- Traditional Malay medicine in Malaysia has been shaped by influences from Indonesia, West Asia (especially Arabs), and India. This system, called perubatan Melayu, combines herbal remedies, spiritual practices, and community health care. Knowledge was passed down orally from one generation to another. Only trusted pupils were taught special skills, so without written records, much of the knowledge could be lost [1].
- Malay healers include the bomoh (traditional healer), tukang urut (masseur), tok mudin (circumcision specialist), and bidan (midwife). Each has a role: the bomoh uses herbs and rituals; the tukang urut treats muscle pain and helps women recover after childbirth; the tok mudin carries out circumcision as a cultural and religious practice; and the bidan helps during childbirth and with women’s health [1].
- Eight plants are well known as the main ingredients in Malay herbal medicine: Eurycoma longifolia (tongkat ali), Labisia pumila (kacip fatimah), Centella asiatica (pegaga), Cinnamomum spp. (teja lawang), Curcuma xanthorrhiza (temu lawak), Andrographis paniculata (akar cerita or hempedu bumi), Morinda citrifolia (mengkudu), and Kaempferia galanga (cekur) [2]. Other important plants are Acorus calamus (jerangau), Orthosiphon aristatus (misai kucing), Melaleuca cajaputi (gelam), Cymbopogon citratus (lemon grass), Zingiber zerumbet (lempoyang pahit), Costus speciosus (setawar), and Datura metel (kecubung) [3].
- Beyond the well-documented species, recently more plants are being recognized for their medicinal importance through ethnomedicinal research. Research studies provide evidence for Clinacanthus nutans (belalai gajah) potential as an anti-cancer, anti-inflammaory agent, and anti-viral agent [4]. Strobilanthes crispa (pecah beling) is taken as tea for the relief of kidney stones, diabetes, and cancer [5]. Blumea balsamifera (sambong) is used as a diuretic, to treat wounds, cough and cold [6]. Phyllanthus niruri (dukung anak) is used to improveliver health, jaundice, and kidney stones [7].
- These examples show how Malay medicine integrates plant use with cultural and spiritual practices. Even though modern medicine is now widely practiced, Malay traditional medicine continues to be valued by many communities. It is important to document, conserve, and research these plants to ensure knowledge is preserved for future generations and be used in a safe and sustainable way.
Table 1: Some of Medicinal Plants in Traditional Malaysian medicinal systems [8].
| Scientific name | Local name | Uses |
| Aloe vera L. | Lidah buaya | Stomach upset, poor digestion |
| Morinda citrifolia L. | Mengkudu | Menstrual cramps, bowel irregularities, urinary tarct infections, infantile diarrhea, nasal congestion |
| Piper sarmentosum Roxb. | Kaduk, daun sirih | Coughs, mouth odor, acne, gum problems, whitish discharge in the menstrual cycle of women |
| Acorus calamus L. | Jerangau | Hypertension, diabetes, bacterial and viral infections |
| Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) Wall. ex Nees | Hempedu bumi | As an anti-phlogistic, postpartum care, and as a digestive aid |
| Orthosiphon aristatus (Blume) Miq. | Misai kucing | Hypertension, rheumatic fever, gout, arthritis, diabetes. |
| Eurycoma longifolia Jack | Tongkat ali | Aphrodisiac, used as a supplement for body building. |
| Centella asiatica | Pegaga | Skin irritations, mental weakness, hypertension |
References:
- Haliza A. Traditional Malay medicine. Kuala Lumpur: Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka; 1988.
- Azizol AK, Rasadah MA. Medicinal and aromatic plants in Malaysia. Kuala Lumpur: Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM); 1998.
- Latiff A. Utilisation of medicinal plants in Malaysia. Kuala Lumpur: Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM); 1997.
- Wiart C. Medicinal Plants of Asia and the Pacific. Boca Raton: CRC Press; 2006.
- Ali RB, Atangwho IJ, Kuar N, Mohamed EAH, Mohamed AJ, Asmawi MZ, et al. Hypoglycemic and anti-diabetic activity of Strobilanthes crispa. J Ethnopharmacol. 2018; 214:56–62.
- Ong HC, Nordiana M. Malay ethno-medico botany in Machang, Kelantan, Malaysia. Fitoterapia. 1999;70(5):502–13.
- Zakaria ZA, Mohd MA, Somchit MN, Teh LK, Salleh MZ, Long K, et al. Traditional Malay medicinal plants used for the treatment of diabetes. J Ethnopharmacol. 2012;139(2):747–54.
- Khatun MA, Harun-Or-Rashid M, Mohammed Rahmatullah MR. Scientific validation of eight medicinal plants used in traditional medicinal systems of Malaysia: a review.
