The utilization of plants in traditional medicine and rituals of Karimunjawa Island community, Central Java, Indonesia

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Fadly Husain, Michael Kundi, Azlina Abdullah, Novel Anak Lyndon, Arif Purnomo, Fajar, Baiq Farhatul Wahidah, Eka Yuniati

2024 Journal of Marine and Island Cultures Vol. 13 Issue 3 Article Cited by 1 Quartile

Abstract

Ethnobotany research remains important for improving our understanding of the use of plants for health and medicinal purposes in various societies and cultures. This research represents a journey toward exploring and understanding the wealth of traditional medicine knowledge, holistic health services, cultural preservation, and sustainable resource management in coastal communities in the Karimunjawa region. The study employed a qualitative method with a series of data collection techniques including observations, interviews, and documentation. The research findings reveal that there are at least 38 types of plants used as traditional treatment options for individuals and families. The plants include red onion, garlic, aloe vera, galangal, green chiretta, soursop, madeira vine, celery, cinnamon, key lime, coffee, turmeric, java ginger, lemon grass, carrot, aromatic ginger, calabash, moringa, banana, tobacco, rice, sticky rice, pandan, pepper elder, angular winter cherry, betel, guava, saccharum, star gooseberry, hummingbird, Indonesian bay leaf, tamarind, gambier, red ginger and several other endemic materials from the coastal region such as coconut, Surinam cherry, bantigue, and seaweed. The processing methods are still simple, such as boiling, grating, blending, or consuming them fresh. This local knowledge is passed down through generations as a preferred form of traditional medicine which is affordable and easily accessible in the region. © 2024 Institution for Marine and Island Cultures Mokpo National University.

Affiliations

Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Universitas Negeri Semarang, Central Java, Indonesia; Center for Public Health, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Program of Anthropology and Sociology, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, University Kebangsaan Malaysia, Malaysia; Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universitas Islam Negeri Walisongo Semarang, Central Java, Indonesia