Healing flora of the Brunei Dusun. (Research Notes).Introduction The Dusun of northwest Borneo inhabit in·hab·it v. in·hab·it·ed, in·hab·it·ing, in·hab·its v.tr. 1. To live or reside in. 2. To be present in; fill: Old childhood memories inhabit the attic. the Tutong and Belait River watersheds of Brunei Darussalam (Fig. 1). Although officially recognized as Malay by the Brunei government, the Dusun are linguistically related to the Bisaya, an ethnic group currently inhabiting the Limbang region of Sarawak (Bernstein et al., 1997). Like most tropical forest societies on the island, their subsistence economy A subsistence economy is an economy in which a group generally obtains the necessities of life, but do not attempt to accumulate wealth. In such a system, a concept of wealth does not exist, and only minimal surpluses generally are created, therefore there is a reliance on renewal depended, at least until recently, on swidden swid·den n. An area cleared for temporary cultivation by cutting and burning the vegetation. [Dialectal alteration of obsolete swithen, from Old Norse svidhna, to be burned.] hill rice cultivation, supplemented by fishing, snare snare (snar) a wire loop for removing polyps and tumors by encircling them at the base and closing the loop. snare n. trapping trapping, most broadly, the use of mechanical or deceptive devices to capture, kill, or injure animals. It may be applied to the practice of using birdlime to capture birds, lobster pots to trap lobsters, and seines to catch fish. of forest game, and collection of extractive extractive /ex·trac·tive/ (-tiv) any substance present in an organized tissue, or in a mixture in a small quantity, and requiring extraction by a special method. ex·trac·tive adj. 1. products (Antaran, 1993; King, 1993). Although the Dusun's ethnobotanical knowledge of the forests and fields is formidable (Voeks, 1998), it is nevertheless in the process of rapid decline as they abandon their traditional ways of life (Ellen and Bernstein, 1994). As the younger generation is drawn away from the rural landscape and towards urban, wage-earning jobs, the Dusun's traditional plant knowledge is increasingly relegated to a few knowledgeable elders (Bernstei n et al., 1997). The objective of this study is to document the medicinal medicinal /me·dic·i·nal/ (mi-dis´in-il) having healing qualities; pertaining to a medicine. me·dic·i·nal adj. Of, relating to, or having the properties of medicine. dimension of the Dusun's ethnobotanical knowledge before it is lost irretrievably ir·re·triev·a·ble adj. Difficult or impossible to retrieve or recover: Once the ring fell down the drain, it was irretrievable. ir (cf. Balick, 1990; Cox, 1994). Methods and study area Medicinal plant collections were carried out on seven one-day plant collecting trips between 1 July 1994 and 8 January 1995. Each trip lasted from four to seven hours. At the end of each collecting day, we examined and discussed the collections at length. We thus were able to resolve most questions regarding vernacular ver·nac·u·lar n. 1. The standard native language of a country or locality. 2. a. The everyday language spoken by a people as distinguished from the literary language. See Synonyms at dialect. b. names, proper plant collection and preparation procedures, and illnesses treated. Our Dusun informants included 68 year old Umar Putel from Bukit Sawat ''This article is about Kampong Bukit Sawat. For the mukim, please see Mukim Bukit Sawat. Kampong Bukit Sawat is a village located in Mukim Bukit Sawat of the Belait District in Brunei. , and 64 year old Kilat bin Kilah from Bukit Udal. Although neither man is a specialized healer healer Mainstream medicine A romantic synonym for physician. See Traditional healing. , each is regarded by the local community as particularly knowledgeable about local medicinal plants medicinal plants, plants used as natural medicines. This practice has existed since prehistoric times. There are three ways in which plants have been found useful in medicine. . There are, it appears, a dwindling dwin·dle v. dwin·dled, dwin·dling, dwin·dles v.intr. To become gradually less until little remains. v.tr. To cause to dwindle. See Synonyms at decrease. number of Dusun with knowledge about, or interest in, the organic medicinal properties Many plants have traditional medical uses. Ethnobotanists and pharmacognacists catalog and study these plants and uses. This is a list of some of the more common medicinal properties that are ascribed to plants. of the local flora. When we approached other Dusun to participate in the study, they simply referred us to one of our original informants. Although not documented in the literature, Dusun medicine is divided roughly between organic and spiritual medicine. Organic medical problems, such as cuts, rashes, infections, and the like, are usually treated with plant products by men. Spiritual medicine, on the other hand, which is practiced in highly specialized ceremonies (tamarok), is the exclusive purview The part of a statute or a law that delineates its purpose and scope. Purview refers to the enacting part of a statute. It generally begins with the words be it enacted and continues as far as the repealing clause. of female shamans, known as balians (see Antaran 1993, pp. 189-191). The present census focused on plant knowledge maintained by men because they are thought to be more familiar with old and second growth forests than women. In addition, organic medicinal knowledge is not sacred, whereas balian knowledge is highly secretive se·cre·tive adj. Having or marked by an inclination to secrecy; not open, forthright, or frank. See Synonyms at silent. se . Anecdotal evidence anecdotal evidence, n information obtained from personal accounts, examples, and observations. Usually not considered scientifically valid but may indicate areas for further investigation and research. suggests, in fact, that balian medicinals are quite distinct from their organic counterparts. Medicinal plants and duplicates were collected, vouchered, and stored in the Brunei Forestry Center herbarium herbarium, collection of dried and mounted plant specimens used in systematic botany. To preserve their form and color, plants collected in the field are spread flat in sheets of newsprint and dried, usually in a plant press, between blotters or absorbent paper. at Sungai Liang, Brunei Darussalam. Species determinations were made by Dr. Idris M. Said and Joffre H. Ali Ahmad of the Brunei Forestry Herbarium. The study area is mantled man·tle n. 1. A loose sleeveless coat worn over outer garments; a cloak. 2. Something that covers, envelops, or conceals: "On a summer night . . . by mixed dipterocarp Noun 1. dipterocarp - tree of the family Dipterocarpaceae Dipterocarpaceae, family Dipterocarpaceae - chiefly tropical Asian trees with two-winged fruits; yield valuable woods and aromatic oils and resins tropical forest and, to a lesser extent, heath forest Heath forest is a type of tropical moist forest found in areas with acidic, sandy soils that are extremely nutrient-poor. Notable examples are the Rio Negro campinarana of the Amazon Basin in South America, and the Sundaland heath forests (also known as Kerangas . Soils grade from ultisols Ultisols are an order in USDA soil taxonomy. They are defined as mineral soils which contain no calcareous material anywhere within the soil, have less than 10% weatherable minerals in the extreme top layer of soil, and have less the 35% base saturation throughout the soil. to spodosols. Collecting efforts were directed towards a diversity of habitats, from nearly pristine pris·tine adj. 1. a. Remaining in a pure state; uncorrupted by civilization. b. Remaining free from dirt or decay; clean: pristine mountain snow. 2. forests to continuously disturbed and managed areas. These latter included kitchen gardens, roadsides, trails, cattle pasture pasture, land used for grazing livestock. Land unsuited for cultivation, e.g., hilly or stony land, may be used as pasture. Tilled land and meadow may be pastured after the crops are removed. , abandoned swidden plots, secondary forest, and old growth forest. Collections in old growth forest were made in a 1-hectare, permanent study plot maintained by the Universiti Brunei Darussalam University of Brunei Darussalam (Abbreviation: UBD; Malay: Universiti Brunei Darussalam; Jawi: يونيبرسيتي بروني Biology Department in the Ladon Hills. The plot is characterized by a 30-40 meter relatively unbroken canopy, and is dominated floristically by the Dipterocarpaceae, Euphorbiaceae, and Ebenaceae families. With 303 tree species or morpho-species identified, the plot is species-rich even by tropical forest standards (Voeks, 1998). Medicinal plants Seventy-three medicinal taxa taxa: see taxon. were identified by Umar and Kilat (Table 1). Because much of the material, particularly in old growth forest, was collected in sterile sterile /ster·ile/ (ster´il) 1. unable to produce offspring. 2. aseptic. ster·ile adj. 1. Not producing or incapable of producing offspring. 2. condition, not all vouchers could be identified to the species level. Of the total, 58 taxa (79%) were identified to species or subspecies subspecies, also called race, a genetically distinct geographical subunit of a species. See also classification. , 13 (18%) to genus genus, in taxonomy: see classification. genus Biological classification. It ranks below family and above species, consisting of structurally or phylogenetically (see , and 2 (3%) only to family. These taxa were fairly evenly dispersed dis·perse v. dis·persed, dis·pers·ing, dis·pers·es v.tr. 1. a. To drive off or scatter in different directions: The police dispersed the crowd. b. among 47 total families. The most medicinally me·dic·i·nal adj. 1. Of, relating to, or having the properties of medicine. 2. Having an unappealing, bitter flavor. n. A preparation or product having the properties of a medicine. rich families were the Euphorbiaceae (5), Melastomataceae (5), Fabaceae (4), Dilleniaceae (4), Menispermaceae (3), Poaceae (3), Rubiaceae (3), and Schizaceae (3). Among the most numerically important medicinal families in the pharmacopoeia pharmacopoeia or pharmocopeia (fär'məkəpē`ə), authoritative publication designating the properties, action, use, dosage, and standards of strength and purity of drugs. , only Euphorbiaceae is well represented as a primary forest tree family. The latter groups are either understory un·der·sto·ry n. An underlying layer of vegetation, especially the plants that grow beneath a forest's canopy. forest families, or, more often, are characteristic of disturbed habitats. In fact, many of the old growth understory medicinals, according to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. Kilat and Umar, are easier to locate in second growth forest. Thus, whereas 25 (34%) of the censused medicinals inhabited in·hab·it·ed adj. Having inhabitants; lived in: a sparsely inhabited plain. Adj. 1. inhabited - having inhabitants; lived in; "the inhabited regions of the earth" old growth forest, only 3 (12%) of these were canopy trees. The majority of old growth medicinals were, respectively, herbs 12 (48%), climbers This list of climbers includes both mountaineers and rock climbers, since many (though not all) climbers engage in both types of activities. The list also includes boulderers and ice climbers. 6 (24%), treelets or palms 3 (12%), and shrubs 1 (4%). Thus, although old growth, dipterocarp forest trees possess myriad economic and spiritual values for the Dusun, especially for timber, fiber, food, fuel wood, and magic; medicinal species in this habitat are dominated by understory, readily accessible taxa. The Dusun pharmacopoeia is numerically dominated by disturbance species. Fifty-eight (79%) of the medicinal species were collected in second growth forest, trails or roadsides, pastures PASTURES, pastures. The land on which beasts are fed; and by a grant of pastures the land itself passes. 1 Thorn. Co, Litt. 202. , or recent swidden sites. This preference for disturbed areas was not a product of researcher bias, but rather represented the foraging preference of the informants. Although both were quite familiar with the timber and non-timber values of old growth forest species--Kilat was able to name and describe the utility of 161 tree species in the old growth plot-neither perceived old growth forest as the most fruitful fruit·ful adj. 1. a. Producing fruit. b. Conducive to productivity; causing to bear in abundance: fruitful soil. 2. habitat for medicinal collection. Among these 58 disturbance medicinals, 18 (31%) were treelets, 13 (22%) were herbs, 13 (22%) were climbers, 9 (15%) were shrubs, and 5 (9%) were trees. The perceived value of disturbed as opposed to primary forest habitats for medicinal plant collection among the Dusun is not anomalous a·nom·a·lous adj. 1. Deviating from the normal or common order, form, or rule. 2. Equivocal, as in classification or nature. . Similar results have been noted elsewhere. Toledo et al. (1992), in a comprehensive survey of useful Mexican species, reported that medicinals tended to be concentrated in second growth areas. In the Atlantic forests The Atlantic Forest (Mata Atlântica in Portuguese) is a region of tropical and subtropical moist forest, tropical dry forest, tropical savannas, and mangrove forests which extends along the Atlantic coast of Brazil from Rio Grande do Norte state in the north to Rio Grande of Brazil, Voeks (1996) found that 76% of the plant pharmacopoeia inhabited disturbed habitats, and that 70% were represented by herbs and shrubs. Similar results were reported by Chazdon and Coe (in press), Heinrich and Barerra (1993), and Kohn (1992). Medicinal lexicon The informants were unable to provide names for a significant proportion 24 (33%) of identified medicinals. Kilat, in particular, often forgot the name of the plant but not its medicinal use. At the same time, much of this "problem" appears to be in the way the Dusun lexically lex·i·cal adj. 1. Of or relating to the vocabulary, words, or morphemes of a language. 2. Of or relating to lexicography or a lexicon. [lexic(on) + -al1. encode (1) To assign a code to represent data, such as a parts code. Contrast with decode. (2) To convert from one format or signal to another. See codec and D/A converter. (3) The term is sometimes erroneously used for "encrypt. their medicinal flora. In many cases, when I asked "What is the name of this plant?", they would respond, for example "parat," which means both male weakness and the medicine for this ailment ail·ment n. A physical or mental disorder, especially a mild illness. . Thus, in this and many other cases, parat served as a gloss for the name of the plant, the relevant illness, and its remedy. Other examples included: sarah ("women's weakness"), muntah dara, ("blood in vomit vomit /vom·it/ (vom´it) 1. to eject stomach contents through the mouth. 2. matter expelled from the stomach by the mouth. "), ubat ratang ("disease that dissolves nasal nasal /na·sal/ (na´zil) pertaining to the nose. na·sal adj. Of, in, or relating to the nose. nasal pertaining to the nose. cartilage cartilage (kär`təlĭj), flexible semiopaque connective tissue without blood vessels or nerve cells. It forms part of the skeletal system in humans and in other vertebrates, and is also known as gristle. "), and others. This situation was not, however, the case with most medicinals, which were referred to by separate plant names and illnesses. The Dusun medicinal naming system warrants further investigation (Bernstein et al., 1997). Medicinal applications Dusun plant medicines are employed as remedies for a wide array of ailments. Most involve the treatment of non-life threatening health problems. The largest number of species are used as tonics, or parat, to treat weakness in men 15 species (20%), and sarah, weakness in women 3 (4%). These are described as remedies for physical exhaustion Exhaustion Situation in which a majority of participants trading in the same asset are either long or short, leaving few investors to take the other side of the transaction when participants wish to close their positions. , such as that experienced during rice harvest, a particularly stressful time, although there may also be a psychological component. The degree to which this gender division is dependent upon our choice of only male informants is unknown, but likely to be significant. The other most common medicinals are used to treat postpartum postpartum /post·par·tum/ (post-pahr´tum) occurring after childbirth, with reference to the mother. post·par·tum adj. Of or occurring in the period shortly after childbirth. distress 7 (10%), dermal dermal /der·mal/ (der´mal) pertaining to the dermis or to the skin. der·mal or der·mic adj. Of or relating to the skin or dermis. problems 8 (11%), gastrointestinal ailments 17 (23%), and rheumatism rheumatism (r  `mətĭzəm), general term for a number of disorders that cause inflammation and pain in muscles, bones, joints, or nerves. 3 (4%). Three species are used to diminish the
effects of alcohol consumption. This is a common problem among Borneo
cultivators during harvest festivals Harvest festivals around the world:
Conclusions This ethnobotanical investigation revealed that the Dusun of Brunei Darussalam retain considerable knowledge of medicinal plants and their applications. A total of 73 medicinal taxa and their organic uses were identified. Most of these species have not been recorded in other local studies. The majority of Dusun medicinal species inhabit disturbed habitats, especially secondary forests. These plants are usually represented by life forms that are readily accessible, that is, herbs, shrubs, climbers and treelets, and species that are relatively common. Large, old growth forest trees, characterized by high species diversity and concomitant concomitant /con·com·i·tant/ (kon-kom´i-tant) accompanying; accessory; joined with another. concomitant adjective Accompanying, accessory, joined with another low local abundance, seldom enter into medicinal recipes. Unlike most tropical forest locations, Brunei Darussalam has not experienced extensive deforestation deforestation Process of clearing forests. Rates of deforestation are particularly high in the tropics, where the poor quality of the soil has led to the practice of routine clear-cutting to make new soil available for agricultural use. . As cultivating groups increasingly abandon agricultural subsistence subsistence, n the state of being supported or remaining alive with a minimum of essentials. , Brunei is in the unique position of witnessing gradual afforestation af·for·est tr.v. af·for·est·ed, af·for·est·ing, af·for·ests To convert (open land) into a forest by planting trees or their seeds. of its previously swiddened mixed dipterocarp forests. Combined with its progressive forest policy, which includes a strict logging quota and a prohibition on timber exports, Brunei harbors one of the richest and least threatened moist moist having a moderate moisture content, slightly wet to the touch. moist dermatitis see moist dermatitis of rabbits. moist grain storage grain stored at about 30% moisture in airtight silos. tropical forests on earth (Cranbrook and Edwards, 1994). Nevertheless, ethnobotanical knowledge appears to be eroding rapidly among the Dusun and other Bruneian forest societies. The degree to which this is the case, and the possible causes therein, merit further investigation. Table 1 Dusun Medicinal Plants. Other local studies reporting these medicinal species are noted with an asterisk, followed by the abbreviated source. *AN92 (Anon. 1992); *HMCH92 (Haji Mohiddin, Chin, and Holdsworth 1992; *HMCH91 (Haji Mohiddin, Chin and Holdsworth 1991); *AH94 (Ahmad and Holdsworth 1994); *H91 (Holdsworth 1991). Anisophylleaceae Anisophyllea disticha (Jack) Baill. Name: sapad Life form/habitat: One-meter shrub, in pasture. Preparation/Use: Prepare fresh root decoction and drink, or occasionally eat roots raw, for weakness in men. Parat plant. Coll. Number: RV482 Annonaceae Cyathostemma excelsum (Hook.f. & Thoms.) J. Sinclair. Name: tudong Life form/habitat: Two-meter shrub along a trail in second growth forest. Preparation/Use: Heat leaves and place directly on stomach of woman after childbirth, or boil leaves in water and pour liquid on body. Coll. Number: RV444 Polyalthia tenuipes Merr. No name Life form/habitat: Four-meter treelet in second growth forest. Preparation/Use: Heat leaves directly over a fire and rub on baby's stomach for general illness. Coll. Number: RV441 Arecaceae Licuala sp. Name: silad Life form/habitat: Three-meter palm in old growth forest. Preparation/Use: Prepare root decoction and drink, or occasionally eat fresh roots, for weakness in men. Parat plant. Coll. Number: RV501 Aristolochiaceae Aristolochia sp. No name Life form/habitat: Woody herb in old growth forest. Preparation/Use: Prepare root decoction and drink, or occasionally eat roots raw, to treat blood in vomit. Coll. Number: RV467 Blechnaceae Blechnum orientale L. Name: gerintek Life form/habitat: Two-meter fern in second growth forest or pasture. Preparation/Use: Mash young fiddleneck directly on leg to relieve pain. To dry up large boils, place pounded fiddleneck directly on boil as poultice. Coll. Numbers: RV448 and RV500 Caesalpiniaceae Bauhinia sp. No name Life form/habitat: Climber in old growth forest. Preparation/Use: Prepare root decoction and drink, or occasionally eat roots raw, for relief of vertigo. Coll. Number: RV462 Bauhinia semibifida Roxb. Name: daub-daub Life form/habitat: Small climber in old growth forest. Preparation/Use: Prepare root decoction and drink, or occasionally eat fresh roots, as remedy for blood in vomit. Coll. Number: RV491 Clusiaceae Garcinia parvifolia (Miq.) Miq. Name: kandis Life form/habitat: Four-meter treelet in second growth forest. Preparation/Use: Woman restores post-partum health by inhaling smoke from burning branches and leaves. Coll. Number: RV551 Calophyllum sp. No name Life form/habitat: Four-meter treelet in old growth forest. Preparation/Use: Prepare root decoction and drink, or occasionally eat fresh roots, as remedy for kidney pain. Coll. Number: RV458 Commelinaceae Amischotolype sphagnorhiza Cowley No name Life form/habitat: Woody herb in old growth forest. Preparation/Use: Prepare root decoction and drink, or occasionally eat fresh roots, as remedy for blood in vomit. Coll. Number: RV468 Connaraceae Rourea mimosoides (Vahl) Planch. Name: akau udang Life form/habitat: Small shrub or climber in second growth or old growth forest. Preparation/Use: Boil the young, reddish shoots and drink as treatment for bloody feces. Also, eat roots asparat. Coll. Numbers: RV460 and RV542 Convolvulaceac Ervcibe sp. Name: akau uru lanuk Life form/habitat: Climber in second growth forest. Preparation/Use: Slowly rub leaf to loosen and remove upper epidermis, then apply as a thin sheet on the part of the body that has been scalded by hot water. Coll. Number: RV559 Costaceae Costus paradoxus K. Schum. No name Life form/habitat: Herb in old growth forest. Preparation/Use: Cut petiole or piece of stem, heat over fire, put in nostril and inhale for many days to treat disease that dissolves nasal cartilage. Coll. Number: RV469 Crassulaceae Kalanchoe pinnata (Lam.) Pers. (Syn: Bryophyllum pinnatum) Name: dingan-dingan Life form/habitat: Cultivated herb in kitchen garden. Preparation/Use: Place fresh leaves on forehead for headache relief. (*AN92, p. 31; *H, p. 248; *HMCH91, p. 255). Coll. Number: RV565 Dichapetalaceae Dichapetalum gelonioides (Roxb.) Engi. ssp. Pilosum Leenh. No name Life form/habitat: Climber in secondary or old growth forest. Preparation/Use: Prepare root decoction and drink, or occasionally eat fresh roots, for weakness in men. Parat plant. Coll. Numbers: RV484 and RV529 Dilleniaceae Dillenia suffruticosa (Griff.) Martelli Name: simpor Life form/habitat: Four to six meter treelet in second growth forest, trails, or around swidden sites. Preparation/Use: Shave off bark and cambium, rub directly on cut to stop bleeding and promote healing. (*AN92, p. 71; *H91, p. 248; *HMCH9l, p. 256). Coll. Numbers: RV447 and RV477 Dillenia sumatrana Miq. No name Life form/habitat: Woody herb in old growth forest. Preparation/Use: Prepare root decoction and drink, or occasionally eat fresh roots, to treat rheumatism. Coll. Number: RV456 Tetracera fagifolia Blume. Name: pampan mianai Life form/habitat: Climber in second growth forest. Preparation/Use: Prepare fresh root decoction to stop diarrhea. Coll. Number: RV487 Tetracera macrophylla Hook.f. & Thorns. Name: panpan indu Life form/habitat: Climber in second growth forest. Preparation/Use: Prepare fresh root decoction to stop diarrhea. Coll. Number: RV499 Dracaenaceae Dracaena sp. Name: sambangun Life form/habitat: Two-meter treelet in second growth. Preparation/Use: Prepare root decoction and drink, or occasionally eat fresh roots, for weakness in females. Sarah plant. Also numerous magical uses. (*AH94, p. 385). Coll. Number: RV540 Eriocaulaceae Eriocaulon longifolium Nees Name: kumpau sambangau Life form/habitat: Small herb in wet soil of pasture. Preparation/Use: Place mashed roots directly on oral blisters for relief. Coll. Number: RV560. Euphorbiaceae Glochidion rubrum Blume Name: dampul Life form/habitat: Five-meter tree in second growth forest. Preparation/Use: Place fresh leaves and water inside a bamboo tank (see Coll. number 436), boil, and drink to treat blood in feces. Coll. Number: RV443 Glochidion sp. No name Life form/habitat: One-meter woody herb in second growth forest. Preparation/Use: Shave off root exterior and rub directly on area affected by rheumatism. Coll. Number: RV550 Macaranga gigantea (Rchb.f. & Zoll.) Muell. Arg. Name: bangowong Life form/habitat: Two to four-meter treelet growing along trails or around swidden sites. Preparation/Use: Tear off leaf and rub the petiole latex directly on tongue when tongue is white colored. Coll. Number: RV449 Mallotus macrostachyus Meull. Arg. Name: sadaman asu Life form/habitat: Three-meter treelet in second growth forest. Preparation/Use: Scrape pubescence from leaves and rub directly on cuts to promote healing. Coll. Numbers: RV497 and RV564 Trigonostemon polyanthus Merr. var. lychnus R.I. Milne Name: ambuk segubang Life form/habitat: Treelet or tree in old growth forest. Preparation: Eat or suck on fresh root as an antidote for poisoning, or to avoid drunkenness when drinking alcohol. Coll. Number: RV519 Fabaceae Airvantha borneensis (Oliv.) Brummitt Name: akau barayung Life form/habitat: Four-meter treelet or climber in second growth forest. Preparation: Heat fresh roots in water almost to boiling, and drink to treat weakness in women. Sarah plant. Coll. Numbers: RV481 and RV534 Archidendron clypearia (Jack) Nielsen ssp. clypearia Name: sogo Life form/habitat: Four-meter treelet in second growth. Preparation/Use: Boil the tree bark in water. Then pass the bark over the skin to relieve itchiness. Coll. Number: RV435 Archidendron ellipticum (BI.) Nielsen ssp. ellipticum Name: sabano Life form/habitat: Two-meter shrub in second growth forest. Preparation/Use: Heat leaves over a fire and place directly over pancreas for relief of pain. Also, eat fresh, young, red leaves to eliminate blood in feces. Coll. Number: RV496 Spatholobus ferrugineus (Zoll.) Benth. Name: akau kalibid Life form/habitat: Climber in second growth forest. Preparation/Use: Prepare root decoction and drink, or occasionally eat fresh roots, for weakness in men. Parat plant. Coll. Number: RV538 Flacourtiaceae Casearia rugulosa Blume Name: keh lupor Life form/habitat: Two-meter treelet in second growth forest. Preparation/Use: Mash fruit with lime paste and rub on skin for infection or rash. Coll. Number: RV440 Gnetaceae Gnetum gnemon L. Name: bagu Life form/habitat: Two-meter shrub in second growth forest. Preparation/Use: Fresh root decoction drunk by women for weakness. Sarah plant. Coll. Number: RV539 Lauraceae Cinnamomum sp. No name Life form/habitat: Woody herb in old growth forest. Preparation/Use: Drink root decoction to treat blood in vomit. Coll. Number: RV459 Linaceae Indorouchera griffithiana (Planch.) Hallier f. Name: akau kabul Life form/habitat: Climber in recent swidden areas and second growth forest. Preparation/Use: Remove bark, heat it, pound it thoroughly, and apply directly to rheumatic areas for relief. Coll. Number: RV537 Philbornea magnifolia (Stap) Rallier f. No name Life form/habitat: Four-meter treelet or climber along trails or in second growth forest. Preparation/Use: Crush raw roots with fruit from pinang palm (Pinanga sp.) into a pulp and rub directly on head and stomach to treat food poisoning. Coll. Number: RV446 Loganiaceae Fagraea cuspidata Blume Name: kabang penah (or panaa) Life form/habitat: Treelet or tree in second growth forest. Preparation/Use: Heat leaves directly over fire. Place on stomach of woman for postpartum relief. Coll. Numbers: RV437 and RV541 Lycopodiaceae Lycopodium cernuum L. Name: susut susut Life form/habitat: Club moss occurring in swampy areas. Preparation/Use: Place fresh roots directly on oral blisters. (*AN 92, p. 123; * HMCH92, p. 105.). Coll. Number: RV561 Melastomataceae Melastoma beccarianum Cogn. Name:uduk-uduk abai Life form/habitat: Three-meter shrub in pasture. Preparation/Use: Rub fresh flowers on skin blemishes. Also, eat fresh leaves to relieve diarrhea. Coll. Number: RV478 Melastoma malabathricum L. Name: kudok-kudok (or uduk-uduk) Life form/habitat: Common shrub in pastures or along roads. Preparation/Use: Rub the fresh flowers directly on facial blemishes to remove them. (* AN92, p. 135; * H91, P. 249; * HMCH92, p. 106). Coll. Numbers: RV434 and RV475 Memecylon scolopacinum Ridl. No name Life form/habitat: One-meter, woody herb in old growth forest. Preparation/Use: Prepare root decoction and drink, or occasionally eat fresh roots, for blood in vomit. Coll. Number: RV463 Pternandra gracilis (Cogn.) M. P. Nayar Name: panawar Life form/habitat: Nine-meter tree in second growth forest. Preparation/Use: Prepare root infusion, drink for relief of food poisoning. Coll. Number: RV439 Pternandra cf. rostrata M. P. Nayar No name Life form/habitat: One-meter shrub in old growth forest. Preparation/Use: Treat diarrhea by drinking root decoction, or drink liquid directly from freshly cut stem. Coll. Number: RV470 Menispermaceae Fibraurea tinctoria Lour. Name: akau limbo Life form/habitat: Climber in old growth forest. Preparation/Use: Grind roots and place poultice on stomach of baby suffering from colic, or on adult skin to treat jaundice. Also, fresh root decoction is used as a remedy for alcohol poisoning (hangover). Coll. Number: RV532 Sp. Indet. No name Life form/habitat: Climber in pasture. Preparation/Use: Prepare root decoction and drink, or occasionally eat fresh roots, for weakness in men. Parat plant. Coll. Number: RV479 Sp. Indet. No name Life form/habitat: Small, woody herb in old growth forest. Preparation/Use: Prepare root decoction and drink to treat blood in vomit. Coll. Number: RV472 Mimosaceae Entada rheedyi Sprengl. No name Life form/habitat: Five-meter treelet in second growth forest. Preparation/Use: Soak bark in water, and bathe skin to relieve itchiness. Coll. Number: RV486 Myrsinaceae Ardisia sp. No name Life form/habitat: Small, woody herb in old growth forest. Preparation/Use: Prepare root decoction and drink, or occasionally eat fresh roots, for weakness in men. Parat plant. Coll. Numbers: RV455 and RV464 Myrtaceae Rhodomyrtus tomentosa (Aiton) Hassk. Name: karamunting Life form/habitat: Three-meter shrub in pasture. Preparation/Use: Eat fresh fruit or leaves for diarrhea relief. (*AN92, p. 181; *HMCH92, p. 107). Coll. Number: RV476 Nepenthaceae Nepenthes gracilis Korth. Name: tuyud ranggas Life form/habitat: Tiny climbing pitcher plant in pasture and second growth. Preparation/Use: Root decoction used to treat weakness in men. Parat plant. (*AN92, p. 143; *HMCH92, p. 106). Coll. Number: RV562 Nephrolepidaceae Nephrolepis dicksonioides Christ Name: ungkubuk Life form/habitat: Small fem in second growth. Preparation/Use: Prepare frond decoction, pour over body, roll body up in bamboo mat until patient sweats. For relief of chills or skin itch. Coll. Number: RV494 Orchidaceae Bromheadia finalysoniana (Lindi.) Miq.) No name Life form/habitat: Ground orchid growing in pasture. Preparation/Use: Prepare root decoction and drink, or occasionally eat fresh roots, for weakness in men. Parat plant. Coll. Number: RV480 Pandanaceae Galearia fulva (Tul.) Miq. Name: sanggara Life form/habitat: One-meter herb in old growth forest. Preparation/Use: Prepare root decoction and drink, or occasionally eat fresh roots, for weakness in men. Parat plant. Coll. Number: RV505 Phormiaceae Dianella ensifolia (L.) D.C. No name Life form/habitat: Small herb in second growth forest. Preparation/Use: Prepare root decoction and drink, or occasionally eat fresh roots, for weakness in men. Parat plant. (*HMCH91, p. 256). Coll. Number: RV485 Poaceae Dinochloa trichogona S. Dransf. Name: bulu badan Life form/habitat: Two-meter bamboo in old and second growth forest. Preparation/Use: Cut fresh stem and let liquid drip directly into eyes to treat infection. Coll. Numbers: RV492 and RV525 Lophatherum gracile Brongn. No name Life form/habitat: Small woody herb in second growth forest. Preparation/Use: Eat fresh nodules from roots for postpartum relief (*AN92, p. 121; *HMCH91, p. 257). Coll. Number: RV438 Schizostachyum latifolium Gamble Name: bulu gana Life form/habitat: Ten-meter bamboo in second growth forest. Preparation/Use: Prepare decoction using Glochidion rubrum in basin made from this bamboo to treat blood in stool. Coll. Number: RV436 Pteridaceae Pteris sp. No name Life form/habitat: Small fern in second growth. Preparation/Use: Prepare root decoction and drink for weakness in men. Parat plant. Coll. Number: RV495 Rhamnaceae Ziziphus borneensis Merr. No name Life form/habitat: Small woody herb in old growth forest. Preparation/Use: Prepare root decoction and drink for blood in stool. Coll. Number: RV466 Rosaceae Rubus sp. No name Life form/habitat: Small herb in old growth forest. Preparation/Use: Prepare root decoction and drink for chest pain, possibly angina. Coll. Number: RV474 Rubiaceae Nauclea orientalis (L.) L. Name: bangakal Life form/habitat: Tree in second growth forest. Preparation/Use: Prepare decoction of fresh twigs in aluminum pot and drink to relieve painful bowel movement. Coll. Number: RV433 Uncaria sp. Name: akar keluit Life form/habitat: Tree in second growth. Preparation/Use: Boil fresh leaves and rub warm liquid on skin to relieve itchiness. Coll. Number: RV442 Chassalia chartacea Craib seas. lat. Name: kayou lanci Life form/habitat: Shrub or treelet in second growth. Preparation/Use: Grate fresh roots, wrap in cloth, soak in water, and squeeze into eyes to treat blurred vision. Coll. Number RV546 Sapindaceae Lepisanthes fruticosa (Roxb.) Leenh Name: anculuk Life form/habitat: Three-meter treelet in old and second growth forest. Preparation/Use: Prepare root decoction and drink or eat fresh roots for weakness in men. Parat plant. Coll. Numbers: RV489 and RV523 Schizaeaceae Lygodium circinnatum (Burm.) Sw. Name: taribu mianai Life form/habitat: Climbing fern in second growth forest, roadsides, or swidden plots. Preparation/Use: Prepare fresh root decoction and drink to contract vagina in women after giving birth. (* AN92, p. 131). Coll. Number: RV498 Lygodium microphyllum (Cay.) R. Br. Name: taribu indu Life form/habitat: Climbing fern in second growth forest, roadsides, or swidden plots. Preparation/Use: Prepare fresh root decoction and drink to contract vagina in women after giving birth. (* HMCH92, p. 106). Coll. Number: RV483 Schizaea dichotoma (L.) Sm. Name: pitagar payung Life form/habitat: Small fern occurring around swidden sites and pastures. Preparation/Use: Prepare root decoction and drink or eat fresh roots for weakness in men. Parat plant. (*AH94, p. 386; *HMCH92, p. 107). Coll. Number: RV554 Scrophulariaceae Brookea tomentosa Benth. Name: sambong Life form/habitat: One-meter herb in second growth forest. Preparation/Use: Prepare fresh root decoction and drink to contract vagina in women after giving birth. Also, various magical uses. Coll. Number: RV488 Simaroubaceae Eurycoma longifolia Jack Name: teratus Life form/habitat: Two-meter treelet in second growth forest. Preparation/Use: Prepare root decoction and drink for cough suppression and as aphrodisiac. Chew fresh roots to neutralize effects of alcohol consumption. (*HMCH91, p. 256). Coll. Number: RV493 Sterculiaceae Leptonychia heteroclita (Roxb.) Kurz Name: tembulang manok Life form/habitat: Two-meter shrub in second growth forest. Preparation/Use: Let fresh roots soak in water and drink liquid for relief of stomach ache. Coll. Number: RV445 Verbenaceae Hosea lobbiana (C.B. Clarke) Ridl. Name: tagalap Life form/habitat: Treelet in old and second growth forest, and roadsides. Preparation/Use: Fresh root infusion combined with roots of other species used to treat blood in vomit. Coll. Number: RV533 Vitaceae Ampelocissus winkleri Lauterb. Name: akau kumburat Life form/habitat: Climber in old growth forest. Preparation/Use: Eat fresh roots or drink root infusion to strengthen bones. Coll. Number: RV528 Zingiberaceae Globba sp. No name Life form/habitat: Small perennial herb in old growth forest. Preparation/Use: Prepare root decoction and drink, or eat fresh roots, for weakness in men. Parat plant. Coll. Number: RV454 Acknowledgements The authors gratefully acknowledge the assistance provided by the Universiti Brunei Darussalam Biology Department, especially Peter Becker Peter Becker is a German Molecular biologist. He studied biology at the Ruprecht Karl University of Heidelberg till 1984. And finished his phd at the German Cancer Research Center and the Ruprecht Karl University of Heidelberg in 1987. , and the Brunei Forestry Herbarium staff, especially Idris M. Said and Joffre H. A. Ahmad. The map was produced by Kelly Donovan Kelly Donovan (born April 12, 1971 as Kelly Donovan Schultz in Los Angeles, California), is an American actor. He is best known for his work as the stand-in for his identical twin brother, Nicholas Brendon, on Buffy the Vampire Slayer. of California State University, Fullerton California State University, Fullerton, commonly known as CSUF, CSU Fullerton, or Cal State Fullerton, is a part of the California State University system. The University is located in the city of Fullerton, California, in northern Orange County. . Field research was funded in part by a grant from the National Geographic Society National Geographic Society U.S. scientific society founded in 1888 in Washington, D.C., by a small group of eminent explorers and scientists “for the increase and diffusion of geographic knowledge. (No. 5420-95). Finally, we especially thank the Dusun community and, in particular, Umar Putel and Kilat bin Kilah, for sharing their considerable knowledge of the Dusun healing flora. References Ahmad, F. B. and Holdsworth, D. 1994 Medicinal plants of Sarawak, Malaysia. Part I. The Kedayans. International Journal of Pharmacognosy pharmacognosy /phar·ma·cog·no·sy/ (fahr?mah-kog´nah-se) the branch of pharmacology dealing with natural drugs and their constituents. phar·ma·cog·no·sy n. 32: 384-387. Anon. 1992 Medicinal Plants of Brunei Darussalam. Part I. Department of Agriculture, Brunei Darussalam. Antaran, B. 1993 The Brunei Dusun: An Ethnographic eth·nog·ra·phy n. The branch of anthropology that deals with the scientific description of specific human cultures. eth·nog Study. Unpublished Master's thesis. University of Hull. Balick, M. J. 1990 Ethnobotany ethnobotany /eth·no·bot·a·ny/ (-bot´ah-ne) the systematic study of the interactions between a culture and the plants in its environment, particularly the knowledge about and use of such plants. and the identification of therapeutic agents from the rainforest. In: Chadwich, D. J., Marsh, J., eds. Bioactive bi·o·ac·tive adj. Of or relating to a substance that has an effect on living tissue. bioactive having an effect on or eliciting a response from living tissue. Compounds from Plants. Chichester: Wiley, pp. 22-31. Bernstein, J., Ellen, R. and Antaran, B. 1997 The use of plot surveys for the study of ethnobotanical knowledge: a Brunei Dusun example. Journal of Ethnobiology 17:69-96. Chazdon, R. L. and Coe, F. G. In press Abundance and diversity of useful woody Woody Slang to describe when the market has a strong and quick upward movement. Notes: For example, you'll hear "the market has a woody," when the market is performing well... seriously, we don't make this stuff up. species in second growth, old-growth and selectively-logged forest of NE Costa Rica Costa Rica (kŏs`tə rē`kə), officially Republic of Costa Rica, republic (2005 est. pop. 4,016,000), 19,575 sq mi (50,700 sq km), Central America. . In: M. R. Guariguata and B. Finegan, eds. Tropical Secondary Forests: Science, People and Policy. Turrialba, Costa Rica: CATIE/CIFOR. Cox, P. A. 1994 The ethnobotanical approach to drug discovery: strengths and limitations. In: G. T. Prance, D. J. Chadwich, and J. Marsh, eds. Ethnobotany and the Search for New Drugs. Wiley, Chichester, pp. 25-36. Cranbrook, Earl of, and Edwards, D. S. 1994 Belalong: A Tropical Rainforest Tropical rainforests are rainforests generally found near the equator. They are common in Asia, Africa, South America, Central America, and on many of the Pacific Islands. . London: Royal Geographical Society The Royal Geographical Society is a British learned society founded in 1830 with the name Geographical Society of London for the advancement of geographical science, under the patronage of King William IV. . Ellen, R. and Bernstein, J. 1994 Urbs in rure: cultural transformations of the rainforest in modern Brunei. Anthropology Today 10: 16-19. Haji Mohiddin, M., Chin, W. and Holdsworth, D. 1992 Traditional medicinal plants of Brunei Darussalam. Part II. Sengkurong. International Journal of Pharmacognosy 29: 252-258. Haji Mohiddin, M., Chin, W. and Holdsworth, D. 1992 Traditional medicinal plants of Brunei Darussalam. Part III. Sengkurong. International Journal of Pharmacognosy 30: 105-108. Heinrich, M. and Barerra, N. 1993 Medicinal plants in a lowland Mixe Indian Community (Oaxaca, Mexico): management of important resources. Angewandte Botanik 67: 141-144. Holdsworth, D. 1991 Traditional medicinal plants of Brunei Darussalam. Part I. Bukit Udal. International Journal of Pharmacognosy 29: 245-250. King, V. T. 1993 The Peoples of Borneo. Oxford: Blackwell. Kohn, E. O. 1992 Some observations on the use of medicinal plants from primary and secondary growth by the Runa of eastern lowland Ecuador. Journal of Ethnobiology 12, 141-152. Toledo, V. M., Batis, A. I., Becerra, R., Esteban, M., and Ramos, C. H. 1992 Products from the tropical rain forests of Mexico: an ethnoecological approach. In: M. Plotkin, and L. Famolare, eds. Sustainable Harvest and Marketing of Rain Forest Products. Island Press, Washington, D.C., pp. 99-109. Voeks, R. A., 1996 Tropical forest healers and habitat preference. Economic Botany botany, science devoted to the study of plants. Botany, microbiology, and zoology together compose the science of biology. Humanity's earliest concern with plants was with their practical uses, i.e., for fuel, clothing, shelter, and, particularly, food and drugs. 50: 354-373. 1998 Ethnobotanical knowledge and environmental risk: foragers and farmers in northern Borneo. In: Zimmerer, K. and Young, K., eds. Nature's Geography: New Lessons for Conservation in Developing Countries. University of Wisconsin Press The University of Wisconsin Press (or UW Press), founded in 1936, is a university press that is part of the Graduate School of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, United States. It published under its own name and the imprint The Popular Press. , Madison, pp. 307-326. |
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