An Analysis of Thai Traditional Herbs in the Palm-Leaf Manuscript

Abstract

This article attempted to present the analytical findings of Thai traditional herbs as described in 12 pieces of the transliterated Isan palm-leaf manuscripts in which it was indicated that there were: 1) 3,928 herb matters or counted as 77% in which the most often used ones were sugar cane, rice, ginger, Bai-ya-nang, Chan Daeng (Red Sandal Wood), chili, garlic, Mo noi, Ya nang root, and cumin; 2) 496 animal matters or counted as 10% including snake’s galls, antler, vulture’s bone, horn and tusk, spider’s molt, tiger’s fang, earthworm, deer’s and serow’s antler; 3) 107 mineral matter or counted as 2% including salt, ash, tin, stalactite, sulphur, Khee Nok Hatsadiling, rust, gold, and alum; 4) 453 adjuvants or counted as 9% including spirit, Nam Pang Ka, lime juice, honey, sesame oil, saliva, milk, rice water, earthworm juice, and runoff; 5) 18 types of fungus or counted as 0% consisting of swamp lichen, buffalo dung mushroom, Thai Phellinus mushroom (Hed Pi Man), chitosan, Hed Kham, inky cap mushroom, Thai parasol mushroom, Hed Chawak, and bamboo mushroom; and 6) 94 uncategorized items or counted as 2% consisting of Tok Kiw Sai, dry stools, Tok Kiw Khwa, Pom Yung, pile of poop, the leftovers of betel nut chewing, Fuang Lai Som Kam, Look Khun Dai, toenail, and plowshare Keywords: pharmacopoeia, Isan Herbs, Pharmaceutical Matters, Palm-Leaf, Local Wisdom