Thai Herbal Inhalers ยาดม (Yadom) Why This Tiny Item Is a Must-Have
- Jirabhorn S.
- 6 days ago
- 2 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
Thai herbal inhalers are everywhere in Thailand. When did they begin, and why are they so popular?
Meaning of Inhalers (Ya Dom)
“ยา” (yaa) means medicine.
“ดม” (dom) means to smell.
Put together, “ยาดม” (yaa dom) literally means a scented medicine used for inhalation to help relieve certain symptoms.
Today, inhalers are everywhere in Thailand and almost every Thai seems to carry one.
But when did Thais first start using them?
History of Thai Inhalers: Back to the Ayutthaya era.
In Thailand, inhaler traditions date back to the late Ayutthaya era, when scented blends called “Bunga Rampei” (บุหงารำไป /bù-ngǎa-ram-bpai/) were used for relaxation. These blends mixed flowers with borneol, camphor, and floral water to create cooling fragrances.
During the reign of King Rama V (King Chulalongkorn), scent-based healing reached its golden age, with many traditional inhaler formulas refined and developed.
In its early days, Thai inhalers often used ingredients from the citrus family, such as ส้มโอ /sôm-oh/ pomelo and ส้มมือ /sôm-meuu/ Buddha's Hand mixed with borneol, camphor or dried herbs to create specific scents, for example:
กานพลู /gaan-pluu/ – Cloves: warm, spicy scent that removes unpleasant odors
โป๊ยกั๊ก /bpóhi-gák/ – Star anise: sweet aroma that eases gas and clears phlegm
From Medicine to a Must-Have Item
Modern Thai inhalers are made from three key ingredients เมนทอล /mehn-tawn/ (menthol), การบูร /gaa-rá-buun/ (camphor), and พิมเสน /pim-sěhn/ (borneol).
Their cooling scent helps relieve:
Dizziness or light-headedness when feeling faint or overheated
Nasal congestion from colds or allergies by opening the airways
Because of these everyday benefits, inhalers have become something almost everyone carries. They are officially registered as a household medicine by Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health and are perfectly suited to the country’s hot, humid climate.
What If You Could Design Your Own Inhaler
Today, Thai inhalers are more than just medicine. They have become lifestyle items, with people enjoying custom scents, packaging, and popular designs like keychains and decorative cases in Thailand.
How great would it be if you could design an inhaler that truly suits you?
If you’re interested, we’d love to meet you at our workshop and you will get:
Blend Your Own Legend: Craft the world's only inhaler recipe uniquely yours.
Culture & Vocabulary: Learn Thai herbal words and cultural scent traditions.
Souvenir & Proof: Take home your custom inhaler and a Certificate.
Let’s design your own herbal inhaler together!
🗓 7 February 2026
⏰ 10:00–12:30
📍 The Work Loft Silom near BTS Sala Daeng Station (Click to see location)
Our hands-on workshop is perfect for travelers, expats, and Thai-culture lovers who want more than just a souvenir, they want an experience.
Workshop seats will be limited, Reserve Now!
