186 pages paperback, including 4 pages colour photographs

Based on the holistic principles of Ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicine, Thai herbalism is a vibrant ancient tradition that was preserved over a millennium in the monasteries and temples of Bangkok, and which continues to be practiced in villages throughout Thailand to this day.

Of interest to herbalists and massage therapists alike, A Thai Herbal introduces the basic principles of this unique form of healing in simple and clear terms, and presents over 150 individual herbs with their uses in Thai, Chinese, Ayurvedic, and Western herbalism. This book is informative and practical, translating ancient ideas into a modern context and providing helpful tips and recipes for experienced and beginning herbalists. Best of all, this book is fun, offering easy recipes for home remedies, beauty products, and cuisine that will make the world of Thai tradition come alive in your home.

A Thai Herbal also places the popular practice of Thai Massage in its native context, as an integral part of a holistic healing system. The book also introduces the traditional practice of Thai herbal compress massage, a treatment that is enjoying increasing popularity in Western spas. Acupressure charts provide guidance for Thai energy meridian work, and suggestions for treatment of specific ailments.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements

Introduction

Chapter I: The Tradition of Thai Medicine

History of Thai Medicine
The Two Traditions
The Circle of Life
The Branches of Thai Medicine
Holistic Healing
Traditional Thai Medicine Today and in the Future

The Four Body Elements
Four Element Diagnostics
The Ten Tastes
Classification of Herbs by Action
Western Classification of Herbs

Food Therapy, or Every-day Medicine
The Energetics of Food
Global Recommendations
Dietary Regimens for Health and Longevity
Dietary Regimens for the Seasons
Dietary Regimens for Specific Disorders
Thai Recipes for Health and Harmony
Herbs in Cosmetics
Herbs in the Household

Sauna and Steam Bath
Herbal Compresses
Sample Compress Recipes
Hot Compress in Thai Massage
Thai Acupressure Points for Hot Compress Massage

Methods of Preparing Herbs
Herbal Mixtures
Shelf-Life of Herbs
Collecting Herbs
Special Medicinal Recipes

Appendices

Studying in Thailand
Thai Herbalism Courses and Suppliers in the U.S.
Herbal Medicine Contacts in the U.S.
Herbal Medicine Contacts in Europe
Herbal Medicine Contacts in Australia and New Zealand
Bibliography and Further Reading

by Ailment
by Action
by Latin Name
by Common Name
by Thai Name
General Index

excerpt

Introduction

Traditional Thai medicine, a combination of yoga, acupressure, herbal therapy, and dietary regimens, is a colorful art form that reflects Thailand's wide range of cultural influences. A holistic system of traditional medicine practiced in Thai villages and royal courts for millennia, it continues to grow and evolve to this day.

The healing systems of Southeast Asia (including Thailand) have been studied by ethnobotanists and anthropologists for decades, but only recently have Western holistic health practitioners taken an interest in learning more about these rich traditions. We are realizing that the traditional medicine of China and India although the most popular are not the only vibrant healing traditions in Asia. The analysis of new medical systems is a vital field of study, a crucial addition to the world's stock of medical knowledge, and a breath of the fresh air of ancient wisdom in the modern age.

Thai medicine, like most of the Eastern medical traditions, is not only about curing disease; it is about taking control of one's health, promoting wellness, and improving quality of life. In Thailand, herbs are a part of a holistic system of wellness that takes into account the whole self, mind, body, and spirit, and puts medical knowledge into the hands of the patient. Thai medicine teaches us that with appropriate understanding of herbs, we can learn to live in harmony with the changing seasons and the changes in our lives. With a handful of medicinal plants, we can successfully treat the most common ailments we are likely to encounter in daily life. With herbal tonics, we can strengthen our bodies and immune systems in order to prevent disease in the first place. With traditional recipes, we can lessen the toxic effects of pollution and pesticides we ingest, enhance our energy levels, immunity, and sexuality, and increase our longevity and happiness.

This collection is the product of my research in Bangkok and Chiang Mai, Northern Thailand, over a period from 1997 to 2001. I have arrived at the latest incarnation of this collection by analyzing over 150 herbs, determining how they are used by traditional Thai healers and how they are regarded by other systems such as Western, Ayurvedic, and Chinese herbalism. (My sources for these comparisons are listed in the bibliography.) This collection is a large and informative compendium of the medicinal herbs used in Thailand, but I have taken much care to ensure that it is a readable and practical guide for beginning and professional herbalists alike. I have attempted to translate traditional ideas into a modern context, hoping to bring this ancient wisdom into the realm of daily life. Most of all, I have tried to make the subject of traditional medicine fun, offering easy recipes for remedies, cosmetics, and cuisine that will make the world of Thai tradition come alive in our homes.

Many of the therapeutic herbs in this collection have been used in Chinese, Ayurvedic, or Western herbalism, and are available to modern herbalists and patients in the grocery store or herbalist shop. Sometimes, however, there is no correspondence. Some of the herbs in this collection are difficult to procure in the West, and several have no common names other than in the Thai language. Sometimes, the name exists, but the herbs remain far outside the scope of the familiar traditions. This, for me, is the most fascinating part of this endeavor. I believe that many treasures of traditional medicine still lie unknown. The medical systems of Southeast Asia are ancient repositories of healing wisdom, but they remain largely unstudied in comparison with other Asian traditions. What medicinal gems may be growing undiscovered in the mountain villages of Thailand? What secrets may the old-growth rainforests of Southeast Asia reveal? The process of discovery has only begun, and I hope that this collection encourages professional and amateur herbalists alike to experiment with new vistas.