Are the Medicinal Benefits of Agarwood About to go Mainstream?

SINGAPORE, July 23, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) already has an important role for agarwood where it is used to relieve spasms and pain, treat the digestive system, regulate the vital organs (heart, lungs, liver), and to lower and redirect energy levels to support the kidneys. It is also used to treat tightness in the chest, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhoea and asthma.

In a new investment programme Asia Plantation Capital is engaging various academics in Southeast Asia to explore the science behind these medicinal applications. They aim to identify key areas for crucial analysis and eventual preclinical trials, a fundamental process towards gaining approval and acceptance by medical authorities in Europe and America.

According to data provided by the Committee on Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy there are 47 valid manufacturing licences for prepared TCM products containing agarwood powder as an ingredient. Recommended daily dosages of between 1.5-3g apply for different medical purposes. These include 42 that are over-the-counter medicines and 5 restricted as medicines on prescription or for hospital use only; 42 are oral medicines, two for external use and three without specific description. Among these over 80% of the items contain less than 6% of agarwood in each dosage. Barry Rawlinson, CEO Asia Pacific for Asia Plantation Capital, commented that "Traditional Chinese Medicines are now used the world over, even forming the basis of many alternative health treatments in the West. With the organic processes used on our agarwood plantations Asia Plantation Capital is well placed to help international pharmaceutical companies, especially as they continue their search for new medicines to combat recognised conditions and increase research on the international aspect of new contagions."

In Thailand Asia Plantation Capital has been working with Prince Songkhla University where Prof. Pakamas Chetpattananondh is leading their assault on driving change from TCM to recognised global scientific acceptance, with particular focus on anti-oxidant properties of agarwood.

Asia Plantation Capital is already producing agarwood tea using leaves from selected organic agarwood plantations in Thailand and Sri Lanka. Last year saw them launch agarwood rice containing nutritional supplements developed from processed plantation agarwood trees. For some mild skin conditions they are also selling an innovative agarwood soap.

At the 1st International Scientific Symposium on Agarwood (ISSA) in September 2013 the laxative property of agarwood leaves was confirmed and Japanese researchers announced the imminent launch of a related product. The conference also confirmed that aquilaria crassna leaf extracts possesses antipyretic, analgesic and anti-oxidative properties without noticeable anti-inflammatory activity. Another presenter promoted agarwood leaf as a promising potential anti-diabetic agent. There was even a report of one diabetic patient significantly decreasing their blood glucose by drinking a water infusion of agarwood leaf instead of water for six months. Agarwood leaf extracts are known to possess antipyretic, laxative and antimicrobial activities.

Barry Rawlinson continues, "It is not only China where agarwood has been used in medicines for more than one thousand years, traditional uses extend across Asia and into India within Ayurveda, even the Middle East where agarwood chips and Oud oil have a long established high value market. At Asia Plantation Capital we are working to carry this cultural heritage forward scientifically based upon sound environmental practices."

Asia Plantation Capital Pte. Ltd., 50 Collyer Quay, #06-05 OUE Bayfront, Singapore 049321
Tel: +65 6222 3386 | Fax: +65 6221 2197 | Email: pr@asiaplantationcapital.com

Notes to Editors:

About Asia Plantation Capital

Asia Plantation Capital is an owner and operator of a diverse range of commercial plantation and farming businesses across the Asia-Pacific region, and globally, part of the Asia Plantation Capital Group of associated companies. Their focus is on multicultural and diverse plantation projects geared to the domestic and commercial demands of the countries in which they operate. Working closely with and supporting local communities is an underlying core principle of the APC business, providing social and cultural support, as well as investment, to move these communities away from deforestation and illegal logging activities, previously seen as a main source of income in some regions of Asia. Established officially in 2008, although operating privately since 2002, the group now has plantation and agricultural projects on four continents with operational projects at various stages in Thailand, Malaysia, China, Laos, India, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Mozambique, The Gambia, North America and Europe.

Promoting the use of certified wood is the best way of preventing deforestation, protecting biodiversity and combatting poverty in the tropical rainforest regions. For the yachting sector, which strives for excellence and which is already involved in environmental efforts, this is also a way of ensuring that no wood from illegal logging is used.