Thai Herbal

Thai Herbal

Amid the long-standing wisdom of traditional Thai medicine, herbal remedies have always played a central role in caring for people’s health. One herb that stands out and has been widely used both internally and externally is Phlai. This traditional medicinal plant is well known for its properties in relieving pain, reducing inflammation, and supporting musculoskeletal recovery. With its recognized value in classical Thai medical texts as well as modern research, Phlai continues to be an important and popular herb, consistently applied in contemporary health and wellness practices.

Herb Name : Plai

Active ingredients: Rhizome. The important bioactive compounds in the rhizome of Zingiber cassumunar include (E)-1-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl) butadiene (DMPBD), curcumin, curcuminoids such as cassumunarins, and essential oils such as sabinene, terpinene, and terpinen-4-ol. These important compounds have anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antifungal, antibacterial, local anesthetic, and antihistamine properties, among others, leading to diverse medicinal uses of Zingiber cassumunar rhizome.

Properties and Traditional Uses : 
           According to traditional Thai Medicine : the rhizome is used to eliminate stagnant or impure blood and to regulate menstruation. It is indicated for bruises, sprains, swelling, and flatulence. It helps relieve abdominal discomfort, colic, dysentery with mucus and blood, and constipation. It promotes wound healing and alleviates muscle aches and joint pain, including ankle sprains.

It is also commonly used in postnatal herbal baths to relieve muscle soreness, sprains, bruising, inflammation, muscle tension, and pain.

Clinical Procedures at G Wellness Clinic Utilizing Plai Herbal Treatment:
Oil Retention Therapy and Herbal Heat Therapy (Herbal Burning Therapy)

Oil Retention Therapy is a therapeutic procedure used in traditional Thai medicine for the treatment of musculoskeletal conditions. It is effective in relieving and alleviating pain. The warmth from the heated medicated oil promotes muscle relaxation by stimulating peripheral sensory nerves and encouraging vasodilation, thereby enhancing blood circulation in the affected area.

Additionally, the medicated oil penetrates the skin and underlying tissues directly at the site of discomfort, helping to reduce muscle and joint tension. This contributes to the relief of pain, swelling, and inflammation.

Herbal Heat Therapy (Herbal Burning Therapy) is a traditional Thai medical practice aimed at enhancing the body’s “fire element.” It is used to relieve symptoms such as bloating, flatulence, abdominal discomfort, menstrual pain, and chronic muscle pain.

The procedure involves placing warming medicinal herbs on the abdomen or the affected area, then carefully igniting them over a protective cloth layer to generate therapeutic heat. This process helps disperse trapped wind in the body and promotes improved blood circulation.

เอกสารอ้างอิง:

ฐานข้อมูลเครื่องยาไทย คณะเภสัชศาสตร์ มหาวิทยาลัยอุบลราชธานี. ไพล, [ออนไลน์]. 2026, แหล่งที่มา: https://phar.ubu.ac.th/herb-DetailThaicrudedrug/96, [11 ก.พ. 2569]. 

ฐานข้อมูลสมุนไพรไทยเขตอีสานใต้ คณะเภสัชศาสตร์ มหาวิทยาลัยอุบลราชธานี. ไพล, [ออนไลน์]. 2026, แหล่งที่มา: https://phar.ubu.ac.th/herb-DetailPhargarden/192, [11 ก.พ. 2569]. 

หัตถการกักน้ำมันร้อน (Oil poultice) ทางการแพทย์แผนไทย คณะการแพทย์แผนไทย มหาวิทยาลัยสงขลานครินทร์ , [ออนไลน์].2026, แหล่งที่มา: https://www.ttmed.psu.ac.th/th/blog/325,[11 ก.พ. 2569]