Reported by Utusan Malaysia, Malaysian ginseng (also known as, Pasak Bumi) from Malaysia have started to make in roads in Japan.

It is being marketed in tablet forms and labelled “natural medication” since stringent Japanese laws disallow it to be categorised as “herbal products”. “So, the best approach is to promote Eurycoma Longifolia Jack (malaysian ginseng) as natural health supplements,” said Malaysian External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade) Tokyo director Mohd Mustafa Abdul Aziz.

This has been effective as the Japanese are inclined towards using natural products and they give due importance to body fitness. “Eurycoma Longifolia Jack (malaysian ginseng) products have a big potential in this country,” he said.

Mohd Mustafa added that Matrade was looking at the prospect of opening new markets for Eurycoma Longifolia Jack (malaysian ginseng) supplements.

Malaysian ginseng (or its scientific name, eurycoma longifolia jack) is famous in the South-East Asian region for its ability to increase a man’s testosterone level and virility. Research by Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) showed that the herb could also be used to cure illnesses and could even function as an anti-cancer agent.