Mr Iaen says he approached the traditional doctor who applied the medicine, leading to a speedy recovery.
In rural Cambodia, traditional medicine continues to be used alongside western medicine, with the Cambodian Ministry of Health estimating that in 2012 up to 50 per cent of Cambodians had used traditional medicine.
However, younger Cambodians appear to prefer western medicine rather than learning the traditional Khmer methods.
Deputy Chief of Kbal Koh, Hor Bun Heang, is the local traditional healer. His methods include using herbs and plants. Mr Heang points out a local guava tree whose leaves he says can be used to treat diarrhoea by chewing them, and a white flowering plant beneficial for stomach pain.
He is known by other villagers - including Mr Iaen - to have a special ability to cure cobra bites.
He learnt how to treat sicknesses from his grandfather when he was seven-years-old.
"My grandfather was working at the Royal Palace and he was a Royal doctor - like a Royal doctor for the king - so he knew a lot of traditional recipes,” Mr Heang said.
After the Khmer Rouge came to the village he also helped pregnant women with delivering babies.
"I really want to teach my children and grandchildren, but they not pay attention": Hor Bun Heang. Source: Nick Parkin
Villagers in Kbal Koh now have access to a professional doctor leading some to shun traditional healing techniques.
Locals can also go to a hospital in Kratie which is about 14 kilometres away by a motorbike and ferry ride.
Many of the villagers go there to deliver babies and for serious illnesses, including malaria, cancer and STDs, which the local traditional methods cannot treat.
Twenty-three-year-old mother Hor Kim Heach is one of the younger villagers who uses the medical services in Kratie.
Her young children have been vaccinated, and she uses medicine from the hospital if they are sick.
Ms Heach said it is hard to go to Kratie and the hospital is expensive, but the quality is better than traditional methods.
According to the World Health Organisation, there is limited regulation of traditional health practitioners in Cambodia.
This leaf can be used to treat stomach pains and diarrhea. (Photo: Nick Parkin.) Source: Nick Parkin
However, in areas such as Koh Chraeng, the traditional treatments can be vastly cheaper than the alternatives.
"When you have a broken the leg, the doctor will charge you around $100 to $200 [USD], but for me, only 5000 riel (around $1.25 USD),” Mr Heang said.
For this treatment, he ties bamboo to straighten the limb and uses medicine and speech, which some villagers refer to as magic.
Mr Heang said he would like to pass on his knowledge to the younger generations of his family, but they are not interested.
"I really want to teach my children and grandchildren, but they not pay attention, they don’t want to learn," Mr Heang said.
The author travelled to Cambodia as part of Monash University's Mojo Correspondent Journalism Study Tour. Khiev Iaen, Hor Bun Heang & Hor Kim Heach interviews conducted via a Khmer/English translator.
