Analysis of active pharmaceutical ingredients in 20 species of traditional Malay midwifery postnatal bath

Midwifery is the practice of assisting a woman through childbirth using natural procedures.In Malay midwifery practices, traditional bath is one of the most important treatments during the confinement periods. However, today in Malay community, midwifery traditional knowledge of herbal medicine is disappearing and extinct. The facts are Malay midwives are becoming rare and the more crucial is medicinal plants are over-harvested. Therefore the aim of the research is to investigate the active pharmaceutical ingredients content in 20 selected species used in Malay midwifery practices during traditional bath. Thus, there is a solid need to analyse the potential of these natural bioactive compounds particularly carotenoids to be fully utilised and commersialised especially in halal market and health advantages. Through HPLC analysis all 20 species were found to have at least four individual carotenoid pigments with a relatively high concentration of lutein and β-carotene and lower concentrations of zeaxanthin. Surprisingly in every of 20 malay midwifery species samples used in traditional postnatal bath a relatively high lutein and β-carotene were detected. Selection of the right species with the right composition to accumulate lutein and β-carotene still remain mystery and mystic. The significant outcome of the research will be new findings of new natural bioactive compound sources as health promoting agents which covers not only the Shariah requirement, but also safety aspects

Carotenoid content and composition in 20 medicinal plant species of traditional Malay midwifery postnatal bath

Today in Malay community, midwifery traditional knowledge of herbal medicine has disappeared and extinct. The facts are Malay midwives are becoming rare and the more crucial is medicinal plants are over-harvested. The aim of this research is to identify and investigate the active pharmaceutical ingredients content in 20 selected species used in the Malay traditional bath. There is a solid need to analyse the potential of these natural bioactive compounds,particularly carotenoids to be fully utilised and commercialised especially in halal market and health advantages.Through High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis, all 20 species were found to have at least four individual carotenoid pigments with a relatively high concentration of lutein and β-carotene and lower concentrations of zeaxanthin. Strobilanthes crispus (Pecah Kaca) leaf was detected to have the highest total carotenoid content (1546.80±283.45 μg/g DW) while Psidium guajava (Jambu Batu) shoot has the lowest total carotenoid content (112.9±82.2 μg/g DW). The significant outcome of the research was a new findings of new natural bioactive compound sources as health promoting agents which covers not only the Shariah requirement, but also safety aspects. Moreover, it will preserve the traditional knowledge of Malay traditional bath practices

The emergence of Islamic spa concept

The onset of having a place for women to rejuvenate and refresh their body, mind and soul after a hectic day at work is amazing. Muslim women nowadays are more open to the idea of operating and visiting spa to get the benefits and advantages offered. However, as the awareness of implementing Islamic teaching as a way of life is increasing, spa operators and entrepreneurs are now taking the challenges to open an Islamic concept spa. The emergence of great numbers of Muslimah spa in Malaysia attracts the attention of the researcher to propose the elements that considered following the Shariah law and can be implemented in the present and in the future. There is not enough study about Islamic spa as spa and wellness services is a new scope to be focused in Muslim friendly hospitality services. This paper is an attempt to get the attention of spa operators and organisation to participate in this project and produce reliable resources in promoting Muslim friendly spa in the futur