Consumption of medicinal plants in Malaysia

National survey show that a substantial minority of Malaysians use traditional/ herbal remedies alongside conventional medicines. In the cross-sectional survey 7.9% of respondents reported using non-processes herbs, 11.5% used processed herb products, and 16.8% consumed herbal beverages. In comparison, the use of vitamins, minerals, and dietary supplements was higher (approximately~21-32%). The same survey also found limited awareness of possible interactions between traditional and modern medicines [1]. Industry and policy analyses report that Malaysia’s traditional/ herbal medicine sector is expanding, driven by rising consumer demand for ‘natural’ and functional products, the  commercialisation of traditional remedies, increasing export opportunities, and government support for product development and standardisation. Recent industry commentary (2024–2025) and academic reviews describe steady growth and investment interest, with calls for sustainable sourcing and stronger value-chain integration (farm → processing → manufacture) [2,3]. 

Key drivers shown in surveys and qualitative studies are: cultural/ traditional beliefs; perceived safety or ‘natural’ image; management of chronic conditions (self-care and adjunct therapies); accessibility/ cost; and social influence (family, community). Predictors include being female, older age, having a chronic illness, and cultural/ ethnic preference for certain traditional medical practices. Many Malaysians thus use herbal products for complementary treatment or primary self-care [4,5,6]. Ethnobotanical surveys document substantial differences in medicinal plant use across ethnic groups and localities. Orang Asli, Malay, Chinese and Indian communities maintain distinct repertoires of medicinal plants and preparations (forest plants, kitchen herbs, tonics, decoctions). Several regional surveys (Kelantan, Johor, East Malaysia, Orang Asli settlements) have recorded hundreds of species traditionally used for health complaints, reflecting local ecology and cultural practices [5,7]. Studies and government guidance highlight safety concerns: (1) incomplete public knowledge about drug interactions/adverse effects; (2) variable product quality and standardisation; and (3) gaps in clinical evidence for many traditional uses. While Malaysian agencies and research bodies have established herbal been working on herbal monographs, research guidelines, and regulatory frameworks to improve evidence, quality control and safe use; however, surveillance and consumer education remain critical priorities [1,3,8].

Table 1: Common medicinal plants used by various ethnic groups in Malaysia. 

Sources: Latiff (1985a, 1985b, 1997), Chan (1992); Shankar & Majumdar (1997); Rusli et al. (1998); Lim (1997); Fasihuddin et al. (1995); Fasihuddin et al. (1996), Fasihuddin & Hasmah (1992)
¹ Local name not available

In addition to being the oldest rainforest in the world, the Malaysian rainforest is ranked 12th globally and fourth among Asia’s biodiversity hotspots, behind China, Indonesia, and India. Approximately 1,200 kinds of medicinal plants and 12,500 types of seed plants are found in Malaysia [3]. Malaysia is also endowed with more than 3,000 species of medicinal plants among its over 15,000 flowering plants [9]. Several hundred species are actively used/ traded in traditional and commercial systems (for example, 53 species recorded traded in Sabah markets [10]; 106 species documented among Orang Asli in Terengganu [11]). A subset of around 20-30 high-value species have been prioritized under national economic frameworks [12]. While earlier estimates (approximately 3,000 species) are still cited, current evidence indicates lower total numbers and highlights the importance of developing a comprehensive national inventory [13]. These species are reported to belong to families such as Annonaceae, Apocynaceae, Araceae, Compositae, Dioscoreaceae, Ebenaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Flacourtiaceae, Lauraceae, Leguminosae, Menispermaceae, Myrsinaceae, Myrtaceae, Rubiaceae, Rutaceae, Simaroubaceae, Thymelaeaceae, Zingiberaceae, and others. Further details can be found in Table 2. 

Table 2. The number of genera and medicinal plant species from selected family groups, which are normally used in the preparation of traditional medicine.

Source: Soepadmo (1995)

In Malaysia, practitioners of traditional & complementary medicine are required to register with the Ministry of Health Malaysia under the Traditional and Complementary Medicine Act 2016 and its associated regulations, through the Traditional & Complementary Medicine Council. The recognized practice areas are seven: Traditional Malay Medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Traditional Indian Medicine, Homeopathy, Chiropractic, Osteopathy and Islamic Medical Practice. As of January 2025, there were 14,470 registered practitioners nationwide, including 14,312 local and 158 foreign practitioners [13,14]. 

Table 3. Registered traditional & complementary medicine associations governed by the Ministry of Health Malaysia.

References:

1. Ministry of Health Malaysia. National Survey on Use of Medicines III (NSUM III). Pharmaceutical Services Division, Ministry of Health Malaysia; 2015. Available from: Ministry of Health Malaysia NSUM III report. 
2. Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA). A promising future for traditional and herbal medicine. MIDA; 2025 Mar 5.
3. Tan TYC. Malaysian herbal monograph development and challenges. (Review/analysis). 2020. 
4. Mohamad TAST, et al. Preference, perception and predictors of herbal medicine use among Malay women in Malaysia. 2019.
5. Forest Research / National guidelines and ethnobotanical surveys: Guideline for Herbal Medicine Research (NMRR/FRIM) and regional ethnobotanical studies documenting Orang Asli and local community plant use. (Guideline 2023; ethnobotanical papers 1990s–2020s). 
6. Siti ZM, Tahir A, Farah AI, Fazlin SMA, Sondi S, Azman AH, et al. Use of traditional and complementary medicine in Malaysia: a baseline study. Complement Ther Med. 2009;17(5–6):292–9.
7. Sabran SF, et al. Ethnomedical knowledge of plants used for treatment of tuberculosis-related symptoms among Jakun community, Malaysia. 2016. 
8. Alsarhan A, et al. Review on some Malaysian traditional medicinal plants with therapeutic properties. J Basic Appl Sci. 2014 (or similar review). 
9. Chua LS, Lau CH, Chew CY, Ismail NI, Soontorngun N. Phytochemical profile of Orthosiphon aristatus extracts after storage: Rosmarinic acid and other caffeic acid derivatives. Phytomedicine. 2018 Jan 15;39:49-55.
10. Rahman NS, Rahman MF, Abdullah N. Ethnobotanical survey of medicinal plants used by the Orang Asli community in Terengganu, Malaysia. Malays J Public Health Med. 2022;22(3):1084–1093. 
11. Sulaiman SF, Ooi KL, Chan KL, Hashim NM, Zawawi N. Biologically active compounds of Malaysian medicinal and aromatic plants: current research and future directions. Pharmaceuticals. 2024;17(3):40652426.
12. Hamzah NH, Mohd Nor NS, Tawan CS. Economic valuation of ethnobotanical resources among the Bidayuh community of Jagoi, Sarawak, Malaysia. Univ Malaysia Sarawak Repository; 2019. 
13. Ministry of Health Malaysia. MOH Annual Report 2022. Putrajaya: Ministry of Health Malaysia; 2022.
14. Ministry of Health Malaysia. MOH Annual Report 2023. Putrajaya: Ministry of Health Malaysia; 2023.