Magsaysay awardee Krisana Kraisintu wants to harness the potential of Thai herbal medicine in the deep South

The far South often conjures up images of unrest, but renowned pharmacist Krisana Kraisintu sees something entirely different and far more positive.
A Muslim woman picks jasmine flowers to make garlands which are popular items presented for merit-making at temples. Photos by APIRADEE TREERUTKUARKUL

Despite the continued violence and conflict, Ms Krisana, known as the "gypsy pharmacist' and now dean of the faculty of oriental medicine at Rangsit University in Pathum Thani, recognises the developmental potential of Narathiwat as a major source for traditional Thai herbal medicine.

She said the plight of the people in the southernmost province is much neglected by government agencies and outsiders due to the ongoing violence.
"Here in Narathiwat, many are jobless and have no decent food to eat," she said.
"I want to help create sustainable jobs for them which are suitable for their communities. In that way, they can earn a living with pride."
Ms Krisana, known globally as creator of the first generic "cocktail" pill for the treatment of HIV/Aids, is a strong believer in local empowerment and the secret wealth of indigenous resources.

The pharmacist and activist has come up with an idea to pilot a Thai traditional medicine project for Muslim communities in Narathiwat.
The idea is to build an organic herbal medicine plant and her aspiration has been spurred by the listing of 61 herbal medicines as essential national drugs.Herbal medicines have not been produced or promoted substantially for hospital use. The Public Health Ministry has targeted a 2% increase in the use of herbal medicines at large-scale hospitals, up to 5% at general hospitals and by 10% at community hospitals and health clinics by the end of 2011.The 2009 Magsaysay award for public service winner realised a lack of quality control is what hinders the commercial use of herbal drugs, even though the country is rich in herbal plants, particularly in the deep South.The separatist violence in the region does not scare Ms Krisana, as she has set out on her own to survey herbal sources as well as the water and soil in Narathiwat.

Samples of herbs such as basil, cumin, hibiscus and kaffir leaf rich in medicinal benefits, as well as water and soil in the area, were sent to a lab at the Prince of Songkla University for quality testing.These are mostly common household herbs. However, it is hard to find such herbs uncontaminated by chemicals.The security woes may have worked in favour of Ms Krisana's project as few businesses have invested in factories in the province, resulting in less pollution.At Baan Kokkien in Narathiwat's Muang district, Ms Krisana made an effort to apply her expertise and set up a small-scale herbal drug production plant in Thai Muslim communities, with quality being strictly controlled.She also linked up communities through spreading knowledge about the southern unrest and helping those affected. She is finding a market for the dried herbs produced locally.

In that way, local people will have jobs and be able to make a sustainable living, she said.A machine for processing the herbs sourced from gardens and farms in the area has been set up in the common room of the Baan Kokkien community centre. They are waiting for the gypsy pharmacist to teach them how to produce dried herbs as raw materials to manufacture medicines.Thai Muslim women have shown interest in the project. They have asked questions and discussed the various types of medicinal plants grown in their districts, methods of preliminary processing prior to delivery to the factory as well as tools and machines essential for grinding and drying herbs before herbal medicine production.Ms Krisana said finding markets for raw herbal materials was crucial.The participants learned a hard lesson from producing coconut oil in an occupational project introduced by the Department of Industrial Promotion.The project was a flop as the money made from making the coconut oil was only enough to buy their lunch.

To start with, there were not enough coconut trees to make the oil. The villagers had to buy extra coconuts from elsewhere and the profits were meagre.More than 300kg of coconut oil was left on the ground in the village because there were no buyers.Ms Krisana said she would tell the group to reduce the production of coconut oil and focus more on organic herb production instead.The dried herbs would be bought at above the market price as part of the community aid project and they would be used to produce traditional Thai medicines under Rangsit University's faculty of oriental medicine. Although it may take at least five years for the community's organic herbal plant to be fully operational, Ms Krisana strongly believes the project piloted at Baan Kokkien will be a model for other communities, particularly in the deep South. She believes it will provide sustainable jobs and enable the locals to stand on their own feet.

‘‘Gypsy pharmacist’’ Krisana Kraisintu explains the medicinal benefits of herbal drugs to students and housewives at Ban Ton School in Muang district, Narathiwat.MsKrisana poses for a photo with a team responsible for setting up the herbal drug production facility at Baan Kokkien in Narathiwat’s Muangdistrict.MsKrisana talks to students and housewives at a recent forum to educate them about herbal medicines.
Awomanshows howtomakea jasmine garland.A villager weaves a traditional krajood mat at her home in Muang district of Narathiwat. The mats take longer to make and are less profitable than garlands, another earner in the province.Thai Muslim housewives remove coconut flesh from the shells. The flesh is then processed to make coconut oil.Jasmine garlands a lifesaverJaeyoh Jehmama wakes early every morning to pick fresh jasmine from her garden before going to the nearby mosque for salah, or prayers.

The 64-year-old is one of many Muslim women struggling to maintain a normal life despite years of separatist violence.
Selling puang malai garlands has supplemented her income in Narathiwat's Muang district for more than 27 years, but today it is more important than ever as the security situation continues to be unstable.Mrs Jaeyoh is proud that she was able to send her five sons and daughters to university because of her extra puang malai income.Her husband, who works in the construction industry, does not have a steady income and the fast-selling 5-baht garlands make all the difference.Fishermen buy them to pay homage to the Goddess of the Sea while Buddhists use them for merit-making activities.
The jasmine plants were given out by the provincial agricultural office and when they bloomed, Mrs Jaeyoh decided to make garlands and sell them.
She feels lucky as she can earn a steady income of about 500 baht a day, which Mrs Jaeyoh says is even better than what she can earn weaving mats from krajood plants.As a Muslim, Mrs Jaeyoh said that at first she did not know jasmine symbolises motherhood and that the garlands were used during many Buddhist festivities.Many people also offered garlands to Their Majesties the King and Queen, who visited the deep South together many years ago.Mrs Jaeyoh's most cherished memory is when Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn visited her home many years ago and talked to her family. "I was very excited. If I had an opportunity again, I'd love to present Princess Sirindhorn with a jasmine garland that I had made because I now know it is a token of love and high respect," she said.

About the author

columnist Writer: Apiradee Treerutkuarkul
Position: Reporter
Published: 15/10/2011 at 12:00 AM

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