The Legacy Of The Archipelago Becomes A World Reference, WHO-IRC Appreciates Red Ginger Innovation

JAKARTA Indonesia has a long reputation as one of the countries with the richest biological wealth in the world, and is seen as having great potential in the field of natural medicine. With hereditary local knowledge refined through scientific research and adequate ecosystem formation, Indonesia can be a key player in the development of modern herbal medicines in the world.

According to dr. Inggrid Tania, Chair of the Association of Indonesian Traditional Medicine and Herbal Medicine Developers (PDPOTJI), Indonesia already has a strong foundation for developing modern herbal medicines. Community plants have been used since the time of their ancestors. We also already have herbal pharmacopies for product standardization. This shows that we have scientific knowledge and systems that can be scientifically accounted for," he explained in Youtube broadcasts.

One of Indonesia's leading dishes is red ginger, which has long been used by various tribes to increase endurance and vitality. The study proves its benefits: the content of gingerol, shogaol, and zingerone makes red ginger anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial, and antidiabetes. Other studies also show its potential to relieve arthritis and help control blood sugar levels.

The Importance Of Integrated Herbal Standardization And Ecosystems

The growth of the herbal industry in Indonesia is running fast, from small businesses to large industries. However, according to dr. Inggrid, there are still big challenges on standardization. " herbal products must meet three aspects: authenticity, purity, and quality. Without that, products are difficult to account for scientifically," he said.

He added that an integrated ecosystem from upstream to downstream is key. The ecosystem in question starts from the treatment and cultivation of medicinal plants, post-harvest processes, extraction, to research and production. This system ensures the tractability of raw materials while maintaining the sustainability of the industry. The majority of the herbal industry in Indonesia does not yet have a full ecosystem. This needs to be strengthened so that global competitiveness increases," he said.

Indonesia Towards Global Herbal Standards

With this background, the WHO 'International Regulatory Cooperation for Herbal Medicines (IRICH) visit to the PT Bintang Toedjoe facility is not just a routine agenda. This moment is a recognition of Indonesia's great potential as one of the countries with biological wealth and the highest tradition of herbal medicine in the world.

WHO'IRC is preparing an international herbal pharmacopy involving various countries, including Indonesia. "The WHOIRCH visit to an industry that utilizes red ginger is a benchmark and an important input for the preparation of international pharmacopies," said dr. Inggrid.