th Agriculture and Fisheries Technology Forum and

Product Exhibition 26th BAR Anniversary

8-11 August 2013 Mega Trade Hall 2, SM Megamall

Mandaluyong City

9

Project Title

IDENTIFICATION OF IMPORTANT MEDICINAL PLANTS IN SOUTHERN

TAGALOG REGION, PHILIPPINES, DEVELOPMENT OF NATURAL

PRODUCTS AND MASS PRODUCTION FOR COMMERCIALIZATION

Background of Research Work

Biblical principle Genesis 1:29- every herb bearing seed and tree

man to use as food Ezekiel 47:12 –all trees should be used for food

and leaves for medicine

1493, Paracelcus wrote that “the physician must consult old women, gypsies, magicians, wayfarers and all manner of peasant folk and random people and learn from them, for these people have more knowledge about such things than all the high colleges”.

In the Philippines RA 8423 known as the Traditional and

Alternative Medicine Act (TAMA) of 1997 was passed into law.

This gave rise to the creation of the Philippine Institute of Traditional and Alternative Health Care (PITAHC) to meet the needs of the Filipinos for traditional and alternative health care products, services and technologies.

Contention between TAHC practitioners and DOH under whose wings PITAHC exists became very strong causing collaboration and advancement of an alternative health care industry in the country difficult.

Standards, guidelines and code of ethical practice for TAHC are US-patterned which are hard for practitioners and small herbal products producers to comply with.

“Hindi ito gamot, hindi ito nakakapagpagaling.” Philippine FDA issued this statement that must be included in labels of food supplements made by Filipinos making the contention even greater. The MNC’s are believed to be behind this.

Policies and guidelines for the protection of indigenous and natural health care resources and technologies from unwarranted exploitation have been well-laid out yet destruction of environment and biodiversity continues at very alarming rate.

Documentations and inventories of promising medicinal plants in the Philippines, the big opportunity to help in the conservation effort, the development of high quality marketable products from medicinal plants which will help boost local economy is wide open.

Loss of a nation's wealth and opportunities

Fragmentation of natural habitat Loss of medicinal plants

Destructive management of the ecosystem

Loss of conservation concern of local communities

Less research priority

Erosion of TAHC practices, materials and methods

Low publicity

Cultural, economic and political pressure e.g. food, feeds, exports

priorities

Lack of developed industry -95% of all medicine

imported, -65% MNCs-controlled

Focus on modern

technology/medicine

High dependence on imported

medicine

Figure 1. Analysis of the problem as regard to medicinal plants industry.

Importance of the Research Project

Goal

Create business opportunities from important medicinal plants

Objectives

1. Locate popular traditional and alternative health care practitioners (TAHC) in Southern Tagalog Region, Philippines;

2. Extract from them important information with regard to medicinal plants;

3. Learn from them the most important ones they use by plant category;

4. Learn from them the most common ailments treated with medicinal plants;

5. Conserve the most important ones identified from the survey in community-based nurseries;

6. Develop high quality natural products;

7. Test the market potential of the developed natural products and ;

8. Establish community-based plantations as sources of raw materials for interested industries

Highlights of Accomplishments

Project Components and

Activities per Approved WP

Activities Undertaken Approved Budget

Actual Expenses

Variance

1.R and D

a. Prepared research project proposal

b. Revised same as per recommendations of evaluators

c. Formulated the survey questionnaire.

d. . Located popular TAHC practitioners in Southern Tagalog Region.

Highlights of Accomplishments

Project Components and

Activities per Approved WP

Activities Undertaken Approved Budget

Actual Expenses

Variance

R and D (continued)

e. Administered the survey questionnaire.

f. Analyzed data gathered from the survey.

g. Produced the target products in the laboratory.

h. Subjected them to physical, chemical, microbiological and nutritional analyses.

Highlights of Accomplishments

Project Components and

Activities per Approved WP

Activities Undertaken Approved Budget

Actual Expenses

Variance

2. Market Development

a. Packaged products in appropriate materials. b. Promoted products in agri-trade fairs and exhibits.

Highlights of Accomplishments

Project Components and

Activities per Approved WP

Activities Undertaken Approved Budget

Actual Expenses

Variance

3. Extension Support, Education and Training

a.Organized and trained technology recipients. (nursery management, raw material production, processing, marketing) b. Established community-based processing house.

Project Milestones

Project Milestones Brief Description

1. End of 2011, a compilation of data from survey on TAHC practitioners’ in Southern Tagalog

a) Profile of TAHC practitioners b) Medicinal plants used c) Diseases treated d) Important medicinal plants

used e) Mode of administration f) Reactions of patients g) Reasons why some plants are

not used anymore h) Threats to TAHC practice i) Opportunities for continuous

TAHC practice j) TAHC practitioners’ vision for

the future

Project Milestones Brief Description

2. End of 2012 , eight (8) natural products already developed

a) Kalamansi soap b) Native Guava soap c) Turmeric Natural Healing

Cream d) Turmeric Multipurpose Tea e) Native Ginger Body Massage

Cream f) Native Ginger Tea g) Native Guava Jam h) Tamarind Multipurpose

Concentrate

Project Milestones

Project Milestones Brief Description

3. End of 2012, two (2) community-based nurseries established

4. End of 2012, organic

plantations of native guavas, turmeric,

native ginger and coconuts established

a) Tagbakin, Tiaong, Quezon b) Masalukot 5, Mt. Banahaw

-do-

5. End of 2012, one (1) community- based simple processing house established

a) Complete with water system provided by Rotary International (Australia )

b) Specific for coco jam, turmeric and native ginger products

Project Milestones

Table___. Profile of TAHC practitioners, Southern Tagalog Region, 2009-2010.

Variables Mean

Age 54 Years in practice 17 Habitational status: Native 70% Migrant 30% Gender: Male 55% Female 45%

Medicinal Plants Number

Trees Shrubs Herbs

Vegetables Spices

Plantation Crops

49 53 11 12 8 7

Table___. Number of medicinal plants by category used in Southern Tagalog Region by TAHC practitioners, 2009-2010.

20

Table___. Most common medicinal plants used by TAHC practitioners in Southern Tagalog Region, 2009-2010.

Medicinal Plants

Most Commonly Used

Trees

Coconut ( Cocos nucifera ) Malunggay ( Moringa oliefera ) Guava ( Psidium guajava L.) Sampalok ( Tamarindus indica L.) Caimito ( Chrysophyllum cainito L.) Langka ( Artocarpus heterophyllus)

….Most common medicinal plants used by TAHC practitioners in Southern Tagalog Region, 2009-2010.

Medicinal Plants

Most Commonly Used

Shrubs Tsaang gubat ( Ehretia microphylla Lam. ) Sambong ( Blumea balsamifera (Linn.) DC. Lagundi ( Vitex negundo Linn. ) Tawatawa ( Euphorbia hirta Linn. ) Gumamela ( Hibiscus rosa sinensis Linn. ) Katakataka ( Bryophyllum pinnatum ) Yerba Buena ( Mentha arvensis Linn. ) Balbas pusa( Orthosiphon aristatus Bl. )

….Most common medicinal plants used by TAHC practitioners in Southern Tagalog Region, 2009-2010.

Medicinal Plants

Most Commonly Used

Herbs

Oregano ( Coleus aromaticus Benth.) Gotukola ( Centella asiatica ) Pansitpansitan ( Peperomia pellucida Linn. ) Sabila ( Aloe vera ) Dusol ( Kaempferia galangal )

23

…Most common medicinal plants used by TAHC practitioners in Southern Tagalog Region, 2009-2010.

Medicinal Plants

Most Commonly Used

Vegetables Ampalaya ( Momordica charantia Linn. ) Saluyot ( Corchorus olitorius L. ) Carrot ( Daucus carota L. ) Eggplant ( Solanum melongena L. ) Pako ( Athyrium esculentum ) Pigeon pea ( Cajanus cajan )

…Most common medicinal plants used by TAHC practitioners in Southern Tagalog Region, 2009-2010.

Medicinal Plants

Most Commonly Used

Spices

Luya ( Zingiber officinale ) Bawang ( Allium sativum ) Siling labuyo ( Capsicum frutescens ) Tanglad ( Andropogon citrates DC. ) Paminta ( Piper nigrum ) Luyang dilaw ( Curcuma longa )

…Most common medicinal plants used by TAHC practitioners in Southern Tagalog Region, 2009-2010.

Medicinal Plants

Most Commonly Used

Plantation crops

Coffee ( Coffea arabica, C. liberica, C. robusta ) Pineapple (Anonas comosus Linn ) Tobacco ( Nicotiana tabacum L.) Sugarcane ( Saccharum officinarum Linn. )

Table___.Diseases reported to be cured by the top trees used by TAHC practitioners in Southern Tagalog Region, 2009-2010.

Trees Diseases Reported Cured

Coconut Malunggay Guava Sampalok

Fever, diabetes, diarrhea, skin diseases fever, colds,prostate problems, diabetes,high blood pressure,headaches, muscle pains fever, coughs/colds,skin diseases and wounds,diarrhea, intestinal parasites fever/flu,coughs/sore throats,liver problem

…Diseases reported to be cured by the top trees used by TAHC practitioners in Southern Tagalog Region, 2009-2010.

Trees Diseases Reported Cured

Caimito Jackfruit

diabetes, intestinal parasites,diarrhea intestinal parasites,stings/animal bites/snakebites

….Diseases reported to be cured by the top shrubs used by TAHC practitioners in Southern Tagalog Region, 2009-2010.

Shrubs Diseases Reported Cured

Sambong Lagundi Tawatawa Gumamela Tsaang gubat

fever, coughs and colds fever, coughs eye inflammation, sore eyes,snake bites,dengue eye infections, sore eyes, worms fever,colds,coughs,sore throats, stomach and head aches

…Diseases reported to be cured by the top shrubs used by TAHC practitioners in Southern Tagalog Region, 2009-2010.

Shrubs Diseases Reported Cured

Katakataka Yerba buena Balbas pusa

eczema,insect bites/stings,poison high fever,headaches and pains kidney, difficulty in urinating, bladder and prostate problems, urinary tract infection (UTI)

…Diseases reported to be cured by the top herbs used by TAHC practitioners in Southern Tagalog Region, 2009-2010.

Herbs Diseases Reported Cured

Oregano Gotukola Pansit-pansitan

fever, asthma, coughs, colds, bronchitis, sore throats, skin swellings, blood circulation/ snake bites/stings, difficult urination, UTI fever, headaches ( migraines), hepatitis kidney problems, rheumatism, pimples

…Diseases reported to be cured by the top herbs used by TAHC practitioners in Southern Tagalog Region, 2009-2010.

Herbs Diseases Reported Cured

Sabila Dusol

bronchitis, skin/hair problems, kidney ,cancer/tumors headaches, sore throats, inflammations, malaria, diabetes, dandruff

…Diseases reported to be cured by the top spices used by TAHC practitioners in Southern Tagalog Region, 2009-2010.

Spices Diseases Reported Cured

Ginger Garlic Siling labuyo

fever, coughs, colds, sore throats, muscle pains, swellings, cramps, stomach aches fever, coughs, stomach aches fever, scabies

…Diseases reported to be cured by the top spices used by TAHC practitioners in Southern Tagalog Region, 2009-2010.

Spices Diseases Reported Cured

Tanglad Black pepper Luyang dilaw

fever/flu,coughs, diarrhea Toothache fever, kidney and liver problems

…Diseases reported to be cured by the top vegetables used by TAHC practitioners in Southern Tagalog Region, 2009-2010.

Vegetables Diseases Reported Cured

Ampalaya Saluyot Carrot Eggplant Pako Pigeon pea

diabetes,fever, wounds skin diseases, liver problem, high blood pressure, UTI, asthma kidney and liver problems asthma, coughs and colds coughs and colds skin diseases, swellings

…Diseases reported to be cured by the top plantation crops used by TAHC practitioners in Southern Tagalog Region, 2009-2010

Plantation Crops Diseases Reported Cured

Coffee Tobacco Pineapple Sugarcane

blood circulation, high blood pressure, intestinal parasites skin diseases, rheumatism inflammation, intestinal parasites prostate,coughs

Table__. Mode of administering health treatments by TAHC practitioners in Southern Tagalog Region, 2009-2010

Mode of Administering Health

Treatments

Percentage of Use

Decoction Poultice Infusion Massage Steam inhalation

36.62 29.58 24.65 7.75 1.40

Total 100.00

Table__. Reaction of recovered patients, Southern Tagalog Region, 2009-2010.

Reactions Percentage of Response

Satisfied to very satisfied Fully recovered within 1-2 days, feel better, with great recovery Convinced Complain of slow effects Not fully recovered No comment

37.70 21.31 13.11 1.64 1.64 24.60

Total 100.00

Table__. Reasons why some plants are not used anymore by TAHC practitioners and implications, Southern Tagalog Region, 2009-2010.

Reasons Percentage of Response/Implications

Expensive Hard to propagate Not common Hard to find Not found anymore Seasonal Cause overdose Not good to combine with other plants Want to experiment with other plants

2.08 Propagation studies needed 2.08 12.50 Propagation and adaptation 12.50 studies needed 41.68 Retrieval/conservation effort 14.58 Processing 4.58 Collaborative studies needed 2.08 8.33 Should be encouraged

Total 100.00

Table__. Reasons for high preference for synthetic drugs over alternative healing methods according to TAHC practitioners, Southern Tagalog Region, 2009-2010.

Reasons Percentage of Response

Readily available Convenient to use Offers fast relief Doctors-recommended Preferred by young people

39.13 27.54 17.39 14.49 1.45

Total 100.00

Table__. Opportunities for continued TACH practice, Southern Tagalog Region, 2009-2010.

Opportunities Percentage of Response

Synthetic drugs are expensive Drugs have known side effects Poor cannot readily access drugs Total

67.74 19.36 12.90 100.00

Table__. Vision of TACH practitioners of Southern Tagalog Region, 2009-2010.

Vision for the Future Percentage of Response

Pass on the knowledge to help poor people Have people recognize the importance of medicinal plants as to: a) Health and wellness b) Saving money c) Having no side effects Pass on the knowledge but no one is interested to accept Total

22.62 34.52 5.95 2.39 34.52 100.00

1. The traditional knowledge and practice of the

men and women respondents were a source of valuable information with regard to health and should not be ignored. The TAHC practitioners are part of the Filipino culture and tradition. Like some important plants which are not used anymore, these people will be gone forever together with their valuable knowledge and insights had this project not conducted.

Project Milestones

2. Within their long years of practice, they were able to establish a number of plants as good materials for treating people’s ailments as well as the common ailments they should be used for.

3. The review of secondary documents with regard to medicinal plants within the country and from abroad reveals that some of their practices have scientific foundations and probably the basis of commercialization of most known herbals today. These TACH practitioners were never recognized nor compensated justly.

4. In view of these findings, the research team was able to embark on activities which they hope will give TAHC meaning and a more elevated status thus the following were achieved within the course of the project.

1. Retrieval and strengthening of remaining native crop plantations ( guava, tamarind, avocado, coconut )

2. Establishing medicinal plant nurseries (2)

3. Establishing community-based plantations for raw material production(2)

4. Establishing one community-based processing facility in Mt. Banahaw

5. Processing of different natural products at the GRO-Green Rescue Organic Ass’n, Inc. facility in Tiaong, Quezon

6. Strengthening partners in the communities

7. Participating in local and international agricultural and trade fairs thru BAR-DA,DA-AMAS, DTI, FIS, LGUs, DOT to promote Filipino natural products.

8. Establishing direct dealers of natural products

Commercialization Activities

Highlights of Success Stories

1. The GRO- Green Rescue Organic Association, Inc. is one of the only two organic product processors established in the municipality of Tiaong, Quezon granted with LTO by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It is a barangay- based rural enterprise, processing the 8 natural products reported.

2. A steady demand for natural products particularly kalamansi and guava soap, turmeric natural healing cream and tea, native ginger tea and coco jam is very encouraging.

3. There are now at least seven ( 7 ) regular workers hired by the processing laboratory, besides the on-call workers.

4. One farmer couple is being trained to oversee all field operations and processing in Mt. Banahaw.

5. The research project yielded the following award :

Best New Products ( Turmeric Natural Healing Cream and Turmeric Tea )

2012 NTCP Agri-Trade Fair SM/25th DA-BAR Anniversary

Highlights of Success Stories

Products Volume Sold Gross Amount (PhP)

1.Kalamansi Soap 2.Native Guava Soap 3.Turmeric Natural Healing Cream 4.Native Ginger Body Massage Cream 5.Turmeric Multi-purpose Tea

1162 pc 542 pc 378 caps 83 caps 272boxes

76,983.25 33,751.25 29,406.00 14,184.00 27,689.50

Table___.Volume and amount of sales from different natural products developed under the project, 2011 to April 2013.

Products Volume Sold Gross Amount (PhP)

6.Native Ginger Tea 7.Native Guava Jam 8.Tamarind Multipurpose Concentrate Total

97boxes

367 bottles

129 bottles

13,257.00

53,018.00

15,160.00

263,449.00

…Volume and amount of sales from different natural products developed under the project, 2011 to April 2013.

Project Sustainability

1. The Package of Technology (POT ) for raw material production and processing had been transferred effectively to a well-organized group, the GRO, Inc. which is able to reach other groups also.

2. The POT is easy to adopt and utilize.

3. The beneficiary organization exists with complete legal identity to run an enterprise and is sharing the POT to other interested parties who are willing to imitate what they have done.

4. Other government agencies are now supporting the BAR-DA and GRO initiatives ( DTI, DOT, DOLE, DOST, DTI , DA- AMAD ). The processing facility and products are now considered tourist destinations in the province of Quezon.

5. The new products have a strong and growing market. Each product has been positioned for a specific market segment.

Issues/Concerns/Challenges and Actions Taken

Issues/Concerns/Challenges Action Taken

1. Establishing the market for the new products was the hardest task.

The legal requirements were complied with. With the help of BAR-DA, they were well advertised and promoted thru trade fairs, media coverage. They are promoted as natural products.

2. Some of the products have direct competitors.

a) Processes/formulations/ presentations were improved. (complete product analyses made ) b) Marketers are trained to position the products correctly.

MALUNGGAY

NATIVE GARLIC

PANSIT-PANSITAN

GOTUKOLA

ALOE VERA

ROSEMARY

COCONUT

GINGER

TSAANG GUBAT

TURMERIC

BALBAS PUSA

COFFEE

LAGUNDI

SAMBONG

KATAKA-TAKA

Figure __. Source of materials, oregano under greenhouse condition.

Figure __. Nursery at Masalukot 5

Figure __. GRO women at work

KALAMANSI SOAP

GUAVA SOAP

The Products

NATIVE GINGER TEA

TURMERIC MULTIPURPOSE TEA

ORGANIC COCO JAM

TAMARIND CONCENTRATE

NATIVE GUAVA JAM

M5 HILLS BEAUTY CREAM

A-GUGO BAR SHAMPOO

TURMERIC NATURAL HEALING CREAM

NATIVE GINGER BODY MASSAGE

CREAM

NEW

NEW

The Products

Figure __. At a trade fair

Figure __. A promotional material at one of the product outlets

Figure __. GRO women at their farm in Mt. Banahaw

May God continue to bless our effort as we

become good stewards of His abundant

blessings!