Knowledge and Asthma Herbal Recipes of Folk Healer: A Case Study Mr.Thawee Manmad

Abstract

The objective of this study was to collect knowledge and asthma herbal recipes of the folk healer in Krabi province, selected specific and passed the criteria. It is a qualitative research by semi-structured interviews with observation. The collected data were used for descriptive analysis, analyzed herbal recipes according to the principles of Thai traditional medicine and studied its pharmacological activity. The results showed Thai male folk healer is 65 years old.        He has treatment experience for over 46 years. Asthma becomes exhausted both physically and mentally, while asthma will suddenly appear spontaneously and often. Asthma is caused by external factors such as air pollution, cigarette smoke, pollen, fur and internal factors divided into 3 types, which are caused by phlegm in the throat and the thorax, caused by the wind in the stomach and intestines and caused by allergies. Folk healer diagnoses by taking a patient's history, checking pulse and lungs. Symptoms of asthma are often coughing, phlegm, dyspnea, shortness of breath and chest tightness. Folk healer was treated by prescribing 3 herbal recipes which depend on the causes of asthma. Finally, Folk healer was suggested practice by avoiding injurious food and factors that cause symptoms. Asthma herbal recipes are all herbs such as Phikud Benjakot, Phikud Benjatian, Acorus calamus L., Piper retrofractum Vahl, Piper nigrum L., Zingiberaceae officinale Rose., Piper interruptum Opiz, Tinospora crispa (L.) Hook. f. & Thomson, Kaempferia galanga L. Honey bee, etc. Most herbals have properties for coughing, expectorant, flatulence and have pharmacological effects that anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, inhibit histamine, bronchodilator which herbs can relieve the symptoms of asthma.