Thai "yellow oil" can refer to different things, requiring clarification. Let's explore two primary interpretations:
1. Medicinal Thai Yellow Oil (e.g., Somthawin (Ang Ki) Yellow Oil)
This type of yellow oil, like Somthawin (Ang Ki) Yellow Oil, is used topically for medicinal purposes.
- Application: Apply it gently to affected areas of the skin resulting from inflammations, rashes, or insect bites. The provided reference also suggests inhaling or applying it to temples and the nose.
- Use Cases: Excellent for relieving discomfort from inflammation, rashes, and insect bites. Particularly useful for elderly individuals and travelers. Keep a bottle handy for immediate relief.
- Example: If you have a mosquito bite causing itchiness, rub a small amount of the oil onto the affected area for soothing relief.
2. Culinary Thai Yellow Oil (Used in Cooking)
In Thai cooking, "yellow oil" isn't a specific ingredient but refers to the oil used in preparing yellow curry dishes. This is often coconut oil, but other oils such as olive oil can also be used.
- Culinary Use: The oil is the base for sautéing aromatics (like onions and garlic) before adding the curry paste and other ingredients to make Thai yellow curry.
- Example: Many recipes use 1-2 tablespoons of coconut oil or other cooking oils to start the yellow curry cooking process. This oil infuses flavor and allows the aromatics to cook properly before introducing the rest of the ingredients.
- Note: The yellow color comes primarily from the yellow curry paste, not the oil itself.
The yellow hue in both instances isn't necessarily due to the oil itself being yellow but rather the ingredients within (e.g., turmeric in culinary use or herbal components in the medicinal version). Always check the specific product details or recipe for instructions.
