THE Herb Society of Malaysia has identified the following local herbs which have potential to be commercialised:

• Tongkat Ali (Eurycoma longifolia): Suitable for treating malaria, hypertension, body aches and to improve vitality. Also believed to be an aphrodisiac
• Kacit Fatimah (Labisia pumila): For treatment of hypertension, diabetes and stomach aches. Also helps to improve vitality.
• Kulit kayu manis (Cinnamomum verum): Cinnamon in essential oil farm is a carminative and anti-gripe remedy. Works well as a tea too even though it has a mild anti-diarrhea action.
• Nilam (Pogostemon cablin): As an essential oil, it ease headaches.
• Serai wangi (Cymbopogon citratus): As an essential oil, it is an effective insect repellent, a cleaning agent and an air freshener.
• Kunyit terus/Bonglai putih (Aingeber cassumunar): For treatment of simus, cardiovascular disease, rheumatism and headaches.
• Kunyit (Curcuma domestica): Used in the treatment of coughs, wound and asthma.
• Misai kucing (Orthosiphon stamineus): For treatment of hypertension and kidney stones.
• Jerangau (Acorus calamus): For treatment of malaria, high fever and sinus.
• Hampedu bumi (Andrographis paniculata): For treatment of blood pressure, cardiovascular disease and diabetes. It is also a remedy for snake bites.
• Cekur (Kaempferia galanga): For treatment of coughs, dandruff or scabs on the head, sore throats, fever, sore eyes and swollen/tender breast.
• Pegaga (Centela asiatica): Used in the treatment of skin disease, asthma, hypertension, poor appetite, poor bblood circulation, leprosy and kidney stones.

HERBS have always been thought of as good alternative medicine, but these plants have potential to be cultivated as cash srops.

This aspect of herns will be highlighted at the HERBS: An International Conference and Exhibition to be held from Nov 9-12 at Mines in Selangor.

Co-organised by the Malaysia Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI) and the Agriculture and Health Ministries, the conference will address the acute shortage of the tropical herbs in the market and the increasing interest in their commercial cultivation.

The conference will provide a platform to tackle issues in the development of an intergrated herb industry. The strategic positioning of Malaysian herbs and herb-based products in the global market will be discussed.

The organisers hope to attract some 300 participants, including representatives from companies, growers, policy makers, researchers and those interested in herb herbs and their derivatives.

Te profile of herbs and medicinal plants is changing, says Ramlah Mohd Isa, a spokeman for the conference secretariat.

"Herbs are no longer something that would just nterrest the elderly. Many youger people are becoming more aware of the importance of a holistic to health," she says.

In conjuction with the conference, there will be an exhibition and trade show on herbs. The event will showcase herbs’ potential in the food, agriculture and health sectors.

There will be 32 booths fearturing commodity producer, medical personnel, manufacturer, partitioners in healing and complementary medicine, and the aesthetics and beauty industry.

Last year, MARDI’s herb garden was crowd-puller. This time araound, MARDI will have a landscaped garden of herbs. Unexploited herbs which grow wild will also be exhibited.

"In line with this year conference’s theme, Herbs as a commodity for agro-based investment, the herbs showcase will be market-oriented. There will be info kiosks to excite and enhance awareness on the diversity and applicability of herbs," says Ramlah.

MARDI plans to sell herbs like nilam, pegaga, mengkudu, hempedu bumi, misai kucing, sambung nyawa, kemangi hijau, kemgai hitam, serai wangi and keladi tikus in polybags. These will be available bon a first-come first-serve basis.