The turbulent times of the Covid-19 pandemic have turn out to be a potent catalyst for the growing popularity of Traditional Thai Medicine (TTM), which finds its roots firmly intertwined with various features of Thai tradition, ranging from spiritual practices to local delicacies. This newfound acceptance of TTM as a basic material of Thai identification has emerged in the wake of the pandemic.
Traditional medication in Thailand, recognized for the utilisation of a broad spectrum of indigenous herbs, has seen a staggering surge in utilization, as evidenced by the twentieth National Herbs Expo hosted by the Ministry of Public Health. Spanning five days, from June 28 to July 2, this occasion offered a platform for energetic dialogue amongst professionals in the area, budding entrepreneurs, and guests keenly fascinated in the mystique of TTM.
Thai traditional medication was primarily perceived as a dietary complement before Covid. However, the lockdown-triggered medicine scarcity transformed this notion, driving a significant shift towards the acceptance of traditional treatments, noted Pakakrong Kwankhao, head of the Thai Traditional and Herbal Medicine Centre at Chao Phya Abhaibhubejhr Hospital. Moreover, the success of natural remedies in combating Covid led to a rise in youthful demographics turning to Thai conventional medicine.
According to Dark of the Thai Traditional Medicine Foundation, TTM is synonymous with comfort. There aren’t any hospital visits requisite, nor prescriptions from doctors necessary to avail these therapies.
“Although the efficacy may be decrease, it is friendlier to health.”
In mild of the market shift in direction of natural treatments, companies like Herbal One have observed that their client base, primarily people above the age of 30, is beginning to recognise the value of these pure alternate options.
Traditional Thai cures additionally prolong beyond the ingestion of herbs. Jua Inthan, a conventional therapeutic massage therapist, advocates massage therapy utilizing luk prakob, or herbal compress ball. The herbs in the luk prakob, believed to stimulate blood circulation, are steamed and seep into the skin in the course of the massage.
However, because the consumer base of Thai traditional drugs grows, so do the questions on efficacy and safety round these remedies. Critics argue that much of the knowledge surrounding Thai traditional drugs is anecdotal, rooted in practitioner expertise and historic information, quite than grounded in scientific proof.
Four a long time in the past, natural medical doctors comprised a mere 2 to 3% of medical professionals, with the majority being practitioners of standard Western medicine, recalled Dr Pakakrong. Herbs have been regarded extra as backyard vegetables quite than potential medication.
In a bid to raise the standing of herbs, professionals at Chaophraya Abhaibhubejhr Hospital are enterprise stringent analysis to bolster the potential of natural treatments in curing illnesses. While the production of these treatments rises to fulfill soaring demand, the Department of Medical Science (DMS) additionally conducts laboratory checks to make sure the safety of these herbs for customers, reported Bangkok Post.
Patamaporn Prueksakorn, a pharmacist at DMS, believes that this diligence in analysis and certification shall be instrumental in boosting the industrial promotion and export of Thai herbs throughout international borders, sparing them from high quality inspections in the vacation spot international locations..