Ethnobotanical survey on plants used as traditional salad food (ulam) in Kampung Taun Gusi, Kota Belud Sabah, Malaysia

Abstract

Abstract.A preliminary ethnobotanical survey of traditional salad food or ulam was conducted within Sama-Bajau community in Kampung Taun Gusi, Kota Belud Sabah, Malaysia on May 2017.Three key informants were selected using snowball sampling technique, and data about traditional salad food (ulam) were collected by semi-structured interview and field observation. A total of 28 species of plants from 26 genera and 20 families were recorded have been consumed as ulam. The study also reveals apart from being consumed as traditional salad food (ulam), 15 species are also used as herbal medicine to treat or prevent various diseases such as cough, diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer, flu, fever, red eyes, ringworms, and for postpartum treatment. Zingiberaceae is the most utilized plant as an herbal medicine by Sama-Bajau community of Kampung Taun Gusi, Kota Belud. These Zingiberaceae species are namely; Curcuma caesia (kunyit hitam), Curcuma zanthorrhiza, (temulawak), and Zingiber zerumbet (lempoyang). Clinacanthus nutans (belalai gajah), and Orthosiphon stamineus (misai kucing) are recorded to be used as herbal medicine to treat diabetes and high blood pressure. The decoction of the young shoot of Capsicum annum (lada) has been used to treat ringworms among children and red eyes, moreover, the paste of the leaf has been used to reduce high fever. Meanwhile, Cosmos caudatus (ransa ransa) and Centella asiatica (pegaga) have been consumed for health and wellness maintenance and as anti-aging herbs.

Centella asiatica (L.) Urb. Apiaceae

“…The leaves are consumed as vegetable by the local people of Jombang, East Java, and Kapuas Hulu in West Borneo and by the Saibatin sub-tribe in Lampung of Indonesia (Haryanti et al 2015;Sholichah and Alfidhdhoh 2020;personal observation). The same has also been reported from Northeast Thailand, and Malaysia (Awang-Kanak et al 2002;Suksri et al 2005;Ong et al 2012). Leaves are also processed into softdrinks in Cambodia, Thailand, and Vietnam.…”

“…The Temiar women folk claim that the leaves of Centella asiatica are also good to promote overall health during postpartum (Zaki et al 2019). The leaves are eaten fresh, as it is believed to cure memory loss, and also act as antiaging medicine, by the local people of Kampung Taun, Kota Belud Sabah (Awang- Kanak et al 2002). It is also reported that the local people of Masjid Ijok in Perak State use the infusion of the whole plant to delay aging (Ramli et al 2015).…”

A Preliminary Survey on Edibles and Medicinal Plants Used By Dusun of Kampung Pinolobu, Kadamaian, Kota Belud, Sabah, Malaysia

“…Dusun of Kampung Pinolobu also eat fruit of Passiflora foetida to reduce high blood pressure. However, the Sama Bajau of Kampung Taun Gusi were previously reported to only consume the fruit (Awang-Kanak et al, 2018a).…”

A Comprehensive Review with Future Prospects on the Medicinal Properties and Biological Activities of Curcuma caesia Roxb.

“…In Kota Belud, Sabah (Malaysia), young leaves of C. caesia are often consumed raw as salad (ulam) by the Sama-Bajau people. Te leaves are freshly eaten or given as a drink to treat cough [12].…”