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| Sekaya Moringa capsules |
Creating a globally competitive Philippine moringa industry. Malunggay, popular among Filipinos, is a galactagogue that helps enhance milk supply in breastfeeding mothers, as well as a nutritious powerhouse rich in vitamins C and A, calcium, and iron, potassium, as well as a good source of antioxidants, amino acids, and anti-inflammatory compounds.
Synnovate (Unilab's natural products division) produces an EU-certified organic moringa supplement, sourcing 100% locally through farms in the MPFI network, which promotes the research, development, and standardization of moringa grown in the country.
The influence of Sekaya Organic Moringa extends to consumers who benefit from this local superfood, as well as agricultural communities that benefit from support and promotion that highlights local farmers' expertise in organic moringa growing.
“We are extremely proud to partner with Sekaya in providing the local market with a high-quality moringa supplement that is safe for anyone who takes it,” says Bernadette “Bernie” Estrella Arellano, founder and chairperson of Moringaling Philippines Foundation, Inc.; "Through this partnership, we are also showcasing the capabilities of our very own Filipino organic malunggay farmers who meet the stringent standards of international bodies like the European Union."
Aside from major retailers such as Mercury Drug and Watsons, as well as e-commerce sites such as Lazada and Shopee, Sekaya actively works to expand its moringa supplement distribution channels, particularly in provincial areas such as Carlos Superdrug in Lucena City, Quezon, and Jhunbelle Drugstore in Coron, Palawan.
Sekaya and RiteMed Philippines have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with social business Plantsville Health to safeguard 16 native cinnamon species and support local spice production and create natural health products to help the sector grow.
Cinnamon is one of the most essential spices used all over the world, and was formerly valued at the same level as oil in Europe. Cinnamon has been demonstrated in studies to be beneficial. Control blood sugar through increasing insulin efficiency and delivering glucose to cells. It's also known to have other medicinal benefits for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties.
According to Plantsville Health creator November Canieso-Yeo, she discovered that the country not only has its own unique cinnamon species, but that they are also on the International Union for Conservation of Nature's vulnerable species list on Nature Conservation Union (IUCN).
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| Ritemed President Jose Maria Ochave and November Canieso-Yeo of Plantsville Health |
“It’s a shame because our country imports more than 95% of its current cinnamon consumption. How meaningful it could be if we could help grow back the Philippine cinnamon, while earning for the farmers and its suppliers,” she says.
That’s the aim of Canieso-Yeo’s social enterprise – save the Philippine cinnamon and other aromatic indigenous species by planting them in partnership with small landholder farmers, buy their produce, and develop these into healthful products for consumers. And with collaborations and support from brands like Sekaya and RiteMed, she sees more concrete ways forward.
“To be able to direct the supply of cinnamon for natural health products to local sources would be a big win for the industry,” Kamille Iris Abapo, Marketing Manager of Synnovate, points out. “As a brand,
Sekaya continues to work hard to support local farmers and suppliers while developing high quality natural health products that help set standards for the industry and benefit consumers, community and country.”
Sekaya is under Synnovate, the natural products division of UNILAB. Learn more about how you can benefit from Sekaya’s plant-based solutions and get health tips and information at https://www.sekaya.com.ph/ and by following @sekayaph on Facebook and Instagram.
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