Knowledge Dissemination of Civil Defense Volunteers in Nong Prue Municipality (Chonburi) in Relation to Using Kariyat Herb for Boosting Immunity against Covid-19

Abstract

          This article portrays a phenomenon in which individuals were encouraged to take part in disseminating culture-based knowledge on Thai traditional medicine under the “Food as Medicine” discourse, with the leading role of civil defense volunteers of Nong Prue Municipality in the knowledge transfer process relating to Kariyat herb that can help strengthen one’s immunity during the Covid-19 pandemic. Collaborating with Nong Prue public health personnel, the civil defense volunteers play a vital role in extending knowledge about primary health care in order to prevent contagious diseases, to boost one’s immune system, and to assure the public of the beneficial use of local herbal plants in replace of medicines and vaccines that have not yet been tested on humans. Utilizing local resources becomes important for those lacking knowledge on Kariyat herb which, according to the Thai traditional medicine’s claim, contains substances that inhibit the contagion of diseases and build up one’s immune system while in shortage of medicines during the critical situation due to Covid-19 pandemic.