ABSTRACT
The inscriptions of herbal formulas at Wat Ratcha-orasaram Ratchaworawihan contain invaluable Thai wisdom. Herbal formulas were inscribed on gray marble slobs (33 cm2), from one angle to the opposite angle, for a total of 17 lines each. These marble inscriptions were placed on the outside walls of the corridors of the viharn of the Sleeping Buddha and along the wall of the sala in front of the ubosoth. Currently, 50 inscriptions, out of the total originally believed to be 92, can be seen. This documentary research compares these 50 marble inscriptions with copied versions (both published or unpublished). Since 1969, five lost inscriptions have been found. This report illustrates these five lost inscriptions together with the inscriptions written in the modern Thai alphabet, and provides translations of the inscriptions.
ABSTRACT
Although Chan Daeng (heartwood of Pterocarpus santalinus L. f.) is a crude drug frequently used as an ingredient in Thai traditional herbal recipes for antipyretic, antinociceptive and cardiotonic, its pharmacopoeial standard has not yet been established for the Thai Herbal Pharmacopoeia. Therefore, this study was aimed at establishing the specification of Chan Daeng. Microscopically, the crude drug showed characteristic scattered solitary vessel cells of diffuse porous wood, paratracheal xylem arenchyma, and uniseriate homocellular xylem ray. Phytochemical screening of its ethanolic extract indicated the presence of terpenoid compounds. Physico-chemical specifications, i.e. foreign matter, moisture content, total ash, and acid-insoluble contents of Chan Daeng were proposed as being not more than 0.002, 8.0, 1.0 and 0.02 percent w/w, respectively, while ethanol-soluble extractive and water-soluble extractive were set as not less than 12.0 and 1.5 percent w/w, respectively. These results will be useful for the quality control of Chan Daeng, including herbal remedies composed of Chan Daeng.