Journal of Traditional Thai & Alternative Medicine
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Item The Integration of Thai Traditional Medicine into Public Health Systems: The Role of Buddhist Monasteries as Health Care Providers for Communities(Department for Development of Thai and Alternative Medicine, 2010-07-07) Rutchanee Chantraket; Jiraporn Limpananont; Paranut SuksutThis study explores the state of the services in Thai Traditional Medicine (TTM) undertaken by Thaiwats and the role they play in providing people with health care in order to draw conclusions about theirsuccess as well as relevant contributing factors and make suggestions on how to support them. This will help further develop their services in accordance with the communities’ cultural context and integrate Thai Traditional Medicine into the country’s public health systems. Nine monasteries in four regions were selected for this qualitative study based on information collected from focus groups and indepth interviews of their abbots, responsible persons and TTM practitioners during the period from May 2007 to March 2008.The study found that the services provided by the wats consider health from a holistic point of view includingphysical, mental and social perspectives. Thai Traditional Medicine is also based on trust, and goodrelationships between TTM practitioners, patients and their relatives. Practitioners at these wats are mainlymonks and folk doctors. The services are typically run by the monasteries’ managing committees (kammakarnwat), with the abbots or the monk healers being top decision-makers. People experiencing muscle stiffness or pain, and those who are partially or fully paralyzed form the majority of the patients. They are usually treated using two methods: herbal medicine prepared by the practitioners themselves and traditional massage.Some wats have a documentation system to keep the patients’ records or arrange for their referrals tohospitals.Three models are suggested in order to support and integrate the temples’ TTM services into the Thaipublic health system. Model 1: Monasteries are the center of people’s health care as well as a unique one; they currently maintain health within the community. Model 2 : Monastries in some areas are not the center of the health care system within the community but act as a gathering point for people with health problems within the community. Model 3: The integration of the community health system and the Thai public health care system should be done by the monastries forming the center, thereby empowering a networking system.Item Court-type Traditional Thai Massage and Hot Herbal Compress: Effectiveness in Relieving Early Postpartum Backache(Department for Development of Thai and Alternative Medicine, 2010-07-07) Sroysri Iampornchai; Sirikan Poopong; Supawadee Nongbuadee; Dokmai Wiwattamongkol; Patsraporn Supawongwattana; Surang Wesesmanee; Raykawaree Prapunrot; Pannee Hankimhon; Dittakarn Boriboonhirunsarn; Akarin Nimmannit; Pravit Akarasereenont; Tawee LaohapandObjective: To evaluate the effectiveness of the court-type Thai traditional massage and hot herbal compress in addition to the standard management for the relief of back pain during the early postpartum period (within 24 hours after having given birth).Methods: One hundred patients were randomly divided into two groups. The test group was treated with court-type Thai traditional massage and hot herbal compress for 60 minutes. The control group receivedonly standard postpartum management. Patients were asked to rate the intensity of their back pain using apain numeric rating scale before and after treatment.Results: Before receiving treatment, the pain intensity was equal among the two groups [5(5-6) and 5(5-6); p\>0.365]. When comparing the pain intensity after having received treatment, the difference between thegroups showed statistical significance: [4(3-4.25) and 5(3.75-5.25); pItem Green Roofs and Global Warming(Department for Development of Thai and Alternative Medicine, 2010-09-02) Decha BoonkhamThe built environment, which includes buildings, accounts for approximately 40 percent of the total carbon dioxide (CO2) emitted as a result of human activity; transport, agriculture and industry combined account for the rest. Reducing energy consumption in buildings thus becomes significant. Heat transfer through building envelopes, including through roofs, accounts for 60 percent of electricity consumed by airconditioning systems. The natural insulation afforded by green roofs is one of the most efficient ways to curb roof thermal transfer value (OTTV) and keep such values below 25 Watts/m2, as stipulated under the building code limits in many countries, including Thailand. The benefits of green roofs are several, including storm/flood mitigation in urban areas, reducing urban heat-island effects, increasing urban ecology and wildlife habitats, increasing usable roof areas as well as aesthetic values. Green roofs have been used to conserve heat in buildings in Scandinavia for centuries and they have gained momentum in European countries, particularly in Germany and more recently in the United States, in order to combat the effects of global warming. Thailand has had intensive green roofs built over commercial buildings for more than three decades but not directly for reducing CO2 emissions. Intensive research is required to find local hardy plants that would be most suitable and require the least maintenances in a country like Thailand, which is situated in a hot and humid region. Generally, green roofs are classified according to three degrees of maintenance: intensive, semi-intensive and extensive which requires the least care.Item Conference on Traditional Medicine in ASEAN Countries and Bangkok Declaration on Traditional Medicine in ASEAN(Department for Development of Thai and Alternative Medicine, 2010-07-07) Anchalee ChuthaputtiNot available.Item Study of Gynostema pentaphyllum (Thunb.) Makino Planted from Tissue Culture: Quality Control and Its In Vitro Activity on Human Lymphocytes(Department for Development of Thai and Alternative Medicine, 2010-09-02) Naruemol Mongkolchaipak; Thidarat Boonrod; Pabhawadee Sushantabutr; Somjit Niumsakul; Pranee Chavalittumrong; Kalaya Anulakanapakorn; Busarawan Sriwatana†Plantlets of Gynostema pentaphyllum (Thunb.) Makino from tissue cultures aged 1-2 months grown in a nursery were transferred to Rai Khrang Dong, Kao Ko, in Petchaboon Province. Soil and water samples from the selected field for the plantlets to grow were analyzed by the Department of Land Development, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives. The quality of the land was improved based on the analytical results. The fresh upper parts of the plantlets were collected twice for analysis of total saponins, i.e., at 3 months old before flowering and at 4.5 months old, which was the harvesting period when the plants flowered but bore no fruits. The harvested fresh plants weighed 331 kg. After washing and drying in the oven at about 55°C , the dried plants weighed 38.4 kg, giving a percentage yield of 11.6. The output was about 1,334 kg/rai of fresh plants, or 153.6 kg/rai of dried plants. The total saponins of the 3 and 4.5-month-old plants were 7.11 percent and 9.00 percent, respectively, while the standard specification of this plant states that total saponins in the crude drug should be not less than 8 percent. Ginsenoside Rb1 was detected by thin layer chromatography (TLC) as compared with standard Ginsenoside Rb1. Analysis of powdered crude drug showed no insecticide contamination, while lead, cadmium and arsenic levels were within limits. Powered crude drug did not pass the test for microbial contamination, while the water extract met the requirements. In vitro study in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells showed that Gynostemma pentaphyllum aqueous extract at the concentrations of 1, 5, 10 and 100 μg/ml could stimulate lymphocyte proliferation.Item The Lost “Marble Inscriptions of Herbal Formulas” at Wat Ratcha-orasaram Ratchaworawihan(Department for Development of Thai and Alternative Medicine, 2010-09-02) Suppachai Tiyaworanant; Chayan PicheansoonthonThe inscriptions of herbal formulas at Wat Ratcha-orasaram Ratchaworawihan contain invaluable Thai wisdom. Herbal formulas were inscribed on gray marble slobs (33 cm2), from one angle to the opposite angle, for a total of 17 lines each. These marble inscriptions were placed on the outside walls of the corridors of the viharn of the Sleeping Buddha and along the wall of the sala in front of the ubosoth. Currently, 50 inscriptions, out of the total originally believed to be 92, can be seen. This documentary research compares these 50 marble inscriptions with copied versions (both published or unpublished). Since 1969, five lost inscriptions have been found. This report illustrates these five lost inscriptions together with the inscriptions written in the modern Thai alphabet, and provides translations of the inscriptions.Item Feedback(Department for Development of Thai and Alternative Medicine, 2010-09-02) Saroj Vanapruksnot applicableItem Risk Assessment of Arsenic Consumed in Commercial Herbal Tea Sachets(Department for Development of Thai and Alternative Medicine, 2010-07-07) Nantana Sittichai; Chitra Chaiyawat; Sirichai Krabesri; Sasiwimon Patasema; Sarinee Lenapun; Supanee Duangteraprecha; Jiranuch Jamtaweekul; Yaovalak Wattanapisit; Sunee Sangkiew; Piyawat Saipan; Suthep RuangwisesNowadays, consumption of herbal tea has become very popular among Thai people since it is believed that drinking herbal tea is good for health. However, some herbal raw materials used in the manufacture of herbal tea may be contaminated with toxic elements such as arsenic. The main objective of the study was to determine the risk of arsenic contamination in eight kinds of herbal tea sachets, namely, rosella tea, Cassia alata tea, safflower tea, ginger tea, Morus alba tea, senna tea, Thunbergia laurifolia tea and Orthosiphon aristatus tea. The procedures of the study comprised both a survey of herbal tea consumption in Thai people and a quantitative determination of arsenic content in herbal tea sachets. A survey of herbal tea consumption in Thai people was carried out by using a questionnaire. The total arsenic and inorganic arsenic in the selected herbal tea sachets was quantitatively determined by using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The risk assessment described in terms of hazard quotient (HQ) and cancer risk (CR) was calculated using both deterministic and probabilistic risk assessment. As a result, both HQ and CR values of risk assessment for arsenic contamination in eight kinds of herbal tea sachets remained within acceptance criteria. For probabilistic risk assessment by @RISK® software, the cancer risk values were 1 to 8 in 10,000,000. Generally, the criteria of cancer risk value should not exceed 1 in 1,000,000. From this study, it can be concluded that the consumption of the eight herbal tea sachets does not put one at risk of developing cancer as a result of arsenic intake.Item JOURNAL CLUB(Department for Development of Thai and Alternative Medicine, 2010-09-02) Anchalee Chuthaputti; Chayan Picheansoonthon; Somchai Bovornkittinot applicableItem Nitrous Oxide Injection System(Department for Development of Thai and Alternative Medicine, 2010-09-02) Somchai Bovornkitti; Saroj Wanaprugsenot applicableItem Thai-Style Houses: Safe and Healthful(Department for Development of Thai and Alternative Medicine, 2010-09-02) Somchai BovornkittiNot applicableItem Alternative Medicine and Its Application(Department for Development of Thai and Alternative Medicine, 2010-09-02) Teeraya Niyomsil; Nattiya KapolAlternative medicine is an area of unconventional medicine that has attracted much interest in the United States, Europe, and Asia. Alternative medicine is most frequently used in complement with Western medicine; hence, it is also referred to as “Complementary and Alternative Medicine.” In Thailand, forms of alternative medicine, such as Thai massage, Thai herbal medicine, herbal steam and foment, are increasingly used to provide many patients with complementary care. It is also included under the National Health Security System. The main reasons for the increased use of alternative medicine worldwide are its ease of use, fewer side effects, and as its use as a supplement after treatment failure with conventional medicine. The results of literature reviews in the PubMed, ScienceDirect and the Cochrane Library databases revealed that alternative medicine can be used complementarily with conventional medicine in cancer, heart disease, mental health disorders and diabetes mellitus. In addition, it is also effective for relieving various kinds of pain, such as when acupuncture is used in the treatment of dysmenorrhea, labor pain, and rheumatoid arthritis.Item Chronic toxicity of Thunbergia laurifolia Lindl. extract(Department for Development of Thai and Alternative Medicine, 2010-09-02) Songpol Chivapat; Pranee ChavalittumrongThunbergia laurifolia Lindl., or rang chuet, is a medicinal plant that is used for the treatment of poisoning with toxic substances. However, the toxicological data for this plant are not complete. Therefore, a chronic toxicity study of rang chuet extract (TLE) was undertaken in six groups of Wistar rats. The control group (group 1) was given 10 ml/kg of distilled water per day orally. The five experimental groups (groups 2-6) were orally administered TLE at doses of 20, 200, 1,000, 2,000 and 2,000 mg/kg/day for six months, respectively, which were equivalent to 1, 10, 50, and 100 times the therapeutic dose. Group 6 (2000R) was added to the study recovery group after 14 days of TLE discontinuation. The results revealed that TLE did not affect the body weight, food consumption, behavior or general health of the animals. TLE did not produce cumulative toxic signs and fatal effects. Male rats receiving TLE at the dose of 2,000 mg/kg/day and the 2000R group had a significant decrease in RBCs, including a significant difference in red cell indices, but these were within the normal range. Female rats receiving TLE at doses of 1,000 and 2,000 mg/kg/day showed significant increases in WBCs. Both sexes of the rats treated with 2,000 mg/kg of TLE had a significant increase in bilirubin levels; however, these were within the normal range. TLE did not produce any histological alterations of the visceral organs in any group of rats. However, the results suggest that hematological and clinical chemistry values should be monitored during prolonged use of TLE.Item Specification of Chan Daeng (Heartwood of Pterocarpus santalinus L. f.)(Department for Development of Thai and Alternative Medicine, 2010-07-07) Supaporn Phonchan; Sawanee Sathornviriyapong; Nuntana Sittichai; Chayan PicheansoonthonAlthough Chan Daeng (heartwood of Pterocarpus santalinus L. f.) is a crude drug frequently used as an ingredient in Thai traditional herbal recipes for antipyretic, antinociceptive and cardiotonic, its pharmacopoeial standard has not yet been established for the Thai Herbal Pharmacopoeia. Therefore, this study was aimed at establishing the specification of Chan Daeng. Microscopically, the crude drug showed characteristic scattered solitary vessel cells of diffuse porous wood, paratracheal xylem arenchyma, and uniseriate homocellular xylem ray. Phytochemical screening of its ethanolic extract indicated the presence of terpenoid compounds. Physico-chemical specifications, i.e. foreign matter, moisture content, total ash, and acid-insoluble contents of Chan Daeng were proposed as being not more than 0.002, 8.0, 1.0 and 0.02 percent w/w, respectively, while ethanol-soluble extractive and water-soluble extractive were set as not less than 12.0 and 1.5 percent w/w, respectively. These results will be useful for the quality control of Chan Daeng, including herbal remedies composed of Chan Daeng.Item Toxicity Study of Lupinifolin from Stem of Derris reticulata Craib(Department for Development of Thai and Alternative Medicine, 2010-07-07) Songpol Chivapat; Pranee Chavalittumrong; Aimmanas AttawishLupinifolin is a flavonone compound expressing high efficacy against Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1). The objective of this study was to investigate the toxicity of lupinifolin from the stem of Derris reticulata Craib. Oral administration of lupinifolin in mice at the dose of 5 mg/kg, which was equivalent to an 8,300-fold therapeutic dose, showed no acute toxicity. A subacute toxicity study was performed on six groups of Wistar rats for 28 days. Groups 1 and 2 were control groups given distilled water and 1 percent tragacanth, respectively. Groups 3 to 6 were administered lupinifolin orally at doses of 0.6, 6.0, 3.0 and 60 mg/kg/day, which were equivalent to 1, 10, 50 and 100 times the therapeutic dose, respectively. The results revealed that lupinifolin did not affect body weight, food consumption or the animals’ health. Female rats receiving lupinifolin at the dose of 60 mg/kg/day had a significant increase in WBC and a significant decrease in neutrophils when compared with the water control group, but these changes were within normal ranges. Male rats receiving lupinifolin at doses of 30 and 60 mg/kg/day and female rats receiving lupinifolin at 60 mg/kg/day had a significantly higher sodium level than the water control groups; nevertheless, the increase was within the normal range. The potassium level in female rats receiving lupinifolin at doses of 30 and 60 mg/kg/day was significantly lower than that of the water control group. Histopathological results of some visceral organs in the lupinifolintreated groups showed no dose-dependent alterations; therefore, lupinifolin from D. reticulata should be considered safe for the treatment of HSV1-infected wounds.Item Dictionary of Thai Traditional Medicine and Pharmacy (7)(Department for Development of Thai and Alternative Medicine, 2010-09-02) - -Not applicableItem The Verse for Paying Homage to(Department for Development of Thai and Alternative Medicine, 2010-09-02) - -Not applicableItem Chronic Toxicity of Yahom Navagoth Extract(Department for Development of Thai and Alternative Medicine, 2010-07-07) Pranee Chavalittumrong; Songpol Chivapat; Aimmanas Attawish; Noppamas SoonthornchareonnonA Thai traditional recipe called yahom navogoth, has been used in the treatment of circulatory disorder symptoms. The recipe comprises 54 herbal plants and Borneol camphor. Acute toxicity of yahom navogothextract (NGE) was assessed in 50 ICR mice randomly divided into five groups of 10 mice each as follows: A control group was given distilled water orally and four experimental groups were orally administered with NGE at doses of 2, 4, 8 and 16 g/kg, respectively. NGE at doses of 2 and 4 g/kg did not cause any acute toxicsigns nor lethality, whereas doses of 8 and 16 mg/kg produced 10 and 70 percent mortality, respectively. Chronic toxicity study of yahom navogoth extract was performed in 144 Wistar rats divided into six groups of 24 rats each (12 males and 12 females). The control group was given distilled water and the five experimental groups were administered yahom navagoth extract orally at doses of 10, 100, 500, 1000 and 1000 mg/kg/day, respectively, for six months. The extract doses given to the animals were approximately equivalent to 1, 10, 50, 100 and 100 times larger than the human therapeutic dose. The last group was used for a recovery study after two weeks discontinuation of the highest dose. The result revealed that NGE did not affect body weight, food consumption, behavior and the general health of the animals. Male rats receiving NGE at 1000 mg/kg/day had a significant increase in total leukocytes and female rats receiving the same dose had a significant increase in platelet counts. However, these hematological values tended to decrease after withdrawal of the extract. NGE did not cause any abnormality of clinical chemistry values. The incidence of histopathological alterations in the NGE-treated groups did not show any dose dependence with the extract. In conclusion, yahom navagoth extract did not cause chronic toxicity in the Wistar rats.Item Allergic Rhinitis(Department for Development of Thai and Alternative Medicine, 2010-09-02) Paraya AssanasenAllergic rhinitis (AR) is a disease characterized by a symptomatic disorder of the nose, which is induced after exposure to an allergen via an IgE-mediated inflammation. AR symptoms include rhinorrhea, nasal obstruction, nasal itching and sneezing. Previous studies have classified AR into seasonal AR or perennial AR. A different classification distinguishing between intermittent AR and persistent AR has been proposed in the publication entitled “Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma” (2001). AR may also be a co-morbidity in patients with asthma, otitis media or sinusitis. The literature shows that AR impairs the quality of life, work performance, social life and school performance. The burden of AR underlines the importance of appropriate management strategies, which include allergen avoidance, pharmacotherapy and allergen immunotherapy.Item Horseshoe Crab Poisoning: Report of Four Cases and the Results of Treatment with Thunbergia laurifolia(Department for Development of Thai and Alternative Medicine, 2010-09-02) Supannee PraditsathawongPoisoning was reported in patients of the same family group after they had eaten tetrodotoxin-contaminated horseshoe crab eggs. The severity of the symptoms varied depending on the amount of toxic eggs consumed. The onset of the first symptoms varied from 40 minutes to 4 hours. All four patients experienced numbness around the mouth, nausea and vomiting. In the severe cases, the numbness spread to all muscles and difficulty in breathing occurred. Two patients went into coma and required endotracheal tubation with mechanical ventilation. As there is no specific antidote for tetrodotoxin, all patients were given symptomatic and supportive treatment while the toxin was excreted in the urine. Nine hours after going into a coma, the patients were given rang cherd (Thunbergia laurifolia Lindl.) leaf juice. Forty minutes after the administration of the herbal medicine, the patients regained consciousness and gradually recovered. Clinical manifestations of horseshoe crab poisoning, toxicity of the horseshoe crab and the effect of rang cherd in these patients were discussed.