The therapeutic potential of Agarwood-based formulations from Traditional Malay Medicine (TMM) in sustainable Halal product innovation

This study explores the rich heritage of Traditional Malay Medicine (TMM) with a focus on utilizing indigenous ingredients for Halal healthcare innovations. Despite its longstanding history and cultural significance, TMM faces challenges in scientific validation and integration into modern healthcare practices. This research is centered around a comprehensive literature survey of Malay medical manuscripts, interviews with TMM experts, and the selection of effective agarwood-based formulations for Halal product development. We examined seven key manuscripts to extract and understand the various formulations and therapeutic uses of agarwood. To further clarify traditional terminologies and practices, semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with TMM practitioners and scholars. Insights gained from these interviews facilitated the standardization of traditional concepts into scientifically interpretable information. The final phase of the study involved a rigorous process of selecting an appropriate formulation based on criteria such as relevance to disease treatment, clarity of preparation methods, and the availability of ingredients. This research emphasizes the potential of integrating traditional knowledge with modern science to create sustainable and Halal-compliant healthcare products while preserving cultural heritage. Future work will involve empirical testing of these formulations to further validate their efficacy and safety.