Traditional medicinal plants used by To Bungku Ethnic in Morowali District, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia

Abstract

Abstract. Pitopang R, Asrun, Banilai PAS, Sangadji MN, Mertosono S. 2025. Traditional medicinal plants used by To Bungku Ethnic in Morowali District, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia. Asian J For 9: 45-52. Plants play an imperative role in the well-being of human being as they deliver the fundamental needs of mankind, that is, food, shelter, clothing, and medicines. They also provide the basis for centuries-old traditional medicinal systems. The objective was to explore species of medicinal plants used in Sakita Village, Bungku Tengah, Central Sulawesi including information about the parts used, method of use, and habitus. Data were collected through direct observation, participatory observation, interview, and literature review. A snowball method was used to obtain appropriate respondents, including village, custom (adat), traditional (sando), and religious leaders, rattan and dammar collectors, as well as farmers. The collection and photography of all samples of medicinal plants were conducted, followed by their identification at the Laboratory of Plant Biosystematics, Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, and the Herbarium Celebense (CEB), Tadulako University. The results showed that there were 37 species of plants, consisting of 26 families used as traditional medicine by To Bungku ethnic. The family widely used is Zingiberaceae (4 species) then followed by Euphorbiaceae (3 species), Fabaceae, Arecaceae, Asteraceae, and Myrtaceae with 2 species. Furthermore, methods of use included boiling, pounding, consuming directly, squeezing, spreading, and chewing. The organs mostly used were leaves, stems, bark, fruit, and rhizomes, with the highest percentage being leaves at 51%. The percentage of plants with the highest use was tofu-tofu (Cheilocostus speciosus (J.Koenig) C.D. Specht) at 100% and the lowest was benalu (Macrosolen cochinchinensis (Lour) Van Tieng) at only 16%.