PRACHIN BURI: There is a growing demand for kariyat herb powder, better known in Thai as fa thalai jone, amid word it is effective in treating the symptoms of Covid-19 and the Wang Tha Chang community in Kabin Buri district is cashing in on demand.
The Chao Phraya Abhaibhubejhr Hospital in Muang district has played a leading role in introducing patients who thought they had Covid-19 to kariyat (Andrographis paniculata), also known as green chiretta. Kariyat has been touted by many herbal experts as effective in treating the viral infection.
As a result, Chao Phraya Abhaibhubejhr Hospital has been flooded with orders for the herb in capsule form. Kariyat has been distributed to field hospitals throughout the country to treat patients with mild-to-moderate Covid-19 symptoms. Drug stores have also reported a huge demand for kariyat capsules.
Kariyat has become a household plant with people growing it for their own use. Many local people say that if they have a cough, sore throat or a fever, they soon recover after taking kariyat.
With the herb in such high demand, the Wang Tha Chang community enterprise in Kabin Buri district is growing kariyat and supplying it to Chao Phraya Abhaibhubejhr Hospital for use in treatments.
Sunthorn Thongkham, the community's leader, said when the plant is two months old its stems, branches and leaves are harvested, chopped up and dried in the sun.
The dried herb is then ground into powder, which is put into capsules and sold. The price is 80 baht for 100 capsules.
Mr Sunthorn said anyone interested in growing kariyat for their own use can view a demonstration plot at the Wang Tha Chang community enterprise in tambon Wang Tha Chang, Kabin Buri district, or call 089-2465268 for more information.