A Brief History of Thai Traditional and Herbal Medicine

Abstract

This chapter introduces the historical evolution and contemporary integration of traditional medicine in Thailand, tracing its origins to the Ayutthaya period (1350-1767 A.D.). The establishment of Siriraj Hospital by King Rama V in 1888 marked a significant attempt to merge modern and traditional medical practices, although doctrinal conflicts led to the discontinuation of traditional medicine by 1913. Over time, the significance of botanical medicine reemerged, culminating in the approval of a list of essential herbal medicines in 1999. In 2002, herbal medicine was formally incorporated into Thailand's national medical system by the Ministry of Public Health. By 2012, 52 traditional drugs and 21 single herbal drugs were officially recognised. Despite these advances, challenges related to quality control, safety, and the authentication of herbal sources remain, as variations in species and processing can affect their efficacy and toxicity. Establishing rigorous standards for the sourcing and processing of natural products is therefore critical. This chapter introduces Thai herbal medicine and discusses key herbs investigated for their potential medicinal properties, highlighting the need for ongoing research to validate their use in modern medical practice.