Kha (Alpinia galanga) is a perennial in the ginger family, called ข่า in Thai. It looks much like ginger but carries a sharper, more citrus-like aroma and pungency; the centre of that scent is the compound 1,8-cineole.

It is said to have long been known as a warming herb, and is reported to have been treated in Thailand as a carminative crude drug for digestive complaints such as bloating. In neighbouring Laos, interview surveys record the leaves and pseudostem being used in steam baths and medicinal baths during postpartum care.

In the herbal sauna op samun phrai, steaming kha spreads a spicy, warm scent through the room; alternating heat and cooling is the local way of taking it. At home it flavours tom yum goong and other soups, is brewed as tea, and is added to a herbal bath.

This is an English summary. The full article was written in Japanese. Original article in Japanese →