Gotu kola (Centella asiatica) is a medicinal plant widely used in traditional herbal medicine. Black aromatic ginger (Kaempferia galanga), meanwhile, is a spice commonly used in traditional jamu. Researchers at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) are studying a combination of the two plants for its potential to help address vision problems associated with optic nerve inflammation.
Dr. Indra Tri Mahayana of the Department of Ophthalmology at the UGM Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing (FK-KMK UGM) said his research team is investigating the therapeutic potential of bioactive compounds found in both plants. The study focuses on locally sourced medicinal plants and their potential for development based on scientific evidence.
According to Dr. Mahayana, previous research suggests that a combination of black aromatic ginger and gotu kola could potentially serve as an adjunctive therapy for patients with optic neuritis, a condition involving inflammation of the optic nerve.
“Black aromatic ginger is one of Yogyakarta’s distinctive medicinal plants with strong potential to be developed into a flagship product while also increasing its economic value,” he said during a thematic research Focus Group Discussion (FGD) titled “Wedang Sahaja: Formulasi Daun Pegagan dan Kencur Hitam sebagai Suplemen Pasien Saraf Mata melalui Pemberdayaan UMKM dan Komunitas Difabel di Kota Yogyakarta” (Wedang Sahaja: Formulation of Gotu Kola Leaves and Black Aromatic Ginger as a Supplement for Optic Nerve Patients Through the Empowerment of MSMEs and Disability Communities in Yogyakarta City). The FGD was held on Wednesday (Jul. 22) at the Yogyakarta City Government Public Service Mall.
Dr. Muhammad Taufiq Hidayat, also from the Department of Ophthalmology at FK-KMK UGM, explained that high-dose corticosteroid therapy has long been used as the standard treatment for acute optic neuritis.
Researchers are now exploring potential adjunctive therapies that could provide additional neuroprotective effects.
“Our findings indicate that the combination of black aromatic ginger and gotu kola has the potential to provide benefits comparable to vitamin B12 in helping preserve visual function in patients with acute optic neuritis,” he said.
The development of the herbal combination also has an economic and community empowerment dimension.
Rika Fatimah P.L., Ph.D., founder, concept developer, and expert of Global Gotong Royong (G2R) Tetrapreneur, as well as a lecturer at the UGM Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB UGM), said her team actively encourages consumers to support locally produced goods made by micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).
She explained that local products have distinctive characteristics and production capacities that differ from those of large-scale industries. As a result, they need a supportive market ecosystem to grow sustainably.
Through research into the potential of black aromatic ginger and gotu kola, Dr. Rika said the development of herbal products is intended not only to create evidence-based health innovations but also to support community economic empowerment.
The initiative is expected to create a value chain that benefits farmers, MSMEs, disability communities, academics, government institutions, and consumers. It could also strengthen the role of locally produced herbal products in developing the creative economy and regional wellness industries.
“The success of a business is not determined solely by the size of its revenue but by its ability to create unique products, improve the well-being of business actors, and deliver innovations that benefit society,” she said.
Author: Jesi
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Jasmine Ferdian
Photo: Alodokter