The Science of Plants: Western Apothecaries and Cambodian Healers
Since the dawn of civilization, healthcare has been one of humanity’s primary needs. Archaeological research reveals that humans have long sought to understand the origins of mysterious illnesses.
Whether priests, mediums, or empirical practitioners, early analysts laid the groundwork for medicine, blending divine explanations with scientific inquiry. Alongside diagnostic sciences, another medical profession emerged—a field at the intersection of pragmatism and mysticism, empirical knowledge and theoretical insight. This field brought together practitioners skilled in the use of plants, minerals, and their effects on human ailments: apothecaries and healers.
Apothecaries: Specialists in Healing
Over 4,000 years, the apothecary profession has undergone significant evolution in Europe with the advent of modern medicine, yet it remains vital in Asia, particularly Cambodia, where traditional medicine thrives alongside biomedical advances.
The term “apothecarius” originates from Latin, meaning “shop.” In 14th-century Europe, apothecaries established strict guilds, distinguishing themselves from itinerant charlatans. Their shops became central hubs for medical practice, where they prepared treatments prescribed by doctors and trained future apothecaries. Over time, apothecaries mastered distillation, maceration, and active ingredient extraction. They bridged healthcare and cosmetics, offering remedies for ailments and products like perfumes and powders for beauty and comfort.
Apothecary practices often intertwined with spirituality, addressing both the body and soul. However, they faced challenges, from competition with spice traders to conflicts with the Catholic Church, which sought to centralize empirical knowledge and promote a singular spiritual narrative. By the 19th century, advancements in biology and chemistry gave rise to biomedical science, leading apothecaries to transition into modern pharmacists.
The Kru Khmer: Cambodia’s Timeless Healers
While Western apothecaries shifted toward modern medicine, Cambodia preserved its millennia-old tradition of holistic healing, integrating it with modern approaches. Cambodian medicine, influenced by complex religious history and cultural exchanges, focuses on balancing opposing elements: body and spirit, heat and cold, solid and liquid.
Since the 9th century, Cambodian medicine has followed a structured system. By the 13th century, King Jayavarman VII built 102 royal hospitals to treat his subjects. Traditional healers, collectively called “Kru Khmer,” specialized in various disciplines:
- Kru Bakbek: Bone setters.
- Kru Teay: Astrologers and fortune-tellers.
- Kru Sneh: Practitioners of enchantments and good fortune rituals.
- Kru Thmob: Communicators with spirits capable of casting curses.
- Kru Thnam: Experts in plant- and mineral-based remedies, akin to European apothecaries.
Blessed with rich biodiversity, Cambodia offers an unparalleled variety of medicinal plants. The Mekong River has long facilitated the exchange of knowledge among Chinese, Vietnamese, Laotian, and Khmer healers, enriching the country’s traditional pharmacopoeia.
The Modern Era of Cambodian Medicine
In the 19th and 20th centuries, biomedical practices arrived in Cambodia through French colonial rule. However, these modern advancements often excluded rural populations, who continued to rely on traditional healers. After the devastation caused by the Khmer Rouge regime, which disrupted both modern and traditional medical practices, healers regained prominence, supported by their close ties with local communities.
Today, traditional medicine coexists with modern healthcare to meet Cambodia’s diverse social and cultural needs. The World Health Organization (WHO) even recommends preserving and integrating traditional medicine into Cambodia’s healthcare system. In 2009, the Royal University of Traditional Medicine was established to officially document and train future generations of certified healers.
Cambodia’s Natural Wealth in Medicine and Beyond
Cambodia’s rich pharmacopoeia has drawn interest from both local and international organizations. Notable contributions include:
- Pauline Dy Phon’s Work: The Cambodian botanist authored “Dictionary of Plants Used in Cambodia” (2000), a groundbreaking bilingual reference cataloging medicinal plants.
- Pierre Fabre Foundation: This French pharmaceutical group collaborated with Cambodia’s Royal Institute of Traditional Medicine to publish “Flore Photographique du Cambodge” (2013), detailing over 520 medicinal plants.
Companies like Bodia – The Cambodian Apothecary have harnessed this wealth of knowledge to create innovative natural cosmetics inspired by traditional remedies, now available internationally, including in France.
A Bridge Between Past and Future
Despite the centuries and continents separating Western apothecaries from Khmer healers, both traditions demonstrate the profound influence of nature on medicine, cosmetics, and culture. Cambodia’s botanical wealth holds immense potential for research and innovation, benefiting both local and global communities.
Through initiatives like Bodia, these treasures are being shared with the world. For example, Bodia has reimagined traditional Khmer remedies, incorporating ingredients such as:
- Gotu Kola (Centella asiatica): Used for fever treatment and now recognized for its skin-repairing and anti-scarring properties in cosmetics.
- Moringa (Moringa oleifera): Traditionally used to relieve menstrual pain, with modern research highlighting its nutrient-rich oil.
- Coconut (Cocos nucifera): Valued for its hydrating properties and diuretic effects, it remains a staple in skincare and haircare formulations.
Cambodia’s rich heritage of healing continues to inspire, bridging ancient wisdom with modern applications and offering new possibilities for discovery and growth.
Originally published: https://lepetitjournal.com/cambodge/comprendre-cambodge-science-plantes-apothicaires-occident-guerisseurs-cambodge-320651
