There is nothing uninteresting about Herbal Woman and its products, which each tells a story. The products combine the academe’s knowledge with commercialization and French technology with Philippine plant extracts. Some of the products also make use of patented French ingredients.

Concepcion, who considers biochemistry a way of life, cites chemistry and anti-cancer activity as her research interests. Her goal is to provide good and affordable products to Filipinos.

She is proud that members of her research and development team have trained rigorously for many years in natural products research in leading Philippine and foreign academic research institutions.

Concepcion first introduced Herbal Woman over two years ago via a trio of washes for the body, face and a woman’s intimate area. The company also introduced a breast cream that contains biobustyl, which has firming properties.

The company’s products are based on herbs and Biogenins, a name created and trademarked by BioMart referring to a general class of phytochemicals or plant secondary metabolite consisting principally of compounds found in most fruits, vegetables and woody plants.

Concepcion explains that Biogenins have been shown to have potent anti-oxidant activity, provide UV protection and have anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant properties, among others.

Herbal Woman’s products harness these properties through products that are exquisitely scented, very effective and reasonably priced.

“I wanted to offer quality products that are affordable because I wanted to show that good things need not be expensive,” says Concepcion.

For example, the Guava Body Wash contains the fruit which is widely used to clean wounds and treat skin infections. Guava also contains flavonoid called quercetin, which protects skin from damage and promotes cellular repair.

The Indian Almond Cleanser contains a wild plant known locally as talisay. Indian almond has been used as a hepatoprotectant in folk medicine. It has potent anti-oxidants, which protect the liver and other organs at the cellular level from stress-induced damage.

The Body Contouring Cream is a clinically tested product with fat burners and enzymes.

One of the line’s most popular products is the Arrow Root and Aloe Vera Intense Hair Conditioning Cream, which has been compared to a similar product by a popular French brand.

When people hear the prices of Herbal Woman products, they are shocked because the prices are quite low considering that the products are world-class and even the packaging is of very high quality. To illustrate, the big bottle of Guava Body wash sells for P200.

“I am willing to sacrifice the price because I don’t advertise,” says Concepcion. “I don’t pay rentals to malls because the products are sold mostly through direct selling. I also don’t want to shortchange my customers.”

She is proud to say that her products are economical but of the best quality.

“The soaps are modeled after expensive French soaps. As for the washes, you only need to use a few drops for each bathing so a bottle goes a long way,” says Concepcion.

BioMart employs a direct-selling approach for its products. The firm has distributors with their respective agents, who get sizeable discounts on the products. Agents undergo basic training on the products and what they offer and are required to attend regular sales meetings. The scheme is not similar to multi-level marketing ones being employed by other direct-selling companies as BioMart deals only with its distributors, who deal only with their agents.

The company also has a line for men called Metroman and one for dogs dubbed TubTime. The products are available at Modern Mythology and Yellow Door in Makati and all S&R branches. Selected products are also sold at Shopwise. For details, go to www.biomartasia.com