#Wellness

Protein has long been crowned the “macronutrient king”—the building block behind strong muscles, healthy skin, shiny hair, and a satisfied, full feeling after meals. Yet even as high-protein diets trend on social media and more Thais opt for protein shakes or add an extra egg to their khao tom, new research and expert advice reveal that it’s surprisingly easy to fall short on daily protein needs, and the effects may be more subtle—and more important—than most people realise source.

A robust new clinical trial has revealed that fish oil supplements deliver higher levels of vital omega-3 fatty acids to the body compared to eating fish, challenging the long-standing notion that whole foods are always superior to supplements for nutrient intake (Good News Network). The study, recently published in the British Journal of Nutrition, provides fresh evidence that could influence dietary advice in Thailand, where cardiovascular disease and other non-communicable diseases continue to pose significant public health threats.

In an era of increasing awareness about health and nutrition, a recent feature highlights crucial dietary considerations by identifying seven high-cholesterol foods that consumers should avoid for better heart health. The article from NDTV emphasizes the importance of understanding the fat content in our diet and how it impacts overall cholesterol levels, offering practical advice for those looking to maintain or improve their cardiovascular health.

Thai readers, keenly aware of the growing incidence of heart-related ailments, will find the insights particularly relevant. The report delves into common food items that are major culprits in elevating low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol – often labeled as ‘bad cholesterol.’ Traditional Thai dishes, beloved for their rich flavors, occasionally include these ingredients, making awareness essential for health-conscious individuals.

For centuries, the humble แห้วหมู (Cyperus rotundus L.)—also known as หญ้าแห้วหมู or หัวแห้วหมู in various parts of Thailand—has held an esteemed place in traditional Thai herbal medicine cabinets and village gardens. Revered across Asia and beyond for its underground tubers, this unassuming sedge has been a symbol of resilience and healing. Today, a wave of renewed scientific interest is validating aspects of its age-old uses, connecting ancestral knowledge with the rigors of modern clinical research. With daily lives increasingly marked by stress, chronic conditions, and lifestyle diseases, Thai readers are seeking both hope and evidence in remedies that endure from the past.

Few ingredients so vividly capture the essence of Thai cuisine and culture as the small, vibrant green fruit known throughout the country as manao. While most Thai people recognize it as an indispensable flavor booster in dishes like tom yum, som tam, and countless chili dips, the leaves, bark, and fruit of Citrus aurantiifolia—more commonly called lime—hold a much deeper significance that extends well beyond the kitchen. The traditional uses of manao stretch back centuries, rooted in household remedies and ancient wisdom, while mounting scientific evidence is beginning to illuminate the bioactive magic that has long made lime a staple for both taste and health. Today, as health-conscious Thai readers seek to reconnect with their heritage and examine time-honored remedies with new eyes, the story of manao becomes both a case study in the enduring power of traditional herbal medicine and a testament to how modern research can inform and evolve ancient practices.

The story of pomegranate leaf (Punica granatum L.) is a journey from ancient herbal wisdom across Thai villages to high-tech research laboratories, uncovering a saga of healing and hope that resonates globally. Revered in Thai traditional healing under names as diverse as มะเก๊า, มะก่องแก้ว, and พิลา, and used in remedies dating back generations, the humble pomegranate leaf is currently experiencing a renaissance as contemporary science explores its full therapeutic promise. As the world faces rising antibiotic resistance, chronic disease, and new health challenges, the intersection of traditional herbal knowledge and rigorous scientific validation is more relevant than ever—making the story of pomegranate leaf not just a cultural legacy, but a vital topic for Thailand’s health-conscious readers.

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.

San Phra Hom, a name echoing through Thai highland villages and bustling city markets alike, has captivated healers and scientists with its fragrant promise of wellness. Known variously as “Keiang Pa Yai” in northern Thailand, “Porki” among Karen communities, and by its scientific designation Eupatorium fortunei, this unassuming leafy herb bridges generations, cultures, and continents. Today, as modern science peels back the layers of botanical mystery, San Phra Hom finds itself at the crossroads of ancient tradition and clinical scrutiny, heralding a new chapter in natural medicine for health-conscious Thais and curious global citizens alike.

In the world of traditional Thai medicine, few remedies have endured as universally and unassumingly as “เกลือสินเธาว์”—also known as rock salt, เกลือหิน, or เกลือเทศ. This simple crystalline mineral, gleaned from underground salt beds in Thailand’s northeast, has quietly shaped rituals of healing, daily cuisine, and even cultural identity. But as modern science investigates the claims of ancient tradition, what does evidence reveal about the true health benefits—and potential risks—of this everyday ingredient?

For centuries, the towering stalks of อ้อยแดง—known globally as Saccharum officinarum or sugarcane—have waved across Thai landscapes, embodying both agricultural might and healing promise. While most passersby associate อ้อยแดง with sweetness and sugar production, ancient wisdom and new science reveal a far richer, more complex story: one in which this iconic plant’s healing power is celebrated both on temple altars and in the world’s most advanced laboratories.

In kitchens and clinics, at festivals and in village remedies, the red-stemmed variety of sugarcane—often called อ้อยดำ or อ้อยตาแดง—has stood as both staple and symbol. Today, research is illuminating why this time-honored herbal medicine deserves renewed attention from everyone seeking the best of traditional healing and modern health care.

For centuries, the humble leaves of the Morus alba tree—known in Thailand as “หม่อน” or “มอน” in the Northeast—have been valued both as a nourishing food for silkworms and as a cornerstone of traditional herbal remedies. But in recent decades, white mulberry leaf has been rediscovered by health enthusiasts, scientists, and wellness practitioners as a botanical treasure trove with a remarkable intersection of cultural heritage and biomedical promise. Today, as researchers probe the centuries-old claims of Thai and East Asian herbalists, Morus alba stands as a sterling example of how traditional wisdom and scientific inquiry can enrich one another.

Phimsen ton (พิมเสนต้น), also known to Thai herbalists and villagers as bai phimsen, bai hom, phak chi chang, or “patchouli” in English, has enchanted generations in Thailand and across Southeast Asia with its aromatic leaves and complex healing legacy. In recent years, this legendary herb—scientifically classified as Pogostemon cablin (Blanco) Benth. and a proud member of the mint family, Lamiaceae—has stepped boldly into the spotlight of global scientific research on natural health products. As Thai society increasingly looks to balance ancient plant wisdom with the rigors of modern evidence, phimsen ton offers a compelling case study in the intersection of culture, medicine, and laboratory verification, revealing a story that spans royal recipes, village remedies, world-famous scent, and promising new pharmacological discoveries.

From the bustling wet markets of Bangkok to home kitchens across rural provinces, shallot (Allium ascalonicum L.)—known to Thais as “hom daeng”—holds a cherished place in the nation’s culinary culture. Yet, this bite-sized, ruby-skinned bulb is much more than just the secret ingredient in a piquant nam prik or spicy curry paste. For centuries, hom daeng has transcended its role as a flavor catalyst, evolving into a cornerstone of traditional Thai medicine. Today, with scientific research increasingly shining a light on ancient wisdom, shallot stands at a fascinating intersection where folklore and pharmacology meet—a story that invites both curiosity and critical inquiry for modern Thai readers seeking natural approaches to wellness.

Saba (สะบ้า), known to botanists as Entada rheedii Spreng., is a giant climber found winding its way through Thailand’s forests, bearing massive pods filled with glossy, oval seeds. Known by many local names—สะบ้ามอญ, สะบ้าใหญ่, มะบ้าหลวง, มะนิม, หมากงิม, and more—this remarkable plant holds a special place in traditional Thai and Southeast Asian herbalism. Yet, while Saba’s seeds have long been a source of healing, ceremony, and even magic, a new chapter is unfolding as science begins to validate—and sometimes challenge—the wisdom sewn into local customs. For Thai readers curious about natural health solutions with ancient roots, Entada rheedii represents a fascinating intersection of folklore, pharmacology, and global botanical research.

Mention “สมอพิเภก” (Samo Pi Phek), and many Thais will recall the distinctive astringency of its dried fruits—an essential ingredient in traditional herbal medicine that’s been passed down for generations. Known scientifically as Terminalia bellirica, this large deciduous tree has deep cultural roots across Thailand and Southeast Asia and is increasingly attracting attention from modern research for a variety of potential health benefits. As contemporary science probes its secrets, Samo Pi Phek stands at the crossroads between millennia-old wisdom and cutting-edge pharmacology, offering a compelling story that bridges culture and clinical investigation.

Tucked among the rugged hills and sun-baked savannahs of Southeast Asia, a humble shrub known as Baeckea frutescens—หรือที่ชาวไทยรู้จักในนาม “สนทราย”—has long been a trusted remedy in the herbal traditions of Thailand and neighboring nations. Revered for generations under a kaleidoscope of local names, such as ก้านถินแดง or สนนา, this fragrant plant has journeyed from ancient village pharmacies to the frontiers of modern laboratory research, winning the attention of both traditional healers and biomedical scientists. But what is it about this small-leaved, aromatic herb that has kept it at the heart of Thai medicine chests? Can centuries-old beliefs withstand the rigorous test of modern science?

For generations, Thai wisdom keepers have regarded ส้มโอมือ (sôm o mue), or Citrus medica L.―known in English as ‘Buddha’s Hand’, citron, or ส้มมือ (sôm mue)—as a fragrant gift from nature, thriving across temple gardens, village fences, and the annals of ancient pharmacopeias. In an era where health-conscious readers yearn for authentic remedies grounded as much in heritage as in evidence, ส้มโอมือ shines as both a cultural artifact and a rising star of modern pharmacological research. Today, as science investigates the very compounds once praised by village healers, a fascinating convergence emerges: ancient Thai medicinal practices are increasingly gaining validation in the global scientific narrative.

For centuries, สีเสียดเทศ—known scientifically as Uncaria gambir—has been a trusted remedy in the apothecaries and homes throughout Southeast Asia. Revered in both Thai and wider Southeast Asian herbal traditions, it has historically served as a versatile medicinal ally, from soothing stomach complaints to tending to wounds. Today, สีเสียดเทศ’s transformation from regional folk remedy and trade commodity to a subject of modern pharmacological research reveals a vibrant intersection of culture, tradition, and science—one that offers intriguing prospects, but also calls for careful scrutiny and respect.

Nestled in the heart of Thai villages and lush herb gardens across Southeast Asia, the “หนาด” leaf—known scientifically as Blumea balsamifera—has quietly maintained its reputation as a household remedy for generations. Revered under a bouquet of local names such as คำพอง, หนาดหลวง, ผักชีช้าง, and พิมเสน, this member of the Asteraceae family is woven into the tapestry of Thai self-care traditions. But what does modern science say about the plant that grandmothers once crushed and applied to wounds, or steeped into herbal compresses for aches and pains? As the world rediscovers natural therapies, the story of หนาด is coming full circle—inviting health-conscious Thais to examine old beliefs with fresh scientific eyes.

In the landscape of Thai traditional medicine, few herbal remedies have achieved the enduring prominence of castor oil, or “ละหุ่ง.” Extracted from the seeds of Ricinus communis L., castor oil’s legacy spans centuries—pivoting from local wisdom to a remedy that has generated considerable interest among researchers and health enthusiasts in Thailand and around the world. As ancient applications increasingly intersect with medical science, castor oil emerges not only as a fascinating artifact of cultural heritage but also as a subject of rigorous pharmacological inquiry.

In kitchens across Thailand, black pepper is a ubiquitous spice that adds warmth and depth to a multitude of dishes. However, recent research highlights that its benefits extend beyond its culinary appeal. Regular consumption of black pepper, often overlooked, is linked to a host of health benefits, a revelation that’s gradually garnering attention in the scientific and health communities.

Black pepper’s allure lies not in its energy or macronutrient content—there’s little to show there—but rather in its richness in antioxidants and piperine, a powerful plant compound. The compound has been associated with significant health improvements, including better cholesterol levels, reduced inflammation, blood sugar regulation, and improved digestion.

Known in Thailand as “yaa yor” or “yobaan,” the fruit of Morinda citrifolia Linn. bridges centuries of folk tradition with new waves of scientific interest. Once scorned for its pungent aroma and dismissively dubbed the “vomit fruit,” this humble botanical—internationally recognized as noni or Indian mulberry—has roots deeply entwined with local healing wisdom and, increasingly, with modern research into health and disease. As Thailand’s appetite for natural wellness soars, understanding the true character, promise, and limits of yaa yor is as critical as it is fascinating.

In the vibrant tapestry of Thai traditional medicine, few plants captivate the imagination and curiosity of healers and researchers alike as much as ย่านางแดง (Yaanang Daeng), scientifically known as Bauhinia strychnifolia Craib. Revered for generations in rural villages and cited with mounting interest in cutting-edge biomedical studies, this scarlet-hued vine is emblematic of the enduring dialogue between ancient wisdom and contemporary science.

Yaanang Daeng has long been woven into daily life across the North and Northeast of Thailand, where local names such as “เครือขยัน” (the diligent vine) and “หญ้านางแดง” (red Yaanang grass) echo in folk stories and home remedies. Traditionally, its leaves, stems, and roots are believed to harbor detoxifying, anti-fever, and tonic properties, earning it a significant presence in classical Thai herbal texts and household apothecaries. Today, curiosity about the scientific underpinnings of these ancient claims drives researchers to unlock the biochemical secrets of this unassuming forest dweller.

Across the rice fields and riverbanks of Thailand’s Northeast, stories spin about a curious plant whose roots are as twisted as the folklore surrounding them. Known as “ปลาไหลเผือกน้อย” (pla lai phueak noi) or regionally as “เอี่ยนด่อน,” Eurycoma harmandiana Pierre has woven itself into the medicinal traditions of Thai and neighboring Lao communities for generations. Bearing a name that translates to “white eel” in local dialects—“เอียน” meaning eel and “ด่อน” denoting the white color—this small but potent shrub holds a revered place in Isan folk practice as a source of wellness, vitality, and resilience, cherished particularly for its powerful roots.