PROFIL B2P2TOOT 2016

Summary

Indonesia is rich in medicinal plants and local wisdom, with diverse ethnic groups contributing to the development of herbal medicine. The Ministry of Health's research center focuses on cultivating, preserving, and researching medicinal plants. It has pioneered numerous herbal medicine formulas, providing remedies for conditions like hypertension and arthritis. The center also operates a herbal medicine clinic, offering safe, effective treatments and educational experiences on herbal health. Their work emphasizes the scientific validation of traditional medicines, with a vision of making Indonesia a global leader in herbal medicine research and production.

Takeaways

• 😀 Indonesia has a rich heritage of medicinal plants and local wisdom, with various ethnic groups contributing to the development of herbal medicine.
• 😀 The development of medicinal plant research in Indonesia started in 1948 with the pioneering efforts of Raden Mas Santoso Suryokusumo, and later evolved into the establishment of B2P2TOT in 2006.
• 😀 B2P2TOT, the technical unit of the Ministry of Health, is focused on the research and development of medicinal plants and traditional medicines, including plant exploration, preservation, and adaptation.
• 😀 Priority research areas include the exploration of herbal medicine, ethnomedicine knowledge, medicinal plant species, and the development of herbal medicine formulas for various health conditions.
• 😀 The research on medicinal plants includes developing raw materials for modern medicines like silymarin from milk thistle and testing scientific herbal formulas for conditions like hypertension, hyperuricemia, and osteoarthritis.
• 😀 There are five medicinal plant production gardens in Indonesia with a total area of 18 hectares, contributing to the cultivation and research of medicinal plants across different altitudes and locations.
• 😀 The post-harvest process for medicinal plants includes wet sorting, washing, draining, drying, sorting, packaging, and storage, ensuring that the raw material meets herbal medicine quality standards.
• 😀 In 2007, the Hortus Medicus clinic was established to offer herbal medicine services. By 2013, it evolved into the Hortus Medicus Herbal Research House, where patient numbers grew to around 150 per day.
• 😀 The Hortus Medicus Herbal Research House combines research with patient care, offering preclinical and clinical trials to test the safety and efficacy of herbal medicines.
• 😀 The center also offers a health tourism program, educating the public on medicinal plant cultivation, post-harvest processes, and the use of herbal medicines for health and wellness.
• 😀 The Center for Medicinal Plants and Traditional Medicine Research and Development continues its work with a focus on expanding the use of herbal medicine in formal health services and aims to make herbal medicine a leading resource both domestically and internationally.

Q & A

What is the main focus of Indonesia's medicinal plant development?

The main focus is on researching and developing medicinal plants and herbal medicine, particularly through efforts in the cultivation, collection, preservation, and scientific research of these plants, leveraging both local wisdom and national resources.

Who initiated the medicinal plant collection garden in Indonesia?

The medicinal plant collection garden was initiated by Raden Mas Santoso Suryokusumo in 1948, known as Tawanggang, which later became a large center for medicinal plant research and development.

What is the role of B2P2TOT in Indonesia’s medicinal plant sector?

B2P2TOT is a technical implementing unit of the Ministry of Health responsible for research and development in medicinal plants and traditional medicines, including exploration, inventory, identification, and preservation of plant germplasm.

What are some of the key research areas in Indonesia’s medicinal plant development?

Key research areas include studying medicinal plant species, developing modern medicines from plants, and producing scientific herbal medicine formulas for conditions like hypertension, hyperuricemia, dyspepsia, and osteoarthritis, among others.

What is the purpose of the medicinal plant production gardens in Indonesia?

The medicinal plant production gardens serve to cultivate medicinal plants, ensuring the quality and availability of raw materials for research and the development of standardized herbal medicines. These gardens are located in various regions to optimize plant growth.

How are medicinal plants harvested and processed in Indonesia?

Medicinal plants are harvested when their active compound content reaches optimal levels. After harvesting, they undergo a post-harvest process that includes sorting, washing, drying, and packaging, all in adherence to established quality standards for herbal medicine.

What is the Hortus Medicus clinic, and how has it evolved?

The Hortus Medicus clinic, started in 2007, originally served fewer than 10 patients per day. By 2013, it expanded into the Hortus Medicus Herbal Research House, which now serves around 150 patients daily, focusing on herbal medicine sanitation and research to ensure the safety and efficacy of herbal remedies.

What is the significance of the Hortus Medicus Herbal Research House?

The Hortus Medicus Herbal Research House plays a crucial role in providing service-based research on herbal medicine, supporting scientific studies, clinical trials, and public education on the safety and efficacy of herbal treatments.

What types of professionals are involved in the research and development at the Hortus Medicus?

The research and development efforts at the Hortus Medicus involve a diverse team, including doctors, pharmacists, researchers, nurses, health analysts, and certified professionals, all contributing to the development of safe and effective herbal medicines.

How does the Center for Medicinal Plants and Traditional Medicine Research contribute to the community?

The Center conducts research and development from the cultivation of medicinal plants to the formulation of herbal medicines. It aims to expand the use of medicinal plants in formal healthcare, providing scientific evidence for their efficacy and safety, and promoting health tourism related to herbal medicine.