Ethnopharmacological Study of Traditional Medicinal Plants in Coastal Communitie

Abstract

Background Ethnopharmacy is a branch of pharmacy that focuses on the study of the use of medicines and healing methods based on local wisdom applied by communities in a particular region. The use of medicinal plants in traditional medicine practices has become an important part of the culture and life of coastal communities, including in Masiri Village, Batauga District, South Buton Regency. The purpose of this study was to identify the types of medicinal plants, the parts used, and the processing methods used by the local community. The method used was qualitative descriptive with data collection techniques in the form of semi-structured interviews and observations of 15 informants who were considered to have knowledge of traditional medicine. The results showed that there were 42 plant species from 32 families used as traditional medicine. The most commonly used part of the plant was the leaves (62.26%), while the most common processing method was boiling (45%). These plants were used to treat various health complaints such as fever, external wounds, coughs, and respiratory tract disorders. The conclusion from these results shows that the utilization of local biodiversity based on traditional knowledge plays an important role in efforts to maintain public health and is a fundamental potential for the sustainable development of natural-based medicines.