Ethnopharmacological Study of Medicinal Plants in the Rawamerta Region Karawang, West Java, Indonesia

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Traditional medicinal plants’ application has significant advantages for cultural development, acceptability, and economic affordability. Furthermore, they are claimed to cure several types of diseases compared to modern medicines. AIM: This study aims to document and preserve the use of ethnomedicinal plants to treat various diseases by the community in the Rawamerta Region, Karawang, West Java, Indonesia. METHODS: Fieldwork was carried out from January to August 2022 through face-to-face interviews, questionnaires, and discussions. Plant species were identified based on standard taxonomic methods, floral morphological characteristics, and possibly, by using samples for comparison, as well as expert consultation and literature. They were then grouped into families according to the Cronquist classification system. Furthermore, their names were checked on the Plant List (www.plantlist.org) and the International Plant Name Index (www.ipni.org). RESULTS: It was discovered that 50 plant species belonging to 31 families spread across 46 genera are employed for the treatment of various diseases in Rawamerta, such as diabetes, inflammation, hypertension, fever, dyslipidemia, antiseptic, gastric disorders, anticancer, cough, gout, etc. Based on the results, Acanthaceae, Fabaceae, Zingiberaceae, and Myrtaceae are the most dominant families applied for the treatment purpose. Meanwhile, the most frequently used genera are Syzygium, Piper, Curcuma, and Annona. The plant part majorly used in medicine preparation is the leaf (64%), followed by fruit (14%), rhizome (10%), and stem (6%), as well as flower, peel, and stem and leaf (2%, respectively). The most commonly applied preparation method is an infusion (48%), followed by decoction (44%), juice (4%), as well as paste and drops (2%, respectively). This study also showed more than one plant species is used for treating the same disease. CONCLUSION: The results confirm that the Sundanese people in Rawamerta still rely heavily on medicinal plants for their health-care system. However, efforts to preserve medicinal plants and local wisdom in the region have not been significant. Therefore, the indigenes and the government are advised to carry out in situ and ex situ conservation strategies to maintain the availability of medicinal plants in the region.

Skrining Fitokimia Dan Aktivitas Antioksidan Ekstrak Etanol Pelepah Daun Terubuk (Saccharum spontaneum var. edulis (Hassk) K. Schum.)

“…Sayuran merupakan jenis pangan yang dikonsumsi setiap saat dikarenakan sayuran memiliki nilai gizi pangan yang sehat, mengandung gizi, karbohidrat, protein, vitamin, dan mineral (Susanto, 2014;Nuraeni et al, 2022). Sayuran juga menjadi sumber adanya antioksidan berdasarkan laporan (Aman, 2017).…”

Comparative ethnobotanical study in the North-East region of Morocco (Al Hoceima, Nador, and Jerada). Local ethnobotanical knowledge of Amazigh and Arabized provinces

“…These cultural and religious influences shape the traditional medicinal practices and the use of plants in the country, making the ethnobotanical knowledge unique. This knowledge is defined as the set of practices, traditions, beliefs, and knowledge developed and maintained by the local population towards their physical environment (Berkes et al 2000, Gómez-Baggethun et al 2010, Reyes-García et al 2013, is passed down from generation to generation (Abouri et al 2012, Beltrán-Rodríguez et al 2014, Berkes 1999, Eoin 2016, Hassanein 1999, Ugulu et al 2009, and is usually acquired through an empirical process (Nuraeni et al 2022). Despite the fact that it is not always preserved (Addo-Fordjour et al 2008, 2012, the local traditional pharmacopeia continues to play a significant role as a source of remedies for primary healthcare in the country (Merzouki et al 2000).…”