Documentation of macrofungi traditionally used by Jakun people in Johor, Malaysia in treatment of various illnesses

Abstract

This study documented the ethnomedical knowledge of the Jakun community at Kampung Peta, Endau Rompin Johor National Park, Johor, Malaysia on macrofungi that can potentially be used as medicine. Seven key informants were selected through snowball sampling and data on the potentially medicinal macrofungi was collected through semi-structured interview, observation and focus group. There were 20 species of macrofungi documented to have medicinal properties. Macrofungi-based concoction is commonly used by the local community in this area. Thematic analysis was used as the qualitative method in this study. The most common species of macrofungi used as medicine are Sichzophyllum commune, Microporus xanthopus, Ganoderma lucidum and Pluerotus ostreatus. According to the Jakun community, S. commune can treat asthma and has anti-aging properties while M. xanthopus were also used for its anti-aging properties, birth-control and breast cancer remedy. G. lucidum was known to treat tumor and cancer due to its anti-tumor, immune-modulating and anti-fibrotic properties, while P. ostreatus can lower cholesterol level and increase inner strength. Hence, there is a need to document the traditional knowledge on these macrofungi to prevent knowledge erosion in the future generation.