Limnophila aromatica is commonly known as rice paddy herb or Phak Kha Yang in Thai. It is a vegetable with a characteristic odour used in Thai cooking. It can be consumed raw or cooked and is usually used as a flavour enhancer in soups and similar dishes. The plant is also used as a medicinal plant in Asia including parts of Vietnam, Thailand and Malaysia. Evidence suggests that the plant has particular clamitative effects in humans and animals, and this may relate to the essential oil it contains. For example, in one study, inhalation of Limnophila aromatica essential oil by humans caused significant changes in brain wave patterns that were associated with a relaxing effect. Limnophila aromatica essential oil may increase theta and alpha wave activity in the brains of humans and this may thereby cause a relaxing effect. The main active ingredients in Limnophila aromatica essential oil are thought to be terpenes including ocimene, terpinolene, camphor, limonene, trans-isolimonene, α-pinene and α-caryophyllene.
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