Ya-Ha-Rak: Thailand’s Five Roots Remedy Bridges Tradition and Modern Medicine
Ya-Ha-Rak, known as the Five Roots Remedy, sits at the crossroads of heritage and evidence-based health care in Thailand. Once a household remedy for fever and inflammation, it is now the focus of scientific inquiry by Thai universities and the Ministry of Public Health. The aim is clear: understand traditional wisdom through rigorous research while prioritizing patient safety.
Ya-Ha-Rak translates to “remedy of five roots.” It blends equal parts of five native plants: Ma-kham Pong (Capparis micracantha), Nang Kwai (Clerodendrum petasites), Ma Duea (Ficus racemosa), Ka-Chuean (Harrisonia perforata), and Yanang (Tiliacora triandra). Healers historically prepared a decoction to ease fever, malaria-like symptoms, and general malaise. The formula earned a reputation for “cooling the body” during times when modern medicines were scarce.