From street stalls to bourses, South East Asia's traditional medicine makers promise panacea

JAKARTA/SINGAPORE: On rainy days in Jakarta, a canny street merchant like Emi can sell two dozen sachets of herbal cold cure Tolak Angin to office workers and labourers sniffling by her roadside stall.

"Herbal medicine is good for the body because it's natural," says Emi, who goes by only one name. Laced with ginger, cloves and mint leaves, the traditional remedy Emi sells for 25 cents apiece is also good for business: The company that makes Tolak Angin went public this week and is worth around $850 million.