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Journal of Thai Traditional & Alternative Medicine Vol. 6 No. 1 January - April 2008 ¯˘

food, medicine, dwelling, clothing, and art, culture a combination of a literature survey and our field re-
27-29
and beliefs. Research in the area of ethnobotany search.
can be focused on a certain ethnic group or tradi-
Food
tional society, certain geographical regions, or cer-
27
tain plant groups. Methodologies employed in eth- Some taxa in the genus Kaempferia L. are ed-
nobotanical and ethnobiological research, including ible and are available in local markets from as early
research in traditional medicine, have been discussed as the end of March and throughout the rainy season
30,31
in detail elsewhere. (May-October), and some are grown in home gar-
The senior author and his students have been dens.
working on the ethnobotany of the ginger family The rhizomes and leaves of K. galanga L., known
(Zingiberaceae) in Thailand during the past decade, locally as pro hom (‡ª√“–ÀÕ¡), are used as a spice in
and the results of that research will be published in a local Thai delicacy. The rhizomes, together with
the near future. The research methods employed have chillies and other ingredients are mixed and ground
32
been discussed in detail in a separate publication. into a paste, which is used as a base for making a
Part of the result of our ethnobotanical research on curry. The leaves, washed and cut into the very thin
the ginger family in Thailand will be discussed here pieces, are used for seasoning the curry. Leaves of
briefly to complete our treatment of the genus other taxa known locally as pro pa (‡ª√“–ªÉ“), i.e., K.
Kaempferia L. The information reported here is from marginata Carey, K. elegans Wall. ex Baker, can also

Fig. 27 Wan Krachai Dum (K. parviflora Wall. ex Baker) sold Fig. 28 Sun-drying Krachai Dum (K. parviflora Wall. ex Baker)
in Chatuchak Market (Bangkok) after harvesting