SIAM TIGER EAR

From a Backyard Herb to an Advanced Active Ingredient for the Respiratory System

Tiger ear leaf, known in Thai as “niam hu suea”, is a traditional herb grown along house fences in almost every region of Thailand. It has a distinctive aroma similar to oregano and a long history of household use for coughs, sore throats, wheezing and children’s colds. Once just a kitchen herb, it has now attracted global research interest, as many pharmacological studies report that tiger ear leaf has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity and may help protect the respiratory system from pollution damage effectively.

From a Backyard Herb to an Advanced Active Ingredient for the Respiratory System

Tiger ear leaf, known in Thai as “niam hu suea”, is a traditional herb grown along house fences in almost every region of Thailand. It has a distinctive aroma similar to oregano and a long history of household use for coughs, sore throats, wheezing and children’s colds. Once just a kitchen herb, it has now attracted global research interest, as many pharmacological studies report that tiger ear leaf has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity and may help protect the respiratory system from pollution damage effectively.

TIBD therefore selected tiger ear leaf as one of its innovative extracts in the Active-Ingredient Innovation (Food Grade) category, aiming to develop an active ingredient that can be used in the dietary supplement and functional food industries and to raise Thai herbal wisdom to international scientific standards.

About Tiger Ear Leaf and Its Traditional Medicinal Value

Scientific name: Plectranthus amboinicus (Lour.) Spreng.
Common name: Indian borage, French thyme, Country borage, Mexican mint
Thai names: Niam hu suea, bai hu suea, hom duan luang, phak han yai
Family: LAMIACEAE, the same family as basil and mint. Tiger ear is a herbaceous plant that lives 2–3 years, with succulent light-green leaves and a strong aroma from essential oils in the monoterpenes group, such as thymol, carvacrol, and eugenol , key compounds that give an oregano-like aroma and high biological activity.

The plant is native to Southeast Asia, especially Thailand, Laos and Cambodia, and later spread to India and Africa. Today it is common in humid areas with gentle sunlight and is widely grown for both food and traditional medicine. TIBD therefore selected tiger ear leaf as one of its innovative extracts in the Active-Ingredient Innovation (Food Grade) category, aiming to develop an active ingredient that can be used in the dietary supplement and functional food industries and to raise Thai herbal wisdom to international scientific standards.

In traditional medicine, tiger ear leaf has been used to

• relieve coughs, sore throat and bronchial irritation
• ease chest tightness and support easier breathing
• treat burns and scalds
• reduce swelling and joint pain
• and as a carminative and digestive aid.

This small plant growing along Thai house fences has therefore become a high-potential biological resource for developing respiratory wellness ingredients at industrial scale.

With this combination of active compounds, tiger ear leaf has a wide range of properties, including anti-inflammatory (Anti-inflammatory), antioxidant (Antioxidant), antimicrobial (Antimicrobial), and respiratory support (Respiratory Support)

Commercial Applications

With properties covering respiratory wellness, immunity and recovery, Siam Tiger Ear Extract can be developed into many product categories:

1. Dietary supplements for lung and respiratory wellness:
   • Lung-care capsules for people exposed to air pollution (5)
   • Respiratory support formulas for recovery after infection
   • Products to soothe coughs and throat irritation

2. Functional drinks and shots:

• • Herbal drinks for clearer breathing (respiratory relief drink)
  • Powder drinks or effervescent tablets for relaxation and recovery
  • Functional shots for people working in high-risk environments

3. Wellness and sleep products:

• • Sleep support formulas using the properties of rosmarinic acid
  • Products supporting immunity and reducing chronic fatigue