Medicinal plants in Thailand: Thai names and properties

Centella Asiatica or Gotu Kola, in Thai: Bow bok - บัวบก

The Centella asiatica is a brain tonic which stimulates intelligence and memory.
This plant helps to combat stressthe depression and improves reflexes.

The Thais drink it for its natural tonic properties and teenagers drink it to fight againstacne. You will find it sold by the bunch in markets and offered as a drink mixed with ice and sugar in many establishments.

You can find them at the best price on Iherb.

For more information see our article : Centella asiatica or Gotu kola: the herb of the Tiger

Ipomoea pes-caprae, Phak boung thale, against jellyfish stings

Nature does things well, to protect us from jellyfish stings, it puts an antidote plant right on the beach!

Ipomea, in Thai: Phak boung thale (ผักบุ้งทะเล) is a creeping vine that grows on most beaches in tropical regions.

Property

The decoction of the leaves is used against inflammations, rheumatism and cramps.

The crushed young leaves can be used to facilitate the extraction of sea urchin spines.

In many countries, Ipomoea pes-caprae is used as a remedy for inflammation, colic, gonorrhoea and pain.

Brazilian researchers have shown that the methanolic extract of the aerial parts has significant antinociceptive (pain-sensing) activity.

And the crushed leaf helps to soothe the pain caused by jellyfish stings.

For more information see our article :
Ipomoea pes-caprae, the liana against jellyfish stings

I learned about the use of this plant for jellyfish stings from Thai friends in Chantaburi.

And as if to remind me not to forget, that evening I met some tourists who told me that one of them had been stung while swimming and how the Thais had taken leaves from a plant on the beach, crushed them and applied them to his skin, which had the effect of quickly calming the pain.

Medicinal plants: Cissus Quadrangularis, for fractures and hemorrhoids

Cissus Quadrangularis (Pet Sang Kart in Thai) is a plant that is of great interest to researchers for its ability to accelerate the healing of broken bones.

In Thailand, the plant is known to treat haemorrhoids and to have the same effect as steroids!

Studies have shown that Cissus Quadrangularis accelerates bone healing, has analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities.

Other work indicates that it has a gastro-protective effect and may be useful in weight control.

Bodybuilders use it for its natural steroidal properties, which help to lose weight and build muscle.

You can find them at the best price on Iherb.

For more information see : www.nutranews.org

Personally, I have taken it to treat my migraines and it is effective!

And I was able to see the "natural steroidal" effect, because although I had not done any sport for some time, the fact of having taken it for 6 days made the volume of my muscles increase and I lost a little weight (easily visible because I am rather thin), but at the time, I only knew its properties for the bones and the venous problems and I wondered where it could come from!

The many benefits of papaya and papaya leaves

Papaya fruit

Papaya (malako in Thai) is not only a delicious fruit and the essential ingredient of Som TamThe seeds and leaves of the papaya tree are used to treat an impressive number of diseases, including the dengue fever that is causing so much damage in Thailand.

See : Dengue can be treated with papaya leaf juice!

Medicinal properties of papaya

General properties of papain

It is used to treat digestive problems because it is rich in proteolytic enzymesnecessary for digestion

The papain has beneficial effects in the healing process of wounds: Wounds, swelling, inflammation.

The latex extracted from the still green fruit is used for its antiparasitic properties.

The latex collected by incising the still green fruit is used to remove warts and corns.

Properties of the seeds

Liver health : Papaya seeds contain essential nutrients that help cure cirrhosis of the liver.

Kidney health : Researchers at the University of Karachi have found that Papaya seeds are beneficial for kidney health and to prevent kidney failure.

Anti-inflammatory properties : The seeds have anti-inflammatory properties and can be used to relieve arthritis, joint disease, pain and redness.

Anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties A small amount of Papaya seeds can kill harmful bacteria such as E. coli, Staphylococcus, and Salmonella.

They also help fight viral infections and are used as a remedy for dengue fever, typhoid fever, and many other diseases.

Anti-cancer properties :  Papaya seeds contain agents that prevent the growth of cancer cells and tumours.

Anti-parasite :  Papaya seeds contain an alkaloid called "Carpaine" which kills intestinal worms and amoebic parasites.

Natural contraceptive : Papaya seeds are excellent natural contraceptives for men and women, with no side effects, unlike chemical contraceptives which have many adverse effects with prolonged use.

Excess fat and sugar: Papaya seeds have the ability to prevent the body from absorbing too much fat and sugar, which speeds up the digestion process and contributes to weight loss.

You can find them in different forms on Iherb.

See all properties and dosages:

Papaya and its fruit, the papaya, use and medicinal properties

The many health benefits of jackfruit

A fruit used by vegetarians to replace meat!

Jaque (jackfruit) in Thai: Ka Noun, ขนุน

 The jackfruit is an oval-shaped fruit, covered with small spikes, with white or yellow flesh that is very sticky and edible seeds that taste like starch and are slightly sweet.

This exotic fruit is full of vitamins, minerals, fibre and energy.

It is eaten cooked (roasted or boiled), it can also be found in tins and in the form of food supplements.

It is used in some traditional dishes and its starch content allows it to be used in flour.

Warning: I never got confirmation, but I was told that it is not recommended to eat it if you have consumed alcohol, as with durian, see here :
Durian becomes deadly with alcohol!

Very rich in B vitamins

The jackfruit alone is a mine of B vitamins (found in few fruits) with a high complex of components such as pyridoxine (active form of vitamin B6), niacin (vitamin B3), riboflavin (vitamin B2) and folic acid (vitamin B9).

To fill up on energy

It is ideal for giving a boost to tired or sick bodies.

It provides 95 calories per 100 g with little saturated fat and almost no trace of cholesterol.

It is also a super fruit that keeps viruses and bacteria at bay and protects our body against infections.

Its consumption helps our body to function properly and strengthens our immune system.

It is a significant source of potassium and magnesium, not to mention iron, which helps to combat the risk of anaemia.

Jackfruit, a heart-healthy fruit

Its combination of minerals and vitamins (manganese, magnesium, iron, potassium, calcium) are involved in the preservation of our cells and control the heart rate and blood pressure.

In addition, calcium promotes good blood clotting and keeps bones strong.

An ally for the digestive system

Jackfruit is very rich in fibre, which makes it a natural dressing to protect the colon from polluting waste.

On the one hand, it facilitates digestion with its high fibre content.

On the other hand, it prevents the risk of stomach ulcers and plays a role in intestinal problems such as diarrhoea.

A tip: a decoction of jackfruit bark is ideal for effectively stopping diarrhoea.

A natural remedy for some cancers?

Studies have shown that jackfruit prevents the risk of colon cancer and helps to protect against other infectious diseases.

Nutrients in jackfruit such as lignans, isoflavones, phytonutrients and saponins protect against the free radicals involved in cancer cell formation.

The Jacquier, to stay young

The anti-oxidants in jackfruit protect our cells and DNA from the effects of free radicals.

"It is therefore a good way to maintain our youth capital.

Source: femininbio.com, photo : Jacquier fruits: Mullookkaaran; Jaques: Logga Wiggler

Mango, mango and mango leaves against diabetes

Thai name: ma mouang
The tree: tone ma mouang
The fruit: louk ma mouang

Mango juice: nam ma mouang

 The many medicinal properties of the mango tree, its fruit, bark and leaves.

Ripe or Thai style mango, green and acidic, is very rich in vitamin C.

The bark is used to treat diarrhoea, burns and wounds.

But it is in the young leaves of the mango tree that we find the most interesting element to treat a wide variety of health problems, such as diabetes, fever, bronchitis, asthma, cough, stress, anxiety...

To discover all the benefits of the mango tree, see our article :
The medicinal properties of the mango tree

Galanga, a rhizome with digestive, aphrodisiac and antiseptic properties

Galanga rhizome

Thai name : Kha (ข่า)

Galanga is a rhizome plant of the Zingiberaceae family like ginger, used mainly for its aphrodisiac, digestive and antiseptic properties.

Zoological Name: Alpinia officinarum

It is a rhizome often used in Thai cuisine as for Tom Kha Kai, see :
Recipe for Tom Kha Kai, chicken soup with lemon coconut milk

Medicinal properties

Galanga is traditionally used in Asia for its aphrodisiac properties.

The rhizome is also valued for its antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory properties (fights against involuntary contractions and inflammations).

It is often used to treat digestive disorders (stomach heaviness, slow digestion) and to stimulate the appetite.

Galangal is also a good antiseptic.

It is used in the composition of Fioravanti alcoholate, a remedy that is effective against skin infections (including scalp infections) and irritations.

Some dentists recommend galangal to soothe toothache.

Finally, its anti-tumour action is currently the subject of several studies.

Honey to heal wounds

A few years ago, I had a motorbike accident while riding down the road to Pai à Chiang Mai in the rain and I got a pretty deep wound.

I followed the "modern" protocol to clean the wound, alcohol, betadine and a bandage but the wound did not heal, every day there was pus and it was painful.

And at that time I was reading Christian Jack's novels about Egypt where he said that the Egyptians used honey to heal wounds in wars.

So, as the wound hadn't changed after a week, I tried it, cleaned the wound with alcohol and put honey in the bandage before sticking it on.

And the next day I was really surprised, the wound was clean, without pus and well on the way to recovery, a real miracle!

I put honey back on without cleaning because there was new skin and the next day I removed the bandage, the wound was well closed!

After that there are different qualities of honey in Thailand, but in all Seven Eleven you can find very good quality honey related to the royal projects (picture), this is the one I used.

Some time later and for another smaller wound, I had used cheap honey and it took longer for the wound to close, so quality matters.