ケソム
Rau răm
Polygonum minus
Polygonum odoratum (Vietnam), Vietnamese coriander, Rau răm
May be a skin irritant, no specific data, but dodecanal (the major constituent at 44 percent) when applied undiluted to rabbits was severely irritating.
Caution with dermal use, dilute adequately.
Contains no known carcinogens.
Polygonum minus in Malaysia (where the oil is produced) and Polygonum odoratum in Vietnamese/US cuisine (rau ram) are likely the same species per modern botanical taxonomy.
| Dodecanal | 44.1 % |
| Decanal | 27.7 % |
| Decanol | 10.9 % |
| β-Caryophyllene | 3.8 % |
| Dodecanol | 2.6 % |
| α-Caryophyllene | 1.5 % |
| Undecane | 1.1 % |
Polygonum minus / odoratum is a creeping herb of Southeast Asia. The fresh leaves are Vietnamese rau ram, an essential herb with fertilized duck eggs, salads, and pho. It has a distinctive pungent, slightly peppery flavor.
The oil is steam-distilled from the aerial parts. Mainly produced in Malaysia.
Family Polygonaceae. Same family as buckwheat and rhubarb.