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Table 1 Polyherbal formulas and their medical uses

From: Antioxidant capacities and total phenolic contents of 20 polyherbal remedies used as tonics by folk healers in Phatthalung and Songkhla provinces, Thailand

Remedies

Method of preparation and administration

Traditional uses

THP-R001a

Pounded, dried, mixed with honey and made into boluses

refreshing and rejuvenating effect on the entire body; reduces joint and muscle pain and flatulence

Take one bolus twice a day before meals

THP-R002a

Pound, mixed with boiled water or honey and made into boluses; take 4–5 boluses thrice a day before meals

nourishes the skin; promotes blood circulation and used as a blood tonic

THP-R003a

Pounded, dried, mixed with honey and made into boluses; take 2–4 boluses twice a day before meals

health tonic and promotes longevity

THP-R004a

Pounded, dried, mixed with honey and made into boluses; take one bolus once a day before meals

health tonic, skin refreshment, and promotes longevity

THP-R005b

Dried and boiled with water; drink 40–50 mL thrice a day before meals

carminative and a tonic

THP-R006b

Pounded, dried, mixed with honey and made into boluses; take two boluses twice a day after meals

stimulating and rejuvenating the entire body

THP-R007b

Pounded and infused in hot water (90–97 °C, 3–5 min); drink 100–150 mL of the infusion twice a day after meals

health promoting and hypolipidemic agents

THP-R008c

Dried, boiled with water, and filtered the infusion; drink 50–60 mL twice a day after meals

used as a health tonic and used to treat fatigue

THP-R009c

Dried, boiled with water, and filtered the infusion or pounded, dried, mixed with honey and made into boluses; drink 50–60 mL or take two boluses twice a day after meals

health tonic, sex stimulant, or sexual performance enhancer

THP-R010d

Extracted by boiling water for at least 3 h; drink 40–50 mL thrice a day before meals

an appetite inducer and tonic

THP-R011e

Pounded, dried, and made tinctures (alcohol extract) or mixed with honey and made into boluses; drink 30 mL or take three boluses once a day before meals

nourishing and tonifying agents; reduces joint and muscle pain, and applied as a sex stimulant

THP-R012f

Dried, boiled with water, and filtered the infusion; drink 40–50 mL thrice a day before meals

improvement blood circulation tonic

THP-R013g

Extracted by boiling water for at least 3 h; drink 10–20 mL thrice a day before meals

stimulates and rejuvenates the entire body

THP-R014h

Dried, boiled with water, and filtered the infusion; drink 5 mL thrice a day before meals

health tonic and sex stimulant; reduces joint and muscle pain and lowers blood glucose

THP-R015h

Extracted by boiling water for 15 min; drink 5 mL thrice a day before meals

tonic, sexual performance enhancer, and lowering blood glucose

THP-R016h

Pounded, dried, and mixed approximately 5 g with 100 mL of warm water; drink once a day before meals

stimulate and rejuvenate the entire body

THP-R017i

Pounded, dried, and mixed approximately 5 g with 100 mL of warm water; drink once a day before meals

blood tonic, reduce joint and muscle pain

THP-R018j

Extracted by boiling water for at least 3 h and filtered the infusion; drink 50 mL thrice a day before meals

stimulate and rejuvenate the entire body

THP-R019k

Pounded, dried, extracted by boiling in water, and filtered the infusion; drink 50 mL once a day before meals

blood tonic; reduce joint and muscle pain

THP-R020k

Pounded, dried, and made tinctures (water extract); drink 50 mL once a day before meals

health tonic

  1. The traditional healers who prescribed the remedies were aMr. Prayut Boonyug, bMr. But Parnpradit, cMr. Yayo Lumkun, dMr. Num Nokkeaw, eMr. Prasert Kaewpradit, fMr. Nhom Ratchgaew, gMr. Somporn Chanwanisakul, hMr. Yop Lomsa, iMr. Lep Boonmee, jMr. Kart Eatmong, and kMr. Rowan Watjirasoporn