Top Five Herbs and Spices in Koh Samui

Delectable Thai herbs is one of the reason Thai food is so delectable

The list of Koh Samui things to do goes beyond watersports at white sand beaches, exploring uninhabited islands, hanging out at bars, or relaxing on the balcony of a villa facing the ocean. Thai food – which is touted by health experts to be one of the healthiest foods known to man – is loaded with special herbs and spices with special disease-fighting and immune-boosting properties.

According to Koh Samui travel guides, there’s a wide range of these cooking ingredients with excellent nutritional value. With that said, feel free to check out the list of this island’s top five herbs and spices below.

First on the list is lemongrass – this herb’s usage dates back to ancient times when the Chinese utilized its medicinal properties for the treatment of diseases such as fevers, headaches, stomach aches, flus, colds, arthritis and fungal conditions. Today, lemongrass is extensively used as an important ingredient for the preparation of numerous Thai dishes, mainly because of its fragrant, lemony characteristics.

Second on this list is Galangal – although grown in the majority of Southeast-Asian countries, this variation of ginger was originally used as medicine and a cooking ingredient in China and Java. Its popularity gradually breached the walls of Europe during the Middle Ages. Galangal was even used by St. Hildegard of Bingen as a remedy for diseases ranging from heart disease to indigestion.

Third, we have turmeric – Koh Samui travel guides explain that its main active ingredient is curcumin, which has strong anti-inflammatory attributes, thereby making it effective against conditions such as arthritis. Additionally, it’s also a powerful antioxidant, which makes it great for destroying free radical buildups.

Fourth entry on the list is Chillies – not only does this ingredient lower blood pressure, improve blood flow, or help an individual sleep better at night, but it’s also good for the heart, and actually helps maintain glucose and insulin levels as well.

Fifth and last item on the list Coriander – its seed has been used since ancient times by healers across the globe for the treatment of gastrointestinal problems. Koh Samui travel guides say this herb is also known as cilantro in the western world, and the herb and seed are used in numerous Thai cuisines today.

Considering all the health benefits to be enjoyed from these herbs and spices – as well as the remarkable flavor they render – tourists are strongly advised to include “eating Thai food” in their list of Koh Samui things to do.