THE STUDY OF THE USE OF LOCAL HERBS FOR PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT TO BE USED IN THAI SPA BY VILLAGE HEALTH VOLUNTEER COMMUNITY GROUP: THANON PHO SUB-DISTRICT, NON THAI DISTRICT, NAKORNRATCHASRIMA PROVINCE

Abstract

The sample of this research was 85 members of the Village Health Volunteer Community (VHV) at Thanon Pho Sub-District, Non Thai District, Nakhonratchasima Province, in which 70 represents were chosen using the sampling examples of Taro Yamane. This study is a quantitative research which the objectives are as follows: 1) to study (leading factors) knowledge on herbal plants; 2) to study (supporting factors) the daily use of herbs and areas on herbal resources; 3) to study the relationship of personal factors of the daily use of herbs and herbal resources; 4) to study the relationship of knowledge on herbal plants and the attitude towards the use of herbs on the daily use of herbs and resources.

Results showed that most of the samples were under graduate female age 20 – 40 years old. They also work in agriculture/livestock/fishery and earn 10,000 – 20,000 baht monthly. Most of them have medium level of knowledge on herbs and the reason for using herbs is that they believe in the benefits and properties of herbs. The results from hypothesis no.1 from the different gender sample group affect the use of herbs I 6 aspects: 1. Experience from using herbs; 2. Aspects of herbs usage; 3. Monthly use of herbs; 4. Influences; 5. Resources of herbs; and 6. Information sources of herbs. No differences were found and the results of hypothesis no.2 are about the knowledge of herbal plants and the attitude towards the use of herbal plants towards the significant correlation with the use of herbs in everyday life which is not  different in results.