IPB University Faculty of Medicine Guest Lecture, Herbal Medicine: Scientific Solutions Based on Local Wisdom
The Faculty of Medicine of IPB University held a guest lecture entitled “The Role of Herbs in Improving Indonesian Public Health: Empirical and Scientific Evidence” by presenting the Director of PT Sido Muncul, Dr (HC) Irwan Hidayat, as the main speaker (5/19).
The event was opened by the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine of IPB University, Dr dr Ivan Rizal Sini, GDRM, MMIS, FRANZCOG, SpOG, who conveyed the importance of collaboration between academics and industry in advancing herbal-based medicine in Indonesia.
In his speech, Dr Ivan emphasized that medical students need to understand the social and cultural context of society, including the great potential of medicinal plants as part of evidence-based complementary therapy.
He mentioned that most Indonesians still rely on traditional medicine, making the scientific approach to herbal medicine even more relevant.
“We need doctors who have empathy and insight into local wisdom. Herbs are not just an alternative, but must be understood scientifically so that they can be utilized optimally in health services,” said Dr Ivan.
He also said that IPB University actively conducts herbal research and opens collaborations with industries, including PT Sido Muncul, for the development of medicinal plant-based products.
Meanwhile, in the guest lecture session, Dr (HC) Irwan Hidayat shared his long experience in building and developing a research-based herbal medicine industry, especially through the flagship product “Tolak Angin”.
He said that the success of Sido Muncul cannot be separated from the effort to juxtapose the heritage of traditional herbal medicine with modern pharmaceutical standards.
“I started working at Sido Muncul in 1969 without a formal educational background in the health sector. But I thought, why can’t herbal medicine follow in the footsteps of the pharmaceutical world? That’s where it all started,” said Irwan.
The first step was to choose a superior product with great market potential. He chose “catching a cold” as a symptom familiar to the public and developed Tolak Angin as the main product. To increase its credibility, Irwan decided to conduct a series of scientific tests on the product.
“We started with a literature study, then conducted toxicity and efficacy tests with the faculty of medicine and pharmacy. One of the results showed that Tolak Angin is able to increase T cells that play a role in the body’s immune system,” he explained.
Irwan also emphasized the importance of building public and medical trust through effective communication. The slogan “Smart People Drink Tolak Angin” is not just a promotion, but a form of education to win the hearts and logic of consumers.
One of Sido Muncul’s major achievements was to become the first herbal medicine factory with pharmaceutical standards, inaugurated by the Minister of Health in 2002. “Standardization is key. We want to show that jamu can compete with modern medicine if it follows scientific principles,” he added.
Of the 1.600 jamu factories in Indonesia, only a handful survive. “Our key is to be scientifically based and collaborate with scientists and doctors. People now demand evidence, not just myths,” said Irwan.
During the discussion session, Irwan also mentioned the importance of collaboration between the herbal medicine industry and the medical world. He hopes that doctors can participate in research and utilization of Indonesia’s rich natural ingredients that have the potential to be developed into phytopharmaceuticals.
“I have spoken at more than 50 medical faculties. If I wasn’t trusted, I wouldn’t have been invited there. This is proof that herbal medicine is starting to be accepted as part of rational medicine,” said Irwan.
He closed his lecture with a moral message and philosophy of life for the students of the Faculty of Medicine of IPB University about the importance of intellect, which he said is the secret to success and the key to becoming a useful person, both as a doctor and industry player.
“Patients are not just diagnoses. Ask the cause of the illness, understand the background. Be a doctor who values life,” he said.
The guest lecture event not only provided new insights into the world of herbal medicine, but also energized participants to develop Indonesia’s biological wealth scientifically and sustainably. (IAAS/KDP)
