Many herbs and spices used in Thai cuisine have beneficial
medicinal
properties. Herewith some example .
"Phrik" in Thai Chilli is an erect, branched, shrub-like herb fruits
used as garnishing and flavouring in Thai dishes. There are many
different species. All contain capsaicin, a biologically active
ingredient beneficial to the repiratory system, blood pleasure and
heart. Other therapeutic uses include being a stomachic, carminative
and antiflatulence agent, and digestant.
(Cummin, Zeera) "Yi-ra" in Thai Cumin is a small shrubbery herb, the
fruit of which contains 2 to 4% volatile oil with a pungent odour, and
which is used as a flavouring and condiment. Cumin's therapeutic
properties manifest as a stomachic, bitter tonic, carminative,
stimulant and astringent.
"Kra-thiam" in Thai Garlic is an annual herbaceous plant with
underground bulbs comprising several cloves. Dried mature bulbs are
used as a flavouring and condiment in Thai cuisine. The bulbs contain
0.1 to 0.36% garlic oil and organic sulfur compounds. Therapeutic uses
are as antimicrobial, diaphoretic, diuretic, expectorant,
antiflatulence and cholesterol lowering agents.
"Khing" in Thai Ginger is an erect plant with thickened, fleshy and
aromatic rhizomes. Used in different forms as a food, flavouring and
spice, Ginger's rhizomes contain 1 to 2% volatile oil. Ginger's
therapeutic uses are as a carminative, antinauseant and antiflatulence
agent.
(False Galangal, Galangal) "Kha" in Thai Greater Galanga is an erect
annual plant with aromatic, ginger-like rhizomes, and commonly used in
Thai cooking as a flavouring. The approximately 0.04 volatile oil
content has therapeutic uses as carminative, stomachic, antirheumatic
and antimicrobial agents.
"Maeng-lak" in Thai Hoary Basil is an annual herbaceous plant with
slightly hairy and pale green leaves, eaten either raw or used as a
flavouring, and containing approximately 0.7% volatile oil.
Therapeutic benefits include the alleviation of cough symptoms, and as
diaphoretic and carminative agents.
(Leech Lime,Mauritus Papeda,Porcupine Orange Galangal) "Ma-krut" in
Thai The leaves, peel and juice of the Kaffir Lime are used as a
flavouring in Thai cuisine. The leaves and peel contain volatile oil.
The major therapeutic benefit of the juice is as an appetiser.
in Thai (No Common English Name) This erect annual plant with
aromatic rhizomes and yellow-brown roots, is used as a flavouring. The
rhizomes contain approximately 0.8% volatile oil. The plant has
stomachache relieving and antimicrobial properties, and therapeutic
benefits as an antitussive and antiflatulence agent.
(Lapine) "Ta-khrai" in Thai This erect annual plant resembles a coarse
grey-green grass. Fresh leaves and grass are used as flavouring.
Lemongrass contains 0.2-0.4 volatile oil. Therapeutic properties are
as a diurectic, emmanagogue, antiflatulence,antiflu and antimicrobial
agent.
(Common Lime) "Ma-nao" in Thai Lime is used principally as a garnish
for fish and meat dishes. The fruit contains Hesperidin and Naringin ,
scientifically proven antiinflammatory flavonoids. Lime juice is used
as an appetiser, and has antitussive, antiflu, stomachic and
antiscorbutic properties.
"Sa-ra-nae" in Thai The fresh leaves of this herbaceous plant are used
as a flavouring and eaten raw in Thai cuisine. Volatile oil contents
give the plant several therapeutic uses, including carminative, mild
antiseptic, local anaesthetic, diaphoretic and digestant properties.
"Phrik-Thai" in Thai Pepper is a branching, perennial climbing plant
from whose fruiting spikes both white and black pepper are obtained.
Used as a spice and condiment, Pepper contains 2 to 4% volatile oil.
Therapeutic uses are as carminative, antipyretic, diaphoretic and
diuretic agents.
(Holy Basil) "Ka-phrao" in Thai Sacred Basil is an annual herbaceous
plant that resembles Sweet Basil but has narrower and oftentimes
reddish-purple leaves. The fresh leaves, which are used as a
flavouring, contain approximately 0.5% volatile oil, which exhibits
antimicrobial activity, specifically as a carminative, diaphoretic,
expectorant and stomachic.
"Hom,Hom-lek,Hom-daeng"in Thai Shallots, or small red onions, are
annual herbaceous plants. Underground bulbs comprise garlic-like
cloves. Shallot bulbs contain volatile oil, and are used as flavouring
or seasoning agents. Therapeutic properties include the alleviation of
stomach discomfort, and as antihelmintic, antidiarrhoeal, expectorant,
antitussive, diuretic and antiflu agents.
(Common Basil) "Ho-ra-pha" in Thai Sweet Basil is an annual nerbaceous
plant, the fresh leaves of which are either eaten raw or used as a
flavouring in Thai cooking. Volatile oil content varies according to
different varieties. Therapeutic properties are as carminative,
diaphoretic, expectorant, digestant and stomachic agents.
(Curcuma,Indian Saffron,Yellow Root) "Kha-min" in Thai Turmeric is a
member of the ginger family, and provides yellow colouring for Thai
food. The rhizomes contain 3 to 4% volatile oil with unique aromatic
characteristics. Turmeric's therapeutic properties manifest as a
carminative, antiflatulence and stomachic.
Medical terms Antidiarrhoeal - An agent effective in combating
diarrhea. Antidysentry - Preventing, alleviating or curing dysentery.
Antiemetic (Antinauseant) - An agent preventing or alleviating nausea
or vomiting. Antihelmintic - An agent destructive to gastro-intestinal
tract parasites. Antiflatulence - Relieving or preventing excessive
amounts of gas or air in the stomach or intestine. Antiinflammatory -
Counteracting or suppressing inflammation. Antipyretic - Relieving or
reducing fever. Antiscorbutic - Effective in the relief or prevention
of scurvy. Antispasmodic - Relieving muscular spasms. Antistringent -
Causing usually local contractions after topical application.
Antitussive - Relieving or preventing coughing. Carminative -
Relieving flatulence. Diaphoretic - Pertaining to, characterised by,
or promoting perspiration. Digestant - Assisting or stimulating
digestion. Diuretic - Increasing the secretion of urine. Emmenagogue -
An agent or measure inducing menstruation. Expectorant - Promoting the
ejection, by spitting, of mucus or other fluids from the lungs and
trachea. Stomachic - A medicine promoting functional activities of the
stomach.