Supply and demand of medicinal plants: a preliminary study in the Northern states of Peninsular Malaysia

Norini H., . and Mohd Azmi M.I., . (2000) Supply and demand of medicinal plants: a preliminary study in the Northern states of Peninsular Malaysia. [Proceedings Paper]

The use of medicinal plants in human health care is recognised throughout the world. In fact the practice of using medicinal plants as traditional medicine has long been the way of life especially in rural areas. With the current research and technology some medicinal plants which were used in small quantities are now being produced commercially. In Malaysia three main races namely the Malay Chinese and Indians have been identified as the major users of medicinal plants either in their traditional practices or in the production of modem medicine. Indigenous groups known to have used medicinal plants in their everyday lives include Iban Bidayuh Kadazan and other aborigines. The common practitioners from these indigenous groups are normally elderly men or women who not only possess extensive knowledge of traditional medicine but also believed to possess supernatural powers. Parts of plants that are often used for remedies include roots leaves barks flowers and fruits that are usually harvested from the wild. Rural practitioners such as bomoh healers pawing and others usually collect small amounts of medicinal plants for traditional purposes. However with the increasing number of companies interested in producing traditional medicine commercially the demand for raw materials is expected to increase. To date there is no accurate documentation of the supply and demand of medicinal plants either on the part of collectors or from companies interested in the commercial production of traditional medicine. This paper highlights the scenario surrounding the collection of medicinal plants from the forests to the industry and estimates the medicinal-plant resources required for the production of traditional medicinal products in the Northern states of Peninsular Malaysia. Common problems encountered by traditional practitioners also are discussed.

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Abstract

The use of medicinal plants in human health care is recognised throughout the world. In fact the practice of using medicinal plants as traditional medicine has long been the way of life especially in rural areas. With the current research and technology some medicinal plants which were used in small quantities are now being produced commercially. In Malaysia three main races namely the Malay Chinese and Indians have been identified as the major users of medicinal plants either in their traditional practices or in the production of modem medicine. Indigenous groups known to have used medicinal plants in their everyday lives include Iban Bidayuh Kadazan and other aborigines. The common practitioners from these indigenous groups are normally elderly men or women who not only possess extensive knowledge of traditional medicine but also believed to possess supernatural powers. Parts of plants that are often used for remedies include roots leaves barks flowers and fruits that are usually harvested from the wild. Rural practitioners such as bomoh healers pawing and others usually collect small amounts of medicinal plants for traditional purposes. However with the increasing number of companies interested in producing traditional medicine commercially the demand for raw materials is expected to increase. To date there is no accurate documentation of the supply and demand of medicinal plants either on the part of collectors or from companies interested in the commercial production of traditional medicine. This paper highlights the scenario surrounding the collection of medicinal plants from the forests to the industry and estimates the medicinal-plant resources required for the production of traditional medicinal products in the Northern states of Peninsular Malaysia. Common problems encountered by traditional practitioners also are discussed.

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Item Type:	Proceedings Paper
Additional Information:	Available at Perpustakaan Sultan Abdul Samad Universiti Putra Malaysia 43400 UPM Serdang Selangor Malaysia. mal QK99 A1S471 2000 Call Number.
AGROVOC Term:	DRUG PLANTS
AGROVOC Term:	USES
AGROVOC Term:	TRADITIONAL MEDICINES
AGROVOC Term:	TRADITIONAL USES
AGROVOC Term:	MALAYSIA
Geographical Term:	MALAYSIA
Depositing User:	Ms. Suzila Mohamad Kasim
Last Modified:	24 Apr 2025 05:13
URI:	http://webagris.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/11274

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