SOME PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS OF SABAH’S TRADITIONAL MEDICINAL PLANTS

Pounis Guntavid @ Joseph

From time immemorial man has used plants growing around him to cure his common ailments. In spite of the wide usage of herbal cures for millenniums so far only a small percentage of plants construct the materia medica of the world.

The study of materia medica of Sabah has increased in recent years in response to a growing need to document traditional knowledge of medicinal plants. This knowledge is rapidly diminishing as traditional herbal cures are giving way to modern western medicine.

The practitioners of traditional medicine who usually function as ritual specialists as well in local customary practices are also diminishing in numbers. These are the bobolian (Dusun) or bobohizan (Kadazan), tantagas (Lotud), tabit (Bajau), and bomoh or dukun (Brunei) who usually have to undergo long periods of training to acquire such knowledge and skills.

Their knowledge of the human physiology and anatomy is naturally limited. So treatment using herbal medicines is usually prescribed to those afflictions, the symptoms of which are obvious and which over the years have become common, such as dysentery, consumption and the like.

But such diseases related to the internal organs of the body, such as heart trouble, abdominal pains, hysteria and other unusual complaints which visibly affect physical behaviour are ascribed to the influence of the supernatural or witchcraft.

Somewhere in the past these medicinal plants were discovered through various physical experiences of the users. The knowledge of their remedies was probably acquired through dreams (metaphysical), "doctrines of signatures"¹, actives principles², such as sour, sweet, bitter etc. and religious beliefs.

The effectiveness of the plants in the healing depends on the chemical compounds present in them. These compounds vary in different plants and they may either act synergistically or antagonistically, their effectiveness depending on time.

The primary objective of this paper is to draw attention to the conversation of these plants. As many people are unaware of their medicinal value they are in danger of being destroyed or eradicated from our environment.

CLASSIFICATION

Here are some common plants which have been classified according to their use for certain ailments. However, many Sabah herbal medicines, from research shown so far, rarely exhibit any phytochemical substances that could harm the organisms causing the complaint although certain compounds which have an effect the body are reported to be present. Certain herbal medicines are common to the many indigenous groups in Sabah. They use the same plants, prepare and administer them in similar ways.

Abortients (Abortifacient)

The common abortients employed in family planning are:-

Male flowers of Carica papaya L., (Caricaes) "Tapayas" (Dusun) or "Tapazas" (Kadazan) which is decocted with Allium cepa L., (Amaryllidaceae) "Bawang merah" (Bahasa Malaysia) and Nigellia sativum L., (Scrophulariaceae) "Jintan hitam", and this decoction is drunk. Some indigenous races believe that Tinospora crispa Miers, (Mienispermaceae) "sapai" (Dusun/kadazan) or "Sasapai" (Murut) can cause abortion if a poultice of the pounded stem is applied to the stomach. The Ananas comosus (L) Merr., (Bromeliaceae) "Nanas" (Kadazan/Dusun) or "Nenas" (Bahasa Malaysia) is sometimes eaten as a vegetable and mixed with a little alcohol (ethanol) usually of "tapai" origin to induce a miscarriage.

Anthelmintic, vermifuge

Bark decoction of the tuber of Manihot esculenta Crantz., (Euphorbiaceae) "Mundok" (Dusun/Kadazan) or "ubi kayu" (Bahasa Malaysia) when drunk is said to be anthelmintic. The bitter seeds and tree bark of Lansium domesticum Correg., (Meliaceae) "Lansat" (Dusun/Kadazan) or "Langsat" (Bahasa Malaysia) is also reported to act as a vermifuge. The infusion of the fruits, leaves or the roots of Brucea javanica (Lam.) Pers., (Simaroubaceae) "Garakat" (Dusun) or "Lodo Porok" (Bajau) or "Lada Pahit" (Bahasa Malaysia) is also reputed to have the anthelmintic properties.

Antipyretic and febrifuge

Although the indigenous groups of Sabah are not always accurate in their diagnosis of malarial and other fevers they often correctly diagnose changes of body temperature, physique and appetite. The commonest plants containing drugs are the Eurycoma spp., (Simaroubaceae) often called as "Tombuid" (Dusun) or "Wanod mondou" (dusun) or "Tongkat Ali" (Bahasa Malaysia) which has a bitter principle. In this treatment, decoction or infusion of the whole plant is taken internally. One celebrated medicine that is thought to have a powerful affect against high fever is composed of seven different species of plants which are used in a single preparation. This medicine is administered by pounding the plants together and made into a poultice. The prescribed colour of the poultice is blood-red. The preparation comprises Clausena excavate Burm., (Rutaceae) "Lango-langot" (Dusun), Nephrolepis falcata (Cav.) C. Chr., (Asclepediaceae) "Monompuru" (Dusun), Leucosyke capitella (Poir) Wedd., (Urticaceae), "Mandahasi" (Dusun), Erythrina varicgata L., (Leguminosae) "Dadap" (Bajau) and another two leguminous plants.

Antidote (For snake bite)

The plants used as an antidote for snake bite are:

Begonia burbidgei Stapf, (Begoniaceae), Pedilanthus tithymaloides Poit., (Euphhorbiaceae) "Bunga Ular" (Bahasa Malaysia), capsicum frutescens L., (Solanaceae) "Lusung" (Dusun), Vitis lanceolarium Wall., (Vitaaceae), "Pupus" (Dusun/Kadazan). The sap of pedilanthus tithymaloides and Vitis lanceolarium is smeared on to the bitten parts; or the leaves and fruits of Begonia burbidget or capsicumfrutescens are crushed and applied to the affected parts.

Diarrhea, dysentery

Plants commonly used to treat dysentery are: Amaranthus spinosus L., (Amaranthaceae) "Gansam lodut" (Dusun), "Phyllanthus ninuri L., (Euphorbiaceae) "Nipon-nipon" (Dusun), "Imperata cylinderica (L.) Beauv., (Graminae) "Paka" (Dusun), Sesbania grandiflora (L.) Pers. (Leguminosae) "Kambang turi" (Dusun/Kadazan). Angiopteris evecta (Forst) Hoffm., (Marratiaceae) "Paku rundum " (Dusun), Lansium domesticum Correg., (meliaceae) "Lansat" (Dusun), Psidium gujava L., (Myrtaceae) "Liabas" (Dusun), Vitex Pubescens Vahl., (Verbena) "Kalipapoh" (dusun) or "Kulimpapa" (Brunei), Cocos nucifera Whitmore. (Palmae) "Piasau" (Dusun/Kadazan) and Centella asiatica (L.) (Urb., (Verbenaceae). Each plant is used individually and alternatively of the other. Where the plant is more widely distributed is used more frequently. Nearly all the plants used are decocted and the decoction drunk. Plants used against diarrhea are quite similar to that of dysentery except that plants like Urena lobata L., (Malvaceae) "pulut-pulut" (Bajau) and Callicarpa candicans (Burm.) Hochr., (Verbenaceae) "Liwu-liwu" (Dusun) area added.

Eye diseases

There are at least five species of plants used for eye diseases especially conjunctivitis and cancer of the cornea, "lantok" (Dusun). The plants include Ceiba pentandra (L.) Gaertn., (Bombaceae) "Kapok" (Dusun/Kadazan), Euphorbia hirta L., (Euphorbiaceae) "Ara tanah" (Bahasa Malaysia) Pericampytus glaucous (Lam.) Merr., (Menispermaceae) "Lomu-lomu" (Dusun), Leucosyke capitella (Poir.) Wedd., (Urticaceae) "Mandahasi" (Dusun) and costus speciosus (Koeing) Sm., (Zingiberaceae) "Tangkar-angkar" (Dusun). In this case the sap of individual plant is allowed to drip in to the eyes so that it can gently wash the eyes.

Skin diseases

Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott., (Araceae) "Daar" (Dusun/Kadazan) or "Keladi’ (Bahasa Malaysia). This plants is used to treat athlete’s foot (Singapore Foot). The gelatinous sap is heated and allowed to drip on to the affected parts. Cassia alata L., (Leguminosae) "Gombirang" (Dusun) or "gelenggang" (Bahasa Malaysia). This is well-known as a remedy for skin diseases such as Tinea capititis, Tinea tonsurans and other skin complaints.

Diabetes

For diabetes only certain plants are used. These include Sansevieria trifasciata Prain., (Agavacae) "Lidah Biawak’ (Brunei/Bahasa Malaysia) and Momordica charantia L., (Cucurbitaseae) "Kunsung" (Dusun/Kadazan) or "peria" (Bahasa Malaysia). Methods of administration are similar, that is, by decoction and decoction drunk.

Insecticides

Some plants are reputed to have insecticidal effect on parasitic insects such as lice and mosquitoes. Among plants are used:

Gardenia merrilli Rochst., (Rubiaceae) "Kelok-kelok" (Bajau) and Brucea javanica (Lam.) Pers., (Simaroubaceae) "Lada pahit" (Bahasa Malaysia) or "garakat" (Dusun) are used against lice and other parasitic insects. The fruits of both species are crushed individually and rubbed into the hair. The epicarp of Lansium domesticum Correg., (Meliaceae) "Lansat" (Dusun) left to dry and burnt is very effective against mosquitoes.

CONCLUSION

The study of traditional medicinal plants of Sabah is still a neglected topic especially in the field of research of natural resources. As conversations is the primary objective, priority should be on educating the public. With public awareness perhaps it may be easier to conduct a more systematic study of the traditional medicinal plants of Sabah.

References

Corner, E.J.H 1952 Wayside Trees Of Malaya. 2 Vols. Government Printers, Singapore

Guntavid, Pounis @ Joseph 1982 Preliminary Observations On Traditional Medicinal Plants Of Sabah. B Sc. (Hons).  Thesis: Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kampus Sabah.

Merrill, E.D. 1912. A Flora Of Manila, Manila Bureau Of Printing

Perry, L.M.. 1980.  Medicinal Plants Of East And South-East Asia, Massachussetts Inst. Tech. Press.Cambridge, Massachussetts.

Ridley, H.N.1922-1996 Flora Of Malay Peninsula, 5 Vols. J., Reeve Co., London.

Ridley, H. N. 1894 Malay Materia Medica, Journ. Str. Med. Assoc. 5: 122-138.