Effectiveness of Zingiberaceae Herbal Extracts from the Hala-Bala Forest for Application in Thai Massage

  • Orawan Thipmanee Major of Chemistry, Faculty of Science Technology and Agriculture, Yala Rajabhat University, Yala 95000, Thailand
  • Sunee Waema Major of Chemistry, Faculty of Science Technology and Agriculture, Yala Rajabhat University, Yala 95000, Thailand
  • Saluma Samanman Faculty of Science and Technology, Princess of Naradhiwas University, Narathiwat 96000, Thailand
  • Aeesoh Benhawan Major of Chemistry, Faculty of Science Technology and Agriculture, Yala Rajabhat University, Yala 95000, Thailand
DOI: https://doi.org/10.20884/1.jm.2025.20.2.14695

Abstract

ABSTRACT. This research aimed to study the efficiency of essential oils extracted from Zingiberaceae herbals that are Etlingera elatior, Zingiber montanum, and Etlingera coccinea, collected from the Hala-Bala forest in Chulabhorn Pattana Village 9, Ban Santisuk 2, Mae Wat Sub-district, Than To and Betong District, Yala Province. The essential oils were extracted using steam distillation and characterized based on their physical and chemical properties, antimicrobial activity, phytochemical composition, and antioxidant activities. The pH values of the essential oils were found to be 6.1, 4.9, and 6.2, respectively. Heavy metal analysis of the essential oils, conducted using a flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer, revealed no contamination with lead, chromium, manganese, and cadmium. In antimicrobial activity test against three bacterial strains— Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus spp., and Escherichia coli—the essential oils of E. elatior and Z. montanum demonstrated inhibitory effects against all three strains, with inhibition zones ​​of 12.3±0.28, 10.7±1.06, and 11.2±1.01 mm for E. elatior and 22.1±1.25, 26.0±0.70, and 18.5±0.70 mm for Z. montanum. Meanwhile, the essential oil of E. coccinea inhibited S. aureus and E. coli with inhibition zones ​​of 20.5±0.70 and 13.2±0.35 mm, respectively. Preliminary phytochemical analysis was performed using high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC), and antioxidant activity evaluated using three assays: DPPH radical scavenging activity (DPPH assay), ABTS free radical bleaching (ABTS assay), and ferric reduction of antioxidant power (FRAP assay). The results confirmed that all three essential oils exhibited antioxidant activity, and the phytochemical screening detected flavonoids, diterpenes, and anthraquinones. This research highlights the potential of the essential oils for developing Thai massage health products, particularly in the form of massage oils infused with natural extracts and local herbs. Volunteer satisfaction assessments conducted at the Thai Traditional Medicine Learning Center, Yala Rajabhat University, Yala Province, Thailand, indicated a high to the highest level of satisfaction. This was attributed to the oils' natural composition, low toxicity, and high effectiveness.


 


Keywords: Antibacterial, Antioxidant, Etlingera elatior, Essential oil, Etlingera coccinea, Phytochemical, Zingiber montanum

Published
2025-07-24
How to Cite
THIPMANEE, Orawan et al. Effectiveness of Zingiberaceae Herbal Extracts from the Hala-Bala Forest for Application in Thai Massage. Molekul, [S.l.], v. 20, n. 2, p. 339-348, july 2025. ISSN 2503-0310. Available at: <https://jos.unsoed.ac.id/index.php/jm/article/view/14695>. Date accessed: 20 aug. 2025. doi: https://doi.org/10.20884/1.jm.2025.20.2.14695.
Citation Formats
Issue
Vol 20 No 2 (2025)
Section
Biomolecule Isolation, Modification and Application

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