Folk Healers and Herbs in the Community Forest of Chachoengsao Province

Abstract

This survey study on folk healers and herbs in Chachoengsao Province, Thailand, was carried out in the period 2008-2009 by interviewing, collecting and identifying plant specimens. There was wide ranging folk healer network, composed of old and new generation folk healers in each amphur. A total of 157 folk healers from 10 districts were interviewed in depth. Most of them (103 or 67%) were male folk healers. Most of them were herbalists; some had expertise in healing herpes zoster and herpes simplex, erysipelas and tan-sang (fever in children). They felt very impressed when the patient’s symptoms were relieved, and wanted to help more patients. Plant specimens were identified in the surveys of the three community forest areas: Nongprayote, Lomphothong, and Thammaratnai in Amphur Tha Takiap. A large variety of herbs and 110 plant specimens belonging to 34 families were identified. The local name, scientific name and the usage of herbs by folk healers were compared with references. Many potential herbs should be studied further. This study is part of a project on developing knowledge management, supporting networks and conserving local wisdom.