HERBAVESCENT AND ITS RELEVANCE TO

THE HERBAL SECTOR IN MALAYSIA AND THE

GLOBAL MARKETPLACE
Herbal and traditional medicines have
been used for thousands of years to
improve the health and well-being of
civilization, proven to have both
medicinal and nutritional values.

Herbs and medicinal plants are becoming

popular these days as more and more
people are inclined to use herbal
remedies in their daily life. These herbal preparations are either used for treatment of
certain diseases or just for normal health and vitality, and some are used as
aphrodisiac.

It is believed that as much as 80% of the world outside the industrialized countries
relies on herbs for health, many commercially produced pharmaceutical products are
derived from herbs. Herbs were used in traditional medicine for several civilizations
such as the Chinese and the Indian civilizations, was well documented and the
practitioners were trained and practiced with proper knowledge and ethics.

The Chinese and Indian traditional medicines were well received and the same is true
in the practice and use of jamu (a Malay medicinal preparation made from mixture of
selected herbs) among Malays in Malaysia and Indonesia. The preparations of these
medicines were carried out systematically and their usage was also restricted. These
practices were transferred from generation to generation and, in recent time, more
scientific knowledge has become more concrete and with the emergence of new
diseases, the classical knowledge and their application has become limited. With the
emergence of new diseases and the failure of treatment with modern drugs, people
have begun to look for more options in their health care.

Herbavescent is working on guidelines to elevate the status of Malaysian herbs with

scientific and safety features and creating the network for collaboration between
Malaysian governmental authorities, EU Research Centers, and most recently with
Argefar from Turkey. This will offer up ample opportunities for research as well as
capitalize on the abundance of the rich diversity of plants which can be exploited for
use as food products, cosmetics and medicine. More research on the toxic effect,
adverse effects, adverse drug reactions and drug interactions should be emphasized
and developed. The consumers must be protected and their confidence in the
medication will be boosted if the medication comes with toxicity studies, indications,
contra-indications and adverse effects on the packaging, but focus on the
supplementary side of medication – Prevention is always better than the cure.

Herbavescent combines the wholesome goodness of traditional and herbal

remedies extracted in a modern format ensuring the vital active ingredients are
intact, delivered in an effervescent format, for the best absorption into the body,
great taste, and so easy to consume daily

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 The Extracts used in formulating Herbavescent

Tongkat Ali

Eurycoma longifolia or locally known as "Tongkat Ali "which

literally means "Ali`s walking stick "is found in Malaysia,
Indonesia, Myanmar, Indochina, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia,
Vietnam and the Philippines, contains a plethora of beneficial
compounds, including potent protective antioxidants which inhibit
cellular aging. Other phytochemicals in Tongkat Ali are anti-viral,
anti-malarial, and anti-cancerous. Others combat high blood
pressure, and quell dysentery. Quassinoids in the root prove twice
as potent as aspirin against fevers. From age thirty or so, blood
levels of the hormone decline at a rate of about 2% per year. Those who smoke or
drink heavily will lose more of this hormone more quickly. As testosterone decreases
in the body, muscle tone, energy and sex drive all begin to decline.

With Tongkat Ali extract it can boost your testosterone levels back up to more
youthful levels and inhibits Sex Hormone Binding Globulin which frees up
testosterone remains in the blood. This additionally stems the aging process,
improving energy and sexual function, helping to reduce body fat, and reducing risk
factors associated with cardiovascular disease. Our Tongkat Ali extract is derived
from safe, natural plant agent who causes the body to produce its own testosterone,
thereby boosting sexual desire and function. Tongkat Ali gets to the absolute essence
of human sex drive, and improves it.

The dosage prescribed in Herbavescent formulation ranges from 25mg to 40mg

sufficient and safe for daily consumption with the expected health benefits to both
male and female consumers.

Links to describing promoting Tongkat ali:-

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tongkat_Ali
http://minihelix.mit.edu/malaysia/research/np1_2.htm
http://www.tongkatali-yanjiu.com/english-index.htm
http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2003/plants.html
http://www.mida.gov.my/beta/news/print_news.php?id=966
http://www.herbamalaysia.net/
http://www.seniorprotection.com/HealthTips/TongkatAli.aspx

Chromatographic analysis of Eurycoma longifolia extracts

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Kacip Fatimah

Labisia Pumila, traditionally are used by Malay women mostly

before childbirth in inducing and ease delivery and as
postpartum medication to help contract the birth channel, to
delay re-conception and to regain body strength.

Used effectively to treat dysentery, rheumatism and women's

ailments associated with childbirth.

Firming and toning of abdominal muscles and the biological activities of the
phytoestrogens which is naturally found in the plant assist women to achieve fuller
and firmer breasts and tighten vaginal muscles.

Kacip Fatimah benefits women in several ways. These benefits help care for a
woman's healthy sex life. Female libido enhancement is the end result of optimum
sexual health.

Thousands of Malay women consume Kacip Fatimah in one form or another to

address the above matters.

Other lesser known Kacip Fatimah benefits:

* nourishes eyes
* firms female breasts
* smoothes skin for youthful looks

The best and most well known of all Kacip Fatimah benefits is female libido
enhancement!

Kacip fatimah raises libido by increasing testosterone levels in women

The following is a summary on kacip fatima's effect on hormone levels in human,

primarily females. It was prepared by the Malaysian Herbal Medicine Research
Centre. Interestingly, studies have shown that kacip fatima increases the levels of free
testosterone, not estrogens. Take note that female libido is clearly influenced by small
amounts of free testosterone.

"Binding to estrogen receptors are being investigated. If they were phytoestrogens, the
extract should also displace estradiol binding to the estrogen receptors. These
phytoestrogens will then have certain effects on the animals depending on whether
they are full estrogen agonists, or antagonists, or partial agonists like clomiphene. It is
also possible that KF acts as estrogen receptor modulators (SERMS) like Tamoxifen
or Raloxifene which is active at certain tissues only (4,5). For example, Reloxifene
being active only at the bones and lipids and not the breasts and uterus, common

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target tissues for estrogen action.

"On the other hand, a lot more is known about estrogen receptors and how it causes
effects at the cellular level. There are two isoforms, alpha ( ERa) and beta (ERb) with
97% homology at the DNA binding site and 59% homology at the ligand binding site
and more diverse at the or regions of the receptor molecule. Both isomers bind
estradiol effectively and combine together or dimerized upon binding to estradiol at
the DNA binding site called the estrogen response element ERE. The two isomers
differ most at the so called Activation Function 1 and Activation Function 2 ( AF1
and AF2 ) in the N- and C- terminus respectively. When E2 binds to the receptor
binding domain, the AF2 is exposed and interacts with cofactors which helps transmit
the signal to the DNA (5,6,7). Other mechanism of action also exists in the tissues.
Rather than dimerize, the ER may actually bind to DNA bound protein complexes
such as Activating protein-1 and causes transrepression.

"The gene expressions are controlled by the AP-1 sits. The SERMS raloxifene and
Tamoxifen for example stimulate the AP-1 with ERa or ERb, whilst E2 stimulate the
tyranscription only in presence of ERa. If ERb is present then the AP-1 regulated
transcription is repressed (8). The E2 signalling action may also be modified by other
signal transducing systems, independent of the ligand itself. Example, epidermal
growth factor may cause phosphorylation of the serine residues of the estrogen
receptor at the AF-1 region and increase the transcription activity of the E2 ER
binding (9). The action of estrogens may also be modified by enzymes which may
convert the active E2 to inactive Estriol or Estrone similar to the enzyme 11-ß
hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase in the tissues which convert active cortisol to inactive
cortisone (10,11).

"In theory therefore, the phytoestrogen may have effects at the site of binding at both
or one or other of the Estrogen receptor isomers, or act as an AF or as an activating
Protein or like EGF act by modulating the receptor molecule, or as a peripheral
enzyme modulator such as 11HSD. Recent studies at the IMR gave some clues to its
mode of action. Given to normal female rats, the serum level of estradiol E2 were
unchanged but the level of free testosterone wee significantly higher. In castrated rats,
there were no significant effects on the levels of E2 or testosterone. These preliminary
data suggest that Kacip Fatimah does not increase estrogen levels and but instead
causes increase free testosterone from the ovaries a it does not work without ovaries.
The increase in free testosterone may cause increase in libido and sexuality in women.
This could be the effect that the women taking Kacip Fatimah are looking for!! It also
means the Herb should not work in menopausal women if the effect is via increase
production of testosterone ifrom the ovaries. On the other hand, if it were to work by
peripheral enzymes converting E2 to testosterone, then it is independent of the ovaries
but still needs adequate levels of estradiol. In women without pituitaries therefore, the
herb should not work, unless the effect is like Clomiphene and causes increase in
secretion of FSH from the pituitary, or by antagonizing the hormone, Inhibin
produced by the ovaries at the pituitary level.

"Clearly the potential effect of Kacip Fatimah as a SERM and any possible increase
risk for breast or uterine cancer has to be considered. The following pharmacological
studies, in-vitro and in-vivo are being proposed to determine the possible mechanism

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of actions of KF, and the Clinical trials (Phase I, II, III) would evaluate the
physiological effects of Kacip Fatimah in women and support the basic research being
carried out in the IMR....

"Two studies have shown that the plant exhibit oestrogenic properties. Jamal et al.
(1999)2 in vitro study using human endometrial adenocarcinoma cells of the
Ishikawa-Var I line showed that the ethanolic extracts of the roots of Labisia pumila
var alata exhibited a weak but specific estrogenic effect on the cells, resulting in
enhanced secretion of alkaline phosphatase. Husniza et al. (2000)3 shows the water
extracts of the Kacip Fatimah were able to displace estradiol binding to antibodies
raised against estradiol, making it similar to other estrogens such as estrone and
estradiol.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kacip_fatima
http://www.imr.gov.my/org/hmrc_r2.htm
http://naturecures.forestexplorers.com/kacipfatimah.shtml

Manjakani

Manjakani (Oak Gall) has been used widely in the ingredients

of the traditional medicine for centuries by the Arabs, Persians,
Indians, Chinese and Malays. It is believed that Manjakani has
been used since 2725 BC by the ancient Egypt.

Formed from the leaves known as quercus infectoria (scientific

name) with the presence of wasps known as cynips tinctorial or
cynips gallaetinctoria.

The effectiveness of Manjakani has been proven especially in treating vaginal

discharge, ulcer, and also skin problems. It is rich in tannins, vitamin A and C,
calcium, and Gallic acid, fiber, protein and carbohydrates. Besides that, Manjakani
also contains the elements of astringency, anti-microbes, and anti-inflammatory.

For the Herbavescent Formulation, the raw ingredients are sourced from Indonesia,
and later extracted in Malaysia to be completely water soluble.

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Pegaga

Centella asiatica or locally known as Pegaga has been used for many centuries as a
medicinal herbs.

Centella asiatica benefits skin conditions, rejuvenation, increased concentration, poor

circulation, rheumatism and arthritis, lowering blood sugar levels, varicose veins,
health of veins, increasing brain power, and extra vitality

It has been used for treating dysentery, leucorrhoea, excessive secretion of gastric
juices, urethritis arthritis, rheumatism, treatment of liver and kidney and respiratory
ailments, treatment of liver and kidney and respiratory ailments.

The extract of Centella asiatica is also proven to be an excellent ingredient for skin-
care and cosmeceutical applications. It helps in wound healing
and promotes epithelization of new cells.

The Herbavescent Formulae combines with the proven Q10 –

Co-Enzyme CoQ10 is a little easier to appreciate when you
remember that vitamins function as co-enzymes in the body,
furthering thousands of essential biochemical reactions.
CoQ10's key role is in producing adenosine triphosphate
(ATP), needed for energy production in every cell of the body.
Secondary to that, CoQ10 functions as a powerful antioxidant.

Roselle

Hibiscus sabdariffa L. (family Malvaceae) - In India,

Africa and Mexico, all above-ground parts of the Roselle
plant are valued in native medicine.

Infusions of the leaves or calyces are regarded as diuretic,

cholerectic, febrifugal and hypotensive, decreasing the
viscosity of the blood and stimulating intestinal
peristalsis.

Pharmacognosists in Senegal recommend Roselle extract for lowering blood pressure.

The flowers contain substantial quantities of flavonoids and proanthocyanidins, which

are associated with antioxidant, fever-reducing (antipyretic), pain-relieving
(analgesic), and spasm-inhibiting (spasmolytic) activities.

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Herbavescent’s Roselle formulations based infusions are rich in Vitamin C, A and
beta-carotene. It is thought to be an excellent antioxidant and have a number of health
benefits; it acts as an antiseptic, aphrodisiac, diuretic,
sedative, tonic and is a folk remedy for abscesses,
cancer, cough, debility, dyspepsia, fever, hangover,
hypertension and neurosis.

Researchers are now conducting studies to see if

hibiscus is also active in lowering blood cholesterol
levels. It has been suggested that its high antioxidant
content contributes to lowering low density lipoprotein
levels in the blood.

Guava Leaf

Psidium guajava (guava) Tender leaves are chewed for

bleeding gums and bad breath, and it is said to prevent
hangovers (if chewed before drinking). Indians
throughout the Amazon gargle a leaf decoction for mouth
sores, bleeding gums.

A decoction of the bark and/or leaves or a flower infusion

is used topically for wounds, ulcers and skin sores.
Flowers are also mashed and applied to painful eye conditions such as sun strain,
conjunctivitis or eye injuries.

Leaf extracts have shown to have in vitro toxic action against numerous bacteria. In
several studies guava showed significant antibacterial activity against such common
diarrhea-causing bacteria as Staphylococcus, Shigella, Salmonella, Bacillus, E. coli,
Clostridium, and Pseudomonas.

It has also demonstrated antifungal, anti-yeast (candida), anti-amebic, and antimalarial

actions. Newer in the market are guava leaf extracts that are used in various herbal
formulas for a myriad of purposes; from herbal antibiotic and diarrhea formulas to
bowel health and weight loss formulas.

Toxicity studies with rats and mice, as well as controlled human studies show both the
leaf and fruit to be safe and without side effects.

The Herbavescent combination – VITAFOUR helps smokers cut down on the tar and
ill effects from smoking.

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Red Guava

Psidium guajava (guava) The fruit is harvested from

1,000 acres of specially developed hybrid trees cultivated by
Golden Hope Plantations of Malaysia. Guava is naturally
high in vitamin C, vitamin A and potassium. Raw fruit
contains 242 mg of vitamin C per 100 g, according to
USDA Handbook No. 8. By comparison, an orange contains
about 50 mg vitamin C per 100 g of fruit.

Guavas are said to be one of the best fruits available and that’s because they are not
only a very rich source of vitamin C (a guava contains more of this vitamin than a
typical citrus fruit – the rind contains over five times more vitamin C than an
orange!), they also contain high amounts of calcium – which is unusual in a fruit.

A fresh guava fruit is also a valuable source of vitamin A and

B, nicotinic acid, phosphorous, potassium, iron, and folate and
is high in fiber. Coupled with all these vitamins and minerals,
guavas are also low in fat and calories, with only about 25
calories per fruit. To top all this talk of health off, guava fruit
are said to help lower cholesterol, protect your heart and are
good for your immune system Usually things packed with all
this goodness are found within something that tastes really
bad, but with the guava it’s actually the opposite.

The Herbavescent formulation combines all the inherent goodness in an extract

format delivered effervescently.

Peria – Bitter Melon

Momordica charantia is from the Cucurbitaceous

family, a slender- stemmed tendril climber, bearing
mildly bitter fruits (known as Bitter Gourd) with
slender tips at both ends.

The fruit is widely used for various ailments such as

diabetes, hypertension, diarrhea, and stomach ache.

To date, studies have demonstrated the blood sugar-

lowering effect of this bitter fruit.

The fruit has also shown the ability to enhance cells' uptake of glucose, to promote
insulin release, and to potentiate the effect of insulin.

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In other studies, bitter melon fruit and/or seed has been shown to reduce total
cholesterol.

In one study, elevated cholesterol and triglyceride levels in diabetic rats were returned
to normal after 10 weeks of treatment.

Over the years scientists have verified many of the traditional uses of this bitter plant
that continues to be an important natural remedy in herbal medicine systems.

Bitter melon supplements are becoming more widely available in the United States
and are employed by natural health practitioners for diabetes, viruses, colds and flu,
cancer and tumors, high cholesterol, and psoriasis.

Dragon Fruit

Hylocereus Polyrhizus, family of Cetaceae -

The pitaya fruit is rich in vitamins, helps the
digestive process, helps prevent colon cancer and
diabetes, and helps to neutralize toxic substances
such as heavy metal, reduce cholesterol levels
and high blood pressure.

Consumed regularly the pitaya fruit can help

against asthma and cough.

It is rich in Vitamin A, C, Calcium, and

Potassium and is renowned for its antioxidant properties.

Antioxidants are widely used in dietary supplements to prevent cancer and heart
diseases, reduce cholesterol and also helps in body slimming and beauty care.

Its high-fiber contents also which helps improve the digestive system.

The fruit is generally considered as a health fruit.

Herbavescent range of formulations with Dragon
Fruit Extracts is unique being one of the first to
utilize the extracts (highly concentrated)
encompassing the entire fruit, for maximum
health benefit to consumers.

The red fleshed varieties contain Lycopene which

is a natural antioxidant known to fight cancer,
heart disease, and lower blood pressure.

Despite the health benefits and its spectacular

appearance, the fruit has gone virtually unnoticed for centuries.

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Aloe Vera

Aloe barbadensis - Stimulating laxative, purgative, cathartic,

choleretic, emmenagogue, uterine stimulant, abortifacient,
anthelmintic.

Aloe Vera provides natural support for the immune system,

allows the body to cleanse the digestive system. Aloe Vera
can add a rich supply of building materials to produce and
maintain healthy skin.

Although the benefits of aloe Vera are very useful for skin disorders, the juice is often
used in cases of people suffering from heartburn, ulcers and other digestive disorders.

People suffering from indigestion or the irritable bowel syndrome have claimed that
the juice of aloe Vera does provide comfort. It is sometimes used as a laxative.

The skin replenishes itself every 21 to 28 days. Using the nutritional building blocks
of aloe vera, the skin can utilize these nutrients daily to help combat the effects of
aging.

The full power of aloe Vera and the health benefits of aloe Vera have yet to be tapped.

It contains almost 20 amino acids, vital minerals like calcium, magnesium and sodium
in sufficient quantities, enzymes, vitamins, polysaccharides, nitrogen and other
components which make it a miracle substance

Safed Musli

Chlorophytum Borivilianum - In the Ayurvedic literature,

Safed Musli is celebrated as a Divya Aushad with
unparalleled medicinal properties.

It is a chief ingredient in the preparation of over a hundred

Ayurvedic formulations.

Safed Musli is also gaining increasing acceptance as a

Vitalizer and health-giving tonic, a curative for pre-natal
and post-natal problems, a restorative for immunity-
improvement and as a remedy for diabetes and arthritis.

The recent discovery of Safed Musli as a natural and safe aphrodisiac agent has also
opened up new channels of application and new demand for it.

By virtue of being a herb, Safed Musli has been found to be an ideal aphrodisiac with
no negative side-effects associated with chemical-based aphrodisiac.

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It is rich source of over 25 alkaloids, vitamins,
minerals, proteins, carbohydrates, steroid,
seponins and polysaccharides etc.

It is one of the chief ingredients in the

preparation of many Ayurvedic formulations
and also used in other conventional medicinal
systems in Asian countries.

Gurmar

Gurmar (Gymnema sylvestre) An Anti-

Sugar Herb from India ‘The Sugar Eater'.

This wonderful herb actually repairs damaged

pancreatic tissues. Gurmar stimulates insulin
secretion and has blood sugar reducing
properties.

It blocks sweet taste receptors when applied to tongue in diabetes to remove

glycosuria.

Gymnema leaves, whether extracted or infused into a tea, suppress glucose absorption
and reduce the sensation of sweetness in foods - effects which may deliver important
health benefits for individuals who want to reduce blood sugar levels or body weight.

Besides having these properties, it is a cardiac stimulant and diuretic.

Also corrects metabolic activities of liver, kidney & muscles.

In Herbavescent formulation its combination with other herbs improves the body
immune system, lowers the craving for sugar, and provides the necessary minerals
and vitamins for long term health benefits

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Indian Gooseberry

Indian gooseberry - (Emblica

officinalis) - The fruit contains 720 mg of
vitamin C per 100 g of fresh fruit pulp, or
up to 900 mg per 100 g of pressed juice.

Apart from this it also contains tannins; a

reason why even dried form retains most
of the vitamin content. Indian gooseberry
is considered an effective remedy for
heart disease.

It tones up the functions of all the organs of the body and builds up health by
destroying the heterogeneous elements and renewing the body energy.

Stevia

Stevia (also called sweetleaf, sweet leaf or sugarleaf)

With its extracts having up to 300 times the sweetness
of sugar, stevia has garnered attention with the rise in
demand for low-carbohydrate, low-sugar food
alternatives.

Stevia also has shown promise in medical research for

treating such conditions as obesity and high blood
pressure. Stevia has negligible effect on blood glucose; therefore it is attractive as a
natural sweetener to diabetics and others on carbohydrate-controlled diets.

Stevia is the world’s only all natural sweetener with zero calories, zero carbohydrates
and a zero glycemic index. Harvested from a plant in the daisy family, stevia
provides a truly delicious and healthy alternative to sugar or chemical sweeteners.

The sweet part of the stevia herb is extracted and converted into an intensely sweet
powder. This sweet powder is then blended with other all-natural ingredients to create
the delicious and healthy sweetener. Herbavescent formulations use Stevia to enhance
the taste, and increase the value of the health benefits to the consumer.

The above are the pioneer formulations from Herbavescent and will increase our
formulation range to over 50 products within the next 24 months always looking for
ways to enhance consumers health focusing on daily supplementary vitamins and
minerals, in an easy to use delivery format daily.

The stress of the modern environment requires fast and easy solutions which are the
inherent qualities of Herbavescent.

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