Indonésia: Medicinal Plants in Indonesian Jamu to Be Cataloged

Indonesia’s plethora of medicinal plants and herbs are being sorted into a database by the Health Ministry and 26 state universities from across the country.

Minister Nafsiah Mboi said on Monday that the country’s native medicinal plant species were worthy of study, given Indonesia’s high dependence on imported raw ingredients to produce drugs.

“I have long been irked by how our traditional knowledge is claimed by others, and the fact that we’re still importing 90 percent of the ingredients needed to make medicines,” she said after signing a funding agreement with the rectors of several state universities. “We need to find a way to make the best use out of what we have.”

Trihono, head of the ministry’s research and development center, said that through the collaboration, the universities would be encouraged to study the medicinal effects of plants and herbs found in their particular region.

He added they would also study the ingredients and supposed benefits of jamu (herbal drinks) in use by local communities and try to register them.

The Health Ministry has earmarked Rp 48 billion ($3.7 million) in funding for the 26 universities taking part in the program this year.

“Because our research funding is limited, we’re prioritizing universities outside Java and Bali, because those in Java and Bali have more researchers,” Trihono said.

He stressed that while Indonesia has an immensely diverse range of plant species, only a tiny fraction have been studied for their medicinal properties. To date, only five native plant species have been recorded by the Health Ministry as having proven health benefits.

“South Korea only has ginseng, but they’ve developed it extensively,” Trihono said. “If we had just 1,000 medicinal plant species, the prospects would be extraordinary.”

He added that with the database in place, the government could go on to develop medicines based on those plants, which would help fulfill domestic demand for low-cost drugs. 

Texto: Dessy Sagita

Data: 16.10.2012

Link:

http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/news/medicinal-plants-in-indonesian-jamu-to-be-cataloged/550409