The Study of Folk Healer’s Wisdom in Urinary Tract Stone Treatment: A Case Study of Mr. Khian Khuanthong in Song District, Phrae Province

Main Article Content

Chowalit Wongdee
Sangdao Wongdee
Panee Sirisa-ard
Wimaluk Nopsiri
Krit Pongpirul
Monthaka Teerachaisakul

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the background, treatment procedure and herbal recipe for treating urinary tract stone of Mr. Khian Khuanthong (locally known as Moh Khian), a folk healer in Song district, Phrae province, using in-depth interviews. The researchers have found that the folk healer has inherited indigenous wisdom from ancestors, textbooks, and literati, and gained herbal therapeutic experience for 22 years. The treatment procedure begins with history taking and identifying major symptoms of the disease including dark yellow-turbid urine, burning when urinating, gallstones in urine, lower back pain and sciatica. Then Moh Khian’s herbal decoction is dispensed; his herbal recipe includes 11 kinds of dried herbs: Coix lachryma-jobi Linn. roots, Musa ABB group (triploid) cv. ‘teep’ M. paradisiaca L. roots, Piper sarmentosum Roxb. leaves, Piper macropiper Pennant. leaves, Piper betle L., Cassia fistula L. seeds, Smilax corbularia Kunth rhizome, Caesalpinia sappan L. wood and whole plants of Gomphrena globose L., Orthosiphon aristatus (Blume) Miq. and Cyathula prostrata (L.) Blume. In addition, this study has found that some kinds of herbs in the folk healer’s recipe also appear in the Thai Traditional Medicine textbooks, namely “Phaetsartsongkhroh Medical Textbook” and the “National List of Essential Medicines of 2012: Herbal Medicinal Products”. So, this study has presented the properties of medicinal plants and the concordance of indigenous wisdom for urinary tract stone treatment of a folk healer.

Article Details

Section
Original Articles
Author Biography

Chowalit Wongdee, Division of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine, Song Hospital, Phrae, 54120, Thailand

Education

1. Thai Traditional Medicine (AYURVEDIC Medicine)  Kanchanabhishek Institute of Medical and Public Health Technology

2. Bachelor of Science (B.S.)  Uttaradit Rajabhat University

3. Bachelor of Thai Traditional Medicine (ฺB.TM.) Rajamangala University of Technology Isan Sakon Nakhon Campus

References

Srisuwan P, Koopitakkajorn T, Kedcham D, Kingkaew P, Youngkong S, Tantivess S, Teerawattananon Y.

Population-based screening for nephrosis, nephritis and renal stone in Thailand. Journal of Health Systems

Research. 2013;7(3):380-8. (in Thai)

Teerapornlertrat T. The knowledge of kidney for people. 1st ed. Bangkok: Health Work Press; 2013. 34 p. (in Thai)

Boonchai P. The use of local herbs in the health care of the Kareng people, Sakon Nakhon province. Bangkok:

Research Committee of Religion and Culture, Ministry of Education; 2002. (in Thai)

Attasit R. The study of folk medicine healer knowledge: Thinking system and pattern of the used of traditional

herbal relate with forest and traditional herbal source. Research Report. Department of Traditional Thai

Medicine. Ministry of Public Health. The War Veterans Organization of Thailand Press; 2008. (in Thai)

Krueawan K. Analysis of folk medicine healer knowledge in dimension of natural resources and environment. Research Report. (thesis). Mahasarakham: Mahasarakham University; 2008. (in Thai)

Yoadsomsuay P, Wongtongtair S. A study of wisdom of folk doctor in Amphoe Ounkharuk, Nakhornnayok

province (thesis). Faculty of Health Science. Bangkok: Srinakharinwirot University; 2009. (in Thai)

Kraphurit C, et al. The study report: the clinical effectiveness of frozen shoulder treatment of indigenous healer: a case study of Moo Sunthorn Nimnom. Department of Traditional Thai Medicine. Ministry of Public Health. The War Veterans Organization of Thailand Press; 2013. (in Thai)

Thongchuchouy T. Folk healers’ wisdom in the use of herbal medicines in Amphoe Bang Klam, Songkhla

province (thesis). Degree Master of Arts in Development Strategy. Songkhla: Songkhla Rajabhat University; 2012.

(in Thai)

Surumpai P. Occurrence and survival of folk medicine in modern times: a case study of Community Medical

center in Ubon Ratchathani province (thesis). Ubon Ratchathani: Ubon Ratchathani Rajabhat University;

(in Thai)

Chamarat O. Local healer wisdom and the use of herbs for treating illness: a case study of Mr. Waew Wong Ratchathani: Ubon Ratchathani Rajabhat University; 2011. (in Thai)

Chamarat O. Local healer wisdom and the use of herbs for treating illness: a case study of Mr. Waew Wongkhamsom, Ban Khon Pong, San Tam Sub-district, Phu Ruea District, Loei Province (thesis). Loei: Loei Rajabhat Institute; 2002. (in Thai)