Research on the local knowledge of medicinal plants by sub-ethnic Batak Simalungun of North Sumatra was conducted, using an ethnobotanical approach. The sample consisted of 8 key informants and 32 general respondents, who were grouped into two, namely those who were 30-50 years old and >50 years old. Data were analyzed both qualitatively by descriptive statistics and quantitatively by calculating the index of cultural significance (ICS) and the use value (UVs). It was found that 239 species (170 genera, 70 families) of medicinal plants were used to cure 18 kinds of natural diseases and 2 kinds of supra natural diseases. Almost half of those plants (119 species) had leaves used as medicines. Among the diseases, gastrointestinal disorders had the highest number of medicinal plants used (72 species), followed by fever (64 species), and fractures (41 species). It seemed that younger generation had lost their knowledge in the medicinal plants because their knowledge of medicinal plants (48.19 ± 8.35 species) was lower than the that of older generation (170.19 ± 18.38 species), while our key informants had the highest knowledge of medicinal plants among respondents (202.00 ± 12.32 species).

No abstract

Silalahi M, Nisyawati. 2018. The ethnobotanical study of edible and medicinal plants in the home garden of Batak Karo subethnic in North Sumatra, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 19: 229-238. The cultivation of plants in home gardens for self-sufficiency is a long tradition in Karo District, but the documentation of local knowledge about edible and medicinal plants in home gardens in Karo District is limited. This study aimed to (i) document the uses of the edible and medicinal plants in home gardens; (ii) to analyze the diversity of edible and medicinal plants in home gardens. Data were collected using the ethnobotanical surveys and interviews methods. The Shannon Weiner and Margalef indices were calculated to determine the diversity levels of medicinal and edible species in the home gardens of Karo ethnic. The surveys were conducted in 30 home gardens (7 villages), Karo District, North Sumatra. The 85 recorded species belonged to 43 families, and 73 genera were used as edible and medicinal plants. The plants studied in the home gardens used for human consumption were i.e. fruits, vegetables, spices, tubers and medicinal plants. Among 85 plant species growing in home gardens, 52 species were cultivated, and the rest were semi cultivated. Home gardens had the Shannon Wiener index ranging from 1.164 to 3.123 while Margalef index ranging from 0.929-2.531.

This study aimed to document (1) the Batak people’s knowledge of the use of medicinal plants for steam-bathing, (2) the preparation and operation of steam-bathing, and (3) the benefits of steam-bathing. To attain these objectives, data were collected by using ethnobotanical survey and interview methods. The survey was conducted in Kabanjahe and Berastagi traditional markets, in Kaban Tua village, and in Tanjung Julu village. The participants for the interview were nine medicinal plants traders, nine midwives, and 32 mothers. The basic principle of steam-bathing by the Batak people is based on thermotherapy and aromatherapy. A total of 59 species (belonging to 37 genera and to 25 families) have been documented as medicinal plants for their use as steam-bathing materials by the Batak people. The traders, midwives and mothers are all aware of the benefits of steam-bathing. Gaultheria leucocarpa Blume and Cinnamomum porrectum (Roxb.), the species that produce distinctive aromas and reduce pain, would be interesting to study for their phytochemical and pharmacological properties.