This document provides an overview of the Malay herbal industry in Malaysia. It discusses: 1) How Malay Traditional Medicine developed based on the plants available in rural Malay villages and knowledge passed down for generations. 2) How the modern herbal industry has grown from a cottage industry to a $800 million per year industry, now marketed through direct sales companies. 3) Some popular herbs used in Malaysian herbal products like Alpinia galanga, Cymbopogon nardus, and Eurycoma longifolia, and their traditional medicinal uses.

1. Ethno-botany Behind the Malay Herbal Industry
Murray Hunter
Associate Professor
School of Bioprocess Engineering
Northern Malaysian University College of Engineering (KUKUM)
Introduction
Malaysia is a multi-ethnic country made up of Malays, Chinese, Indians and a number of
other ethnic groups scattered around the country. The majority group are the Malays or
bumiputras (Sons of the soil), who for more than One Thousand years lived in a rural
environment, not interfered with by the outside world, until the Arabs, Indians, Chinese and
eventually the Europeans arrived on the Malay Peninsula for trade and later conquest through
colonialisation.
The Malays until the mid part of the 20th century lived a simple rural life tendering paddy
fields, growing vegetables and fruits, gathering forest products, and fishing. Today in
Malaysia, there are still parts of the country where life, except for electricity, television,
telephone and other modern amenities, is still much the same way. Although Malaysia is now
a largely urbanised and industrialised country, the Malays’ rural roots aren’t forgotten, shown
by the mass exodus of the inhabitants of Kuala Lumpur, the Nation’s capital city to their home
towns during holidays and festive seasons.
Life in the kampongs (villages) was completely self sufficient, relying on a communal social
order which developed the soft and hospitable culture that many visitors to rural Malaysia
would experience. Work was undertaken with the principal of gotong royong (mutual
assistance) and life had little resemblances to the stress of urban life. The Malay diet was a
very healthy one based on rice, ulam (leaf type vegetables), fruits, legumes and fish, in
contrast to the heavy meat based diet of today. As there was no access to outside medical
assistance, the Malays learnt and built up a knowledge base about the medicinal efficacies of
the native flora available in their local areas. Hard work, diet and herbs from the garden and
forest were their only method of maintaining good health.
Malay Traditional Medicine (MTM) developed from the village on what flora was available,
relying on knowledge being passed down from generation to generation for Hundreds of
years. This was completely by folklore, as there are no ancient texts of Malay herbal medicine
known to be in existence. With the arrival of the Indian traders in the 1500’s, some knowledge
based on ayurvedic medicine was passed along. The Indonesians from Aceh brought with
them knowledge about urut (traditional massage), which became incorporated in the
medicinal regime used by the Malays. The Chinese also passed on knowledge about
reflexology and some Traditional Chinese Medicines, further enriching Malay Traditional
Medicine.
The Malays are a very superstitious people and believed in mystical powers1. Some elders in
the kampongs took on the role of bomohs (wise man, mystic, medicine man all rolled into
one), taking up partly the practice of medicine and mixing it with mysticism. It was believed
that bomohs could see into the future and through their intervention could alter outcomes.
They were consulted in all matters from love, to sickness. Some bomohs were straight
charlatans, while another group of them employed the use of Islam in their healing, where,
medicine and massage would be supported with use of verses in the Al Quran (The Islamic
Holy Book), to build up faith, hope and confidence.
Malay Traditional Medicine is the least well known of all the Eastern disciplines and is in
danger of losing much of its acquired up knowledge. This is partly due to urbanisation and
industrialisation and loss of contact with the kampong. There is also no central regulatory
authority, registering and monitoring practitioners in Malaysia, although plans are under way
to regulate this field. Still today, many Malays, particularly in the rural areas, are inclined to

2. consult Bomohs before trained medical doctors and rely on herbs for cures. This is the basis
from which the modern traditional Malay herbal industry has emerged and is rapidly growing.
The Current Herbal Industry in Malaysia
The herbal medicine industry literally grew out of the kampong, where numerous home
remedies were manufactured and sold in crude presentations at pasars (markets) around the
country. This was totally unregulated until toxicity scares forced regulation in under the
Control of Drugs and Cosmetics Regulations 1984, modelled on the Australian TGA
regulations. An Eight year grace period was given, where traditional medicines would have to
be registered under the special category of traditional medicines, which allows for easier
efficacy claim guidelines based on established and recognised prior use. The regulations also
required quality standardisation and GMP standard manufacturing facilities, which cleaned up
the industry and eliminated all of the backyard operators, where contract packers with GMP
compliance moved in.
Although the imposition of regulation eliminated many small one product enterprises, it
modernised the presentation of Malay traditional medicines on the market and ensured some
standardisation and safety. Malay traditional herbal products compete openly with Chinese
medicines, imported nutraceuticals, nutritional Supplements, dietary Supplements, and
Western homeopathic medicines.
Urbanisation and separation from the older generations still living in the kampongs, made it
difficult to obtain home remedies in the cities. Growing affluence and awareness about natural
products has led to a rediscovery of Malay traditional medicines, which is sustaining rapid
growth. More Malaysians are taking supplements to ward off illness and maintain a good state
of health, feeling that their daily lives are stressful. Thus today, traditional Malay herbal
medicines have grown from a cottage industry to a mass marketed group of products growing
to a turnover of more than A$800 Million per annum. This is reported to be growing between
15-20% per annum2.
This rapid market growth has seen the multinational pharmaceutical companies launch
dietary supplements and nutraceuticals to compete. Herbal, health and dietary supplements
are regulated as non-poison over the counter (OTC). The United States is the largest supplier
of supplements to Malaysia and the majority of these products are marketed through direct
selling companies, pharmacies, supermarkets and Chinese Medical Halls. The most popular
items are vitamins, minerals and plant extracts. Dietary supplements are some of the fastest
growing product ranges for companies like Cosway, Amway, CNI, Sureco and many other
local companies.
The largest market channel for Malay traditional medicines is now through local and foreign
owned direct marketing companies. There are over 140 companies in Malaysia undertaking
direct marketing and selling different branded versions of Malay herbs. Herbs are available as
teas, tablets, capsules, balms and lotions, in cosmetics, shampoos and even blended as
coffees. Some companies have successfully modified their products by mixing local herbs
with long established internationally recognised herbs like ginseng and aloe vera, etc. Direct
marketing has allowed individuals become freelance salespeople for the herbal products, who
almost without any restraint, tend to make wide claims about product efficacy. Legal action
was attempted under the Advertisements & Sales Act 1956 to try and control this. However
no charges could be sustained as all claims made by individuals have tended to be of a
verbal nature3.
The local Malay herbal industry is currently heavily supported by the Federal Government.
Through the Ministry of Science, Technology and Industry (MOSTI), grants are given out to
universities and research organisations to further research this field. The Malaysian
Technology Development Corporation (MTDC) provides commercialisation grants for up-
scaling technology on a dollar for dollar basis with industry. The development of the industry
is co-ordinated by the Malaysian Herbal Corporation (MHC). The Malaysian Agricultural
Research and Development Institute (MARDI) is developing new herbs in research programs

3. and disseminating the technology to farmers and the Forest Research Institute of Malaysia
(FRIM)has just completed building an A$15 Million plant for pilot manufacture of herbal
products as a training facility. In addition, FRIM is carrying out a national bio-prospecting
program and compiling all national herb data in a bioinformatics program.
Raw Material Sourcing
Traditionally raw materials were gathered through wild collection from the forests, most of the
time illegally. Thus, there were many disadvantages as shown in the table below4
Table 1: Medicinal Plants Collected from the Wild Verses Cultivation
Wild Collection Cultivation
Availability Decreasing Increasing
Supply of Material Useable Better Control and Quality
Quality of Products Poor High
Botanical Identification Sometimes not reliable Reliable
Genetic Improvement No Yes
Agronomic Manipulation No Yes
Post Harvest Handling Poor Usually Good
Adulteration Likely Relatively Safe
Wild collection has become extremely difficult now due to depletion of natural forest materials
and local cultivation programs are developing. However, most raw materials still are imported
from India, China and Indonesia, suppling over 90% of the industry’s needs5.
Herb plantations are being developed all over the country. The first one was established by
the Perak State Economic Development Corporation (PKENP) in Sungkai, Perak, which is
now owned by Sureco (M) Sdn. Bhd., in the mid 1990’s. This company has grown to a sales
turnover of more than A$25 Million per annum in end consumer herb products, from a zero
base in 6 years. Pandan Intan Sdn. Bhd., a subsidiary of Nona Roguy Sdn. Bhd. was
established in 1994 and now cultivates over 500 Ha. of herbs in Kelantan. Gitex (M) Sdn.
Bhd. Has also established a buy-back program with small-holders in Kelantan and is
extending this concept to other farming communities throughout the country.
Local cultivation only supplies a faction of local raw material requirements, which is inhibiting
industry growth. Local companies tend to find it difficult to purchase consistent quality of raw
materials, experience wide price fluxuations, have to encounter quarantine procedures each
time materials are imported, sometimes are unable to get raw materials and don’t have
strategic control over these materials. Some companies have moved their manufacturing
operations to Sumatra, Indonesia to be closer to supplies of raw materials and also take
advantage of the larger Indonesian domestic market for herbal products.
Herbs are used in a number of ways. Traditionally in the village, herbs were either used fresh
or dried for later use. Simple processing can convert dried herbs into powders for use in
capsules and teas, etc. Herbs can also be fermented for the preparation and manufacture of
medicinal beverages. Under more sophisticated processing, extracts are prepared and
standardised for use in phytopharmaceuticals or further fractioned and undergone bioactive
processes to produce synthetic drugs. The family tree of herb derivatives is shown in Figure
1.

4. Raw Herbs
Fresh
Dried Consumption Fermented
Medicinal Medicinal
Powders Beverages
Extracts
Essential Oils Standardised Extracts
Fractions
Flavour & Phytopharmaceutical Bioactive
Fragrance Products Compounds
Personal Care Synthetic Drugs
& Cosmetics
Figure 1: The Family Tree of Herb Derivatives
Some Ethno-Botany of Popular Malaysian Herbs
There are over 15,000 of plants known in Malaysia, of which 1,200 of the higher species have
been reported to have medicinal properties6. Of these, about 150 plants are used in the
production of herbs. The rest of this article will introduce some of the currently popular ones
used by manufacturers.
Alpinia galanga (L.) Wilid.
Local name: Lengkuas
Common Name: Greater Galangal
Parts Used: Rhizome
Description & Origin: Alpinia galangal originated from India. It is widely available throughout
South-East Asia, along the tropical belt. Alpinia galanga is a perennial plant and can grow up
to three metres in height. The leaves are long, narrow and light green, with pointed tips.
Uses: The rhizome is used as a spice in cooking food. In traditional medicine it is used for
bringing down fever, bronchitis, rheumatism, skin diseases, respiratory diseases, indigestion,
flatulence, purifying blood, diarrhoea, stomach ache, cholera, a laxative and for treatment of
diabetes. It is also taken after childbirth for general wellbeing. The leaves can be boiled in
water for use as a body lotion. It is also said to be an anti-microbial.

5. Chemical Constituents: 1’-acetoxychavicol acetate, cadinene, cineol, eugenol, galangin, 1’-
acetoxyeugenol, 1’- acetoxyeugenol acetate, ascorbic acid, bassorin, camphor, β – carotone,
caryophyllene oxide, caryophyllenol-1, caryophyllenol -11, (E)-8-β- 17-epoxylabd-12-ene-
15,16-dial, galanginmethyl-ether, galangol, isorhamnetin, kaempferide, kaempferol,
methylcinnamate, niacin, phlobaphen, D-pinene, quercetin, quercetin-3-methyl ether,
riboflavin, terinen-4-ol, thiamin, trans-3,4-dimethyloxycinnamyl alcohol, trans-4-
7 8 9 10
hydroxycinnamaldehyde, trans-4-methoxycinnamyl alcohol .
Comments: Legkuas popular as a herbal material in Malaysia. There is some small
cultivation in the country.
Cymbopogon nardus (L.) rendle
Local Name: Serai Wangi
Common Name: Citronella
Parts Used: Leaves
Description and Origin: Citronella is widely distributed throughout South-East Asia.
Citronella is a tall clumped grass, which can grow to 1.5 metres in height. The leaves are
about 2.5 cm in width. The stem is a rounded, creeping rhizome that produces suckers.
Uses: Citronella is widely used for balms, massage oils and insect repellent candles. It is
applied to the body through a balm or carrier oil to relieve rheumatism, fever and to assist
digestion.
Chemical Constituents: Caryophyllene, citronellol, borneol, bournonene, camphene,
camphor, 1-carvotanacetone, σ – 3-carene, citronellybutrate, D-citronellal, D-
citronellolacetate, D-citronellol-N-butyrate, p-cymene, elemol, farnesol, furfurol, geraniol,
geranylacetate, geranylbutyrate, geranylformate, limonene, linalool, linalylacetate,
methyleugenol, methylisoeugenol, methylheptenone, menthol, myrcene, nerol, nerolidol, cis-
11
ocimene, perillaldehyde .
Comments: It is still cheaper to import citronella oil than produce it in Malaysia.
Eurycoma longifolia Jack.
Local Name: Tongkat Ali
Common Name: Bitter antidote
Parts used: All parts can be used but there is a preference for the bark and roots of the tree.
Description & Origin: Tongkat ali is a small tree which grows to a height of 10 metres. The
branches grow to a length of one metre and have odd-pinnate compound leaves and form a
crown at the top of the tree. The tree is usually found in the lowland jungles around the Malay
Peninsula and Borneo, Burma, Indo-China, Thailand, Sumatra and the Philippines.
Uses: The plant is boiled in water and used as a general tonic internally after childbirth,
antdotal, antihypertensive, antipyretic, antituberculotic, antivenous, vermifuge and febrifuge.
Many believe in the plant’s aphrodisiac properties, which may help explain its immense
popularity. The herb is also used for washing itches, and applied as a paste to relieve
headaches, bone pain and stomach aches. In commercial products the herb is promoted as a
stamina booster and anti-oxidant.
Chemical Constituents: The important compounds are eurycomanol, eurycomanone and
eurycomalactone. Other known compounds include Boujotinolone A., campesterol, 5,6-
dehydroeurycomalactone, 11-dehydrdroklaineanone, dihydroeurycomalactone, 13β,18-

6. dihydroeurycomanol, 13,21-dihydroeurycomanone, dihydroniloticin, 13β,21-
dihydroxyeurycomanone, dihydroxyklaineanone, 14,15β-dihydroxyklaineanone, 3-episapelin
A, eurycomanol-2-0-β-D-glycopyranoside, eurylactone, eurylene, hispidone, 6-hydroxy-5,6-
dehydroeurycomalactone, 9-hydroxycanthin-6-one, 10-hydroxycanthin-6-one, 9-
hydroxycanthin-6-one-N-oxide, 6α-hydroxyeurycomalactone, laurycolactone A and B,
longilactone, longilene peroxide, melianone, 9-methoxycanthin-6-one, 9-methoxycanthin-6-
one-N-oxide, niloticin, pasakbumins A, B, C and D, piscidinol A, scopoletin, sitosterol and
stigmasterol 12 13 14 15 16.
Comments: Clinical trials are still very limited. There are now more than 300 products on the
market containing tongkat ali. Most jungles have been harvested and raw materials are
beginning to come from plantations. This is currently one of the most popular herbs in the
market, used in a large number of products including coffee.
Labisia pumila Benth.
Local Name: Kacip Fatima.
Common Name: Fatimah childbirth medicine
Description & Origin: Kacip fatimah is found in Indo-China, Malaysia, Borneo, Java and
Sumatra. It is a small scrub growing naturally on the forest floor, under shade. Leaves are
upright and elliptic-lanceolate in shape, rising from the base.
Parts Used: Leaves
Uses: Kacip Fatima is one of the most popular herbs used by women, especially at
childbirth. It is believed to assist in childbirth. A paste using the leaves in coconut is applied to
the babies abdomen to relieve stomach pain. Leaves are drunk in tea for dysentery. The plant
is also used to treat rheumatism, gonorrhoea and dysmenorrhoea.
Chemical Constituents: No information available.
Comments: This plant is very popular as a herbal remedy and was locally named after the
Phophet’s only daughter Fatimah. It is used in a number of products and promoted heavily as
a women’s tonic. The plant is cultivated in plantations for commercial supply.
Centella asiatica (L.) Urb.
Local Name: Pegaga
Common Name: Asian pennywort, Indian pennywort
Parts Used: Leaves
Description & Origin: This herb is native to India, most probably introduced into Malaysia at
some time. It is a small herb, sometimes creeping. The leaves are heart shaped on a long
stalk. Flowers are white in small rounded heads. The herb is commonly used in Ayurvedic
medicine.
Uses: Commonly used as an ulam (vegetable) in the Malay diet as an appetiser and aiding
digestion. The herb is recognised as being ‘heaty’ to the body and used after childbirth to
warm the mothers body, help contract the uterus, and improve blood circulation. Juice from
the leaves is extracted by boiling or pounded into a fine paste to treat skin diseases, such as
ulcers, wounds, and assist in healing. The paste is also used to lower fever. It is also used to
cure leprosy, keloids, lupus, cellutitis and strengthen nervous functions. It is believed to
improve memory and usually made into a tea, or extracts used to make a juice. It is also used
in local cosmetics for anti-aging and anti-oxidant.

7. Chemical Constituents: As an edible herb the nutrient composition is water 87.7%, protein
2%, fat 0.2%, carbohydrate 6.7%, fibre 1.6% and ash 1.8%. Mineral contents are calcium,
phosphorus, iron, sodium, potassium, magnesium, copper and zinc. Vitamins: carotenes,
retinol equivalents, B1, B2, C and niacin17 18 19 20.
Comments: This herb can usually be purchased fresh at the markets, cultivated by small-
holders.
Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) wall.ex Nees
Local Name: Pokok Cerita, Hempedu bumi
Common Name: Creat, Green chireta
Description and Origin: Most likely a native plant of India. Has been introduced across Asia
as far as China and Australia. Andrographis paniculate is an annual herb, growing to around
80 cm in height. Stems are squarish, with green glossy oblong, but pointed leaves.
Uses: Traditionally used in both China and India to treat gastro-intestinal tract and upper
respiratory infections. Research has revealed that there is potential to treat cancer and
human immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). It is also used to treat diabetes, high blood pressure,
Stomach-ache, asthma, malaria, fever, flu, chest pains, coughs and sore throats. It is also
used to treat insect bites.
Chemical Constituents: Important chemical are andrographiside, andrgraholide,
neoandrographolide, 6’-acetylneoandrographolide, 2,3-aminomutase, andrograpanin,
andrographine, andrographolide sodium bisulfate, andropanoside, bis-andrograpolides A, B,
C, and D, γ-bisabolene, caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, deoxyandrographolide, 14-
deoxyandrographolide, 14-deoxy-11-dehydroandrogapholide, 14-deoxy-11,12-
didehydroandrogrphiside, 14-deoxy-11-hydroxyandrogrpholide, 14-deoxy-12-
hydroxyandrogrpholide, 14-deoxy-11-methoxyandrogrpholide, 14-deoxy-11-
oxoandrogrpholide, 3,4-dideoxyandrographolide-deooxyandrographoliside, 11,12-dihydro-14-
deoxyandrographolide, diterpene glycoside, 14-epi-andrographolide, 12-epi-14-deoxy-12-epi-
andrographolide, 12-epi-14-deoxy-12-methoxyandrographolide, eugenol, 19-0-β-D-
glucopyranosyl deoxyandrographolide, 9-0-β-D-glucopyranosyl hentriacontane, 5-hydroxy-
7,8-dimethoxyflavanone, 5-hydroxy-7,8,2’,3’-tetramethoxyflavone, 5-hydroxy-7,8,2’-
trimethoxyflavone, isoandrographolide, 7-0-methylwogonin, myristic acid, ninandrographolide,
panicoline, panicuide A, B, and C, polyphenol, β-sitosterol glucoside, tritriacontane,
dicaffeoylquinic acids, diterpenoids, polyphenols21.
Comments: This crop is considered an important herb crop and a number of small-holders
are cultivating the plant in buy-back programs in Kelantan.
Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L.
Local Name: Bunga raya
Common Name: Chinese hibiscus
Parts Used: Leaves, roots, flowers
Description and Origin: Unknown origin. It is the national flower of Malaysia. A woody
branched shrub growing to a height of around 3 metres. The leaves are ovate and bright
green, with a glossy upper surface. The common cultivar has a bright red campanulate flower
with black lining on the inside base of the tube yellow pistils at the end.
Uses: Used in ayurvedic medicine as a heart tonic and blood purifier. The flowers are used to
regulate menstruation. The flowers and leaves are used in a poultice to treat bronchitis,

8. reduce fever and treat skin diseases. A poultice of leaves is used to treat coughs, sore eyes
and venereal diseases. The leaves and flowers can also ripen boils and ulcers. Hibiscus
products on the market include teas, body slimming lotions, and herbal extracts for kidney,
intestine and blood treatments.
Chemical Constituents: ascorbic acid, β – carotene, cyaniding-3,5-diglucoside, cyaniding-3-
sophoroside, cyaniding-3-sophoroside-5-glucoside, hentriacontane, hibiscetin, methyl-10-oxo-
11-octadecynoate, methyl-8-oxo-9-octadecynoate, mucilage, niacin, quercetin-3-diglucoside,
quercetin, quercetin-3,7-diglucoside, riboflavin, thiamin, D-galacturonic acid, D-glucuronic
22 23 24
acid, D-galacturonic, L-rhamnose .
Comments: Number of slimming products on the market. Other herbal products include the
extract.
Hibiscus sabdariffa
Local Name: Asam Susur
Common Name: Roselle
Parts Used: Leaves, stems and fruits
Description & Origin: Hibiscus sabdariffa is commonly available throughout Malaysia and
thought to have originated in India. The plant is now grown widely around the world. It is an
erect bushy shrub growing to around 2.5 metres in height. Its stems are reddish and leaves
alternative shades of green, about 6 cm long. The flowers are also a reddish colour with deep
purple centres.
Uses: Young shoots are eaten raw as an ulam (vegetable). The flower is also eaten, which
has a distinct sour taste. It is usually used as an acidic tea. Claims are made about its
medicinal properties in being able to lower blood pressure and decrease cholesterol and there
are a number of products on the market, espousing this. The leaves are also used as a
poultice on abscesses and ulcers, as it is claimed to have antibacterial and anti fungal
properties. The seeds are said to have a diuretic effect and act as a laxative. It is also claimed
to be cytotoxic and choleretic. Hibiscus sabdariffa is manufactured as a syrup and also as a
fermented tonic drink as a general tonic.
Chemical Constituents: Hibiscus sabdariffa is an edible herb and the shoots contain 180 kJ
of energy. It contains 85% water, 3.3% protein, 0.3% fat, 9% carbohydrates and 1.6% fibre. It
also contains the minerals calcium, phosphorous and iron. It is rich in vitamin C and also
contains B1, B2, niacin and b-carotene. The fruits are similar in composition with the
additional constituents of citric and malic acid, which is responsible for the sour taste. Several
flavonoids exist, including gossypectin, hibiscetion, sabdaretin, gossytrin, hibiscin and
hibicitrin. Anthocyanins also exist as cyaniding-diglucoside and cyaniding-glucosyl-
25
rutinoside .
Comments: The development of roselle is a national priority and there are plantations in
Sarawak, Terengganu, Kelantan and Perak.
Morinda citrifolia Linn.
Local Name: Mengkudu
Common Name: Noni
Parts Used: Fruits, leaves, roots.
Description & Origin: It is uncertain where the tree originated with some literature claiming
Ambon in Indonesia and others in Australia, but it is wide spread over the Indo-Pacific region.

9. It has been used in Hawaiian traditional medicine for more than 200 years, where it is well
known as a herbal product. Morinda citrifolia is an evergreen tree, which grows up to a height
of 7-8 metres. It is widespread in villages all over Malaysia and grows well in coastal areas.
The leaves are shiny dark green in a long elliptic shape. Fruits are fused together and plentiful
on the tree, appearing waxy and light green in colour.
Uses: The young shoots and ripe fruits are eaten raw as ulam (vegetables). Infusions of noni
are taken to improve menstrual flow and to treat female infertility, while the ripe fruit is taken
to cleanse the blood, especially after childbirth. Dried leaves are made into hot compresses to
place on the chest to relieve coughs and fevers and to the abdomen for colic, spleen and
nausea. The ripe fruits are eaten for aid to diabetes. Leaves are also taken for diarrhoea and
with sugar added as a laxative. Noni can also be applied to the skin to treat wounds and as
relief for gout and rheumatism. Noni is usually sold on the market as a tonic preparation and
in ointments for skin related problems. Other uses include using the fruit pulp as a hair
shampoo and the roots as a dye for batik.
Chemical Constituents: alizarin, asperuloside, xeronine, acetin-7-0-β-D(+)-glycopyranoside,
5,7-acacetin-7-0-β-D(+)-glycopyranoside, alizarin-α-methylether, anthragallol-2-3-
dimethylether, ascorbic acid, asperulosidic acid, caproic acid, caprylic acid, β-carotene,
chrysophanol, damnacanthal, damnacanthol, digosin, 5,6-dihydroxylucidin, 5,6-
dihydroxylucidin-3-β-primeveroside, 6,8-dimethoxy-3-methylanthraquinone-1-0-β-
rhamnosyl(4-1)glucopyranoside, 5,7-di-methylapigenin-4’-)-β-D(+)-galactopyranoside, hexoic
acid, 5,6-3-hydroxymorindone, indole, lucidin, lucidin-3-β-primeroside, 3-hydroxymorindone,
3-hydroxymorinedone-6-β-primereroside, 2-methyl-3,5,6-trihydroxyanthraquinone, 2-methyl-
3,5,6- trihydroxyanthraquinone-6-β-primereroside, α-methoxyalizarin, monoethoxyrubiadin,
morindadiol, morindin, morindone, morindone-6-β-primeveroside, niacin, nordamnacanthal,
octoic acid, purine, quinoline, riboflavin, rubiadin, rubiadin-1-methyl ether, rubichloric acid, β-
sitosterol, soranjidiol, thiamin, trihydroxy-methyllanthraquinone-monomethylether, ursolic
acid26.
Comments: Noni first made its appearance in the Malaysian market as a herbal beverage
supplement from the Hawaii in the late 1980’s. This aroused local interest with its market
success and spurred the development of a local industry, however it is reported that the fruit
27
was used as a batik dye and as a medicinal medicine in the 18th century . Mengkudu or noni
has been one of the most popular commercially sold herbal preparations in Malaysia.
Products manufactured in Malaysia include noni fruit tonics, noni pulp for skin and noni leaf
extract for cuts and bruises. Noni is also sold in capsules and mixed with oil for massages.
Cultivation is usually undertaken by small-holders in Kelantan and there is a plantation in
Perak, operated by Sureco (M) Sdn. Bhd.
Neptunia prostata Baill
Local Name: Kankung puteri
Common Name: Unknown
Parts Used: Leaves and stems
Description and Origin: Neptunia prostata is a small creeping herb native to the Caribbean
Islands. It is now found widespread throughout the tropics, growing along ditches and drains.
Neptunia prostata is a small plant with bipinnate leaves, approximately 6 cm long, with a 4 to
5 cm spaced pane, with numerous pairs of leaves. The leaflets are very small and oblong and
close up when disturbed by something.
Chemical Constituents: Unknown
Uses: The shoots and young leaves are eaten raw. In Malaysian Traditional medicine, the
roots are infused with rice flour and rubbed over the body to treat fever. The juice of the roots
is used to fight ear infections and also in the late stages of syphilis. The leaves are used as a
tea for a laxative.

10. Comments: This herb is more widely used in Thailand, than Malaysia.
Ocimum sanctum Linn
Local name: Kemangi
Common Name: Holy Basil
Parts Used: Leaves, seeds and roots.
Description and Origin: Ocimum sanctum was most probably introduced into Malaysia from
India. Ocimum sanctum is an aromatic herbaceous shrub with heavily woody stems. The
leaves are ovate.
Uses: Ocimum sanctum is believed to be very effective for boosting the immune system. It
exhibits antibacterial and antifungal properties. It is a remedy for gonorrhoea and acts as a
diaphoretic for malaria. It is also used for coughs, anorexia, chronic dyspepsia, flatulence,
colic, bronchitis and as a cardiac stimulant. An infusion of the leaves is used for digestive
disorders and treat gangrene of the lungs and phthisis. The juice of the leaves is given as a
laxative. It is used externally for rheumatism. Seeds are used to treat urino-genital disorders.
Fresh leaves and roots are used to treat bee, wasp and scorpion stings and mosquito bites.
Chemical Constituents: carvacrol, ursolic acid, cineol, eugenol, linalool, nerol, thymol,
antistaphylocoagulase, ascorbic acid, camphene, β –carotene, caryophyllene, eugenol-
methylether, hexouronic acid, methyl-chavicol, methyl homoanisic acid, mucilage, β – pinene,
β – sitosterol, tannin, terpineol28 29.
Comments: Small production taking place among small-holders in Malaysia. Used in a
number of products, using imported extracts.
Orthosiphon aristatus Blume.
Local Name: Misai kucing
Common Name: Java tea, Cats Wiskers
Parts Used: Leaves, flowers and stems
Description & Origin: Orthosiphon aristatus is widely found throughout South-East Asia and
India, as well in Northern Australia. Orthosiphon aristatus grows in the wild along roadsides
and ridges of paddy fields and is usually cultivated around kampong houses in rural areas. It
is a perennial herb that grows to just under a metre in height. The leaves are glabrous and
arranged in pairs opposite each other. The stems are squarish. The flowers are white with
light purple buds.
Uses: Orthosiphon aristatus is used to control blood pressure, treat bladder, kidney and aid
blood circulation. It is also used to treat diabetes, gout and rheumatism. It is claimed that the
herb can dissolve kidney stones. The herb is prepared for ingestion through boiling the stems
and leaves, sometimes with other herbs, as a tea. Other reports claim efficacy in treating
jaundice and arterosclerosis.
Chemical Constituents: High in potassium. α – and β – carotone, cirisimaritin, cryptoxanthin,
5-hydroxy-6,7,3,4-tetramethoxyflavone, insositol, myo-inositol, orthosiphon, pillion,
rhamnasin, salvigenin, 4,5,6,7-tetramethoxyflavone, isosinensetin, β – zeacarotene,
carotenoids, flavonoids, glucosides, glycoproteins, phenylpropanoids, saponins, terpenoids30.
Comments: Java tea is a popular herb for use in teas in Europe. It is being cultivated in many
parts of Malaysia for use in the local market.

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