Elevating the value of medicinal herbs into OCOP products

Tuyet Nhi Cooperative creates jobs for 5 regular workers and dozens of seasonal workers with stable income.

Innovation

Born and raised in a family with many generations of traditional medicine practitioners, Ms. Tuyet soon understood the value of precious medicinal plants. After graduating from Tue Tinh College of Medicine and Pharmacy, returning to her hometown, Ms. Tuyet could not help but worry about the fact that medicinal herbs after harvest often become moldy and spoiled due to not being processed in time. This not only wastes valuable resources but also reduces the effectiveness of treatment.

In that context, the black xạ plant, a special medicinal herb researched by the Military Medical Academy since 1987 and recognized for its ability to inhibit malignant tumors, has become the focus of public attention. Since 2002, when the effects of black xạ were widely introduced, people in Cao Duong commune have propagated, cultivated, and increased the area of ​​black xạ plants to 56 hectares and continued to expand.

However, with the growing area of ​​Solanum procumbens and Xạ Đen growing larger and larger, people are having difficulty finding outlets and are often forced to lower prices by traders. Faced with this situation, in 2017, Ms. Tuyet boldly registered a business household to purchase Xạ Đen leaves at a stable price, creating a sustainable outlet for farmers.

Realizing that dried xạ đen is prone to mold due to humid weather, difficult to preserve and inconvenient for users, Ms. Tuyet hatched the idea of ​​processing medicinal herbs into a concentrated product. In 2020, she started experimenting with processing xạ đen extract from fresh plants. The initial stage was full of challenges: Limited capital, little knowledge about processing. She had to explore, research and experiment on her own, accepting that many batches of extract were spoiled. But with perseverance and determination, Ms. Tuyet gradually perfected the process, creating Tuyet Nhi concentrated xạ đen extract, thick in form, with a characteristic aroma, very easy to use, convenient and highly effective.

Modern pharmaceutical processing line to meet market demand.

Brand Affirmation

After the product was on the market and received positively by customers, it gave her more motivation. In 2021, Ms. Tuyet and 6 members established Tuyet Nhi Cooperative , investing in factories, machinery, and production lines according to the HACCP quality management system. The Cooperative's medicinal herbs are increasingly trusted by many people thanks to their convenience and outstanding effectiveness. Powdered and liquid extracts are easy to use and can be preserved longer than fresh medicinal herbs, making it more convenient for patients to use and no longer worry about spoiled medicinal herbs.

Sharing about the achievements, Ms. Nguyen Anh Tuyet said: The cooperative has launched 10 liquid and powdered products to the market, most of which have been ordered by distribution companies. In particular, two products, Ca Gai Leo extract and Xa Den extract, have been honored to receive 4-star OCOP certification, demonstrating the quality and value of the products.

Not stopping there, in 2024, Ms. Tuyet continued to borrow capital to invest in a centrifugal misting machine system worth more than 450 million VND. Thanks to this modern technology, the cooperative has processed 4 new soluble powder products including: Cuc Luong extract, Ung Bat Bat extract, Black turmeric extract and Ca Xa extract. These products bring maximum convenience to patients: No need for complicated cooking, just mix the powder with water to drink every day while still maintaining the medicinal value.

Ms. Nguyen Anh Tuyet's success not only brings economic value to her family but also contributes significantly to increasing the value of local medicinal herbs. Tuyet Nhi Cooperative has created regular jobs for workers at the processing factory, and at the same time purchased large quantities of black xạ trees and leaves in Luong Son, ca gai leo in Yen Thuy and many other medicinal herbs from farmers. This not only helps people stabilize their income but also encourages the expansion of medicinal herb growing areas, contributing to the conservation and development of the precious resources of the homeland.

With the goal of continuing to increase the value of the black ginseng plant, creating stable income for local people, contributing to poverty reduction, Tuyet Nhi Cooperative is continuing to expand its production scale, focusing on building brands, expanding the market and introducing more products that meet the province's OCOP standards. The story of Ms. Nguyen Anh Tuyet is a clear demonstration of the spirit of creative entrepreneurship, daring to think, daring to do, turning precious medicinal plants of the homeland into high-value products, contributing to improving community health and promoting local economic development.

Viet Lam

Source: https://baophutho.vn/nang-tam-gia-tri-duoc-lieu-thanh-san-pham-ocop-238145.htm