Traditional healers' wisdom in southern Thailand on the use of Kratom-based formulations for treating blood and wind disorders

Abstract

The southern region of Thailand is an agricultural society where people engage in heavy physical labor, which leads to various health problems. Disorders related to the blood and wind elements are common. Local people use kratom (Mitragyna speciosa (Korth.) Havil.), a native plant, for health care. However, traditional healers usually apply medicinal herbs in the form of polyherbal formulations. Therefore, this study aimed to (1) investigate the diversity of medicinal herbs in formulations containing kratom used for treating blood and wind disorders, and (2) document the traditional knowledge of these kratom-based formulations used by traditional healers in six southern provinces with lifestyles strongly influenced by Buddhism. Sixteen traditional healers were purposively selected and interviewed to obtain key information on the formulations, methods of preparation and use, and therapeutic properties. Data were analyzed qualitatively by frequency and percentage.

The study identified 58 species of medicinal herbs used in formulations, including kratom. A total of 19 formulations were recorded: 4 single-herb and 15 multi-herb recipes. These were classified into five therapeutic groups: 11 for energy restoration, and 3 each for appetite stimulation, blood and wind disorders, hypertension, and wind dispersion. Notably, a single formulation often exhibited multiple therapeutic properties. Based on the framework of traditional Thai medicine, kratom was used as the principal ingredient in 6 formulations (31.58%), a secondary ingredient in 8 formulations (42.11%), and a supplementary ingredient in 5 formulations. This study reflects the continued importance of kratom in folk healing practices. Promoting its use will contribute to strengthening the cultural and medicinal value of local plants.