Indonesia's Extraordinary Biodiversity

In 2013, Indah Yuning Prapti, Secretary General of the National Working Group of Indonesian Herbal Medicine, mentioned the results of the Ministry of Health survey at the seminar of "Forest and Medicinal Plants for People's Welfare" at Bogor Agricultural University. 

The survey targeted 20 percent of 1,168 ethnic groups in Indonesia, where more than 1,500 herbs were obtained from 24,927 species of local medicinal plants in Indonesia (Antara, 9/11/2013).

While data from the Research on Medicinal Plants and Herbs (RISTOJA) presented findings of 32,014 ingredients from 47,466 types of medicinal plants in Indonesia during 2012-2017 (Ristoja, 2017).

Ginger is a flowering plant that originated in Southeast Asia. It’s among the healthiest spices on the planet. Ginger can be used fresh, dried, powdered, or as an oil or juice. It’s a very common ingredient in multiple recipes around the world. 

Commonly known as “temulawak” or Javanese turmeric is a member of the ginger family (Zingeberaceae), which is a native Indonesian plant. The roots has high anti-oxidant quality and used as medicinal herbs for anti-oxidants and anti-inflammatory quality.

In ethnobotany, galangal has medicinal effects as it alleviates respiratory diseases and stomach problems. In commerce, galangals are commonly available in Asian markets as whole fresh rhizome, or in dried and sliced, or powdered form.

The leaves and leaf stalks, which are also fragrant, were used to enhance the flavor in different proteins. Traditionally, the aromatic ginger family were sliced, dried, and pounded to a powder. 

Bangle is visually similar to ginger but it has different composition and use. Bangle is widely used in Southeast Asia for fever, headaches and gastroesophageal reflux. 

Curcumin is the main active ingredient in turmeric. It has powerful anti-inflammatory effects and is a very strong antioxidant. Turmeric is used in medicinal herbs, traditional food and also natural dye. 

Morinda citrifolia is a fruit-bearing tree in the coffee family, Rubiaceae. Its native range extends across Southeast Asia and Australasia. Noni  has been introduced as a supplement in various formats, such as capsules, skin care products and juices.

Commonly called 'kencur'  the rhizome is used as an herb in cooking in Indonesia, ('cekur' in Malaysia), and especially in Javanese and Balinese cuisines. Beras kencur, which combines dried K. galanga powder with rice flour, is a particularly popular jamu herbal drink.

This bitter tasting stem is widely used to support diabetic treatment. In Java, Brotowali is commonly called antawali or daun gadel or putrawali. In Bali it is commonly called antawali. 

The tamarind tree produces brown, pod-like fruits that contain a sweet, tangy pulp, which is used in cuisines around the world. The pulp is also used in traditional medicine including in Jamu.

The Javanese long pepper (Piper retrofractum Vahl), locally known as cabya. The plant is considered rare that cabya consumption until today it is only used in traditional herbal medication and in making jamu.