Traditional & natural medicine

Herbal medicine

สมุนไพรบำบัด

The use of plants and plant preparations to support health, from ancient traditions to Thailand's own herbal pharmacy.

IntensityGentle

Origin

Worldwide; the Thai herbal tradition comes from Thailand

History

Among the oldest forms of medicine: written records date back to about 2600 BCE in Mesopotamia

Licence in Thailand

Not required

Where it comes from

People have used plants as medicine for as long as records exist. The first written records of medicinal plants come from Mesopotamia around 2600 BCE; Egypt's Ebers Papyrus (about 1550 BCE) lists more than 700 remedies, mostly from plants; and Chinese and Indian (Ayurvedic) herbal knowledge has been written down for thousands of years.

Herbal knowledge also shaped modern medicine: many of today's drugs are plant compounds or derived from them, and of new small-molecule medicines approved between 1981 and 2010, more than half were derived from or inspired by nature.

In Thailand, herbal medicine is a core part of Thai traditional medicine. Herbs and diet form its 'internal' side, while balms, liniments, compresses and poultices form the 'external' side. In the 1830s, herbal recipes were carved on marble tablets at Wat Pho in Bangkok, and herbal hot compresses are still used alongside Thai massage.

The principle

Herbal medicine relies on substances naturally present in plants. Because these substances are biologically active, they can have real effects on the body: including unwanted ones and interactions with medicines.

Traditional systems explain their choices with their own theories: in Thai traditional medicine, herbs are chosen according to which bodily element (ธาตุ) is considered out of balance. These theories are traditional frameworks, and the effect and safety of each plant has to be judged individually, on the evidence available for it.

What people come for

Interest in Thai herbal traditions and local plants
Herbal teas, balms and compresses for comfort and relaxation
Advice from a qualified Thai traditional medicine practitioner
Combining traditional remedies with medical care, with the doctor informed
Learning which herbal products are registered and how to use them safely

How it works on the body

Herbal remedies act either from inside the body (teas, capsules, decoctions) or on the skin (balms, compresses, poultices).

A session, step by step

01
Health history
A qualified practitioner asks about your symptoms, conditions, pregnancy and all medicines and supplements you already take.
02
Assessment
A Thai traditional medicine practitioner assesses you according to Thai theory, for example the balance of the bodily elements.
03
Remedy choice
A remedy, tea, compress or balm may be suggested, with its dose and how long to use it.
04
Product check
For products you buy, check that they carry a Thai FDA licence or notification number.
05
Follow-up
Watch for side effects, stop and seek advice if they occur, and keep your doctor informed.

Precautions

Herbs can interact with medicines, including blood thinners such as warfarin, statins, antidepressants, metformin, blood-pressure drugs and the contraceptive pill; St John's wort, for example, makes many medicines less effective. Always tell your doctor and pharmacist.
'Natural' does not mean safe: kava supplements, for example, have been linked to liver disease, and some products sold as herbal have been found to contain hidden prescription drugs.
Avoid herbal medicines during pregnancy or breastfeeding, for children, and if you have kidney or liver problems, unless a doctor advises otherwise.
Some herbs raise bleeding risk or affect anaesthesia: tell your surgical team well before any operation.
Never stop or replace a prescribed medicine with a herbal remedy without talking to your doctor, and see a doctor for symptoms that persist or come back.

Complementary practice: does not replace medical advice.

In Thailand

Thai traditional medicine is backed by the state: the Ministry of Public Health created a National Institute of Thai Traditional Medicine in 1993, and the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine now promotes this knowledge, including herbal medicine. Practitioners are licensed under the Thai Traditional Medicine Profession Act B.E. 2556 (2013), overseen by the Thai Traditional Medical Council. Thai traditional medicine also covers Thai pharmacy (เภสัชกรรมไทย), the preparation and dispensing of herbal remedies. Herbal products are regulated by the Herbal Products Division of the Thai Food and Drug Administration under the Herbal Products Act B.E. 2562 (2019), which issues registrations, detailed notifications and simple notifications for products; these can be checked through the FDA's licence search.

Frequently asked questions

Are herbal remedies safer than medicines?

Not automatically. They contain active substances that can cause side effects and interact with medicines, and product quality varies.

Can I take herbs with my regular medicines?

Only after checking with your doctor or pharmacist. Some herbs make medicines stronger or weaker, sometimes dangerously.

How do I know a Thai herbal product is legitimate?

Look for a Thai FDA licence or notification number on the pack and check it on the FDA website; avoid unlicensed products sold online.

Who can advise me in Thailand?

Licensed Thai traditional medicine practitioners, including in many public hospitals' Thai medicine clinics, as well as pharmacists for questions about interactions.

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