Herbal Medicine has incerasingly become an important commodity to a majority of the world’s population. Herbal medicine is no longer considered as conventional, unreliable ways of treating diseases. It has been an alternative option that many will choose to prevent and cure diseases. According to the global survey data from 1997, about 119 plant-derived compounds of known structures are currently used as modern prescriptions drugs, such as aspirin. With its abundant botanical resources, herb processing is one the main incomes of Nong-Ta-Kem Village to support the economy of the country.
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| One kind of herbs that is used to make balms |
Nong Ta Kem village has become a learning center for the economic sufficiency program for the people and villages who have interest in agriculture. In growing herbal plants, Nong-Ta-Kem has several herb experts to come and train the local people. They encouraged the villagers to grow herbal plants as household income generation. The herbs are used to produce balms, powder toothpaste, and various health supplements and medicines, especially for high-blood pressure as major illnesses in the village are high blood pressure and headache. These products are then sold to visitors, and also to the general public in the district.
More than 10 kinds of herbs are planted in the village. The herbs are processed by the villagers themselves, such as drying them under the sunlight before being further processed in the Nang Rom hospital. Nong Ta Kem herbal medicines are available in forms of capsule, and balms. They are made through the modern medical technology that has been recognized with its quality but still retains the traditional herbal processing method that has been passed down for generations for as long as 25 years.
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| Herbs that are already processed into capsules are put in bottles |
The major part of profit gain is largely from the herb production by the hospital requests. Besides, the income also depends on corporate groups and foundations that invest on the production, and visitors who are interested and passionate about traditional and organic medicinal aspects of such supplements. Other than that, the marketing of Nong Ta Kem herbal medicine relies on the direct-sell system, where customers from other districts may call directly to order and upon their requests, the products would be sent via mail to their residences.
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| Barrels used by the villagers to collect the herbs they plant |
On top of that, herbal medicine production has become a Village Development Program (VDP) model for poverty eradication in the village. It assesses the needs of the community and empowering the rural poor. This ensures that no matter how small a business it can be, as long as there is perseverance and hard work, villagers will still be able to be self-dependent but at the same time able to contribute back to the society, whether directly, or indirectly.
Catharine Tanara, 20 is Communications and International Studies major who loves a challenge and food marathons.
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