Prof Min Rahminiwati Highlights Indonesia’s Herbal Potential as a Leading National Phytomedicine Candidate
IPB University reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening the downstream development of Indonesia’s herbal sector through insights from Prof Min Rahminiwati, Professor at the School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (SKHB).
In her presentation, Prof Min emphasized that Indonesia’s herbal products hold substantial potential to become leading candidates in the development of national phytomedicine, provided that their quality, effectiveness, and safety are ensured.
Prof Min explained that the idea of positioning Indonesian herbal products as flagship commodities has existed since the early 2000s. “Since then, this question has continued to echo and encouraged all elements of the ABGC (academia, business, government, and community) to take action,” she said.
According to her, this synergy eventually produced a national performance roadmap aimed at strengthening the global presence of Indonesian herbal products. These efforts, she added, have begun to yield promising outcomes.
“Alhamdulillah, we can now see clear progress. The government has successfully formulated strategic steps to position herbal products as phytomedicines that thrive domestically and begin to penetrate international markets,” she explained.
She noted that Indonesian herbal exports are currently increasing and showing a positive trend. However, Prof Min stressed that the success of downstreaming relies heavily on consistent quality.
“The quality assurance of herbal preparations must be rigorously validated, both in terms of effectiveness and safety. Consistency in these aspects is crucial,” she asserted. She believes that once these standards are met, Indonesian herbal products will be even more competitive in global markets.
During the event, Prof Min also delivered her scientific oration titled “Herbal as a Multitarget Agent: Scientific Perspectives in Managing Metabolic Disorders.”
The theme was chosen in light of the rising prevalence of metabolic diseases worldwide, including in Indonesia. These disorders are not only found in humans but are now increasingly detected in companion animals.
“Metabolic diseases are cross-species in nature, which means that their handling requires a comprehensive mechanism,” she explained.
She elaborated that lifestyle shifts from agrarian to industrial have increased sugar consumption, reduced fiber intake, and worsened sedentary habits. Excess energy is subsequently stored in visceral adipose tissue, triggering various metabolic disorders.
Prof Min emphasized that the multitarget approach inherent in herbal remedies offers Indonesia a significant opportunity to provide scientific, safe, and sustainable solutions.
She expressed hope that strengthened research, quality regulation, and downstream development will enable Indonesian herbal products to emerge as global players in modern healthcare. (dr) (IAAS/TIR)
