Thai herbal medicine promoted as alternative to Western treatments

 

Thailand's Public Health Ministry is championing the use of traditional herbal medicines to reduce reliance on costly imported pharmaceuticals. 

 

A key goal is to generate 3 billion baht in revenue from herbal medicine sales by 2026.

 

Health Minister Somsak Thepsuthin launched the "When Sick, Think of Thai Medicine Before Seeing a Doctor" policy at a workshop for medical personnel on Monday.  

 

The event, held in Bangkok, was attended by senior health officials, including deputy permanent secretaries Dr Puwadet Surakhot and Montien Kanasawadse, and Dr Somruek Chungsaman, director-general of the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine.

 

Somsak highlighted the current imbalance, saying that of the 70.543 billion baht spent on medicines in the public health system, only 1.56 billion baht is allocated to herbal remedies.

 

Within the National Health Security system, this figure drops to just 408 million baht, despite evidence suggesting the comparable effectiveness of many herbal treatments.

 

Somsak Thepsuthin

 

The ministry aims to significantly increase herbal medicine use within the National Health Security system, targeting at least 1.5 billion baht by the end of 2025 and 3 billion baht by 2026.

 

From March 1, 32 herbal medicines will be available under a new fee schedule system, a collaboration between the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine and the National Health Security Office (NHSO).

 

This will streamline reimbursements for herbal treatments and increase their pricing, encouraging wider adoption. The initiative aims to provide patients with more choice, reduce drug imports, promote Thai traditional knowledge and boost the national economy.

 

 

Ten common herbal medicines addressing frequent health issues are being prioritised:

• Plai (Zingiber cassumunar) for muscle and joint pain
• Green chiretta (Fah Talai Jone) for colds and Covid-19
• Turmeric for bloating and flatulence
• Phet sang khat for constipation and haemorrhoids
• Ginger for dizziness
• Bitter gourd for loss of appetite
• Musa (banana) for diarrhoea
• Hom thep chit for insomnia
• Chilli for numbness from paralysis
• Aloe vera for skin burns

 

 

The ministry is also advocating herbal medicines as a first-line treatment for common ailments, promoting five specific remedies as effective substitutes for Western drugs:

• Prasah ma waeng (compound moringa oleifera extract) for coughs and phlegm
• Senna as a laxative
• Plai cream for pain relief
• Turmeric for flatulence
• Phet sang khat for haemorrhoids

 

Dr Puwadet explained that the workshop aimed to build confidence in herbal medicine efficacy among healthcare professionals, encouraging them to integrate these treatments into patient care. 
 

 

 

This aligns with the government's policy to reduce the use of Western medicine and increase the use of herbal treatments, while improving public access to traditional remedies. 

 

The initiative is also expected to stimulate the entire herbal economy, from local communities and farmers to herbal medicine businesses, fostering sustainable growth within the industry.