedies for complex ailments, the story of “โกฐเขมา” (Atractylodes lancea)—known regionally as “โกฐหอม,” “ซังตุ๊ก,” and “ชางจู๋”—is capturing renewed attention. Once relegated to apothecary cabinets and temple herb gardens, this humble rhizome has emerged as a protagonist in new scientific investigations. From helping with fevers and digestive troubles in Thai and Chinese traditional recipes to featuring in modern cancer research, Atractylodes lancea stands at a unique crossroads of heritage and discovery. So how does this storied plant bridge ancient 知慧 (ฉลาด) with today’s evidence-based care, and what should Thai readers know about its renaissance?

Among the vibrant tapestry of Thailand’s gardens and temple courtyards, few plants evoke more nostalgia, sensory delight, and curiosity than the cananga, known locally as กระดังงาไทย (Cananga odorata). Its drooping, frilly yellow-green blossoms are a familiar sight, their heady, exotic perfume lingering in memories of childhood, religious ceremonies, and herbal home remedies. But beyond its decorative and fragrant appeal, cananga’s journey through Thai culture and across Southeast Asia is far richer—a story that bridges folk wisdom and emerging pharmacological science, raising the intriguing prospect that this beloved flower may hold genuine promise for holistic well-being.

In Thai kitchens large and small, from spirited street corners in Chiang Mai to family tables on the outskirts of Nakhon Si Thammarat, the hot, sharp aroma of garlic is so familiar as to be invisible. But behind every clove of Allium sativum L.—known across Thailand as krathiam, or by regional names such as hua thiam and hom khaw—is a legacy spanning centuries of healing, belief, and now, modern medical research. Far from being a mere flavouring, garlic sits proudly at the intersection of heritage and laboratory, as both folk remedy and subject of global clinical inquiry.

In the lush, biodiverse forests and rural village gardens across Thailand, the Kradom plant—known scientifically as Gymnopetalum chinensis (กะดอม), and by many regional names such as ขี้กาดง in Saraburi, มะนอยหก in Mae Hong Son, and ผักขาว in Chiang Mai—has been quietly woven into local healing practices for generations. Today, as interest in traditional remedies surges and scientific curiosity deepens, Kradom stands at the captivating crossroads of ancient Thai wisdom and 21st-century phytochemical research. What can this lesser-known plant reveal about the enduring relationship between people and the natural pharmacy around them?

Red Kwao Krua, known to botanists as Butea superba Roxb., is a remarkable herbal remedy that has woven itself into the tapestry of Thai traditional medicine for centuries. Harvested from the tuberous roots of a robust climbing legume native to Southeast Asia, this “herbal hero” carries with it a blend of cultural reverence, folklore, and—thanks to contemporary research—burgeoning scientific interest. In a health-curious era when Thais and global audiences alike seek a synthesis of traditional wisdom and biomedical validation, Red Kwao Krua emerges as an emblematic plant deserving of closer attention.

In Thailand’s forests and herbal markets, the mystical power of krissana—internationally known as Aquilaria crassna—has echoed through centuries of folk healing, spiritual ritual, and cultural lore. Often identified by its evocative aroma and precious resin, this revered wood transcends mere material value, becoming a symbol of spiritual potency, healing, and Thai identity. But, in a modern era where evidence-based medicine prevails, krissana now faces the scrutiny of laboratories and clinical research, challenging ancient beliefs with the lens of science. What emerges is a poignant story at the crossroads of tradition and discovery: a fragrant journey of ancient healing, contemporary pharmacology, and rediscovered wisdom.

Known by many names across the region—กระแจะ, พญายา, ขะแจะ, ตุมตัง, and others—Hesperethusa crenulata is a tree whose bark, stem, and wood have long been treasured in traditional Southeast Asian medicine. In Thailand, the engraved word “กระแจะ” conjures centuries of healing practices, folk wisdom, and even romance, as this herbal ingredient not only soothes physical ailments but is often mentioned in the poetry and cultural traditions of the central plains, the north, and northeast. Today, กระแจะ’s ancient legacy is finding new life as research teams shine the spotlight on its potent phytochemicals and their promising applications for beauty, health, and disease prevention.

In the lush forests and fertile soils of Thailand, a deep violet rhizome known locally as “krachaidam” (กระชายดำ) stands at the remarkable crossroads of traditional therapy and modern science. Revered for generations, krachaidam—scientifically identified as Kaempferia parviflora—is much more than a culinary curiosity or folk medicine staple. Today, this member of the Zingiberaceae family, sometimes called “Thai black ginger” or “Thai ginseng,” is stirring global scientific interest for its possible role in human health, bridging ancient wisdom with clinical promise.