FRIDAY, March 29, 2024
nationthailand

Herbal remedies rise in popularity after Covid-19

Herbal remedies rise in popularity after Covid-19

Herbs and spices that grow quickly and have potential to help with cold symptoms, like fah talai jone, ginger, garlic, shallots and lemon, are fast becoming popular in the wake of Covid-19.

Pimchanok Vonkorpon, director general of the Commerce Ministry’s Trade Policy and Strategy Office (TPSO), said her office had studied the trend of the Thai herbal market and learned that more people are consuming herbs like fah talai jone (andrographis), which is believed to help fight cold and fever as well treat inflammation, diarrhoea and help with appetite.
Demand for other popular home remedies for cold, such as ginger, which is believed to ease blood pressure, garlic which is known for its beneficial properties, shallot that has anti-inflammatory properties and lime, which is rich in vitamin C, is also rising.
She added that demand for four other herbs – turmeric, black galangal, cassumunar ginger and gotu kola – is also growing both locally and internationally as it is widely used in cosmetics, in dietary supplements and medicine as well as in the food industry.
Pimchanok reckoned that the trend for food and beverages containing these herbs is likely to grow, especially since there is a rising demand in the West for Asian concoctions that are good for health.
“Herb farmers should adjust their cultivation process to make it organic or non-toxic to add value to their products. Businesses, meanwhile, should come together and develop products that meet standards and consumers’ needs,” she said.
She added that the ministry will also look into the tariff for herbs, and push for export to countries with which Thailand has a free-trade agreement.

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