As I stroll among the fruit/veg markets in Thailand I recognize a lot of medicinal plants that can be consumed for good health that are not that well known to Westerners. As a traveling Naturopathic Doctor/Educator and Botanical Illustrator I enjoy educating people about various medicinal plants that are in their new country so when I met a local group in Bankok (SILC) and enjoyed an afternoon with them at various museums Betty Stewart introduced me via email to Nick Argles, publishing and managing editor of Expat Life Thailand, and so I hope to make this a regular column for your delight and interesting health information.
For this first blast of info I think we simply must mention the Dragon Fruit, member of the cacti fruit group Pitaya but the Asian version is called Pitaheya of the genus Hylocereus undus. It originated in Mexico and South America but has been grown in Asia commercially. It is a daunting fruit for someone not familiar with it with its red spikey look and strange looking insides with all the little black seeds, the insides are usually white but there are some red pulp versions as well. It is with extreme applause that we salute this fruit that carries with it a high level of vitamin C that one can absorb easily due to the high content of other anti-oxidants, some fat in the seeds along with protein. The fats are “good fats”, omega 3 & 6, there is 1 gram of fiber per 100 grams, like a watermelon, full of water, 83%, and the vitamin C is 10% of one’s daily content needs. The Dragon fruit also contains B vitamins, carotene, calcium and iron. This amazing fruit can not only strengthen the immune system but help heal bruises faster because it contains phosphorous which aids in healthy blood and tissue formation and vitamin C. If that isn’t enough to get you trying one the seed oil can act as a laxative and the phytochemical captin that is used as a medication for heart troubles is also present in the natural fruit. Dragon fruit can help to detoxify the body as well because of its ability to neutralize substances like heavy metals.
This fruit only has 60 calories and is filling plus we benefit from all the nutrients it supplies. It tastes like a cross between a pear, watermelon and kiwi so is delicious also! It is best eaten chilled and one can chop it into cubes for salads or throw into your smoothie for thickening. I find that freezing the fruit before using it in one’s smoothies makes for a very creamy smoothie without the need for ice which just waters it down in general, peeling it first of course!
I have chosen to mention another plant one might find in not only the markets but in your own garden or on the side of the road, the Butterfly Pea Flower, Clitoria ternatea. This plant species belongs to the Fabaceae family and one can eat the young pea pods as well as the flowers however it is the flowers that are used in an unusual way. In Thai the Butterfly Flowers are called ‘Anchan and it is native to equatorial Asia but also thrives in Africa, Australia and America. It is a perennial herbaceous plant and grows as a creeper/vine and has beautiful bright blue flowers with light yellow markings. The flowers are about 4cm long by 3 cm wide. These vines are grown as an ornamental plant and require very little care and can add some beautiful colour to your garden.
In Thailand, a syrupy blue drink called nam dok anchan is made and sometimes a few drops of lime is added to turn it into a bright pink colour. Also, I have noticed that Thai Medicinal remedies seem to be a lot of combinations of both Chinese and Indian (Ayurvedic) remedies. In traditional Chinese medicine the flower is used for sexual ailments like infertility and as an aphrodisiac and in Ayurvedic medicine it is used as an antidepressant, tranquilizing and sedative and as a memory enhancer. The blue colour is a natural antioxidant called blue proanthocyanidin.
There are many ways to use the plant, the flower makes a blue colour one can add to homemade ice cream or sticky rice, a tea made from the flowers supports the eyesight, leaves ground with salt can help with swelling and powdered dried leaves can help with migraines as a tea along with the flowers and also the roots can be used to support indigestion so not only are the flowers fun to play with for teas and colour but the whole plant is medicinally beneficial, and beautiful!
Last but not least I have decided to discuss the Gac Fruit, one that is not so commonly known. It looks like a round Dorian fruit of sorts of which I am sure you have all seen in the local markets. It is called Momordica cochinchinensis (that’s a mouthful), and is native from South China and also throughout East Asia. It can be found in Northern Australia also. It is considered one of these newfangled “superfoods” because of its high content in phytonutrients. It is a climbing vine but fruits only in December and January so during this time it is best to scoop out the insides and freeze for use throughout the year, and of course use fresh when one can.
The amounts of antioxidants and vitamins it contains can put to shame some of the normal regular fruits or veggies we use for health; Gac Fruit contains 70% more lycopene than tomatoes which in turn can help with cardiovascular diseases, prostate cancer and macular degeneration. There is 40% more vitamin C than oranges, 40% more zeaxanthin than yellow corn and 20% more beta-carotene than carrots which is vitamin A. There is also present linoleic and alpha linoleic acids, a form of vitamin E called alpha-tocopherol and xeoxanthins which helps with skin damage. The seeds and oil has a nice nutty taste and the pulp tastes like a sweet cucumber…it is usually mixed with other fruits to give it a bit of a boost however smoothie making comes into mind once again.
I do find that most fruits and veggies of a sort can be used best as a juiced or blended food as in smoothie form to give your body a real “whack” of nutrients, also just plain raw is very good too…all by itself! One can eat the delicious fruit of the Dragon fruit, the Gac fruit or munch on raw Butterfly Flowers as one carries on with the day’s activities knowing they are feeding the body full of good local medicinal benefits!
Margaret Elizabeth Johnston N.D. has been traveling through different countries exploring the local and traditional medicinal plants and has decided on spending some decent time in Asia as of Jan. 2015 so is still new to the wonders of this part of the world. She will be portraying some of the more unusual plants through Botanical illustration and Art and displaying these images on her website along with descriptions of where to find, how to use and what’s it good for information to help guide others on their own journeys. www.mejcreations.com
