By embracing the wisdom of herbs, we unlock the door to our own healing powers
– Alchemy of Herbs
Much of Belaga’s unique history was submerged when the Bakun Dam reservoir flooded the entire valley two decades ago. The original settlements of ancient minority tribes, including the Lahanan ethnic communities, were also submerged. In Sarawak, the Lahanan stands out as one of the most unique and rare ethnic groups that continue to thrive today. Their histories are believed to trace back over a millennium. The head village reports that the current population of the Lahanan stands at just a few thousand individuals. “The population continues to dwindle each year, as the older generation passes away and the youth migrate and form unions with other ethnic communities,” remarked Emu Adah, a local lahanan in Belaga.
Rare ethnic groups exist in Sarawak
The Lahanan tribe residing in Belaga exemplifies the rich ethnic, cultural, and traditional heritage of Sarawak. Their daily lives continue to reflect this diversity, particularly in their utilisation of plants for traditional medicine. These plants serve a purpose beyond traditional medicine; they also contribute significantly to their economy and diet.
Traditional Medicine
Plants are still highly used by the Lahanan people in their traditional medicine. Using medicinal herbs is seen to be a safer choice since, in comparison to modern medical procedures, its adverse effects are less likely. Moreover, medical plants are cheap and fit for their natural habitat. Though we don’t fully understand how all of these plants work, the evidence suggests that many are incredibly effective.
Kayau anyik
Scientifically known as Mullotus mollissimus, kayau anyik is used to relieve the eye pain.
Urau iyak
Originally found wild in the rainforests, the increased demand for urau iyak means that it’s now grown in special jungle plantations. It is scientifically known as Clerodendrum japonicum, incredibly nutrient rich and has long been used by the lahanan people to treat kidney stone.
Daun rebus
The plant grows wild in the forest, and local people believe it is effective in treating constipation or diarrhoea.
Rainforest Plants and Modern Medicine
At present, approximately 25% of modern pharmaceuticals originate from rainforest plants, yet only about 1% of the existing jungle species have undergone scientific testing to date. As we deepen our understanding of our jungle and its plant life, the potential for discovering medicinal benefits could expand significantly.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mohamad Maulana, an anthropologist from the Universiti Putra Malaysia, who wasn’t part of the scientific research, expressed his surprise at the remarkable level of culture uniqueness in medicinal plant knowledge. He has talked before about the similarities between culture and biological diversity, noting that they have developed in surprisingly similar ways, and both are facing a crisis of extinction.
Challenging economic circumstances and inadequate medical facilities have led rural communities to rely on herbal medicine. The accumulation of knowledge about the ethnomedicinal significance of diverse local plants can aid in drug discovery and promote sustainable development. Additionally, medicinal plants that are categorised as near threatened could be prioritised for conservation efforts. Figuring out which species to prioritise is one of the strategies for conservation.
