Biodiversity is Indonesia's Valuable Asset

Author Apt. Amalia Vidhiyanti, S.Farm & Fachrudin Ali Ahmad, S.Sos.,MKM

Indonesia is the center of natural wealth and the source of world biodiversity. A country with very rich biodiversity, it has thousands of plant species that have been used traditionally as medicines.

In general, it is recorded that Indonesia has more than 30.000 plant species, and of that number, around 9.600 species are known to have economic value and uses, including as medicinal plants.

According to several sources and research, it is estimated that around 6.000 to 7.000 species of plants in Indonesia are used in traditional medicine to treat various diseases.

In Indonesia, there are several examples of medicinal plants that are effective for preventing diseases through preventive, promotive and curative efforts. As stated in the book Vademekum Medicinal Plants for Herbal Medicine Science Volume 1 and 2, some of these medicinal plants are as follows:

1. Sambiloto herb (Andrographis paniculata Burm.f. Nees) is effective in reducing fever, treating acute diarrhea, and functions as an immunostimulant.
2. Pule bark (Alstonia scholaris (L) R.Br) is used for the treatment of diabetes mellitus, analgesic, and antipyretic.
3. Celery leaves and herbs have diuretic properties, dissolve kidney stones, are anti-gout, lower cholesterol, are anti-microbial and anti-parasitic, and are anti-hypertensive.
4. Pegagan leaves and herbs (Centella asiatica (L) Urban) have antihypertensive, antistress, anticoagulant and anti-keloid properties.
5. Turmeric rhizome (Curcuma domestica Val.) has hepatoprotective, antihyperlipidemia, antihypercholesterolemia, joint and bone pain properties.
6. Temulawak rhizome (Curcuma xanthorrhiza Roxb.) has hepatoprotective properties
7. Dutch teak leaves (Guazuma ulmifolia Lamk.) are effective as a slimming agent, while the seeds are for digestive disorders.
8. Cat's Whiskers Leaves (Orthosiphon aristatus (Thunb.) BBS non Bth.) are effective as a diuretic, kidney stone dissolver and gout.
9. Meniran herb (Phyllanthus niruri L.) has diuretic, anti-inflammatory, liver protective, fever reducing and body resistance properties.
10. The Spoon Leaf herb (Plantago major L.) is efficacious as a wound healer, anti-diarrhea, diuretic, anti-pyretic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic and anti-oxidant, while the seeds function as a laxative, anti-inflammatory and carminative.
11. Tempuyung leaves (Sonchus arvensis L.) are effective for diuretics and urolithiasis.
12. Brotowali stems (Tinospora crispa (L) Miers ex Hook. F.& Thoms) are effective as an anti-diabetic
13. Secang wood (Caesalpinia sappan L.) is efficacious for treating joint pain, diarrhea, eye inflammation, and gout.
14. Teki rhizome (Cyperus rotundus L.) is effective for allergies, inflammation and pain.
15. The herb Rumput Bolong (Equisetum debile Roxb. Ex Vauch) is efficacious for fever, joint pain, urinary incontinence, wounds from broken bones.
16. The rhizomes and leaves of cogongrass (Imperata cylindrica (L) raeuschel) are effective as a diuretic, hepatoprotective and antihypertensive.
17. Kamilen flower (Matricaria chamomilla L.) is efficacious for dyspepsia, anti-inflammatory, anti-infection, and anti-diabetic.
18. Ekinase (Rudbeckia purpurea L.) is effective in increasing body resistance.
19. Bay leaves (Syzygium polyanthum (Wight) Walp.) are efficacious for treating diarrhea, diabetes, and as an astringent.
20. Thyme leaves and flowers (Thymus vulgaris L.) are effective as a cough medicine and anti-fungal.

The advantages of using medicinal plants and traditional medicines include relatively small side effects if used properly, components in one material have mutually supportive effects, one medicinal plant has several pharmacological effects, and is more suitable for degenerative metabolic diseases. The disadvantages of using them include weak pharmacological effects, raw materials have not been standardized and are hygroscopic and voluminous, clinical trials have not been conducted and are easily contaminated by various types of microorganisms (B2P2TOOT, 2008).

Proper Use of Traditional Medicine

The extract in the Journal of Pharmaceutical Science Magazine Volume III Number 1 (2006) added that the side effects of traditional medicine are relatively small if used properly. Properly includes:

1. Authenticity of materials
   Medicinal plants are very diverse and consist of various species including in Indonesia. Each species is sometimes difficult to distinguish from each other. There are medicinal plants that have similar shapes but have different properties. Determining the correct ingredients greatly determines the achievement of therapeutic effects. Such as in the lempuyang plant which consists of lempuyang emprit (Zingiber amaricans) and lempuyang gajah (Zingiber zerumbet) which are efficacious as appetite enhancers but are different from lempuyang wangi (Zingiber aromaticum) which is efficacious as a slimming agent.
2. Accuracy of dosage
   Excessive and inappropriate use of medicinal plants can actually be dangerous and make them poisonous. Because the nature of medicinal plants has an active compound content that is almost the same as chemical drugs. The use of medicinal plants must refer to the accuracy of the expected dosage supported by research results so that it is effective as a medicine and does not function as a dangerous poison.
3. Timeliness of use
   The right time of use greatly determines the therapeutic effect of the use of medicinal plants. For example, turmeric and tamarind are very good to consume during menstruation (Sastroamidjojo S, 2001). However, if taken at the beginning of pregnancy, it is at risk of causing miscarriage.
4. Correctness of use
   Medicinal plants are known to have many active substances that have certain properties. Each of these active substances requires different treatment. Inappropriate use can make it a poison. For example, datura if smoked like a cigarette can be used as an asthma medicine but if brewed and drunk can cause poisoning/drunk (Patterson S, and O'Hagan D., 2002).
5. Accuracy of information review
   The use of medicinal plants must be supported by research results and is expected to be socialized appropriately to related parties. Misinformation about the efficacy and use of medicinal plants can be dangerous for those who use them and cause dangerous side effects.
6. No abuse
   The use of medicinal plants is relatively easy to do because it does not require a doctor's prescription. Moreover, many medicinal plants are easily found around the house. Its use in the form of herbal medicine is relatively easy, especially herbal medicine that is freely sold in the community. The use of herbal medicine or medicinal plants that is not accompanied by sufficient knowledge can result in misuse that can cause dangerous effects. Like herbal medicine for late menstruation is often misused for abortion. The risks that occur are the baby being born with defects, the mother becoming infertile, infection occurring and even causing death.
7. The accuracy of drug selection for certain indications
   One type of medicinal plant has several active substances that are effective in treating one or several diseases. The level of success of therapy and the side effects caused must be considered in selecting the type of medicinal plant.

Indonesia's biodiversity is a valuable global asset. Preserving this natural wealth is not only important to maintain ecological balance but also supports the survival of local communities and provides economic opportunities through tourism and sustainable use of natural resources. One of them is alternative materials to support original Indonesian medicine.

Photo Source Canva