RICE

Botanical name: Oryza sativa L.

Family name: GRAMINEAE

Thai name: Khao

Rice is an herbaceous plant originating in tropical regions. Rice is a staple diet of Asians. The part of the grain that contains plenty of vitamin B is next to the peel. When milled, vitamin B is concentrated in the rice bran. Vitamin B has curative properties for beriberi, edema, and similar problems. In traditional medicine, the starch, mixed with water, is used as a poultice to alleviate inflammation of herpes, burns, and scalds. The immature rice produces rice milk for the patient. In cosmetics, rice bran is used in anti-aging products. Many active ingredients are found, including g-oryzanol, vitamin E, fatty alcohol, and vitamin F that have emollient and antioxidant properties.