Thai Traditional Medicine
A system rooted in Buddhist principles, blending herbal medicine, massage, and spiritual healing practices.
Southeast Asia
History & Philosophy
Origins
Thai traditional medicine developed within Buddhist temple culture, with Bangkok's Wat Pho temple serving historically as a major center for medical teaching and the inscription of healing knowledge onto its temple walls.
Core philosophy
The tradition treats herbal medicine, bodywork, and spiritual practice as inseparable parts of the same healing framework, reflecting Buddhist principles about the interconnection of body and mind.
Practiced today
Thai traditional medicine — including traditional Thai massage (nuad thai), herbal formulas, and steam therapy — is formally recognized by Thailand's Ministry of Public Health and practiced in dedicated traditional medicine hospitals alongside conventional care.
Herbs, foods & remedies
93 herbs traditionally used within Thai Traditional Medicine — most often for Digestive Issues, Fever, Skin Health.
Acacia (Som Poi)
Acacia concinna
Acanthus (Nang Lae)
Acanthus ebracteatus
Aegle Marmelos (Ma Tum)
Aegle marmelos
Aegle Marmelos (Tum)
Aegle marmelos
Alocasia (Bon)
Alocasia macrorrhizos
Aloe Vera (Wan Hang Chorakhe)
Aloe vera
Andrographis (Fah Talai Jone)
Andrographis paniculata
Asiatic Pennywort (Bua Bok)
Centella asiatica
Averrhoa (Mafueang)
Averrhoa carambola
Bael Fruit (Ma Tum)
Aegle marmelos
Barringtonia (Jethi Mun)
Barringtonia acutangula
Benincasa (Fak)
Benincasa hispida
Bitter Gourd (Ma Ra)
Momordica charantia
Blue Ginger (Krachai)
Boesenbergia rotunda
Brucea Javanica (Sa Mo Phigeon)
Brucea javanica
Butterfly Pea (Anchan)
Clitoria ternatea
Calophyllum (Saraphi)
Calophyllum inophyllum
Camphor Basil (Maeng Lak)
Ocimum canum
Cardamom (Krawan)
Elettaria cardamomum
Cassia (Khi Lek)
Senna alata
Cassia Fistula (Khun)
Cassia fistula
Cassumunar (Phlai)
Zingiber cassumunar
Chili (Phrik)
Capsicum annuum
Chrysanthemum (Mak Tho)
Chrysanthemum indicum
Cinnamon (Op Choey)
Cinnamomum verum
Citrus Hystrix (Ma Krut)
Citrus hystrix
Clinacanthus (Phaya Yo)
Clinacanthus nutans
Clitoria (Anchan)
Clitoria ternatea
Clove (Khan Plu)
Syzygium aromaticum
Coriander (Phak Chi)
Coriandrum sativum
Costus (Che Pham)
Costus speciosus
Curcuma (Kha Min Oi)
Curcuma zedoaria
Curcuma Aeruginosa (Wan Nam)
Curcuma aeruginosa
Custard Apple (Noi Na)
Annona squamosa
Elephantopus (Phak Kat Narok)
Elephantopus scaber
Eryngium (Phak Chi Farang)
Eryngium foetidum
Ficus (Duea)
Ficus racemosa
Galangal (Kha)
Alpinia galanga
Garcinia (Ma Khong)
Garcinia cambogia
Ginger (Khing)
Zingiber officinale
Showing the first 40 of 93 — use “See all” above for the full, filterable list.