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| 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.
