Article: Doorway to health

Friday June 12, 2009

By SYLVIA LOOI

There are 525 herbal species at the refurbished Herbal Park in Kepayang, Perak. The Sultan of Perak Sultan Azlan Shah is schedule to officiate it on June 16.

YOU can practically learn everything about herbs at the newly refurbished Herbal Park at Batu 1, Simpang Pulai, Jalan Batu Gajah in Kepayang, Perak.

Sprawled over 22.4ha of ex-mining land, the park will be opened by Perak Sultan Azlah Shah on Tuesday in conjunction with the Ruler's 25th Silver Jubilee Celebration.

Perak Agriculture Department director Arifin Abdul Latif said there are over 500 species of herbs in the park.

Herbal Park field manager S. Bala showing the Nenas Batu, which is good for removing piles and kidney stones among its uses.

The park, which started in 1987, had its humble beginning as an agricultural centre. It was transformed into a park after a visit by former Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Tajol Rosli Ghazali in 2002.

The park started with just 60 species in 2002 before its collection grew to 525 today.

Arifin said the department went to great lengths to stock up its species.

"Some were brought out from the jungle by the orang asli while some were sourced from other states," he said.

"We do not promise a rose garden but here at the park, it is surrounded by various kinds of herbs," he said in an interview on Wednesday.

He added that the department would also assist those interested in cultivating the herbs commercially.

Assistant Director-General for Herbs and Spices (Paddy, Industrial Crops and Floriculture) Mohamed Redza Baba had in a recent seminar organised by the department revealed that the market value of herbs in Malaysia was about RM10bil while the worldwide market value for herbs last year was USD200bil (RM709.2bil).

The park's field manager S. Bala said the park was divided into six sections - medicinal, condiments, vegetables, aromatic, cosmetic and heritage.

There is also a nursery in the park if visitors are interested to cultivate the herbs at home.

"To educate the people, there is a notice board with the herb's local and scientific name and also its uses," he said.

Among the herbs in the park are terung susu kambing, which is good for those suffering from diabetes and blood pressure problems. There is also the kesum leaves, normally associated with laksa, is said to be able to solve one's dandruff problems.

For those who do not feel like going around the park on foot, they can opt for the hourly tram ride.

Besides visiting the herb garden, the park is also open for family day celebrations and camping trips.

Entrance to the park is RM2 for adults and RM1 for children. It is open from Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm.

Entrance fee will however be waived on June 16 and 17 in conjunction with the opening by Sultan Azlan Shah.

Group visits can also be arranged on Saturdays. For details, call the park at 05-3572290 or the department, 05-2541999.

This article was taken from: The Star Online: Metro: North 12 June 2009