Weathering the Rainy Season with Thai Herbal Medicine

As the rainy season sets in, you may notice dramatic weather shifts. The air becomes hot and humid, almost stagnant, until the winds pick up just before the rain pours down. This transition from the hot season to the rainy season can disrupt the body’s balance, particularly the wind element, affecting the nervous system and blood circulation. As a result, you might experience symptoms such as bloating, indigestion, nausea, body aches, tiredness, and dizziness.

To counter these imbalances, Thai traditional medicine recommends Trikatuk, a potent blend of three spicy herbs: ginger, peppercorn, and long pepper. This herbal formula helps expel stagnant wind from the body and restore balance. It’s also beneficial to enjoy dishes rich in spicy healing herbs, such as tom yum (spicy and sour soup), tom kha (galangal soup), and other dishes featuring herbs like ginger, galangal, lemongrass, holy basil, and sweet basil.

Ginger contains gingerols and shogaols, which relieve nausea, vomiting, bloating, and indigestion, and also possess anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Peppercorn and long pepper contain piperine, which inhibits allergic reactions by preventing histamine release, and aids in alleviating bloating and indigestion while promoting healthy blood circulation. However, individuals allergic to its components, pregnant women, and those with stomach ulcers should avoid Trikatuk.

In addition to incorporating these herbs, it’s important to maintain a routine of regular exercise, ensure you get enough sleep, practice good hygiene, and avoid crowded places to reduce the risk of illness. These habits will help you maintain your health and minimize the chances of falling ill during the rainy season.