Is it even PC to use that phrase in polite, educated company anymore? TRUMPING something? But you know what I mean. Perhaps the term has been given an extra dimension of colour and finality?
What is Phlai root anyway and why should I want to know this?
Phlai is the Thai name given to a variety of Chinese Yellow Ginger, botanically Zingiber cassumunar, Roxb. to be exact.
What's with the chilies? More about that later.
This is literally one of those herbs that Big Pharma would prefer you knew very little about. Because it grows like a weed here in Asia, smells divine and outperforms one of the most popularly prescribed Big Pharma cash-cows: anti-inflammatories. There are many studies, both animal model and human studies, which have similar findings, but you can start here: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378874103000989
SIDE NOTE: I, personally, and my business, Pure Thai Naturals, do not condone or support animal testing and begin all product testing on ourselves, before recruiting human volunteers. Apologies if the citation of published clinical studies which have involved animal testing offends.
The most important thread in all of these studies, apart from out-performing anti-inflammatory drugs, is that the Phlai root had no side effects.
I broke my elbow last week in a car accident and am currently in a plaster cast. The first thing the hospital gave me, apart from morphine and anti-inflammatory drugs, was ulcer medication. Still groggy after the anaesthesia and in some shock, I took the pain meds and the anti-inflammatories as an in-patient and for a few days after coming home, because my upper arm swelled uncomfortably and painfully. I ignored the ulcer meds cos I don't have an ulcer. And then my stomach started complaining, and I lost my appetite and felt hungry at weird times of the night. And nauseous and unusually down.
And so I stopped the pain and anti-inflammatory medication. It has taken 4 days for my appetite to return. I still have considerable pain that I am just mindfully observing during the day, and accepting. Night-times are not great but this too, will pass. And there is always the internet and steem time. :) I started simply massaging my upper arm and shoulder with some Phlai balm and changed my sleeping position, and have been giving myself about x3 sessions of 20 mins on the sofa during the day with my arm raised over my head, to reduce the swelling & improve drainage.
Guess what? That strategy works MUCH better and the swelling is considerably reduced. And I smell amazing. Haha....
The fascinating thing is that these plants are everywhere in Thailand and it grows in my garden.
Most traditional Thai people reach for a hot herbal compress after injury, and yes, they contain dried or fresh phlai root.
What does Phlai smell like? It is literally the original Tiger Balm ingredient, with the heat component originally coming from chili extract. Hence my image above. Sadly all loooong since replaced in cheap commercial massage balms with chemicals, bio-diesel waste and synthetic oils. There ARE still some purists around, and I happily confess to being one of them. I still make Phlai balm in my business the old fashioned way, starting with roots and chilies. I use natural Thai beeswax and essential oils and the base is made from rice bran oil. I make it as an oil for massage too.
Phlai Balm and Phlai Oil are mostly used for sore muscles and stiff joints, for arthritis pain, menstrual cramps and, interestingly, to help naturally ease lung congestion from coughs-colds and asthma. I often combine it with magnesium spray if my legs are tight after a run or the gym. It is superb for improving blood circulation and consequently is a wonderful treatment for chronically cold feet. Because it is so effective at improving circulation, it should not be used on a fresh injury for at least 24 hours, as it can and will exacerbate bleeding within the muscle and cause contusion.
Later today I will be setting up my first ever 
If you are ever in Thailand, I highly recommend a hot herbal massage with Phlai root. An amazing experience!
BlissednBlessed
Healing
Never cease to be amazed my Mother Earth's Pharmacopoeia.
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