Medicinal Plants Used in Traditional Medicine

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 21 views

Revealing Natural Secrets: Ethnobotani Study of Plant Utilization in Traditional Medicine in Tigalingga District, Dairi Regency

Introduction

Tigalingga District in Dairi Regency, North Sumatra, is a treasure trove of traditional cultural wealth and knowledge that is deeply rooted in nature. One of the most fascinating aspects of this cultural heritage is the use of plants as traditional medicine. For centuries, the people of Tigalingga have relied on the healing properties of plants to treat various ailments, and this practice continues to thrive to this day. In this study, we aim to delve deeper into the world of traditional medicine in Tigalingga District, exploring the ways in which people use plants for treatment, their perceptions of traditional medicine, and the types of medicinal plants that are commonly used.

Methodology

To gain a deeper understanding of the traditional medicine practices in Tigalingga District, we conducted an ethnobotani study in three villages: Lau Mil, Recent Julu, and Palding Jaya. The study was conducted from May to July 2021, and involved a combination of open interviews with "battra" (traditional physicians) and the distribution of questionnaires to the community in a directed manner. This approach allowed us to gather information about the practices of traditional medicine and the knowledge of medicinal plants from a diverse range of sources.

Results

The results of our study showed that traditional medicine still plays a significant role in the lives of people in Tigalingga District. A staggering 73.11% of respondents believed in the efficacy of traditional medicine, highlighting the importance of this practice in the community. The most common health problems experienced by the people of Tigalingga District include headaches, dysentery, coughing, intestinal worms, and ulcers. These findings suggest that traditional medicine is still a vital part of the community's healthcare system.

Medicinal Plants Used in Traditional Medicine

Our study identified 70 species of medicinal plants originating from 30 families. Interestingly, some of the most commonly used medicinal plants, such as onion (Alium cepa L.), betel (Piper betle L.), black pepper (Piper nigrum L.), ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe), and kencur (Kaempferia galanga L.), have a high Index of Cultural Significance (ICS) value, indicating their important role in traditional medicine in the area. The leaves of these plants are often used as medicine, highlighting the significance of plant-based remedies in traditional medicine.

Degradation of Knowledge about Medicinal Plants

However, our study also found a worrying trend of degradation of knowledge about medicinal plants. There is a significant difference in the knowledge of medicinal plants between the younger generation (age group C) and the older generation (age group A), with a decrease of 41.66%. This finding suggests that the traditional knowledge of medicinal plants is being lost as the younger generation becomes increasingly disconnected from the traditional practices of their ancestors.

Processing of Traditional Knowledge

Traditional knowledge about medicinal plants is processed into ingredients through various methods, such as boiling, stuffing, drinking, smearing, steam bathing (oude), or consuming directly. This highlights the creativity and resourcefulness of the people of Tigalingga District in using plants to treat various ailments.

Conclusion

This study provides strong evidence of the important role of plants in traditional medicine in Tigalingga District. The findings of this study highlight the significance of maintaining traditional knowledge and preserving biodiversity in this area to ensure the sustainability of traditional medicine and community welfare. As the world becomes increasingly modernized, it is essential that we recognize the value of traditional knowledge and work to preserve it for future generations.

Recommendations

Based on the findings of this study, we recommend the following:

Preservation of Traditional Knowledge: Efforts should be made to preserve traditional knowledge about medicinal plants and their uses.
Conservation of Biodiversity: The conservation of biodiversity in Tigalingga District is essential to ensure the sustainability of traditional medicine and community welfare.
Education and Awareness: Educational programs should be implemented to raise awareness about the importance of traditional medicine and the need to preserve traditional knowledge.
Research and Development: Further research should be conducted to explore the potential of traditional medicine and to develop new products and treatments based on traditional knowledge.

By implementing these recommendations, we can work towards preserving the traditional knowledge and practices of the people of Tigalingga District, and ensuring the sustainability of traditional medicine and community welfare.
Frequently Asked Questions: Ethnobotani Study of Plant Utilization in Traditional Medicine in Tigalingga District, Dairi Regency

Q: What is ethnobotani?

A: Ethnobotani is the study of the relationship between plants and human cultures. It involves the examination of how plants are used by different cultures for various purposes, including medicine, food, and other uses.

Q: What is the significance of traditional medicine in Tigalingga District?

A: Traditional medicine plays a significant role in the lives of people in Tigalingga District. Many people believe in the efficacy of traditional medicine, and it is often used to treat various ailments, including headaches, dysentery, coughing, intestinal worms, and ulcers.

Q: What are some of the most commonly used medicinal plants in Tigalingga District?

A: Some of the most commonly used medicinal plants in Tigalingga District include onion (Alium cepa L.), betel (Piper betle L.), black pepper (Piper nigrum L.), ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe), and kencur (Kaempferia galanga L.). These plants are often used to treat various ailments, and are considered to be of high cultural significance.

Q: What is the Index of Cultural Significance (ICS) value?

A: The ICS value is a measure of the cultural significance of a plant. It is used to determine the importance of a plant in a particular culture, and is often used in ethnobotani studies to identify plants that are of high cultural significance.

Q: What is the difference in knowledge about medicinal plants between the younger and older generations?

A: Our study found a significant difference in the knowledge of medicinal plants between the younger generation (age group C) and the older generation (age group A). The younger generation has a lower level of knowledge about medicinal plants, with a decrease of 41.66% compared to the older generation.

Q: What methods are used to process traditional knowledge about medicinal plants?

A: Traditional knowledge about medicinal plants is processed into ingredients through various methods, including boiling, stuffing, drinking, smearing, steam bathing (oude), or consuming directly. These methods are often used to prepare medicinal plants for use in traditional medicine.

Q: What are the implications of the degradation of knowledge about medicinal plants?

A: The degradation of knowledge about medicinal plants has significant implications for the sustainability of traditional medicine and community welfare. If traditional knowledge is lost, it may be difficult to preserve the traditional practices of the community, and may lead to a loss of cultural heritage.

Q: What can be done to preserve traditional knowledge and biodiversity in Tigalingga District?

A: Efforts should be made to preserve traditional knowledge and biodiversity in Tigalingga District. This can be achieved through education and awareness programs, conservation efforts, and research and development initiatives.

Q: What is the importance of preserving traditional knowledge and biodiversity?

A: Preserving traditional knowledge and biodiversity is essential for the sustainability of traditional medicine and community welfare. It also helps to preserve cultural heritage and ensures the continuation of traditional practices.

Q: What are some of the recommendations for preserving traditional knowledge and biodiversity in Tigalingga District?

A: Some of the recommendations for preserving traditional knowledge and biodiversity in Tigalingga District include:

Preserving traditional knowledge about medicinal plants and their uses
Conserving biodiversity in Tigalingga District
Implementing education and awareness programs to raise awareness about the importance of traditional medicine and the need to preserve traditional knowledge
Conducting research and development initiatives to explore the potential of traditional medicine and to develop new products and treatments based on traditional knowledge.