Sompoi (Acacia concinna) is a native plant in the tropical regions of Asia, such as Southeast Asia and South Asia. This plant is highly resilient to dry conditions and typically thrives in dry evergreen forests, mixed forests, mountainside plains, or general wasteland. It's also commonly found in various regions of Thailand.

Deeply ingrained in Lanna's (Northern Thailand) beliefs and culture, Sompoi plays a significant role in many ceremonies. One of the most renowned ceremonies is the Water Pouring ceremony during Thai New Year or Lanna New Year (Songkran festival). Here, Thai people pour Sompoi water to pay respect to and seek blessings from their elders.

Beliefs and Traditions
In Thailand, particularly in the Northern region (Lanna), Sompoi is revered as an auspicious tree, believed to possess mystical powers. It's considered a sacred plant with Buddhist virtues. Bathing or soaking in holy water with Sompoi pods is believed to cleanse one's life of negativity and misfortune. Additionally, planting Sompoi around the house is thought to ward off danger and dispel various misfortunes.

Lanna people employ dried Sompoi pods in rituals to ward off bad luck. These pods are roasted until fragrant, then soaked in clean water with dissolved turmeric powder, traditionally known as "Sompoi Turmeric Juice." Over time, this practice evolved to using scented water (Nam-Obb) and dried flowers such as Safflower, Prayong, Phayom, and Saraphi.

For this reason, Sompoi water is a revered herb used in many ceremonies to eliminate bad luck and misfortune. It's notably used in the Luk Kaew ordination ceremony and the Kasavapatra, or Pouring Water ceremony, during Songkran festival, where water symbolizes purification and the seeking of blessings from elders.

Furthermore, beliefs surrounding Sompoi extend to many ethnic groups in Northern Thailand, such as the Karen people, who believe it wards off natural calamities like monsoon clouds, strong winds, thunderstorms, and lightning by burning Sompoi pods to produce smoke.

Traditional Thai medicine
Properties of Sompoi Nearly every part of Sompoi possesses unique properties and applications. In Thai traditional medicine, Sompoi leaves, with their sour and astringent taste akin to Acacia leaves, offer various medicinal benefits. The leaves are boiled and consumed to treat ailments ranging from expelling phlegm to purifying blood. Sompoi flowers aid in tendon repair, while the pod shell stimulates appetite, and the roots alleviate fever and palpitations.

Moreover, Sompoi exhibits properties that counteract poison. Its leaves contain high levels of vitamin A and Beta-carotene, while Sompoi pods boast saponin substances like Acacinin A and Acacinin B, known for their antioxidant properties. Research indicates that saponins in Sompoi pods enhance T cell function, thereby boosting immunity.

Sompoi Utilization Sompoi is a versatile herb with diverse applications. Beyond its medicinal use, it serves as a shampoo to combat dandruff, thicken hair, and prevent premature graying. Sompoi juice, obtained by boiling its pods, refreshes and cleanses the body, alleviating summer rashes and skin diseases. Additionally, it's utilized to polish gold jewelry, restoring its shine and luster.

In culinary endeavors, Sompoi enhances the flavor of various dishes, imparting a sour taste. It's a common ingredient in regional dishes like Tom Som Pla Kod Mae Nam, Tom Yum, and local curries.

References

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