Local plants trove of medicinal and health supplements
by Antonia Chiam, reporters@theborneopost.com. Posted on September 6, 2011, Tuesday
KUCHING: There are many people who are unaware of local plants and their potential as medicinal and health supplements.
This is one among many reasons that makes complementary medicine still unpopular in the mainstream society, said renowned local botanist Dr Paul Chai in a talk on the subject yesterday.
“The potential for herbal medicine are many. There has been an exponential increase in herbal products sales in the last 20 years.
“More and more Western doctors are studying traditional medicine to complement their practice. There are advanced courses available in Western countries on this subject.
“Yet, there are locals who are still not aware or choose not to believe in the potential healing virtues of these plants for many reasons,” he said.
Some of the reasons why complementary medicine are unpopular includes the fact that there is no profit because it cannot be patented as well as a wide belief in the science circle that it is unscientific.
“People also believe that complementary medicine is slow to take effect. They only turn to these kind of cures once they run out of options and use it as an alternative treatment,” Chai pointed out.
Another possible reason would be the conflict of economic interest between Western and traditional medicine providers.
“However, over the years there is a rising trend to combine Western and traditional medicine to treat diseases, as scientific research in complementary medicine and their effects are known.
“Also people who are more health conscious seek natural remedies to prevent diseases and maintain health,” he noted in his presentation.
In relation to our local Sarawakian plants, Chai said there was an immense untapped economic potential in our forests.
“For example, simpor gajah (Dillenia Suffruticosa), which can be found in secondary forests, is used by the natives to treat many kinds of disease. The Ibans and Lun Bawangs use the tea of the roots for stomach ache, while the Kedayans used it as an ingredient for a post-childbirth tonic drink.
Then there’s the bipanggil (Clerodendron Squamatum) flower which is used as tea for persistent cough by the Kayans and the Chinese used the pounded leaves with rice wine to heal broken bones,” he said.
Chai pointed out there are challenges in managing Sarawak’s plant resources.
“Much of the traditional medicine knowledge are kept by elders. This knowledge is not shared with the rest of society and transmitted orally to the next generation with no written record.
“Scientific names are vital for documentation but some of these plants are only known by their local names so it is hard to keep track of them,” he observed.
Other challenges include large-scale degradation and deforestation that threaten the habitats of these plants.
The talk, which was held at Sarawak Biodiversity Centre, attracted about 50 attendees from various departments and organisations.
Chai was Sarawak’s first local botanist when he began his career with the Forest Department in 1970. In 1993, he became the consultant and project manager for the International Tropical Timber Organisation (ITTO) and has since led ITTO-supported projects in biodiversity conservation in the state.
His interest in medicinal plants developed during his earlier expeditions into the interiors of Sarawak and has since become known for his expertise in the subject.
