Every region in Thailand hosts diverse communities, distinguished by their beliefs, religions, and local cultures. Crucially, they share a rich heritage of "wisdom passed down through generations." This article focuses on the four upper Northern provinces — Chiang Rai, Phayao, Phrae, and Nan — collectively known as the Eastern Lanna region. These provinces possess ancient, continuous local traditions, especially the use of natural, locally sourced products as food, medicine, or health remedies, with knowledge being transmitted orally from one generation to the next.

Blending Local Wisdom with Scientific Research

Inspired by this heritage, a research team led by Assistant Professor Tammanoon Rungsang and colleagues from the Cosmetic Science Programme, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Phayao, recognised its potential. They began an extensive study, collecting data from various sources and conducting fieldwork across the upper Northern provinces to document the long-standing use of local natural products.

The research was catalysed by a partnership with a private sector co-partner: the Mae Ing Natural Wild Honey Beekeeping Community Enterprise and Non-Toxic Farmers Network. This Phayao-based health product enterprise traditionally used wild honey for consumption and skin nourishment.

The Community Enterprise was established to generate income for its members, create additional occupations, and conserve the native wild honey bee species. However, they faced a “critical challenge: climate change.” Global warming has caused a drastic reduction in honey yield, subsequently cutting into the Enterprise’s income.

This situation spurred the community enterprise to seek ways to add value to their honey by developing a high-value innovative product: cosmetics. The research team, having already studied the local use of natural products for health, was able to “uncover the special properties of the community’s wild honey.”

The Scientific Discovery

Scientific analysis conducted by Assistant Professor Tammanoon Rungsang and his team revealed that this particular wild honey has a significantly higher content of moisturising agents than other commercial honeys, leading to superior and long-lasting hydration. The measurements showed an average 1.5 times higher beeswax content compared to standard market varieties. This provided the first scientific validation for the traditional wisdom used by their ancestors for centuries. This discovery was a pivotal moment, proving that “the wild honey from this community enterprise” has immense potential for processing and development into high-value cosmetic innovations.

From Heritage to Natural Liquid Crystal Technology

Combining local traditional knowledge with modern technology, the research team developed a “honey-infused skin nourishing emulsion using natural liquid crystal technology.”

An emulsion is the successful combination of two immiscible liquids (like oil and water) into a uniform mixture. This is achieved using two main factors: 'shear force' (such as shaking or blending to reduce oil droplet size) and an 'emulsifier', a substance with both water- and oil-loving parts that prevents the droplets from recombining. Emulsions are common in everyday products like mayonnaise, lotions, milk, ice cream, paint, and even pesticides—it is essentially the art of harmoniously blending non-miscible liquids.

Crucially, products derived from natural sources are ideal for sensitive skin and can help strengthen the skin barrier. Formulating them as an emulsion ensures quick absorption and a non-sticky feel. Furthermore, the “Natural Liquid Crystal Technology” used is a technique often incorporated into high-end cosmetics as a biomimetic (nature-imitating) process.

This technology creates a product structure that closely resembles the cellular membrane of the skin, allowing for better delivery of active ingredients. Additionally, liquid crystal formulas are highly stable, resist separation, and help extend product shelf-life, leading to superior skin benefits, especially rapid absorption and skin barrier reinforcement—qualities highly valued by Thai consumers.

Developing a Market-Ready Product

This innovative product was designed as a facial skincare solution tailored for the Thai market, considering the climate and consumer demands. The fast-absorbing, non-sticky nature directly addresses the consumer preference against heavy-feeling products. Product testing confirmed its superior moisturising efficacy compared to general market products and its safety for sensitive skin, a key target market. The innovation was commercialised as a serum called “Concentrated Hyaluron Honey Serum Jasmine Rice” under the INGTARA brand.

Success and Quality Recognition

The innovation has achieved national recognition, winning First Runner-Up at an award ceremony organised by the National Innovation Agency (NIA) and the Thai Rice Foundation under the Royal Patronage. This confirms the product's quality and potential. The award not only instils pride in the researchers and the community but also opens doors for market expansion and builds product credibility.

Knowledge Transfer to the Community

The Cosmetic Science Programme at the University of Phayao's Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences has granted permission for the Mae Ing Natural Wild Honey Beekeeping Community Enterprise to utilise this innovation to enhance their income. This technology transfer genuinely adds value, transforming a low-cost raw material into a high-value, innovative product. “This development is not merely about creating a new product; it is about significantly increasing the value of local raw materials and generating economic opportunities for the community.” The ultimate goal is to scale up production to meet wider market demands while preserving the quality and unique identity of the natural raw materials and the community’s heritage.

From Research to Utility Patent Application

Assistant Professor Tammanoon Rungsang and the research team, including Asst. Prof. Dr. Lapatrada Mungmai, Asst. Prof. Dr. Jukkarin Srivilai, Asst. Prof. Dr. Eakkaluk Wongwad, and Asst. Prof. Dr. Weeraya Preedalikit, along with community innovators from the Mae Ing Natural Wild Honey Beekeeping Community Enterprise—Mr. Ekkarin Latthasaksiri and Mr. Thanya Intamoy —have jointly filed a petty patent application for the formula, titled “Skin Nourishing Emulsion Formula Containing Honey Using Natural Liquid Crystal Technology.”

     Looking back, “local wisdom” has been intertwined with Thai society for generations, surviving through trial-and-error and passed down from ancestors. However, with the rising prominence of modern technology, the value of this traditional knowledge is sometimes overlooked. By merging this ancient wisdom with modern technology, we can spark new innovations that are both contemporary and respectful of our roots. The “Wild Honey Emulsion Innovation under the INGTARA brand” is a clear example of creating added value from local resources. By combining traditional knowledge with modern technology and quality research, it has resulted in an economically valuable product far exceeding the worth of the raw material alone. This development not only boosts the community's income and conserves the native wild honey bee species but, crucially, perpetuates local wisdom for future generations. It also serves as an inspiration for other communities to develop their local resources into high-value innovative products, leading to sustainable community economic development, aligning with the University of Phayao's vision: “A university that creates wisdom and community innovation towards sustainable internationalisation.”