“Plai” The Miracle Plant

Plai (Zingiber Cassumunar) in Thailand is called differently depending on the region, such as Wan Plai, Turmeric Crab, Wan Fai, Yellow Plai. Every part of Plai can be used for all benefits. The flowers have properties that help drive blood and disperse blood. The stems help with balance. Leaves help relieve pain or fever. And the roots can help relieve nosebleeds. But the most important and valuable part is that the mature rhizome has a variety of properties and important substances until it is classified as one of the basic herbal medicines that has received attention and has been supported by many researches. too

Characteristics of Plai

Plai tree. Plai is a herbaceous plant with a height of 0.7-1.5 meters with a rhizome underground. The bark is yellowish brown. The inner flesh is yellow to greenish yellow. Artificial shoots or stems are pierced into clumps, which consist of leaf sheaths or bases overlapping. Fresh and juicy rhizomes of pistils, astringent, pungent, hot, with a specific smell, while fresh and dried rhizomes of plai are slightly spicy. Propagated by seeds, rhizomes, or rhizomes, but the rhizome is generally used for planting. This species is native to Asia in India, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand. It is widely grown in Kanchanaburi, Suphan Buri, Prachinburi and Sa Kaeo provinces.

Plai leaves. The appearance of the leaves is oblong-lanceolate. Leaves are single, alternate, about 3.5-5.5 centimeters wide and 18-35 centimeters long.

Plai flowers bloom in a bouquet. stab from underground rhizomes soft colored petals with purple leaves

Plai fruit. The nature of the fruit is a round dried fruit.

Important constituents of Plai

Plai is a medicinal plant in the same group as turmeric. Properties of Plai has a yellow substance called curcumin (Curcumin) is the same, but different in detail. Because curcumin is also broken down into many other types. That makes the medicinal properties of the two herbs not exactly the same. and cannot be used interchangeably. No matter how similar their appearance is. Examples of curcumin found in plai include cassumunin A-C, naphthoquinone derivatives, butanoid der ivat ives, among others. phenylbutanoid Which has anti-inflammatory properties, such as butadiene (DMPBD), in addition, it contains more than 80 percent of the volatile oil. The key chemical in essential oils is a group of monoterpenes. such as alpha-pinene, sabinine, alpha-terpinene gamma-terpinene and terpene-4-ol, however, the amount of these chemicals varies with the source of the plai. Therefore, the selection and use of this factor must be considered additionally.

Properties of Plai and methods of use

Properties of Plai to reduce external inflammation : Plai rhizomes contain a lot of volatile oils and contain important active ingredients that help relieve inflammation, sprains, pain, swelling and bruises. By bringing about 1 fresh, good quality rhizome, cleaned all the dirt and mud. Then bring the fresh rhizome to pound thoroughly. Squeeze until the juice comes out, then use the water to rub the desired area. Or can make it look like a compress ball Use a finely pounded fresh rhizome mixed with a pinch of salt or camphor and mix well. Then bring all the ingredients to wrap in a cloth to tie a sphere like a compress. When in use, it is steamed and heated and applied to the affected area. Or bring fresh rhizome to extract the oil and rub it on the aching area as well.

Properties of Plai relieve flatulence, indigestion and carminative : Plai is a herb that is grouped into the same category as ginger, galangal, turmeric, etc., and one of the properties that herbs in this group have in common is that It helps to expel the wind in the abdomen as well. thus reducing all symptoms of flatulence It is used as 1 teaspoon of finely ground dried rhizomes, brewed with hot water with a little salt, and drink like tea.

Properties of Plai Relieve dysentery or Diarrhea : First of all, it is important to understand that dysentery and diarrhea are of various severity. And sometimes it’s a serious disease. Therefore, the treatment or symptom relief with herbs must be used accordingly. If it is severe, it is better to see a doctor for advice. How to use Plai is to slice the fresh rhizome into 4-5 glasses, grind it thoroughly and then squeeze out the juice. When it’s ready, add a little salt and eat until it’s gone, or you can change it to rain with lime water and eat it as well.

Properties of Plai relieve asthma symptoms: Plai, an important active ingredient that affects bronchial dilation. which has been researched in pediatric patients with asthma By giving Plai in the form of 200 mg capsules, the symptoms of breathlessness were reduced. It can also be used to prevent chronic asthma attacks in children and adults. Another form of herbal medicine preparation, in addition to capsules, is Use 5 parts dried stalks, 2 parts pepper and dill stalks, 1 part cloves and roasted pimento, and grind them all together until a homogeneous mass. Use the powder to brew with hot drinking water. If it still feels difficult to eat, you can add honey. However, the treatment of asthma with plai Relatively long periods of time are required. Therefore, allergy or side effects should be tested.

Properties of Plai to prevent mosquitoes : If there is one rhizome of Plai stuck in the kitchen, there is no need to pay for the purchase of chemical mosquito repellents at all. Because Plai is very effective against mosquitoes. The rhizome powder was soaked in 95 percent alcohol and evaporated to a greater concentration before use. Can be applied all over the body except the face. Because many people have sensitive skin and are allergic to the alcohol itself. The specialty of this mosquito repellent from Plai rhizome is When applied, it is comfortable on the skin. It smells good and doesn’t feel any burning sensation.

How many types of Plai are there and what are they commonly used for?

There are many varieties Of course, the properties of each species of Plai will have different effects such as

Plai Daeng (Red Plai) expels wind, expels menstruation It has a mild laxative effect, cures dysentery, heals the intestines, externally, fresh rhizomes are applied to cure sprains, swelling, tight lines, aches and pains, beriberi and wound healing.

Plai Leung (Yellow Plai) is an herb that is commonly used to treat inflammation, pain, swelling, bruises.

Plai Khao (White Plai) is an herb that has the power of invulnerability. Eat or chew to be invulnerable.

Black sapphire (Black Plai) there are two types of Black Plai, the flesh in the head is purple-brown, will stand out in the matter of invincibility (In Thai belief) and Black Plai, the flesh in the head is black which will stand out in the matter of bringing money(In Thai belief)

Plai that we can see commonly and used in most drug recipes is “Yellow Plai”. Originally, we used to make medicinal formulas with Black Plai. But later, black sapphire plays a more active role in spices and is quite rare. Therefore, only the Yellow Plai remains.