Please help: Looking for Chinese and Indian herbs (& herbalist) in Laos?

Question

Hi,

I will be traveling for three months through SE Asia, including Singapore, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Indonesia starting in mid-September. I consume many herbal dietary supplements for my health, but because of possilbe complications getting them through customs (the herbs come in bulk with no original packaging per se), it looks like I might have to find these Chinese and Indian (Ayurvedic) herbs in each respective destination.

So, I'm asking about Laos here---any city, but especially in bigger ones like Vientiane. Do you know of any herbalists or herbal shops which have Chinese and Indian herbs, especially encapsulated herbs? Health-food stores? (I'm looking for largest shops, as they are more likely to have the specific herbs I need.) Any names or search tips on the internet would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Answer 1

You are going to have problems finding "health food" stores in S.E. Asia. There just aren't any. However, there are herbal remedy stores everywhere. The problem is translation. You will need to do some translations into the various languages before you get to your destinations. Then you can just walk into the shops and hand them the request. Its pretty amazing the amount of stock a lot of these places have! Ask at any pharmacy and they will either have a back room of home remedy's or point you in the right direction. But... have your translations ready or its tough sledding.

Answer 2

there are heaps of chinese medicine shops around the city. try Himalaya Herbal Healthcare in KLCC at Ramlee Mall shop number C43C.