On 10 August 2021, the Dean of the School of Anti-Aging and Regenerative Medicine, Paisal Rummaneethorn, M.D., who, on behalf of the President of Mae Fah Luang University, offered 2,000 sets (100,000 capsules) of Green Chiretta or Fah Thalai Jone (Andrographis paniculata) under the brand “Cha Khun Van” to the Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, Prof. Dr.Anek LaoThammatat. The offering of green chiretta capsules aimed to support the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation’s project “Aor Wor Parod” which will distribute the survival kits containing herbal medicine and necessary equipment to the COVID-19 patients with mild symptoms who are treated under the Home Isolation programme.
The ‘Cha Khun Van’ herbal products are originated from MFU’s research and are manufactured from the MFU Herbal Medicine Laboratory complying with the PIC/S GMP standard.
Fah talai jone or green chiretta (Andrographis paniculata) has been widely used for centuries in Thailand and some neighboring countries as a treatment for acute respiratory tract infection and to reduce inflammation and coughing. According to the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine (DTAM), fah talai jone extract contains andrographolide which can eliminate and suppress the spread of coronavirus. In July, the Thai government approved the use of fah talai jone after a trial of the herbal remedy on prison inmates, in which 99% of 11,800 subjects with mild symptoms reportedly recovered. The government is hopeful that wider availability of the herb will help relieve pressure on the public health system.
