Stories from Bunong Communities in Northeastern Cambodia

Herbal medicine to remove fever

Story-teller Mr. Keo Phloey, Ms. Teut Yeut
Age 80
Recording time/date 19 November 2014
Recording place At their house in Laoka Village, Senmonorom, Mondulkiri Province, Cambodia
Language(s) used Bunong, Khmer
Category Folk medicine


Malaria and other fevers are a common disease in northeastern provinces of Cambodia. Indigenous Peoples, including the Bunong, who live near the jungle are most vulnerable to malaria. So, they plant herb trees at home. They put phonleay leaf, orange leaf, and treang khet leaf in a pot and boil them together. Some add lemon grass, too. Patients with high fever take it in boiled water 3 to 4 times a day. Within a few days, the symptoms become better.