Phi Phop In Thai Medicine (泰医与琵琶鬼)

While in Thai magic, magicians invoked Phi Phop for assistance; the Thai herbalists would normally chase away this type of spirits. 

There are many versions of Phi Phop around: some relate it to 'banana spirit' but I think Phi Phop actually refers to the restless soul of those black magicians once indulged in the arts of 'mountain-wind' (蛊毒).

Once upon a time in Indochina, once a person is related to Phi Phop, he would be expelled from staying in the village and no one dares to approach him. It was the belief of that time that Phi Phop needs to consume a person every 3 years. So its master must poison one victim or his Phi Phop will take the life of its master.

There are many formulas used by traditional Thai herbalists to exorcise Phi Phop. I will list some for reference:

Formula 1: Kata Phi Phop

O SARAJANGTA, RAHULANTAM, SAJIANGTI, MATIRANUO, MANOYATI, MANNOGATAM, MATAMDIANO, MALANGPATAN, MALANGJATI, MATIJARANG, ANBALAWA, ANPALAWA, TAPU, AHERANINU, SUERNARA, MASUNA, YAPUMO, SARVARANIVA, ANTAMANLIANG, YANGYOJAH, KARASOHA.

It is believed that any one who recites the above mantra in the morning and evening, Phi Phop will not disturb this person.

However, if a person is possessed by Phi Phop, then the herbalist should get bamboo sticks to clamp onto both thumbs and toe thumbs of the possessed. In such a way, this Phi Phop will flee.

Other than that, the above 'kata' can also be used to cure vomiting and diarrhea.

Formula 2: Kata for exorcising Phi Phop

First, a herbalist must chew some pepper seeds and recites the below mantra:

O TATIE, HOMTATA, JARATIETENTEN, SUWAKO, WAKAKUIKUICHI, KANLANWO, JINRATIE, SAMINGHAOKAOSIAO, TIESIE!

After that, the meshed pepper is spitted into the eyes of the one possessed by Phi Phop. It is believed that Phi Phop will escape from the person's eyes.

Once the Phi Phop has left, below 'kata' is recited again to remove the effect of the pepper:

PUTO, PUTIEYANG, MENTOMOJIEYANG, TINGNO, TALIEYANG, PUTO , PUJATI, PUTO.

A sip of water is then taken and spitted onto the person's eyes and he shall recover.

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