Traditional medicinal plants of the Dusun Tobilung of Kampong Toburon, Kudat, Sabah, Malaysia.
AbstractA documentation of the traditional medicinal plant knowledge and knowledge of their uses by the Dusun Tobilung was conducted in 1999 in Kampong Toburon, Kota Belud, Sabah. Based on interviews with seventeen informants within the study site, information on the traditional medicinal plants was classified according to their vernacular and Malay names, scientific and family names, parts of plants used and uses. A total of forty-nine species of plants from thirty-three families are hereby reported. All of the plants were collected within the study site. Interestingly only four out of thirty-four plants were cultivated by the villagers while the rest were found growing as garden weed or in the forest.
Introduction
Arthur (1954) pioneered research into ethnic Materia Medica in Sabah. Ensuing studies on the uses of plants in traditional Dusun medicine included that on the Dusun uses of ceremonial plants (Wati 1978), Dusun/Kadazan of Tambunan (Guntavid 1983, 1992), Dusun/Kadazan in Sabah (Ahmad 1993), Dusun in Kampong Sayap (Ahmad 1995), Kadazan/Dusun of Tambunan (Kulip 1996), Kadazan/Dusun of Kuala Penyu (Kulip 1999) and Kadazandustm Tatana ofKuala Penyu (Hj. Ibrahim et al. 2002).
The Dusun Tobilung community in Kampong Taburon was chosen as the site for the present study as it is the ethnic community of one of us (G. Pasok). Kampong Toburon (6[degrees]30'N 116[degrees]30'E) is situated approximately 48 km away from Kota Belud town (Tangah and Wong 1995). It is surrounded by the Crocker and Sir James Brooke Ranges. The main mode of transportation is by pick-up truck. The joumey takes approximately one and one-half hours.
Kampong Toburon is divided into Kampong Toburon Damang, headed by village headman Mr. Anggun Ripou, and Kampong Toburon Tembulawan, headed by Mr. Madsikoh Sombion. The study site is dominated by Dusun Tobilung, the majority of whom are paddy farmers and live in bamboo houses built on stilts.
Objective of Study
The objective of the study was to document knowledge of traditional medicinal plants and their uses by the Dusun Tobilung of Kampong Toburon, Kota Belud.
Methodology
Information was compiled by the direct interview as well as rapid appraisal method using questionnaires. Plant specimens collected were preserved in ethanol prior to drying in the laboratory. Specimens were identified using keys and cross referencing with other herbaria.
Results and Discussion
Information on the traditional medicinal plants of the Dusun Tobilung, their scientific, vernacular and Malay names, uses, parts of plants used, distribution status, informants and voucher numbers are listed in Table 1.
Nearly all the informants were in the 45 and above age group and six of them were women. Only two of them were known healers or bobolians while the rest have knowledge of traditional medicinal plants but were not bobolians. All the informants had acquired knowledge of traditional medicinal plants from a family member. In every village only one to two people were well-versed with the use(s) of the plants in traditional medicine. On the average, youths demonstrated a lack of knowledge or experience compared to the more senior members of the community on the uses of traditional medicinal plants. Nearly all members of the community approached who were below the age of 45 years preferred visiting the Government hospital in Kota Marudu and using Western medicine versus traditional medicinal plants in treating even non-life threatening ailments because Western medicine took effect quickly and was easier to use.
Conclusion
The documentation of traditional knowledge is inherently important as it provides necessary reference for effective policymaking for the preservation of the natural environment and national heritage. Its importance as cultural evidence can no longer be denied in light of diminishing knowledge.
Table 1. List of traditional medicinal plants of the Dusun Tobilung Scientific name Tobilung name Malay name ANNONACEAE Polyalthia insignis Dolipanas Mempisang APOCYNACEAE Alstonia macrophylla Mengalang Setinggi ARACEAE Acorus calamus Komburongo Jerangau COMPOSITAE Eupatoria odoratum Sojar/Konsuma Rumput Jepun COMPOSITAE Blumea balsamifera Tawawo Daun sambung CONVULVACEAE Indet Tawar tangau -- CRASSULACEAE Kalanchoe pinnata Kapal Sedingin CYPERACEAE Kylinga brevifolia Kingkimut Rumput teki DILLENIACEAE Dillenia suffruticosa Doringin Simpoh air DILLENIACEAE Tetracera scandena Pampan Mempelas EUPHORBIACEAE Croton argyratus Litak Merlokan EUPHORBIACEAE Jatropha curcas Susumalong Jarak Belanda EUPHORBIACEAE Phyllanthus amarus Koronipon Dukung anak EUPHORBIACEAE Ricinus communis Rangasan Jarak besar GRAMINAE Paspalum sp. Kulubung tambang -- GRAMINAE Cymbopogon nardus Sogumau tandaa Serai wangi GRAMINAE Dinochloa scandenis Wadan Root HYPERICACEAE Cratoxylum sumatranum Morugion -- LABIATAE Ocinum sanctum Bawing kuda Selasih LAURACEAE Litsea odorifera Tandas Padang mawas LAURACEAE Cinnamomum iners Magkapur Teja LEGUMINOSAE Derris elliptica Limpodos/tubo/gam Tuba ut LEGUMINOSAE Cassia occidentalis Kurubawa manuk -- LEGUMINOSAE Cassia alata Kurubawai Gelenggang LEGUMINOSAE Dalbergia sp. Kowilan -- LILIACEAE Indet. Tawar tokoro -- MALVACEAE Urema lobata Tondolupang Pulut-pulut MALVACEAE Sida rhombifolia Kotopon wogok Seleguri padang MARANTHACEAE Donax cannaeformis Lias Bemban gajah MELASTOMACEAE Melastoma malabathricum Golosing/galata Senduduk MENISPERMACEAE Fibraurea chloroleuca Tonsisitou Akar mengkunyit MYRTACEAE Psidium guajava Bayabas Jambu batu OLEACEAE Chinanthus phriflorus Lampada tikus -- PASSIFLORACEAE Passiflora foetida Tampasak Letup-letup PALMAE Areca catechu Tingaton Pinang PIPERACEAE Piper samentosum Dangkar Kadok RUBIACEAE Neonaucleae gigantean Sintap -- RUBIACEAE Psychotria goysulosa Siroromuk -- RUBIACEAE Uncaria acidi Langkawit -- RUBIACEAE Mussaenda frondosa Baliadok -- RUTACEAE Murraya koenigii Tontuk pelanuk Daun kari RUTACEAE Citrus microcarpa Limau nipis Limau nipis SIMAROUBACEAE Brucea javanica Riringit Lada pahit STERCULIACEAE Pterospermum sp. Sungkolingan Bayur THYMELAEACEAE Wikotroemia adrosaemifolia Sinantali -- UMBILLIFERAE Centella asiatica Tolingo ralan Pegaga VERBENACEAE Callicarpa longifolia Gonggoloput -- VITACEAE/LEEACEAE Leea indica Tatip-tatip Mali-mali ZINGIBERACEAE Alpinia conchingera Mayo-layo Lengkuas ranting Scientific name Part used Application ANNONACEAE Polyalthia insignis Fruit, stem "Susuk" (#) APOCYNACEAE Alstonia macrophylla Sap To treat epileptic seizures ARACEAE Acorus calamus Stem To ward off evil and evil behavior COMPOSITAE Eupatoria odoratum Leaves To treat cuts COMPOSITAE Blumea balsamifera Whole plant To treat gastrospasms CONVULVACEAE Indet Leaves As anti-inflammation CRASSULACEAE Kalanchoe pinnata Whole plant As antipyretic CYPERACEAE Kylinga brevifolia Fruit To treat boils DILLENIACEAE Dillenia suffruticosa Leaves To treat headaches DILLENIACEAE Tetracera scandena Sap Invigorating EUPHORBIACEAE Croton argyratus Bark To ward off evil and evil behavior EUPHORBIACEAE Jatropha curcas Bark, leaves To treat sprains EUPHORBIACEAE Phyllanthus amarus Roots To treat ailments involving the liver EUPHORBIACEAE Ricinus communis To treat temporary deafness GRAMINAE Paspalum sp. Leaves As antidote for bodily pains GRAMINAE Cymbopogon nardus Ruas As postpartum aid GRAMINAE Dinochloa scandenis Sap To treat visible ulcers or tumors HYPERICACEAE Cratoxylum sumatranum Bark To ward off evil and evil behavior LABIATAE Ocinum sanctum Leaves To soothe rashes and eczema LAURACEAE Litsea odorifera Bark, roots As anti-hypertensive LAURACEAE Cinnamomum iners Bark, roots To treat tuberculosis LEGUMINOSAE Derris elliptica Stem Stops crying LEGUMINOSAE Cassia occidentalis Roots To treat hoarseness LEGUMINOSAE Cassia alata Leaves To treat rashes and eczema LEGUMINOSAE Dalbergia sp. Leaves To treat colds LILIACEAE Indet. Isi bawang To treat hernia MALVACEAE Urema lobata Stem As anti-inflammation MALVACEAE Sida rhombifolia Roots As antidote for poison MARANTHACEAE Donax cannaeformis Sap from shoots To treat conjunctivitis MELASTOMACEAE Melastoma malabathricum Roots, leaves To treat cuts MENISPERMACEAE Fibraurea chloroleuca Sap from stem Invigorating MYRTACEAE Psidium guajava Leaves To treat gastrospasms OLEACEAE Chinanthus phriflorus Roots To eliminate toothaches PASSIFLORACEAE Passiflora foetida Whole plant To treat asthma PALMAE Areca catechu Fruit To treat cuts PIPERACEAE Piper samentosum Leaves As antipyretic RUBIACEAE Neonaucleae gigantean Leaves To eliminate headaches RUBIACEAE Psychotria goysulosa Sap from stem To eliminate headaches RUBIACEAE Uncaria acidi Leaves To eliminate toothaches RUBIACEAE Mussaenda frondosa Leaves To eliminate headaches RUTACEAE Murraya koenigii Roots To treat gingivitis RUTACEAE Citrus microcarpa Whole plant As antidote for poison SIMAROUBACEAE Brucea javanica Leaves To treat gastrospasms STERCULIACEAE Pterospermum sp. Bark To ward off evil and evil behavior THYMELAEACEAE Wikotroemia adrosaemifolia Bark To eliminate headaches UMBILLIFERAE Centella asiatica Leaves To treat tinnitus VERBENACEAE Callicarpa longifolia Leaves To eliminate headaches VITACEAE/LEEACEAE Leea indica Leaves To eliminate headaches ZINGIBERACEAE Alpinia conchingera Rhizome As anti-inflammation Scientific name Informant ANNONACEAE Polyalthia insignis 15 APOCYNACEAE Alstonia macrophylla 5 ARACEAE Acorus calamus 4 COMPOSITAE Eupatoria odoratum 5 COMPOSITAE Blumea balsamifera 7 CONVULVACEAE Indet 11 CRASSULACEAE Kalanchoe pinnata 15 CYPERACEAE Kylinga brevifolia 1 DILLENIACEAE Dillenia suffruticosa 14 DILLENIACEAE Tetracera scandena 14 EUPHORBIACEAE Croton argyratus 13 EUPHORBIACEAE Jatropha curcas 8 EUPHORBIACEAE Phyllanthus amarus 8 EUPHORBIACEAE Ricinus communis 14 GRAMINAE Paspalum sp. 14 GRAMINAE Cymbopogon nardus 10 GRAMINAE Dinochloa scandenis 6 HYPERICACEAE Cratoxylum sumatranum 10 LABIATAE Ocinum sanctum 16 LAURACEAE Litsea odorifera 10 LAURACEAE Cinnamomum iners 10 LEGUMINOSAE Derris elliptica 13 LEGUMINOSAE Cassia occidentalis 10 LEGUMINOSAE Cassia alata 17 LEGUMINOSAE Dalbergia sp. 4 LILIACEAE Indet. 15 MALVACEAE Urema lobata 11 MALVACEAE Sida rhombifolia 13 MARANTHACEAE Donax cannaeformis 10 MELASTOMACEAE Melastoma malabathricum 2 MENISPERMACEAE Fibraurea chloroleuca 15 MYRTACEAE Psidium guajava 2 OLEACEAE Chinanthus phriflorus 14 PASSIFLORACEAE Passiflora foetida 13 PALMAE Areca catechu 4 PIPERACEAE Piper samentosum 4 RUBIACEAE Neonaucleae gigantean 10 RUBIACEAE Psychotria goysulosa 10 RUBIACEAE Uncaria acidi 10 RUBIACEAE Mussaenda frondosa 10 RUTACEAE Murraya koenigii 10 RUTACEAE Citrus microcarpa 3 SIMAROUBACEAE Brucea javanica 10 STERCULIACEAE Pterospermum sp. 13 THYMELAEACEAE Wikotroemia adrosaemifolia 14 UMBILLIFERAE Centella asiatica 14 VERBENACEAE Callicarpa longifolia 9 VITACEAE/LEEACEAE Leea indica 10 ZINGIBERACEAE Alpinia conchingera 10
Acknowledgments
We express heartfelt thanks to the people of Kampong Toburon for their cooperation and generosity. We also thank the District Office in Kota Belud, staff of the Herbarium Muzium Negeri Sabah and Herbarium of the Forest Research Centre in Sepilok, Sandakan, Sabah. Funding from the University in the form of a short-term grant (UMS 44/98) to M. M. Yusoff, is also gratefully acknowledged.
References
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M. M. Yusoff, * B. Ahmad & G. Pasok
Institute for Tropical Biology & Conservation, Universiti Malaysia Sabah,
Locked Bag 2073, 88999 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah Malaysia
* Corresponding author. E-mail: mashitah@ums.edu.my; telephone: 088-320135; fax: 088-320291.
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| Title Annotation: | Research Notes |
|---|---|
| Author: | Pasok, G. |
| Publication: | Borneo Research Bulletin |
| Geographic Code: | 9MALA |
| Date: | Jan 1, 2003 |
| Words: | 1838 |
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