Malay Medicine Research Articles

The Use of Herbs According to the Perspective of Traditional Malay Medicine in Selangor, Malaysia

The Use of Herbs According to the Perspective of Traditional Malay Medicine in Selangor, Malaysia

Determinants of the Utilization of Recognized Traditional and Complementary Medicine Service in Malaysia: A Secondary Analysis of a Cross-Sectional Population-Based Survey

Plain Language SummaryMalaysia is a multiethnic and multicultural country with a long history of the coexistence of various traditional and complementary medicine (T&CM) practices. Currently, seven practice areas are recognized in Malaysia: traditional Malay medicine (TMM), traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), traditional Indian medicine, homeopathy, Islamic medical practice, chiropractic, and osteopathy. Many global studies have investigated the general determinants of T&CM service utilization. However, there has been no comprehensive study reporting specific determinants of recognized T&CM service utilization at a national level. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the prevalence and specific determinants of the utilization of recognized T&CM services in Malaysia. Our study revealed that 19.3% of the Malaysian population had utilized recognized T&CM services in the preceding 12 months, with 15.5% utilizing TMM services, 3.9% utilizing TCM services, and 1.5% utilizing other T&CM services. The specific determinates of service utilization were distinctively different between varied T&CM services, showing strong ethnocultural ownership.

ROLE OF TRADITIONAL AND COMPLEMENTARY MEDICINE IN SUSTAINING HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF MALAYSIANS

Traditional and Complementary Medicine (TCM) is widely known among Malaysians for its practices. This paper aims to examine users’ experiences and perceptions of TCM on its role in sustaining the health and well-being of Malaysians. To achieve the objective of this study, a qualitative study was conducted with the respondents by using an online in-depth interview through the video conferencing platform. 15 respondents residing in Penang, Malaysia who used TCM including Traditional Malay Medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Traditional Indian Medicine, and Islamic Medical Practice were recruited for this study. The data from the interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. A thematic approach was used for data analysis to identify emerging themes and sub-themes. Results indicated five core themes: (i) Strength of traditional beliefs on TCM, (ii) personalised patient-practitioner relationship, (iii) perceived effectiveness of TCM (iv) TCM provides better preventive measures, and (v) TCM promotes a holistic approach to health and well-being. Here, it concludes that TCM impacts Malaysians’ health and wellbeing. Therefore, its potential for growth and importance, especially for sustaining health and well-being cannot be denied. Further research with a larger sample of respondents is needed to represent the population better while deepening the understanding of users’ experiences and perceptions.

The Potential of Traditional Post-Natal Malay Medicine heritage as an Ecotourism Product

The Potential of Traditional Post-Natal Malay Medicine heritage as an Ecotourism Product

Unlocking Melawi Malay Medicine Mantras: Sound Patterns and Ecological Symbolism of Oral Literature

The Melawi Malay community has a rich tradition of medicine using oral literature in the form of mantras, passed down through generations. These medicine mantras incorporate elements of beautiful sound and reflect the ecological, customary, and cultural values of the Malay people. This research aims to unveil the sound patterns and describe the symbolism of the triadic ecological elements, namely nature, nurture, and culture. To achieve this, purposive sampling was employed to select key informants, with Su Usnah, a traditional healer from Bina Karya, Melawi, being a crucial source. Through interviews and field notes, six relevant data sets were extracted from a pool of 15 available medicine mantras for analysis. Using a qualitative descriptive approach, this research utilized stylistic protocols to categorize the data according to existing sound patterns and employed ecocriticism guidelines to reveal the presence of ecological elements within the Melawi Malay medicine mantras. The primary findings of this research disclose the existence of four sound patterns in these mantras: assonance, alliteration, consonance, and rhyme. The ecocritical perspective reveals that each mantra contains ecological elements, including nature, such as flora and natural elements; nurture, reflecting the relationship between nature and society, and human connections; and culture, as manifested in customary practices. This study deepens our understanding of the sound patterns and ecological elements present in these mantras, with the hope that further research, through exploration of mantras in the Melawi Regency, can contribute to the continuous conservation and promotion of oral literature. Enriching the global understanding of mantras from linguistic, literary, and ecological perspectives is vital in practising traditional medicine in Melawi and other regions in West Kalimantan.

The Use of Herbs According to The Perspective of Traditional Malay Medicine in Selangor, Malaysia

The Use of Herbs According to The Perspective of Traditional Malay Medicine in Selangor, Malaysia

Ficus deltoidea var. kunstleri Extract Administration in Hypercholesterolaemic, Atherosclerotic Rabbits: Effects on Organ Function, Morphology, and Atherosclerosis Development

Ficus deltoidea (FD) is used in traditional Malay medicine to treat various ailments and has been shown to be safe in toxicity studies. However, the information on the safety and efficacy of FD in the atherosclerosis-induced animal model is limited. This study aims to investigate the safety of FD var. kunstleri (FDK) extract on high cholesterol diet (HCD)-induced atherosclerotic rabbits and its efficacy in treating atherosclerosis. New Zealand White rabbits were randomly divided into two groups: G1 (1% HCD for 4 weeks) and G2 (1% HCD for 8 weeks). Each group was randomised into FDK700 (700 mg FDK/kg/day for G1 and G2), FDK800 (800 mg FDK/kg/day for G2), simvastatin (5 mg/kg/day) and placebo. The body weight, blood pressure, serum biochemistry and histopathological examination were obtained to assess any toxicity signs. Fasting lipid profile, soluble c-reactive protein (sCRP) level and atherosclerotic plaque formation were compared between treated and placebo groups to evaluate treatment efficacy. Results: No significant differences were observed in all safety parameters between the treated and placebo groups (p<0.05). FDK treatment did not show significant differences in all parameters evaluated in both treatment arms. In conclusion, FDK extract up to 800 mg/kg is safe for use in atherosclerotic rabbits. It has neutral effects on lipid profile, inflammation and atherosclerosis formation.

The Effectiveness of Using Herb in Traditional Malay Medicine and Healthcare in Central Zone Community, Selangor

The use of herbs for medicinal purposes is essential. Herbal treatment had a positive impact on human life. Some people are too skeptical and lack confidence in the effectiveness of using herbs for treatment purposes. This situation occurs because the advancement of medical technology and modern medicine is more forward than traditional medicine. Herb-based treatment is still not able to provide traditional medicinal services that are conducive and comprehensive in terms of function, nutrients and comprehensive potential. The focus of this study is to expand knowledge by examining the effectiveness of herbs and treatment in human health care based on the 'Theory of Planned Behaviour' approach. The purpose of the study was to identify the types of herbs, analyze the response to the effectiveness of the use of herbs in health care based on traditional Malay medicinal methods. This research done based on qualitative and quantitative methods including literature review, library research, questionnaires and interviews. The results showed that traditional Malay medicine is a complete herbal treatment method and has strong fundamental values and is necessary in the science of medicine. Studies have also found the effectiveness of herbs in treating various types of physical and spiritual ailments. The findings proved that the use of various herbal plants is still relevant to treat diseases, contributing in the field of medical science just like existing modern medicine, especially in the issue of health care and a prosperous human life.

Tajul Muluk: A Traditional Malay Text of Ethnobotany and Ethnomedicine

Ethnobotanical and ethnomedical knowledge of the Malays could be known either through oral sources or documented sources. The traditional sources of Malay medicine are useful for traditional and modern pharmaceuticals development in Malaysia and for conservation of biodiversity. This study aims to extract and categorise the ethnobotanical and ethnomedical contents documented in the medical chapter of Tajul Muluk, in the Malay ancient text. Transliteration and data extraction were carried out in order to identify and classify the information in the text. The manuscript has 292 medical interventions for 56 different diseases such as cough, fever, and mental health issues. There are descriptions available for different medical formulations using 209 plant-based materials, 12 animal-based materials and 40 other types. Many of the name and use of the materials are now rare or not well-known in modern today’s society. Medical descriptions listed in Tajul Muluk will be a documented proof of herbs used by local Malay population utilised as ethnobotanical and ethnomedical resources. Hence retrieving useful ancient documental knowledge should be explored in finding useful cures and alternatives therapeutics for various diseases.

Acceptance of Electronic Health Records in Traditional Malay Medicine: An Exploratory Prototyping Approach

The usage of electronic health records is widely used today in the modern medicine field due to its immense benefits. These benefits include and are not limited to allowing physician to access a patient’s chart remotely, provide alerts to a potential medication error and critical lab values. However, the usage of this technology in Traditional Malay Medicine is limited. This paper explores the acceptance usage of electronic health records in Traditional Malay Medicine in five healthcare organisations including private Traditional Malay Medicine practitioners in Malaysia. This research utilizes the exploratory prototyping approach where a prototype, MyPostnatalSys is developed and used to gain constructive feedback of the acceptance of electronic health records. MyPostnatalSys, an electronic health record prototype, was developed for integrating Traditional Malay Medicine and Modern Medicine services using an interoperability standard, HL7. The purpose of interoperability standards is to ensure patient data can be transmitted across multi-platform systems seamlessly. The results show that more than 90% respondents have shown a positive acceptance on the usage of electronic health records in Traditional Malay Medicine. However, there may exist some resistance in accepting electronic health records technology in private Traditional Malay Medicine practitioners. However Traditional Malay practitioners trained by a government led initiative for women’s health, Mamacare programme, are more open to accept the implementation. This shows that upskilling programmes such as Mamacare can reduce the barriers of acceptance in electronic health records in Traditional Malay practitioners.

Xanthine oxidase inhibitory activity of a new isocoumarin obtained from Marantodes pumilum var. pumila leaves

BackgroundIn traditional Malay medicine, Marantodes pumilum (Blume) Kuntze (family Primulaceae) is commonly used by women to treat parturition, flatulence, dysentery, dysmenorrhea, gonorrhea, and bone diseases. Preliminary screening of some Primulaceae species showed that they possess xanthine oxidase inhibitory activity. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the xanthine oxidase inhibitory activity of three varieties of M. pumilum and their phytochemical compounds.MethodDichloromethane, methanol, and water extracts of the leaves and roots of M. pumilum var. alata, M. pumilum var. pumila, and M. pumilum var. lanceolata were tested using an in vitro xanthine oxidase inhibitory assay. Bioassay-guided fractionation and isolation were carried out on the most active extract using chromatographic techniques. The structures of the isolated compounds were determined using spectroscopic techniques.ResultsThe most active dichloromethane extract of M. pumilum var. pumila leaves (IC50 = 161.6 μg/mL) yielded one new compound, 3,7-dihydroxy-5-methoxy-4,8-dimethyl-isocoumarin (1), and five known compounds, viz. ardisiaquinone A (2), maesanin (3), stigmasterol (4), tetracosane (5), and margaric acid (6). The new compound was found to be the most active xanthine oxidase inhibitor with an IC50 value of 0.66 ± 0.01 μg/mL, which was not significantly different (p > 0.05) from that of the positive control, allopurinol (IC50 = 0.24 ± 0.00 μg/mL).ConclusionThis study suggests that the new compound 3,7-dihydroxy-5-methoxy-4,8-dimethyl-isocoumarin (1), which was isolated from the dichloromethane extract of M. pumilum var. pumila leaves, could be a potential xanthine oxidase inhibitor.

A conceptual integrated health information systems framework in postnatal care for modern and traditional malay medicine

<span>This paper proposes an integrated health information systems framework for Traditional Malay Medicine (TMM) and modern medicine in the field of postnatal care. A qualitative study was conducted via healthcare experts in the field of modern medicine and Traditional Malay Medicine to assess the current situation and identify the research gap and point of isolation between both traditional and modern medicine field. A total of 26 healthcare practitioners whom represented five different set of healthcare organisations participated in this study. The healthcare practitioners consist of modern and traditional Malay medicine background with and without proper training. Results show that there is a gap in the current people, process and technology areas of the current framework. A novel conceptual framework, MyPostnatal, proposes the existence of a sufficiently generic, extensible in-formation model where new data sources can be integrated without major changes to the data scheme. Human and organization factors are also highlighted to stimulate the adoption towards electronic health records.</span>

Tasawur Perubatan Melayu Berdasarkan Kitab Perubatan Melayu (Tasawur of Malay Medicine In Malay Traditional Medicine Book)

This study is an attempt to present a holistic Malay medicine practice covering the whole aspects of human life in terms of psychological, emotional, mental and physical. A clear relevance between Malay medicine and the Islamic medicine is also to be presented in this study. The method of treatment and practice of Malay medicine which are wanted to be highlighted in this study is an element have has been already presence in the Malay medical system ever since a long time ago and has continued to be practiced today. The treatment methods described in this study are such as life therapy, massage therapy, bath therapies, herbal therapies and also newborn care and postnatal care practices. However, Malay medicine emphasizes the prevention of disease through the practice of self-care in life therapy rather than the aspect of disease treatment. Hence, through research that has been increasingly done by researchers and academicians today is expected to further developing in Malay medicine knowledge so that it can be applied towards cure various diseases of society today.

Amalan Diagnosis Dalam Perubatan Melayu Berdasarkan Kitab Tib (Diagnosis Practice In Malay Medicine Based on The Kitab Tib)

This article will highlight the practices practiced in Malay medicine to diagnose an illness experienced by a patient based on the information contained in the kitab tib. This study will focus on six kitab tib that have been transliterated to roman writing. Then, these kitab tib will be analyzed to determine the diagnostic practices presented therein and structured their information based on certain categories and justifications. The main purpose is to analyze the contents of the kitab tib based on these three criteria (i) the diagnosis practices used in each kitab tib, (ii) the elements that influence the diagnosis based on each kitab tib, (iii) the main diagnostic method set forth in each kitab tib. As a result of this study, the practice of diagnosis in Malay medicine based on these kitab tib emphasizes on identifying imbalances between the four main elements of the body namely wind, fire, water and soil. These four elements will affect the state of the fluid in the body and consequently affect the results of the diagnosis. With this, it will determine the appropriate treatment to be given to a patient but it is necessary to provide latest complete analytical information to produce more accurate treatment results.

Terapi Pemakanan Menurut Pandangan Sheikh Abbas Kuta Karang: Kajian Awal Terhadap Kitab Al-Rahmah Fi Al-Tib Wa Al-Hikmah (Nutritional Therapy According To Sheikh Abbas Kuta Karang: Early Research Based On Kitab Al-Rahmah Fi Al-Tib Wa Al-Hikmah)

Nutrition is one of the methods of health care as it gives strength to the physical body. Malay community had a highly concerned about nutriotion as they know the type and nature of the food such as hot and cold to suit their body condition. Their main purpose in nutrition is to maintain health and diseases treatment. Among the most prominent scholars in the debate on healthy nutriotion is Sheikh Abbas Kuta Karang who is known as a scholar of various disciplines. He wrote his views on nutriotion based on the Qur'an and the Hadith and some of the scholars' views. Among the books he wrote was the Book of Al-Rahmah Fi Al-Tib Wa Al Hikmah in 1853 which contained health care guidelines and treatment of diseases. The book of Al-Rahmah Fi Al-Tib Wa Al Hikmah is one of guideline for malay medicine practitionar until this day. Method of data collection that be used from this study are library studies, bibliographic data analysis from this book, previous studies and journals to determine the effectiveness of current practice. Therefore, this study will describe some of his views on nutrition based on the Book of Al-Rahmah Fi Al-Tib Wa Al Hikmah. Although this book does not have detail explaination on healthy nutrition, its foundations can be studied and proven scientifically.

Development of Conceptual Information Systems Framework using Grounded Theory

This paper shall present a research protocol to develop a conceptual framework in the information systems field using grounded theory method. The research protocol presented is an exploratory research using qualitative methods. The grounded theory based study was conducted via healthcare experts in the field of modern medicine, Traditional Malay Medicine, and information technology subject matter experts. A conceptual framework was initially proposed from the literature review and analysis of interviews of the current framework. The conceptual framework was then validated via healthcare practitioners and IT industry experts. A prototype system of electronic health record was also examined by the respondents to validate the proposed conceptual framework via exploratory prototyping. Consequently, the validation findings were analysed and new themes that emerged from the findings was highlighted to be included in the revised framework.

Klasifikasi Penyakit Rindu dalam Perubatan Tradisional Melayu dan Kaedah Merawatnya menurut Perspektif Shaykh Abbas Kuta Karang dalam Kitab al-Rahmah fi al-Tib wa al-Hikmah (Classification of Rindu in Traditional Malay Medicine and Its Treatment Methods from the Perspective of Shaykh Abbas Kuta Karang in Kitab Al-Rahmah fi al-Tib wa al-Hikmah)

Medical science is an important field of knowledge in a society or civilization including the Malay community. This knowledge is highly regarded and appreciated in the Malay states. Health care involves physical and spiritual health. At present, medical knowledge is more likely to cure physical illness than spiritual illness. This can be seen as the field of practice recognized by the government in Malay medicine only involves physical health. Therefore, this study is important because in Malay medicine, healthcare involves two categories of health i.e. physical health and spiritual health. This study examines one of the problems of spiritual health which is a miserable illness based on Malay medicine. The study was aimed at identifying the types of treatments for indigestion based on Malay medicine. The question of this study is: 1) What is the type or level of illness? 2) How to treat the illness? This study is a literature review and the method used is qualitative. The study was conducted to examine illnesses in Malay medicine. The main reference of the study is the book al-Rahmah fi al-Tib wa al-Hikmah (Compassion in medical science and wisdom) written by Shaykh Abbas Kuta Karang. The outcome of the study shows that Malay medicine is a complete and well-funded medical method and covers many aspects of life, not only for the treatment of physical illness.

Terapi Mandi Bunga Dalam Perubatan Melayu Untuk Penjagaan Kesihatan Mental (Bath Flower Therapy in Malay Medicine for Mental Health)

Flower Bath therapy is one of the practices in Malay medicine that remains until today. According to Dr. Wan Hasmah Wan Teh, Literature Lecturer, School Of Humanities, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), she explained that flower bathing is a ritual that is very well known in the Southeast Asian region, including Malaysia, where the Malays are mostly aimed at enhancing the aura, beauty and ‘seri pengantin’ (Siti Sofia, 24 March 2018). Therefore the use of flower bath therapy is often associated with beauty compared to health care. So, the community needs to be given more exposure on the benefits of flower bathing for healthcare. Flower bath therapy in Malay medicine has the potential to be applied as a prevention and for disease treatment, especially in dealing with mental disorders that have doubled over the past ten years (Datuk Seri Dr. S. Subramaniam, September 28, 2016). Flower bath therapy can help in mental health problems by lowering the cortisol hormone (stress hormone), enhance the sense of comfort, relaxation and increase endorphin levels that provide a sense of ‘feel-good’ and reduce pain. Flower bath therapy is also found to be potentially in preventing depression. This study is aimed at presenting flower bath therapy as one of the ways for mental healthcare.

Perspektif Syaikh Ahmad Al-Fatani Tentang Kaedah Mengenalpasti Penyakit : Analisis Awal Terhadap Kitab Tayyib Al-Ihsan Fi Tibb Al-Insan (Perspectives of Syaikh Ahmad Al-Fatani About Methods of Identifying Illness : Early Analysis of Kitab Tayyib Al-Ihsan Fi Tibb Al-Insan)

Disease identification or disease diagnosis process is an important element in a treatment process. A complete diagnosis can lead to the determination of the right type of treatment and proper prescription medication in the disease healing process. Syaikh Ahmad Al-Fatani, is a great religious scholar and his medical knowledge in the Malay World, has produced a book manuscript that could be a guide to Malay medical practitioners, especially in the process of diagnosing patients. Hence, this study will discuss Shaykh Ahmad Al-Fatani’s perspective on the method of identifying illness by focusing on his manuscript, Tayyib Al-Ihsan Fi Tibb Al-Insan. The book discusses on Malay medicine, with main focus to determine the medicines and treatments against ailments. Data collection is done through library research and bibliogafi data analysis from this book, past studies and related journals to determine the method using by Syaikh Ahmad Al-Fatani for identification of illness. Although the method of identifying illnesses is not described in detail, the basic principles can be further studied in a more structured and scientific way to aid develop Malay medicine.

Standardized ethanol-water extract of Ficus deltoidea Angustifolia reduces blood pressure in spontaneously hypertensive rats

ABSTRACTFicus deltoidea is used in Malay traditional medicine for the treatment of a number of disorders, including hypertension. There is, however, no scientific evidence on its anti-hypertensive effects. This study, therefore, investigated the effects of a standardized ethanolic-water extract of Ficus deltoidea Angustifolia (FD-A) on blood pressure (BP) in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Male SHR with systolic BP of >150 were divided into 4 groups (n = 8) and given either FD-A (800 or 1000 mg kg−1 day−1) or losartan (10 mg kg−1 day−1) or 0.5 ml of distilled water (control) daily for 28 days. BP, body weight, food and water intake, serum and urinary electrolytes, endothelin-1 (ET-1), total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and components of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system were measured. Data were analyzed using ANOVA with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. Following treatment, BP, heart rate, and heart weight in FD-A and losartan-treated rats were significantly lower than those in the controls. Serum TAC and urinary calcium excretion were significantly higher, whereas serum ET-1 concentration was significantly lower in FD-A treated rats when compared to those in controls. No significant differences were found in the components of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system between controls and FD-A treated rats. In conclusion, FD-A when given daily at doses of either 800 or 1000 mg kg−1 day−1 body weight reduces BP in SHR. This effect does not seem to involve the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone-system but might involve some other mechanisms.Abbreviations: FD-A: Ficus deltoidea Angustifolia; ACE: Angiotensin-converting enzyme; SHR: Spontaneously hypertensive rats; SBP: Systolic blood pressure; DBP: Diastolic blood pressure; AUC: Area under curve; RAAS: Renin Angiotensin Aldosterone System