| THE NATION
Tue, August 28, 2001
Herbal 'silverbullet'
For Surapong Suebwonglee, the mention of white kwao krua
(Pueraria mirifica) conjures up images of magic potions and
miracle cures for both Alzheimer's disease and breast cancer.
The Deputy Public Health Minister is one of the prime movers
behind the Ministry's decision yesterday to set up a national
committee to push for development of herbs on an industrial
scale.
Kruawal Samana, an adviser to the public health minister,
chairs a committee drawn from representatives of the Medical
Science Department, the Institute of Thai Traditional Medicine
and the National Cancer Institute, as well as Yutthana Samitsiri
from Mae Fah Luang University.
Surapong said there were limitations to white kwao krua use
in the country because the herb had been registered as a drug
and in some parts of the country was are registered as a food
supplement.
He said he had learnt that kwao krua could be used as a supplemental
hormone for menopausal women, could enhance breasts, and could
even create new brain cells to treat Alzheimer's disease.
He said research done at King Mongkut Hospital had also found
that the herbs could be useful in preventing breast cancer.
BANGKOK POST
B O O M A N D B U S T
A jungle root that grows in the north of Thailand is believed
to enlarge the breasts of women who take it. Firms from Japan,
Germany and the United States have been conducting research
into the pueraria mirifica root, a source in Thailand's Agriculture
Department told the Bangkok Post.
It has been used by Thai women for decades, a source in Bangkok
told Reuters.
"It shows an oestrogenic effect. It can enlarge breasts and
hips. It will vary from woman to woman. If a woman's breasts
are large already, the effect will be greater."
But the plant is already being exported to Japan, and the
newspaper fears that foreigners might grow it overseas and
claim patent rights for themselves. Allowing this to happen
would be an enormous boob, if you'll pardon the phrase
Source : BangkokPost Newspaper
New Laws to protect Thai herbs sought by Japan
Two herbs believed to have a high hormone content and which
are much sought after by Japan, will become protected species,
according to a regulation proposed on Tuesday.
A committee on plant variety under the Agriculture Ministry
agreed to propose the regulation for Minister Pongpol Adireksarn's
approval in order to protect kwaao khrua and thong khrua from
extinction as a result of over-exporting and smuggling.
The two herbs are believed to have medicinal properties to
improve energy, complexion, sexual drive and are also used
in cosmetics including those claiming to enlarge women's bustline.
Backing its proposal, the panel said kwaao khrua (Pueraria
candollei) and thong khrua (Butea superba) could become extinct
in five years as huge demand from Japan had led to the herbs
in natural forests being over-harvested.
The herbs are endemic species found in forests in the North,
Northeast and Central Plains.
Mr.Apichai Karoonyavanich, deputy permanent secretary for
agriculture who heads the panel, said the regulation should
be promulgated not later than next month.
"After the regulation takes effect, export of fresh kwaao
khrua will be prohibited," he said.
But villagers would be allowed to pick the herb for personal
use, he said. However, it is doubtful the regulation would
be effective against kwaao khrua exports since the herb is
normally exported in dried, processed or capsule form. Also,
sales are usually made through cross-border smuggling rather
than normal channels.
But some Thais who has been pushing for official protection
of these species, believes the regulation would be a positive
first step.
They expected the committee to ask the Forestry Department
to list the herbs as "rare forest species". The listing means
department permission will be required before any collection
of the plants from any forests can be done. Also, export of
the plants in any form will be prohibited.
"Both legal mechanisms would make it harder to harvest the
herbs from forests," they said.
It is predicted that once the regulation was in place, the
market prices of these herbs would rise and lead to more commercial
farming.
Source: BangkokPost Newspaper Mar 18, 1999
Viagra Alternative
An associate professor of a Thai
University's Faculty of Science, announced recently that he
had developed an herbal alternative to Viagra from a local
plant called red kwaao khruea (butea superba).
The professor has also developed a cream from white kwaao
khruea that he claims enlarges breasts. He claimed he has
tested his Viagra alternative on 100 Thai men and said that
he has applied for approval from the Food and Drug Administration
to market the drug.
The drug is already widely available on the black market and
sells for a considerably cheaper price than Viagra.
Breast Enlargement The Thai Herb Way
In Thailand they have an herbal plant that is supposed to
help in growing your breasts, and they are afraid it may fall
into foreign hands.
The Pueraria mirifica root has been popular with Thai women
for decades. The plant is supposed to have an estrogenic effect
and can enlarge the breasts and hips of women. How much depends
from woman to woman, they claim. And, of course, several Japanese
firms are interested.
The Japanese have moved in, and the Germans and even US firms
are going after the plant. Thailand's government is considering
a ban on the plant's export to prevent piracy to foreign countries.
Indeed, if it is estrogenic, the herb isn't going to be useful
because you can't just give people estrogens in high enough
doses to increase their breasts. It's not that simple.
Source The Bangkok Post Oct. 19 1998
Experts want new bill passed soon: Concern over piracy by
foreign companies
At a recent meeting on the matter, a professor of a Thai
University's Faculty of Science urged the Food and Drug Administration
to immediately approve the registration of two drugs made
of white kwao kreu (Pueraria mirifica) and red kwao kreu (Butea
superba).
White kwao kreu hit the news headlines last year when doctors
identified that it enlarged the breasts of a monk who regularly
consumed the herb. White kwao kreu is believed to contain
the female hormone oestrogen while the red kwaao khruea is
believed to stimulate the male hormone.
The prompt registration of the herb was urged by the Thai
University researcher, for fear that the patenting would be
taken advantage of by foreigners who would then export the
finished product made from Thai herbs for sales in Thailand
at a much higher price.
Associate Prof. Yuthana Samitasiri of Nakhon Ratchasima's
Suranari Technology University said some 40 tons of kwaao
khruea is trucked from the Northern provinces of Thailand
to south China and Japan every month.
"In many villages of Phayao and Chiang Mai, villagers
are informed to dig-up for kwaao khruea for sale to the Japanese
by the village main loudspeakers," he said.
Most of the kwaao khruea processed by the Japanese are made
into medicines and cosmetics commonly used for improving the
skin, hair and firming the breasts.
Food and Drug Administration secretary-general Mongkhol Na
Songkhla said the FDA did not object to the registration of
products made from kwao kreu forwarded by the Thai University,
but is still waiting for more research information to prove
that it is scientifically safe.
It was said that what is of utmost concern is that the herbs
are not only being exported to Asian countries, but are also
being shipped to Germany from China. He said state authorities
should take immediate action in controlling the export of
the Thai herb by adding it to the list of seven protective
plants that are not allowed to be taken out of the country.
Institute of Traditional Thai Medicine director Pennapha
Subcharoen however cautioned that Thailand may not be able
to totally claim the plant as a Thai plant because it is also
grown in neighboring countries like Burma and Laos.
She said instead of only promoting the commercial use of
kwao kreu as a food supplement or cosmetic product, it should
also be developed into medicines.
White kwaao khruea can be used to solve problems of osteoporosis
among aging women and red kwaao khruea can replace the use
of Viagra for men with erectile dysfunction problems, she
said.
Source: Bangkok Post Newspaper
Plant experts are calling for a speed-up of the new Plant
Variety Protection Bill to prevent piracy of kwaao khruea
The Thai herbs reported to be eyed by foreign investors due
to its potential to become high-value medicinal products both
in domestic and oversee markets.
A Thai University Faculty of Science researcher, said he
has heard that local markets of kwaao khruea (or Pueraria
mirifica), are being cornered by foreign investors, particularly
Japanese firms.
"Now at least one Japanese firm is planning to run a
permanent project in Thailand. The project is believed to
be in full cycle, from plant breeding to product manufacturing,"
said he.
Mrs.Pennapa Subcharoen, director of the National Institute
of Thai Traditional Medicine, cited an unofficial report as
saying the selling of kwaao khruea to foreigners is widespread
in northern provinces such as Phrae, Nan, Chiang Rai, Mae
Hong Son, Sakon Nakhon, and other border provinces. Some foreigners
who have long settled in Thailand even open a small shop to
purchase the plant from villagers. Such practices would soon
result in extinction of the plant because villagers would
think of nothing but money.
Now Japanese investors are waiting for state permission to
import kwaao khruea to their countries, but what they want
is only powdered kwaao khruea to be used as raw materials
for their own products. These products might return for sale
in Thailand at higher prices.
"If the bill is enforced, I believe more of our plants
would be saved. But it's a matter for the bureaucratic system
which is always too slow," said Dr. Pennapa.
A source from the Agriculture Department's Botany and Weed
Science Division's plant protection office revealed that some
Japanese, German and American firms are now conducting research
on Pueraria mirifica in Thailand. If they are successful in
breeding the plant and registering it as their own invented
species, it would be a great disadvantage to Thailand.
He admitted so far there has been neither an official survey
by state agencies on the exact amount of kwaao khruea nationwide,
nor any plan to protect this type of plant.
According to the source, the most effective law is the new
Plant Variety Protection Bill, which is now under consideration
by the Council of State.
The bill was proposed by the Ministry of Agriculture and
Agricultural Cooperatives, after being drafted by a group
of academics, biodiversity advocates and the Forum of the
Poor. It is aimed at protecting both plant species existing
in nature and newly-modified varieties, and addressing ways
to protect and conserve the country's biodiversity resources
which are at risk from piracy.
The protection of newly-bred species would be an incentive
for breeders to create commercial plant varieties. According
to the new bill, local communities which preserve the species
should share the benefit with breeders who make use of local
plant varieties.
However, there was concern that protection of kwaao khruea
would be too late if the authorities waited for the new bill
because it is expected to take some time before enforcement.
The department source said the best way to protect the plant
now is to issue a ministry regulation declaring kwaao khruea
a preserved plant to bar it from being exported, but more
study and discussion is needed before the ministry makes a
decision.
Researchers who are successful in inventing their own formula
for the plant products could protect their rights by registering
the formula under the copyrights law.
A Thai researcher said he is now selecting a private firm
for a joint venture in a full-cycle project starting from
growing the plant and making medicinal products.
The chosen company must follow four criteria - production
must be based on academic data, the project must be in full
cycle, the company must have potential to compete in international
markets, and the products must be sold at reasonable prices
for Thai people.
Source : Bangkok Post Newspaper
Pueraria Mirifica
Medical reports on the effectiveness of phytoestrogens
February 4, 2000 -- As reported on NEWS NET 5: Cleveland,
Ohio, March 12, 1999 - There's new information that suggests
an herbal plant will enhance your breast. News Channel 5 reports
new finding show if women take an herb called pueraria mirifica,
it will increase their breast size.
"The root is presumed to contain substances that might
have an effect on glands," say medicinal plant expert
Varro Tyler, Ph.D. The herb is so popular that demand is outweighing
supply."
Hormonal Imbalance
January 24, 2000 -- As reported on "Ask Dr. Sandra Cabot,
M.D. the Doctor who understands" (see http://www.whas.com/):
As a woman passes through the various phases of her life she
may suffer with hormonal imbalances because the female endocrine
system is very finely balanced and is always changing. Young
woman in the post puberty years are prone to large hormonal
swings which may lead to menstrual irregularity, painful heavy
periods, acne and premenstrual syndrome. In the late teens
and the twenties and thirties the hormonal imbalance of endometriosis
is common and very debilitating. Hormonal imbalances such
as excessive male hormones (androgens) combined with a lack
of regular progesterone production may lead to changes in
appearance such as acne, greasy skin, scalp hair loss, excessive
facial hair and weight excess. All of these hormonal imbalances
can be reduced by eating a diet high in plant hormones.
HealthNews from the publishers of the New England Journal
of Medicine
December 27, 1999 -- As reported on "OnHealth"
- The Pueraria Mirifica herb Question : (HealthNews from the
publishers of the New England Journal of Medicine.) November
14, 1997: Compared with women in the United States, women
in Asia are far less likely to develop cancer of the breast
or uterus. Many researchers believe that the differences in
diet are one possible explanation. And on key component may
be Pueraria Mirifica herb - plant compounds that have beneficial,
hormone - like effects in the body.
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