They may be little, but they do wonders to make our foods palatable and appetizing. Enriching flavors and bringing out aroma–these herbs and spices are already parts of the Filipino cuisine that we simply cannot live without. Beyond food, people also utilize them for their medicinal and cosmeceutical values.
According to Ms. Luz Marcelino, manager of the Bicol Integrated Agricultural Research Center (BIARC), it is of significant contribution to the agriculture sector to explore the potentials of herbs and spices for entrepreneurial opportunities. People should conserve and utilize these plants for their medicinal value, and promote their use as nutritional additives in local and national food cuisines.
“At present, people have not yet fully utilized many of these indigenous herbs and spices because of a lack of knowledge and information on their economic importance, often undermining their value as food and as affordable sources of nutrients and medicine. If people give them full attention, they could help us address food shortages, high costs of medicine, and the like,” Marcelino said.
In line with the Indigenous Plant for Health and Wellness Program of the Department of Agriculture (DA), BIARC, in collaboration with the Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR), embarked on the project, “Collection, Propagation Techniques of Indigenous Herbs, Spices and Medicinal Plants and Establishment of Demo Nursery”. The project aims to further explore the potentials of indigenous herbs, spices, and medicinal plants in the Bicol region.
As part of the postharvest processing activities, BIARC through its Product Development Unit developed suitable drying, dehydration, and powdering techniques for the local use of the herbs and spices.. This resulted in the production of various by-products including tarragon mint tea, cool mint tea, sweet basil dalandan juice, and 6-in-1 herbal juice, among others. The organizers exhibited some products during the 1st National Community-based Participatory Action Research (CPAR) Congress held in February 2014 at the Manila Hotel.
In coordination with the Provincial Agricultural Offices and Municipal Agricultural Services, there are 46 different kinds of herbs and spices, and 21 known medicinal plants identified and collected in different areas in the region. We planted mother plants and propagation materials in BIARC.
“To date, researchers have propagated 11,831 assorted kinds of herbs and spices, and medicinal plants. They have distributed 3,039 of these to interested clients and stakeholders.” ### (Anne Camille B. Brion)
Source and image: bar.gov.ph
