Study on Medicinal Plants Used by the Ethnic Mamuju in West Sulawesi, Indonesia

Indonesia is known as a country with very high biodiversity, within which are potential medicinal plants that have not been fully explored or utilized. The potential of this natural biodiversity for the health and welfare of the Indonesian community is regarded as high, if it is properly utilized. An example of the potential bene ﬁ ts of these plants is re ﬂ ected in the types of traditional medicinal plants used by the Mamuju ethnic in West Sulawesi. This research aims to describe the types of plants used as traditional medicines by the Mamuju ethnic group. The study is based on descriptive approach that used a combination of observations, interviews and taxonomy. The results of the study revealed that there are 31 species of medicinal plants used as sources of traditional medicine by the Mamuju ethnic group, of which there are 33 medical herbs used for the treatment of 31 kinds of diseases. The health issues that are addressed through the use of medicinal plants include the treatment of some types of internal diseases, including cysts, cancer, tumors, high blood pressure, ulcers and diabetes; disease symptoms such as itching, swelling, myopic, new injuries and infections. Some traditional medicines are used in relation to onset of menstruation, and postpartum treatment. The plant components that are used for medicinal purposes include roots, stems, stem bark, leaves, ﬂ owers, fruit, seeds, rhizomes and tubers. However, the predominant plant component used for medicinal purposes is plant leaves.


Introduction
Tropical Indonesia is the country with the second highest level of natural biodiversity in the world after Brazil.Indonesia has between 25,000 and 30,000 species of plants, representing 80% of the world's plant species and 90% of the plant species in Asia (Pramono, 2002;Erdelen et al., 1999).PT. Eisai (1986) compiling results of the inventory, there are 7,000 species of plants in Indonesia that are used as sources of natural drugs by the people, if utilized properly.According to Hargono (1985) Indonesia has approximately 1,100 species of medicinal plants, while according to Heyne (1987) there are approximately 1,040 species of medicinal plants in the country based on seed plants.
The use of traditional medicinal plants has been practiced in Indonesia for several thousand years, and is refl ected in traditional art in Borobudur, and in written prescriptions on palm leaves in Bali in the period 991 to 1016 (Prianggono, 2007).Kuswanto et al. (2015) reported various medicinal plants used by communities live around mount Prau, Central Java, whereas Rifaí (2000) reported those in Madura Island.Medicinal plants of forest origin have received less attention, but their potential is regarded as being quite signifi cant in terms of economic value, processing technologies and marketing.
In addition to richness in the diversity of medicinal plants, Indonesia is also recognized for its rich diversity of ethnic groups and cultures.Indonesia has 1,128 tribes or ethnic groups that are widely distributed, from Sabang to Merauke.This diversity of ethnic groups has also resulted in signifi cant differences among the groups in the use of plants, in reference to economic, spiritual and cultural values, health, beauty and even the treatment of diseases (Prananingrum, 2007).Different ethnic groups have differences in repertoire, including their local knowledge of medicinal plants.This local knowledge about medicinal plants ranges from the introduction of plant species, the use and processing of different plant parts, and the effi cacy of treatments based on medicinal plants.However, the vast knowledge of the local communities about medicinal plants is gradually being lost (Correa, 2001), including in Indonesia.This refl ects the changes in the patterns of community life, such that Study on Medicinal Plants Used by the Ethnic Mamuju in West Sulawesi, Indonesia the knowledge and use of traditional plant medicines is being retained by smaller groups of people within the different ethnic communities.Changes in lifestyle of the people are also resulting in fewer medicinal plants being grown in household yards, and fewer people also recognizing the medicinal value of traditional medicines based on indigenous plants.The reluctance of people to grow medicinal plants has resulted in the rapid decline in indigenous knowledge about the use and meaning of the ethnobotany of medicinal plants.The rate of loss of traditional knowledge is greater than the rate of decline in natural plant biodiversity.
Concerns about the loss of natural resources, especially medicinal plants and traditional knowledge, have not been studied, while advances in technologies have been fast and complex, resulting in the exploitation of natural resources, including the extinction of some plant species and irreversible damage to natural habitats.An impact of cultural modernization is leading to the loss of traditional knowledge within communities as reported by Sofowara (2007) in Africa, and (Yesilada et al., 2007) in Turkey.Another concern related to the loss of medicinal plants is based on the perception that Indonesian traditional medicines are old fashioned and unscientifi c, with there being a lack of clinical trials to provide their potential benefi ts.However, some Asian countries, including Singapore, Philippines and Thailand, are increasing their use of traditional medicines, while Indonesia is tending to lag behind.This is refl ected in the level of technical reporting relating to medicinal plants, with only 0.0012% of technical reports in Indonesia being related to medicinal plants compared to 8% in Japan (Wijayakusuma, 2000).
There is a need for increased support for research and reporting on the potential value of medicinal plants within Indonesia.Wijayakusuma (2000) highlighted that, in order to utilize medicinal plants and to improve health services within communities, there is a need for increased support for the assessment of medicinal plants that are grow in different areas of Indonesia, and to share this information with the public.
The Mamuju are one of the local ethnic groups in West Sulawesi who had inhabited the area for a very long time.This community has a long specifi c culture which has included the use of traditional plants for medical purposes.However, there has been no research to examine the types of traditional medicinal plants used by the ethnic Mamuju.

Study Time and Location
This study was conducted in the period May to September 2015.The study focused on local communities of the ethnic Mamuju in the province of West Sulawesi.The study focused on the collation of information relating to the use of traditional medicinal plants in an historic context, as well as currently.The location of the study was in Tamang Padang and Karampuang Island, which are the areas occupied by ethnic Mamuju.

Material and Tools
The materials used for this research included a range of plant identifi cation guidebooks which are listed in the following table (Table 1) Beside the taxonomic books, several websites were also used for accessing information: www.Table 1.Plant taxonomy guidebooks used in this study.

Research Methods
The selection of respondents was done using the snowball sampling method, i.e. respondents as informants / traditional healers ("sando") were interviewed with their selection being based on information obtained from the village head and / or local community leaders.The collection of data was undertaken using an instrument or data collection tools, as outlined below:  In-depth interviews were conducted using a questionnaire which had been prepared in advance.The information collected included the following: the categories of plants used in medicinal treatments; the plant components used; how the plants and plant components are used; when does the treatment commence; what were the sources of information about the use of the plants as a treatment; and where can the plants be found. Observations, particularly direct observation made in the fi eld together with the respondents, were used to ensure the accuracy of the data collected, including: the environmental conditions in which the plants grow; the ecosystems in which the plants grow (primary forest, secondary forest, scrub, mangrove, etc.); and the location of growth in the ecosystem.Photographic records were also collated for documentation.In instances where the scientifi c name of a plant was not known, samples were collected for botanical identifi cation at the Biology Laboratory at UNM.For respondents who were unable to participate in fi eld visits for the identifi cation of plants, use was made of plant identifi cation documents to correctly identify the plants and plant components (Table 1).
The collected data were tabulated and analyzed in accordance with the research objectives of the study.

Results and Discussion
The Mamuju Ethnic Communities and Their

Knowledge of Plant Medicines
The Mamuju ethnic group is one of the ethnic groups that are found in several regions in Mamuju, South Sulawesi, including several regions in Mamuju, such as in the area of Tampa Padang and surrounding areas, as well as the island of Karampuang which is located opposite the City of Mamuju.As with other ethnic communities in Indonesia, the Mamuju ethnic communities have knowledge of diversity management of natural resources and the environment.Part of this knowledge relates to the use of plants for fulfi llment of their daily lives, including the use of plant based traditional medicines.In the context of this research, medicinal plants are all plants that can be used as a medicinal herb, either singly or as a component of mixtures, which are believed to cure a disease or potentially infl uence health.
Not all the people who belong to the ethnic Mamuju at research sites have the same level of knowledge to the use of medicinal plants.General beliefs about the usefulness or effi cacy of a medicinal plant species is not only derived from the experience and hereditary, but is also often associated with religious values.The public perceptions of ethnic Mamuju about pain depend on the viewpoint of each person.
In general, it can be said that pain is a condition that is not balanced, so it can affect their daily activities.
The cause of the different diseases also varies among the diseases.There is the general belief that nothing came of God, but some medical issues have supernatural origins.Therefore, the sando always rely on traditional medication, with constant appeals to the Creator for help, these appeals being expressed in the form of prayers or incantations, i.e. readings on the treatment of certain diseases, primarily derived from the supernatural.

Types of Plants Used as Sources of Medicinal Drugs
Based on the survey results there are 30 types of plants which are primarily used as medicines by people of ethnic Mamuju origin (based on the ethnic/ local names of the plants).Of the 30 plant categories, 23 have been botanically identifi ed to species level, and all have been identifi ed to family level (Table 2).However, there are also 7 plant types which have yet to be taxonomically identifi ed.  of the health department and the related distribution of drugs and vitamins, which has resulted in a decline in the public interest in traditional medicinal plants.
In order to preserve this traditional knowledge, it is necessary to counsel young people about the potential benefi ts of the use of medicinal plant medicines.
Based on the results of the interviews of representative of the Mamuju ethnic communities in this study, and the related survey of medicinal plants in the study area, it was apparent that the number of medicinal plants available to the ethnic communities has been reduced.This reduction is believed to be the result of the opening up of traditional forested areas for use as residential areas and for oil palm plantations.

Plant Components Used in Traditional Medicines
Based on the research data collected in the study it was apparent that the people in the Mamuju group use almost all parts of different plants for the treatment of various diseases.Of the 30 species of plants which were recorded as being used for medicinal purposes, almost all plants components were being commonly used, including the rhizome roots, rhizomes, stems, fruit, leaves and bark.Only plant roots and tubers Study on Medicinal Plants Used by the Ethnic Mamuju in West Sulawesi, Indonesia medicines, a total of 28 kinds of diseases were reported to be treated.Due to limited access to health facilities, these traditional medicinal plants still have an important role in some ethnic Mamuju communities.The medical uses of different plants and plant components which were reported by the survey respondents are summarized in Table 3.
Table 3. Data on medicinal plants used by ethnic Mamuju, West Sulawesi, to treat medical problems In treating a specifi c type of disease, people often use more than one type of plant in the form of potions.The use of traditional medicine is still widely practiced by people of Mamuju ethnicity, particularly for the treatment of medical issues that are regarded as being relatively mild, including coughs, skin diseases, diarrhea, wounds, fevers and headaches.
For the relatively mild problem of itches, the most widely plants used are red onion (Allium cepa), coconut (Cocos nucifera L.), pariah (Momordica charantia), and avocado (Persea americana).Among the four types of medicinal herbs, the most frequently and commonly used by people in the Mamuju ethnic group to treat itches is Momordica charantia.This plant species is generally readily accessible and is often cultivated in household yards and gardens.
The types of traditional medicinal herbs used by the Mamuju ethnic group involve as many as 33 types of herbs.The herbs in question may be used individually (one species) or more than one kind, to treat various types of medical problems.Among the respondents in this study, one fourth reported that they used various plants in the form of herbs for the treatment of a range of medical problems.The use of the herbs varied, ranging from being boiled and then consumed as a drink, being used for bathing, or being crushed into a powder and then used to cover a medical problem (e.g. an injury).Some herbs are also fi rst burnt with the ashes then being used for treatment.There is one medicinal herb which is mixed with chicken broth and then used as a protein supplement to accelerate the healing process.
Although there has been a reduction in the use of traditional plant based medicines in recent time, the ethnic Mamuju still appreciate the belief and traditions related to their use, which have been handed down through generations.The continuing use of these plants is refl ected in the fact that they are often present in the house yards or gardens, and/ or in community gardens, allowing them to be readily collected and used.Also, based on the interviews, the ethnic Mamuju have a concern about the loss of medicinal plants from the traditional/wild environment as a result of urban and agricultural developments, such that the plants are becoming less available in the natural environment.Included among these plants are Loranthus species which grows on rock and is only harvested when needed.
Despite the constraints about the ongoing use of plants for medicinal purposes, one point highlighted in the ongoing choice of this type of medicine is the fact that the cost of such treatment is relatively inexpensive relative to other options based on the use of processed and retailed medicines.Furthermore, these 'natural drugs' are regarded as being safe and do not require close supervision for their use or need the help of paramedics.Rather, family members can administer the medical treatment if the diagnosis of the medical problem needing treatment is clear.Further research will be conducted to examine medicinal plants and their traditional uses by other communities in different parts of Sulawesi.

Conclusion
There are 30 types of plants which are used as traditional medicines by the people in the Mamuju ethnic group ethnic Mamuju to treat 28 types of diseases.The 30 plant types used as sources of traditional medicines comprise 23 different species while 7 plants have yet to be taxonomically identifi ed.
The plant components which are used for medicinal purposes by the ethnic Mamuju include all plant components with the exception of roots, stems, rhizomes and tubers.The plant components most commonly used are the leaves, fruit and bark.The forms in which the traditional medicinal plants are mostly used by the ethnic Mamuju include kneaded or crushed materials, boiled and baked materials.
Syamsiah, Siti Fatmah Hiola, Andi Mu'nisa, Oslan Jumadi also traditional healers in West Sulawesi for their willingness to share information about the plants used as sources of traditional medicines.

Table 2
Study on Medicinal Plants Used by the Ethnic Mamuju in West Sulawesi, Indonesia

Table 2 .
Plants used for medicinal purposes by the ethnic Mamuju