Local Vegetables in Isan Palm-Leaf Medical Manuscripts

Abstract

This research aims to study the medicinal properties of local vegetables as recorded in Isan palm-leaf manuscripts, to analyze the frequency of their medicinal properties, and to explore the role of herbal plants in ancient Isan communities. The study was conducted on 12 Isan palm-leaf manuscripts and the findings reveal a total of 66 types of local vegetables and 588 medicinal properties. The most frequently used vegetables consisted of ginger (59 properties, 10%), Ya Nang (Tiliacora triandra) (54 properties, 9%), and chili (43 properties, 7%). The medicinal properties were categorized by types of illness including skin diseases (20.06%), digestive/excretory issues (14.79%), and fever/cough (10.03%). This research also highlighted five key dimensions of the role of herbal medicine in ancient Isan communities: traditional medicine, economy and way of life, eco-cultural systems, beliefs and rituals, and the transmission of local wisdom. The findings helped reveal traditional knowledge and provided the guidelines for further pharmacological research and the development of community products based on local vegetables.