The History of consuming sea cucumbers can be traced back to the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644 B.C.) when it was regarded as a longevity tonic and traditional Chinese medicine in many ancient writings. Common medicinal uses include the treatment of general weakness, impotence, constipation due to intestinal dryness, debility of the aged, frequent urination and joint problems.

Nutritionally, sea cucumber is higher in protein and lower in fat than most foods. It contains high levels of amino acids, vitamin A & C, riboflavin, niacin, calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc, sodium, and carbohydrates and trace elements.

The University of Queensland Centre for Drug Design conducted a series of chromotographs that showed "an enormous number of compounds" within sea cucumbers, notably mucopolysaccharides such as chondroitin sulfate, known for its arthritic-reducing property.

Western medicine uses sea cucumber to successfully treat Rheumatoid Arthritis, Osteoarthritis, Ankylosing Spondylitis and connective tissue disorders. Australia has approved an over-the-counter sale of sea cucumber products for arthritic treatment (a daily dose of just 3 grams of dried sea cucumber helps to reduce arthralgia) while the Japanese have patented the use of chondroitin sulfate, from sea cucumber, for HIV therapy because of its viral-inhibiting ability. The saponin (triterpene glycosides) compounds found in sea cucumber have structure similar to the active constituents of ginseng, ganoderma and other famous Chinese tonic herbs.

Pharmacology experiments indicate that sea cucumber saponin have anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer effects.

REAP INDONESIA majors in supplying dried White Sand Fish (Holothuria scabra), White Teat Fish (Holothuria fuscogilva), Prickly Red Fish (Thelenota ananas), Stone Fish (Actinopyga lecanora), Tiger Fish (Bohadschia argus), Lolly Fish (Holothuria atra), Pink Fish (Holothuria edulis), Snake Fish (Holothuria coluber), and Curry Fish (Stichopus spp.). Other lesser species include Black Teat Fish (Holothuria nobilis), Green Fish (Stichopus chloronotus) and others.
Sea cucumbers are harvested by fishermen from the waters in Indonesia. After capture, they are usually gutted, boiled, smoked and sun-dried before being graded and sorted into different sizes.