Issue 28

The global trend towards alternative, complimentary and traditional medicine is one shared by Thailand.

Traditional health products and medicines have played an important part in the development of Thai culture, but do they also have a role in its economic future? Ak-kharaphat Tangtrongchitr certainly thinks so.

The owner and managing director of Jisprapat Limited Partnership that has produced Thai herbal inhaler Cher-aim since 2001, is saddened by the loss of many of its traditional medicinal products.

However, he believes that a reduction in such imports could help stimulate the Kingdom’s economy. “If we reduce using chemical medication from abroad, Thailand will not have to import a lot and the national economy will be improved.”

Tangtrongchitr is the fourth generation of a family steeped in the traditions of Thai medicine.“In the beginning, the production of pharmaceutical formulations mainly came from my grandfather, because he was very interested in traditional medicine,” says Tangtrongchitr, who adds that his ancestor developed formulas based on textbooks and discussions with teachers of traditional medicine at Wat Pho in Bangkok.Today, Tangtrongchitr’s sister runs one family company Yatrabaipo, which manufactures Ya Kiew powdered herbs and Ya Gwad oral cure, while he is in charge of Cher-aim. “Ya Kiew Trabaipo helps reduce fever and heat, relieves thirst and [combats] measles and chickenpox. Ya Gwad Trabaipo formulations came from my great grandfather. It is used on children.”The use of modern technology and machinery has helped develop the product from powder into a more convenient tablet. Both forms are still sold, mostly in the domestic market, though also through distributors in Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, the US, Australia and in shops in various Asian countries.

The Cher-aim inhaler is made from Thai herbs, which Tangtrongchitr claims have beneficial health effects.

“With our intention to produce the product from nature, we have a mixture of eaglewood, which helps heart care as certified by the Food and Drug Administration of Thailand,” he says. “At present, we have many selections and sizes of herbal products as required such as borneol oil inhaler, aromatic balm, yellow embrocation and fragrant camphor.”

Cher-aim
Jisprapat Limited Partnership
430/32 Issarapap Road, Bangokyai, Bangkok 10600, Thailand
+66 2 891 2324,
www.cheraim.com

Words by Natthinee Ratanaprasidhi