Ancient Thai Northeastern( Esarn ) Palm Leaf Scriptures toward History and Knowledge Dissemination

Gordon Bakker; Supachai Singyabuth; Buavaroon Srichaikul

Volume : VII, Issue : V, May - 2017

Ancient Thai Northeastern( Esarn ) Palm Leaf Scriptures toward History and Knowledge Dissemination

Gordon Bakker, Supachai Singyabuth, Buavaroon Srichaikul

Abstract :

This research is a descriptive and explorative study which is aimed at the investigation of collections, preservation , composition and indications of Thai palm leaf scriptures as it pertains to artistry and historical research. This topic involves study of hundreds of Thai folk medicinal formulations and liary documents housed in temples dating back over 600 years. The research team of Mahasarakham University committee is comprised of Artists , Pharmacists, Biologists, Thai folk herbalist and editor. The complete scriptures contained 5 volumes and the languages used in the scriptures were Thai Noi, Tham Esarn, Khemer and Thai Local folk languages. Each traditional medicinal formula was composed by local Thai folk herbalists and transferred in written language on palm leaves and were kept within the temples in Thailand. Thai monks had preserved these documents in ornate handcrafted containers and kept them as a resource for education in order to treat various ailments of local people. This historic liary with formulations were created over a period of hundreds of years before the advent of modern medicine and some of the formulations had been tested in comparative clinical trials. The results present not only the art of herbalism but the art of preservation and reveal effective therapeutic formulations from Thai palm leaf scriptures.