Herbs often used in Thai cooking

Many herbs and spices used in Thai cuisine have beneficial medicinal properties.Here are some examples.

Chili: "Phrik" in Thai Chili is an erect, branched, shrub-like herb with fruits used as garnishing and flavouring in Thai dishes. There are many different species. All contain capsaicin, a biologically active ingredient beneficial to the respiratory system, blood pressure and heart. Other therapeutic uses include being a , carminative and anti flatulence agent, and digestant.

Cumin: "Yi-ra" in Thai Cumin is a small shrubbery herb, the fruit of which contains a 2-4% volatile oil with a pungent odour, and which is used as a flavouring and condiment. Cumin's therapeutic properties manifest as a stomachic, bitter tonic, carminative, stimulant and astringent.

Garlic: "Kra-thiam" in Thai Garlic is an annual herbaceous plant with underground bulbs comprising several cloves. Dried mature bulbs are used as a flavouring and condiment in Thai cuisine. The bulbs contain a 0.1-0.36% garlic oil and organic sulfur compounds. Therapeutic uses are as an antimicrobial, diaphoretic, diuretic, expectorant, anti flatulence and cholesterol lowering agents.




Ginger: "Khing" in Thai Ginger is an erect plant with thickened, fleshy and aromatic rhizomes. Used in different forms as a food, flavouring and spice. Ginger's rhizomes contain a 1-2% volatile oil. Ginger's therapeutic uses are as a carminative, antinauseant and antiflatulence agent.




Galanga: "Kha" in Thai Greater Galanga is an erect annual plant with aromatic, ginger-like rhizomes, and commonly used in Thai cooking as a flavouring. The approximately 0.04 volatile oil content has therapeutic uses as carminative, stomachic, antirheumatic and antimicrobial agents



Hoary Basil: "Maeng-lak" in Thai Hoary Basil is an annual herbaceous plant with slightly hairy and pale green leaves, eaten either raw or used as a flavouring, and containing approximately 0.7% volatile oil. Therapeutic benefits include the alleviation of cough symptoms, and as diaphoretic and carminative agents.

Kafffir: "Ma-krut" in Thai The leaves, peel and juice of the Kaffir Lime are used as a flavouring in Thai cuisine. The leaves and peel contain a volatile oil. The major therapeutic benefit of the juice is as an appetizer.





(No Common English Name): Krachai in Thai This erect annual plant with aromatic rhizomes and yellow-brown roots, is used as a flavouring. The rhizomes contain approximately 0.8% volatile oil. The plant has stomach ache relieving and antimicrobial properties, and therapeutic benefits as an antitussive and antiflatulence agent.




Lemon Grass: "Ta-khrai" in Thai This erect annual plant resembles a coarse gray-green grass. Fresh leaves and grass are used as flavouring. Lemon grass contains a 0.2-0.4 volatile oil. Therapeutic properties are as a diuretic, emmanagogue, antiflatulence, anti flu and antimicrobial agent.

Lime: "Ma-nao" in Thai Lime is used principally as a garnish for fish and meat dishes. The fruit contains Hesperidin and Naringin , scientifically proven antiinflammatory flavonoids. Lime juice is used as an appetizer, and has antitussive, anti flu, stomachic and antiscorbutic properties.

Marsh Mint: "Sa-ra-nae" in Thai The fresh leaves of this herbaceous plant are used as a flavouring and eaten raw in Thai cuisine. Volatile oil contents give the plant several therapeutic uses, including carminative, mild antiseptic, local anesthetic, diaphoretic and digestant properties.

Pepper: "Phrik-Thai" in Thai Pepper is a branching, perennial climbing plant from whose fruiting spikes both white and black pepper are obtained. Used as a spice and condiment, pepper contains a 2-4% volatile oil. Therapeutic uses are as carminative, antipyretic, diaphoretic and diuretic agents.

Traditional herbs around us

Kra-Chai (Boesenbergia pundurata (R0xb) Schitr )Medicinal properties: Kra-Chai can help ejecting air from stomach, help digestion, relieve bloated stomach, gassy stomach and queasiness, eject Leucorrhea and urine, and nourish heart. It contains Vitamin A, B and Calcium.



Holy basil Medicinal properties: Holy basil can protect Ischaemic heart, help ejecting bile, digest fat, relieve suffocation from indigestion. It contains Beta-Carotene,





Menthol (Mentha arversis)Medicinal properties: Extract from stem and leave can be drunk for queasiness, suffocation from indigestion, gassy stomach and air from stomach relief. Taking the plant fresh deodorizes mouth odor and ejects sweat. Besides, it helps antiseptic and relieves stomach and intestines rigidity. Menthol contains Vitamin A, B2, C, Calcium and Iron.


Shallot Medicinal properties: Shallot helps ejecting air from stomach, urine, sputum, menstruation, cures fever, cold, helps digestion and appetite. Shallot contains Selenium which is mineral functions as coordinator of enzyme functionality between Vitamin A and C.




Menthol (Mentha arversis)Medicinal properties: Extract from stem and leave can be drunk for queasiness, suffocation from indigestion, gassy stomach and air from stomach relief. Taking the plant fresh deodorizes mouth odor and ejects sweat. Besides, it helps antiseptic and relieves stomach and intestines rigidity. Menthol contains Vitamin A, B2, C, Calcium and Iron.

Phrik-Thai Onn (Piper nigrum Linn.)Medicinal properties: Phrik-Thai Onn can help digestion, ejecting air from stomach and sweat, reduces body’s heat and is longevity drug.





Kha (Alpinia galanga Swartz) Medicinal properties: Kha can eject air from intestines, cure Dysentery, bloated stomach and asthma, eject sputum and relieve Bronchitis. Kha contains Vitamin B1, B2, Calcium, Fiber and Phosphorous




Hoary Basil (Ocimum basilicum Linn. f. var citratrum back Labiatae)Medicinal properties: Hoary Basil can eject air from stomach, cure cough and nourish milk, relieve Dermatitis, Scurvy and Laxative. Hoary Basil contains Vitamin B2, C, Calcium, Iron and Fiber





Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citrates (De ex Nees Stapf))Medicinal properties: Lemongrass can be used as Analgesic Drug such as Rheumatism disease, relieve bottom waist pain, eject sweat, leucorrhea, relieve vomit, reduce blood pressure, eject air from stomach, cure fever, stomachache, Urologist , Urolithiasis and rigidity symptoms. Lemongrass contains Vitamin A, Calcium, Iron, Fiber and Phosphorous.


Leech lime ( Citrus hystrix DC)Medicinal properties : Leech lime helps ejecting air from stomach, relieves choked stomach,dizziness. Leech lime’s extract cures Scurvy. Leech lime leave contains Beta-Carotene, Vitamin A, B2, C, Calcium and Protein.




Garlic (Allium sativum Linn.)Medicinal properties: Garlic can reduce blood pressure, Cholesterol and sugar in blood. Garlic contains Selenium which is mineral functions as coordinator between Vitamin E, A and C.





Ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.)Medicinal properties: Ginger can eject air from stomach and bile, reduce intestines pressure, relieve vomit, headache, stomachache, prevent inflammation, has antioxidant and anti-depression. Ginger contains Calcium which is important for reinforcing bones and teeth and blood coagulation.



Chilli Spur Pepper(Capsicum annuum Linn. var.acuminatum Fing.)Medicinal properties: Chilli Spur Pepper can prevent Bronchitis, antiseptic, reduce gas from digestion, reduce stomach rigidity caused bloated and choked stomach. Chilli, Spur Pepper contains Protein, Fiber, Vitamin B1, B2, Calcium and Iron.



Chilli Cayenne Pepper( Capsicum frutescens L. var. Frutescens )Medicinal properties: Chilli Cayenne Pepper can help digestion, appetite, eject air from stomach and sweat, make clean skin derivatives and has antioxidant. Chilli Cayenne Pepper contains Carbohydrate, Protein, Fiber, Calcium, Phosphorous, Vitamin B1, B2, C and Iron.

ThaiHerb -Market

Anise is a slow-growing annual which flowers about 3 months after planting. It grows to a height of 2 feet and produces yellowish-white flowers in umbrella-like clusters. It will grow best in a deep, fertile soil in a sunny, warm location. It should be planted 6 to 10 inches apart in rows 2 to 3 feet apart. This herb is grown for its seeds which are ready for harvest about one month after bloom.Food application of herb Use leaves in salads, seeds in baking, cookies, pastries, cheese, and candies. Also used to flavor oils and liqueurs.Leaves and flowers can also be used as a garnish.Medical application of herb Aniseed is effective to help with colds, influenza,cough, bronchitis, sinusitis,relieving flatulence, promoting digestion, colic,relieving tension and irritation, restoring mental equilibrium, brighten the eyes and sweeten and freshen the breath.



Basil is an annual which grows about 2 feet tall with leafy, light-green foliage. It produces tiny white flowers often tinged in lavender. This is an easy herb to grow. Plant it in the spring after the last frost or sow it indoors and transplant it in the garden. It grows best in full sun.Food application of herb Basil is a standard in pizzas, spaghetti sauces, and pestos. Basil ads flavor to cheeses, soups omelets, and salads. It is also used fresh for sliced tomatoes, as a garnish, or for flavoring meats, and cooked in stir-fries.Medical application of herb Basil has been an herbal remedy, used for ages to treat diseases of the brain, heart, lungs, bladder or reviving vitality (when infused as a tea) Garlic is simple and easy to grow. Plant it in just about any slightly rich soil, in a partly to mostly sunny location and it will thrive. And, best of all, it takes little space. It can even be grown amidst your flower garden if you are short on space.



Garlic is a perennial herb with a globose bulb containing 5 - 15 cloves, covered by white or mauve-tinged skin. The plant has flat leaves and produces an umbel of green-white to pink flowers, with a deciduous spathe, that appear in summer.Food application of herb Garlic is actually important ingredient in Thai food and found in every recipe prior to fry vegetables and meat. It is also unable to be missed in soup and chilli paste and as well spicy salad. This is including the pickled garlic, garlic plants and fried chopped garlic to sprinkle the food.Medical application of herb Since ancient times, Garlic has been hailed for it's medicinal value. It was used to treat a wide variety of ails. Current research suggests it aids in lowering cholesterol, reduces blood pressure, reducing cardiovascular disease and even cancer prevention. Some studies suggest garlic also helps to relieve cold and flu symptoms.

Mint of many different kinds are grown including spearmint, peppermint and orange mint. All these mints are hardy perennials and are among the easiest and most popular garden mints. They may be started from seed but cuttings are recommended. Mints prefer sun but will withstand shade. They are true perennials but mint beds should be renewed every 3 to 4 years. Mints are harvested for their stems and leaves and the more frequent the harvest the better the plant grows. Remove stalks before they go to seed.Food application of herb Mints and oils of mints are used for oils, used in cookies, teas, candies, jellies, chewing gum, flavoring for medicines, toothpaste, ice cream, liqueurs, and much more.Medical application of herb Mint is often used to sooth upset stomaches and on occasion, for toothaches. It has also been used for headaches.

Rosemary is a hardy evergreen-shrub but will die if temperature drops below 5 degrees to 10 degrees F. It normally grows 4 to 6 feet tall and produces gray-green foliage and pale blue flowers. It grows best in dry, sunny areas.Food application of herb The leaves are used fresh, dried, or frozen in many recipes. It commonly is used on meats (beef, chicken, ribs), stews, sauces, and soups. Brew some fresh Rosemary in tea, adding a few fresh or dried leaves.Medical application of herb Rosemary has been used to treat both stomach aches and headaches. It is also believed to aid in memory retention. The oil of Rosemary is used in perfumes and cosmetics. It has also been used as a moth repellent.