Herb it!

Herbs have been valued for their medical properties for over 5,000 years. India uses them as part of the Ayurveda holistic system of healing. The Chinese apothecary relies solely on herbs.

The Philippines, however, has yet to explore the full potential of medicinal plants despite the fact that our ancestors have long known of their benefits. This is unfortunate since the Philippines is the seventh country in the Asian region–and the 23rd in the world–with the most plant species, each with its own healing properties.

But the situation is changing. The good news is that production of medicinal products from plants–ten of which have been studied in depth by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST)–has started to show commercial possibilities through four herbal pharmaceutical plants established by the government.

The National Integrated Research Program on Medicinal Plants (NIRPROMP) led to the manufacture and sale of phyto-pharmaceutical products from lagundi, sambong, yerba buena and tsaang gubat.

Exposure to global trends and a keen awareness of the multi-billion dollar export possibilities of plant-based personal care and pharmaceutical products propelled the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), the export promotions agency of the Department of Trade and Industry, to embark on an herbal development program. This is complementary to the BIO-Search trade exhibition for organic, herbal and natural products which CITEM launched in 1997 and the 1st Southeast Asian Regional Conference and Exhibition on Natural and Herbal Products.

In just five years, BIO-Search has become a well-established gathering of major stakeholders in the Philippine natural, organic and herbal industries, and has evolved into an effective gauge of progress and a platform for development geared towards exports. It has also become an excellent medium for drawing attention to the impressive benefits of an organic diet and a health-oriented lifestyle.

In line with CITEM’s thrust to develop emerging industries, a special consultancy program was implemented to create novel product concepts from Philippine medicinal plants with socio-economic importance, with German doctor Dietmar Rummel at the helm.

Rummel has 40 years’ experience in natural medicine and phyto-theraphy. He has had formal training in cosmetic dermatology, formulation of cosmetic and dermatological products and emulsification technology, and is currently vice president for Research and Development on Skin Products of Schatzilein, Inc. at the Advanced German Beauty Technology. He is responsible for registering 20 "cosmeceutical" products under the Philippine Bureau of Food and Drug (BFAD). He has also authored five books on Philippine medicinal plants and crops for health, nutrition and beauty.

In the last BIO-Search 2002, Rummel harnessed the healing, cleansing and beautifying properties of nine Philippine medicinal plants: neem, tsaang gubat, ginger, turmeric, garlic, sweet basil, citrus, cucumber and gotu kola. Rummel worked closely with the DOST Packaging R&D Center of the Philippines, the Chemicals and Minerals Division (CMD) of the Industrial Technology Development Institute (ITDI), the Department of Pharmacy of UP Manila, the Department of Science and Engineering of the Ateneo de Manila University and Lloyd Laboratories.

In formulating the prototypes, Rummel strictly adhered to natural standards and made use of indigenous ingredients like elemi oil (from the bark of the pili nut tree which has good anti-fungal and antiseptic properties similar to tea tree oil), and stayed away from petroleum-derived ingredients like propylene glycol and mineral oils which are occlusive and could clog pores.

Twenty-three prototypes were launched in the fair and ten other Philippine medicinal plants are being developed for new formulations in time for next year’s BIO-Search.

CITEM currently has exclusive proprietary rights over the products which are being offered for licensing to entrepreneurs, groups or cooperatives for community livelihood projects. In addition, CITEM will hold a free seminar for farmers and cultivators on the proper protocol for cultivating and processing medicinal plants on 28-29 October 2002 at the Philippine Trade Training Center (PTTC). Call tel. 831-2483 or e-mail inquiries to [email protected]