The study was conducted by Herianto Herianto, Demitra, Triyadi A., Gimson Luhan, and Yosep, academics from the Faculty of Agriculture and the Faculty of Teacher Training and Education at Universitas Palangka Raya. Based on fieldwork carried out between October and December 2024, the research documents how villagers rely on dozens of plant species for medicine, food, tonics, cosmetics, fermentation, and building materials. The findings matter as climate change, deforestation, and modernization increasingly threaten both forest biodiversity and the oral traditions that safeguard this knowledge.
Indigenous Knowledge in a Changing World
Across Indonesia, indigenous medical practices remain vital in rural areas where access to modern healthcare is limited or costly. In Central Kalimantan, the Dayak Ngaju people have long depended on forest ecosystems for survival, drawing on generations of experience to identify plants that heal, nourish, and protect.
Petak Puti Village, located in Katingan Regency, lies near the Katingan River and is surrounded by forest landscapes. For local residents, plants are not viewed as isolated resources but as part of an interconnected system linking health, culture, and the environment. However, much of this knowledge has never been formally recorded, increasing the risk that it could disappear as younger generations move away from traditional practices.
The researchers describe this situation as both a cultural and ecological concern, noting that undocumented knowledge is vulnerable to loss even while the plants themselves face habitat degradation.
How the Research Was Conducted
Rather than using laboratory experiments, the research applied a qualitative descriptive approach grounded in field observation and in-depth interviews. The team worked directly with village leaders, customary elders, and community members recognized for their understanding of traditional medicine.
Informants were selected intentionally based on their experience and role in the community. This approach allowed the researchers to gather detailed accounts of how plants are identified, prepared, and administered in daily life. Data were analyzed thematically to identify recurring patterns in plant use and cultural practices.
By focusing on lived experience, the study captures how medicinal knowledge functions as part of everyday decision-making rather than as abstract theory.
Key Findings: Plants at the Center of Community Life
The research identified a wide range of plant species used by the Dayak Ngaju community, particularly for traditional medicine. These plants are commonly prepared by boiling roots, bark, leaves, or fruit, with the resulting liquid consumed regularly until symptoms improve.
Notable uses include:
- Pasak bumi (Eurycoma longifolia) for fever and dengue-related symptoms
- Mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana) and ant nest plants for diabetes and cholesterol
- Sungkai (Peronema canescens) for high blood pressure
- Langsat and lampehong for stomach ailments
- Ulin (Eusideroxylon zwagerii) for hair treatment and postpartum care
Beyond medicine, plants are used as staple foods, seasonal fruits, herbal tonics, fermented beverages, natural cosmetics, and durable building materials. This multifunctional use reflects a highly adaptive system where biodiversity supports both health and income.
Economic and Environmental Value
According to the authors, traditional plant use contributes directly to household economies. Many families cultivate useful species in gardens and agroforestry plots, reducing dependence on external markets while maintaining food and health security.
The study also emphasizes conservation value. Several medicinal and timber species come from forest areas increasingly affected by logging, fire, and land conversion. Documenting how communities value these plants strengthens arguments for community-based forest management and biodiversity protection.
Herianto and colleagues note that local plant knowledge can support sustainable cultivation programs, genetic conservation, and the development of herbal products that respect indigenous ownership.
Implications for Policy and Development
The findings have practical relevance for public policy, particularly in rural healthcare, environmental management, and village-level economic development. Integrating traditional medicinal knowledge into local health strategies could improve access to affordable care while respecting cultural identity.
The research also supports the inclusion of indigenous knowledge systems in conservation planning, aligning national biodiversity goals with community livelihoods.
As the authors explain, community-based documentation is not merely academic—it is a strategic step toward sustainable development rooted in local wisdom.
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