Where to Purchase Thai Herbs
While one is not likely to find a medicinal Thai herb shop in countries outside Thailand, many edible Thai herbs that have both culinary and medicinal uses can be found in Asian grocery stores in Western countries. In addition, there are many medicinal Thai herbs that can easily be found in Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine supply shops. In addition to these possibilities, when looking for Thai herbs you may try the following suppliers. Please note that we do not guarantee quality of product or service.
THE NAGA CENTER SCHOOL OF TRADITIONAL THAI MASSAGE AND MEDICINE
United States
www.nagacenter.org
Makes small-batch traditional Thai herbal formulas (with magic).
THAI-HERBS.COM
United States
www.Thai-Herbs.com
Sells Thai herbal compresses as well as bulk herb mix for making your own compresses.
THANYAPORN HERBS
Bangkok, Thailand.
www.thanyaporn.com
Sells many medicinal Thai herbs in capsules and teas. Ships internationally. Most likely it will not say this on the packaging, but generally capsules in Thailand are made from rice, and are therefore vegetarian and vegan friendly.
RAKSA HERBS
Bangkok, Thailand
www.raksaherbs.com
Sells Thai herbal compresses. Ships internationally.
BIO THAI NATURAL PRODUCTS
Italy
www.biothai.it
Primarily sells spa products, but is one of the few European retailers that has Thai herbal compresses and some herbal formulas.
Where to Study Thai Herbal Medicine
A dedicated student may be able to find practitioners in Thailand who will share some formulas or other teachings (especially if the students speaks Thai, or comes with a translator), but this will take effort. A comprehensive program in Thai herbal medicine remains difficult to find if one does not speak Thai fluently.
THE NAGA CENTER SCHOOL OF TRADITIONAL THAI MASSAGE AND MEDICINE
Portland, Oregon, United States
www.nagacenter.org
At present, the Naga Center offers the only in-depth and hands-on curriculum in Thai herbal medicine that we know of in the English language.
Where to Study Thai Herbal Compress Massage
The branch of TTM that is most accessible to non-Thais is the bodywork. Thai massage schools that cater to travelers in Thailand are abundant and easily found with a quick online search. Many such schools include instruction in herbal compress massage. We have listed a few below that are known to place extra emphasis on this practice. The schools and teachers listed here are ones that, at the time of this writing, we know to integrate Thai herbal compress massage into the larger practice and theory of TTM.
BODYMIND THAI
Newington, Connecticut, United States
www.bodymindthai.com
ESCUELA NUAD THAI
Buenos Aires, Argentina
www.escuelanuadthai.com.ar
THE NAGA CENTER SCHOOL OF TRADITIONAL THAI MASSAGE AND MEDICINE
Portland, Oregon, United States
www.nagacenter.org
SACRED ASIA SCHOOL OF ANCIENT THAI MASSAGE
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
www.ancientthaimassage.ca
SCHOOL OF THAI HEALING ARTS (SOTHA)
Rome, Italy
www.learnthaimassage.org
SHIVAGO THAI SCHOOL OF TRADITIONAL THAI THERAPY
Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
www.shivagothaischool.com
THAI MASSAGE SCHOOL OF THAILAND
Chiang Mai, Thailand
www.tmcschool.com
Index by Common Thai Name
This index lists the common thai names of the medicinal substances described in Chapter 6 of this book, with both systems of transcription. Refer to the index of common English names above to find them in the book.
an-chan see butterfly pea
anchan see butterfly pea
bai dtoie see pandanus
bai toei see pandanus
bayn-jà-mâat see chrysanthemum
benchamat see chrysanthemum
bor rá pét see guduchi
boraphet see guduchi
buabok see asiatic pennywort
bua-bòk see asiatic pennywort
bua luang see lotus
bua-lŭang see lotus
chá aym tâyt see licorice
cha khiao see green tea
cha phlu see wild pepper leaf
chá pluu see wild pepper leaf
chaa kĭeow see green tea
cha-em thet see licorice
champa see champaca
chan paet klip see star anise
chan thet see sandalwood tree
chee fà-ràng see culantro
chetta mun phloeng see plumbago
chi farang see culantro
chum hèt tai see foetid cassia
chum-hèt-tâyt see candelabra bush
chumhet Thai see foetid cassia
chumhet thet see candelabra bush
dee bplee see long pepper
di pli see long pepper
din-sŏr phong see white clay
dinsophong see white clay
dòk-jan see mace
dòk kam fŏi see safflower
dok khamfoi see safflower
dokchan see mace
dong deung see gloriosa lily
dongdueng see gloriosa lily
dtà-krái see lemongrass
dtam-leung see ivy gourd
dtôn fìn see opium poppy
dtôn kwí-nin see chinchona
dtôn mòn see mulberry
fà-ràng see guava
fa thalai chon see andrographis
fáa-tá-laai-john see andrographis
fák tong see pumpkin
fakthong see pumpkin
farang see guava
gà-teu see zerumbet ginger
gaa-rá-buun see camphor
gaan phluu see clove
gam má tăn see sulfur
gam-yaan see myrrh
gan chaa see marijuana
gleua sà-mùt see sea salt
glûay see banana
gòht chiang see angelica
gòht grà-dùuk see costus root
got hŭa bua see sichuan lovage
grà chaai see finger root
grà-dang-ngaa see ylang ylang
grà-dùuk gài see chicken bone
grà jíap see roselle
grà tiam see garlic
grà-waan see cardamom
gràprao see basil
grèt sà-rá-nàe see menthol
gù-làap-mon see damask rose
hà-nú-maan bprà-săan gaai see hanuman prasan kai
haeo mu see nutgrass
hâew mŏo see nutgrass
hanuman prasan kai see hanuman prasan kai
hŏi naang rom see oyster shell
hoi nangrom see oyster shell
hom daeng see shallot
hŏm daeng see shallot
hŏm gài see chicken bone
hom kai see chicken bone
hom see onion
hŏm see onion
in-tá-nin nám see crepe myrtle
inthaninnam see crepe myrtle
jam-bpaa see champaca
jan bpàet glèep see star anise
jan tâyt see sandalwood tree
jàyt moon plerng see plumbago
kà-mîn see turmeric
kà-mîn ôi see zedoary
kà-nŭn see jackfruit
kàa see galangal
kâao see rice
kammathan see sulfur
kamyan see myrrh
kancha see marijuana
kanphlu see clove
karabun see camphor
kathue see zerumbet ginger
kha see galangal
khamin see turmeric
khamin-oi see zedoary
khanun see jackfruit
khao see rice
khing see ginger
khun see golden shower
khuun see golden shower
kĭng see ginger
kluay see banana
kluea samut see sea salt
kot chiang see angelica
kot hua bua see sichuan lovage
kot kraduk see costus root
krachai see finger root
krachiap see roselle
kradangnga see ylang ylang
kraduk kai see chicken bone
kraphrao see basil
krathiam see garlic
krawan see cardamom
kret saranae see menthol
kulap mon see damask rose
lá-hùng see castor oil plant
lahung see castor oil plant
lam yai see longan
lamyai see longan
lép meu naang see rangoon creeper
lepmuenang see rangoon creeper
luk chan see nutmeg
luk tai bai see stonebreaker
lûuk-dtâi-bai see stonebreaker
lùuk jan see nutmeg
má-gleua see ebony tree
má grùut see kaffir lime
má-kăam-bpôm see amalaki
má-dtoom see bael
má-hăa-hĭng see asafoetida
má-kăam kàek see senna
má kăam see tamarind
má-kam-dee-kwaai see soap nut
má lá gor see papaya
má-lí see jasmine
má-mûang see mango
má naao see lime
ma phráao see coconut
má-rá kiî nók see bitter gourd
má rum see moringa
má yom see otaheite gooseberry
màak pûu màak mia see ti plant
mahahing see asafoetida
makham khaek see senna
makham pom see amalaki
makham see tamarind
makhamdikhwai see soap nut
makluea see ebony tree
makphumakmia see ti plant
makrut see kaffir lime
malako see papaya
mali see jasmine
mamuang see mango
manao see lime
mang kút see mangosteen
mangkhut see mangosteen
maphrao see coconut
mara khi nok see bitter gourd
marum see moringa
matum see bael
mayom see otaheite gooseberry
nám pêung see honey
nám-dtaan bpèuk see palm sugar
nam phueng see honey
namtan puek see palm sugar
nga see sesame seeds
ngaa see sesame seeds
ngèuak bplaa mŏr see sea holly
ngueak pla mo see sea holly
nói nàa see sugar apple
noina see sugar apple
nom see milk
oi see sugar cane
ôi see sugar cane
op-choie see cinnamon
opchoei see cinnamon
pá-yaa yor see snake grass
pàk-bûng see morning glory
phak bung see morning glory
pàk-bûng-tá-lay see railroad vine
phak bungthale see railroad vine
pàk grà chàyt see water mimosa
pàk krâat hŭa waen see paracress
phàk-chee see coriander
phak chi see coriander
phak khrat hua waen see paracress
phak krachet see water mimosa
phaya yo see snake grass
phimsen see borneol
phlai see cassumunar ginger
phlu see betel leaf
phluu see betel leaf
phrik khi nu see mouse pepper
phrik thai dam see black pepper
pim-săyn see borneol
plai see cassumunar ginger
prík-kêe-nŭu see mouse pepper
prík tai dam see black pepper
raang jèut see purple allamanda
rak yai see lacquer tree
rák yài see lacquer tree
rangchuet see purple allamanda
sà-dao see neem
sà-mŏr-pí-pâyk see bibhitaki
sà-mŏr-tai see haritaki
sà-rá-nàe see mint
săan sôm see alum powder
sadao see neem
sàkáan see sakaan
sakhan see sakaan
samo phiphek see bibhitaki
samo thai see haritaki
sansom see alum powder
sàp-bpà-rót see pineapple
sapparot see pineapple
saranae see mint
sôm kàek see garcinia
som khaek see garcinia
som o see pomelo
sôm oh see pomelo
takhrai see lemongrass
tamlueng see ivy gourd
tăo en òn see wax-leaved climber
táp tim see pomegranate
thao en-on see wax-leaved climber
thapthim see pomegranate
thian khao plueak see fennel
thian sattabut see anise
thianban see garden balsam
thong phan chang see snake jasmine
thurian see durian
tian bâan see garden balsam
tian ging see henna
tian-kâao-bplèuak see fennel
tian king see henna
tian sàt dtà-bùt see anise
ton fin see opium poppy
ton khwinin see chinchona
ton mon see mulberry
tong-pan-châng see snake jasmine
tú rian see durian
wâan hăang jor-rá-kây see aloe
wâan nám see calamus
wan hang chorakhe see aloe
wan nam see calamus
ya en yuet see plantain
ya kha see woolly grass
ya nuat maeo see cat’s whisker
yaa en yêut see plantain
yâa fà-ràn see saffron
yâa-kaa see woolly grass
yâa naang see yanaang
yaâ nùat-maew see cat’s whisker
yafaran see saffron
yanang see yanaang
yo see noni
yor see noni
Index by Latin Name
This index lists the Latin botanical names of the medicinal substances described in Chapter 6 of this book. Refer to the index of common English names above to find them in the book.
Acanthus ebracteatus see sea holly
Acmella oleracea see paracress
Acorus calamus see calamus
Aegle marmelos see bael
Allium cepa see onion
Allium cepa var. aggregatum see shallot
Allium sativum see garlic
Aloe barbadensis see aloe
Aloe vera see aloe
Alpinia galanga see galangal
Amomum testaceum see cardamom
Ananas comosus see pineapple
Andrographis paniculata see andrographis
Angelica sinensis see angelica
Annona squamosa see sugar apple
Apis spp. see honey
Artocarpus heterophyllus see jackfruit
Azadirachta indica see neem
Boesenbergia rotunda see finger root
Borassus flabellifer see palm sugar
Camelia sinensis see green tea
Canaga odorata see ylang ylang
Cannibis sativa see marijuana
Capiscum frutescens see mouse pepper
Carica papaya see papaya
Carthamus tinctorius see safflower
Cassia acutifolia see senna
Cassia alata see candelabra bush
Cassia fistula see golden shower
Cassia tora see foetid cassia
Centella Asiatica see asiatic pennywort
Chloranthus erectus see chicken bone
Chrysanthemum morifolium see chrysanthemum
Cinchona calisaya see chinchona
Cinnamomum camphora see camphor
Cinnamomum spp. see cinnamon
Citrus aurantifolia see lime
Citrus hystix see kaffir lime
Citrus maxima see pomelo
Clinacanthus nutans see snake grass
Clitoria ternatea see butterfly pea
Coccinia grandis see ivy gourd
Cocos nucifera see coconut
Commiphora myrrha see myrrh
Cordyline fruticosa see ti plant
Coriandrum sativum see coriander
Crocus sativus see saffron
Cryptolepis buchanani see wax-leaved climber
Cucurbita maxima see pumpkin
Cucurbita moschata see pumpkin
Curcuma longa see turmeric
Curcumin zedoaria see zedoary
Cymbopogon citratus see lemongrass
Cyperus rotundus see nutgrass
Dimocarpus longan see longan
Diospyros mollis see ebony tree
Durio zibethinus see durian
Eryngium foetidum see culantro
Ferula assafoetida see asafoetida
Foeniculum vulgare see fennel
Garcinia cambogia see garcinia
Garcinia mangostana see mangosteen
Gloriosa superba see gloriosa lily
Glycyrrhiza glabra see licorice
Hibiscus sabdariffa see roselle
Illicium verum see star anise
Impatiens balsamina see garden balsam
Imperata cylindrica see woolly grass
Ipomoea aquatica see morning glory
Ipomoea pes-caprae see railroad vine
Jasminum spp. see jasmine
Lagerstroemia speciosa see crepe myrtle
Lawsonia inermis see henna
Ligusticum wallichii see sichuan lovage
Mangifera india see mango
Melanorrhoea usitata see lacquer tree
Mentha spp. see menthol
Mentha spp. see mint
Michelia champaca see champaca
Momordica charantia see bitter gourd
Morinda citrifolia see noni
Moringa oleifera see moringa
Morus alba see mulberry
Musa spp. see banana
Myristica fragrans see mace
Myristica fragrans see nutmeg
Nelumbo nucifera see lotus
Neptunia oleracea see water mimosa
Ocimum tenuiflorum see basil
Orthosiphon aristatus see cat’s whisker
Oryza sativa see rice
Pandanus amaryllifolius see pandanus
Papaver somniferum see opium poppy
Phyllanthus acidus see otaheite gooseberry
Phyllanthus emblica see amalaki
Pimpinella anisum see anise
Piper betel see betel leaf
Piper interruptum see sakaan
Piper longum see long pepper
Piper nigrum see black pepper
Piper sarmentosum see wild pepper leaf
Plantago spp. see plantain
Plumbago spp. see plumbago
Potassium aluminium sulfate see alum powder
Psidium guajava see guava
Punica granatum see pomegranate
Pyllanthus niruri see stonebreaker
Quisqualis indica see rangoon creeper
Rhinacanthus nasutus see snake jasmine
Ricinus communis see castor oil plant
Rosa damascena see damask rose
Saccharum officinarum see sugar cane
Santalum album see sandalwood tree
Sapindus rarak see soap nut
Saussurea lappa see costus root
Schefflera leucantha see hanuman prasan kai
Sesamum indicum see sesame seeds
Syzgium aromaticum see clove
Tamarindus indica see tamarind
Terminalia belerica see bibhitaki
Terminalia chebula see haritaki
Thunbergia laurifolia see purple allamanda
Tilacora triandra see yanaang
Tinospora crispa see guduchi
Zingiber cassumunar see cassumunar ginger
Zingiber officinale see ginger
Zingiber zerumbet see zerumbet ginger
Index by Taste
The medicinal tastes are discussed in detail in Chapter 2, and are mentioned repeatedly throughout the book. This index lists medicinal substances by their tastes. Refer to the index of common English names above to find them in the book.
Aromatic Pungent: angelica, anise, borneol, cardamom, cinnamon, clove, coriander, costus root, fennel, lemongrass, mint, nutgrass, nutmeg, star anise
Astringent: alum, amalaki, bael, banana, bibhitaki, cassumunar ginger, coriander, culantro, durian, ebony tree, green tea, guava, haritaki, hanuman prasan kai, henna, honey, lacquer, lotus, mango, mangosteen, myrrh, nutmeg, papaya, pomegranate, tamarind, turmeric, zedoary
Bitter: aloe, amalaki, andrographis, asiatic pennywort, basil, bitter gourd, borneol, calamus, candelabra bush, champaca, chinchona, coriander, crepe myrtle, culantro, durian, finger root, foetid cassia, galangal, golden shower, guduchi, haritaki, hanuman prasan kai, jasckfruit, jasmine, long pepper, moringa, need, papaya, sandalwood, sesame, soap nut, stonebreaker, sugar cane, turmeric, wax-leaved climber, yanaang, zerumbet ginger
Chum: angelica, asafoetida, durian, garden balsam, moringa
Cooling: aloe, borneol, butterfly pea, chrysanthemum, guduchi, ivy gourd, mangosteen, mulberry, pineapple, plantain, railroad vine, snake grass, ti plant, water mimosa, white clay
Fragrant/Cool: angelica, champaca, chrysanthemum, coriander, damask rose, jasmine, kaffir lime, lotus, menthol, myrrh, pandanus, pomelo, rangoon creeper, saffron, sandalwood, sichuan lovage, ylang ylang
Heating: anise, asafoetida, bael, black pepper, calamus, camphor, cassumunar ginger, castor oil plant, durian, ebony tree, gloriosa lilly, honey, mango, moringa, mouse pepper, noni, plumbago, rangoon creeper, safflower, sakaan, sea holly, shallot, tamarind
Mild: angelica, cinnamon, costus root, sichuan lovage
Oily: banana, coconut, costus root, jackfruit, lotus, milk, moringa, pumpkin, rangoon creeper, rice, sesame, sichuan lovage, sugar apple, ti plant
Pra: camphor, henna
Salty: coconut, oyster shell, sea holly, sea salt
Sour: alum, amalaki, bibhitaki, garcinia, golden shower, haritaki, kaffir, lime, mango, mulberry, otaheite gooseberry, papaya, pineapple, pomegranate, roselle, senna, tamarind
Spicy/Hot: basil, black pepper, clove, durian, finger root, galangal, garlic, ginger, hanuman prasan kai, long pepper, mace, moringa, mouse pepper, onion, sakaan, wild pepper leaf, zedoary, see also Aromatic Pungent
Sweet: anise, bael, banana, basil, bibhitaki, coconut, coriander, culantro, durian, fennel, ginger, golden shower, honey, jackfruit, licorice, longan, mango, mangosteen, milk, moringa, mulberry, palm sugar, papaya, pineapple, plantain, pomegranate, pumpkin, rice, safflower, senna, sesame, sugar cane, wax-leaved climber, woolly grass
Tasteless: cat’s whisker, moringa, morning glory, mulberry, purple allamanda, snake grass, ti plant, water mimosa, yanaang
Toxic: betel, camphor, candelabra bush, cassumunar ginger, foetid cassia, gloriosa lilly, marijuana, opium poppy, paracress, pomegranate, rangoon creeper, snake jasmine, sugar apple, sulfur