MEDICINAL PLANTS USAGE OF JAGOI BIDAYUH COMMUNITY, BAU DISTRICT, SARAWAK, MALAYSIA

Abstract

This paper reports on the medicinal plants used by the communities near Mount Jagoi in Bau District as part of the multidisciplinary studies in 2012. A total of 58 species of medicinal plants belonging to 38 families were identified and documented. Of these, close to 60% of these plants are found wild in the fallows and nearby Mount Jagoi forest while the rest are planted at the backyard and/or gardens close to their village. Most of the cultivated medicinal plants were also used as food or often used in their preparation to enhance their flavor. Herbs form the majority (27.6%) followed by shrubs (24.1% ) and trees (19.0%). Most of the plants are for treating stomach-related ailments followed by fever-related illnesses as well as treatment of hypertension and cuts/wounds. The main parts of the plants used were foliage or twigs followed by fruits and roots. Decoction was the main method of preparation and administration of the medicinal plants followed respectively by ingestion while pound and rub. The preparation of decoction depends on the types of plant parts used, they can be either fresh or further treatment necessary such as drying to the parts concerned before boiling in water or a mixture with other liquids such as vegetable oil. The mixture after boiling is the decoction, which be used as a drink or used in bathing. The latter use is usually for easing oneself during fever and treatment of the whole body such as to remove bad body odor as well as skin diseases that affect the whole body. It is noteworthy to mention that the study missed six species of medicinal plants from four families that are commonly used for food in the area which could be that the informants were not aware of the medicinal benefits. Should a future survey is being done in a community, it is recommended that the informants be also questioned their knowledge on those obvious plants so that they too can be included.