Enhancing the value of medicinal herbs into OCOP products.

In the hustle and bustle of modern life, the value of traditional remedies and indigenous medicinal herbs is increasingly recognized and appreciated. In Dong Bon village, Cao Duong commune, Ms. Nguyen Anh Tuyet, a female entrepreneur, has "revived" her family's traditional medicinal herbs into valuable OCOP products, offering convenience, safety, and effectiveness to consumers while elevating the value of local medicinal plants.

Báo Phú Thọ•25/08/2025

The Tuyet Nhi Cooperative provides employment for 5 permanent workers and dozens of seasonal workers, ensuring stable incomes.

Innovate the way things are done.

Born and raised in a family with generations of traditional medicine practitioners, Ms. Tuyet quickly understood the value of precious medicinal plants. After graduating from Tue Tinh College of Medicine and Pharmacy and returning to her hometown, Ms. Tuyet was deeply concerned about the fact that medicinal herbs often become moldy and spoiled after harvesting due to a lack of timely processing. This not only wastes valuable resources but also reduces the effectiveness of treatment.

In this context, the blackthorn plant, a special medicinal herb studied by the Military Medical Academy since 1987 and recognized for its ability to inhibit malignant tumors, has become a focal point of community interest. Since 2002, when the effects of blackthorn were widely publicized, people in Cao Duong commune have propagated and cultivated it, increasing the area under blackthorn cultivation to 56 hectares and continuing to expand.

However, with the increasing area planted with Solanum torvum and Rhus chinensis, farmers are facing difficulties in finding markets and are frequently subjected to price manipulation by traders. In response to this situation, in 2017, Ms. Tuyet boldly registered a business to purchase Rhus chinensis leaves at a stable price, creating a sustainable market for farmers.

Realizing that dried blackthorn is susceptible to mold due to humid weather, difficult to preserve, and inconvenient for users, Ms. Tuyet conceived the idea of processing the medicinal herb into an extract product. In 2020, she began experimenting with processing blackthorn extract from fresh plants. The initial stage was full of challenges: limited capital and little knowledge of processing. She had to figure things out on her own, researching and experimenting, accepting that many batches of extract would fail. But with perseverance and determination, Ms. Tuyet gradually perfected the process, creating Tuyet Nhi concentrated blackthorn extract, a thick paste with a distinctive aroma, which is very easy to use, convenient, and highly effective.

Enhancing the value of medicinal herbs into OCOP products.

A modern herbal processing line is in place to meet market demands.

Brand affirmation

After the product was positively received by customers upon its market launch, it further motivated her. In 2021, Ms. Tuyet and six other members established the Tuyet Nhi Cooperative , investing in a well-equipped factory, machinery, and production line according to the HACCP quality management system. The cooperative's herbal extracts are increasingly trusted by many people due to their convenience and superior effectiveness. The powdered and liquid extracts are easy to use and can be stored longer than fresh herbs, making it more convenient for patients to use without worrying about the herbs spoiling.

Sharing about the achievements, Ms. Nguyen Anh Tuyet said: The cooperative has launched 10 liquid and powdered herbal extract products on the market, most of which are ordered by distribution companies. In particular, two products, the Gynostemma pentaphyllum extract and the Rhus chinensis extract, have proudly received OCOP 4-star certification, a testament to their quality and value.

Not stopping there, in 2024, Ms. Tuyet continued to borrow capital to invest in a centrifugal misting system worth over 450 million VND. Thanks to this modern technology, the cooperative has processed four new soluble powder extract products: Chrysanthemum extract, Euphorbia hirta extract, black turmeric extract, and Solanum nigrum extract. These products offer maximum convenience for patients: no complicated cooking is required; simply mix the powder with water and drink daily while retaining all the medicinal value.

Ms. Nguyen Anh Tuyet's success not only brings economic value to her family but also makes a significant contribution to enhancing the value of local medicinal herbs. The Tuyet Nhi Cooperative has created regular jobs for workers at its processing plant and simultaneously purchases large quantities of black sesame plants and leaves from Luong Son, milk thistle from Yen Thuy, and many other medicinal herbs from farmers. This not only helps farmers stabilize their income but also encourages the expansion of medicinal herb cultivation, contributing to the conservation and development of the homeland's valuable resources.

With the goal of further enhancing the value of the black sesame plant, creating stable income for local people, and contributing to poverty reduction, Tuyet Nhi Cooperative is continuing to expand its production scale, focusing on brand building, expanding markets, and bringing more products that meet the province's OCOP standards. The story of Ms. Nguyen Anh Tuyet is a clear example of the spirit of creative entrepreneurship, daring to think and act, transforming precious medicinal plants of her 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