More herbs approved as medicines

[Guest guest]

More herbs approved as medicines

http://www.bangkokpost.com/201008_News/20Oct2008_news06.php

 

Public Health Minister Chalerm Yubamrung plans to add five more herbs

to the national drug list in a bid to promote traditional medicines,

which are not popular with patients.

 

The herbs, expected to be on the drug list within one or two years,

are thaowanpriang (Derris scandens) for pain relief, phetsangkat

(Cissus quadrangularis) for curing hemorrhoids, bua bok (Asiatic

pennywort) for treating wounds in diabetes patients, mara khi nok

(bitter gourd) and traditional Thai medicine formula sahastara, a

substitute for paracetamol and other non-steroid based painkillers.

 

" We need to educate people more about traditional Thai medicine, "

said Mr Chalerm during a visit to the Department for the Development

of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine.

 

A recent survey of medical centres under the Public Health Ministry

revealed less than 1% of patients rely on traditional medicine, even

though many have similar effects as imported medication.

 

Department chief Nara Nakwatanakul said an increase in the use of

herbs would help the country save money. The us of sahastara alone

would cut the cost of importing painkillers and save 10 billion baht

a year.

 

There are now 19 herbs and traditional medicines on the national drug

list which are used by civil servants, social security rs

and patients under the universal healthcare scheme.