AN ETHNOBOTANICAL STUDY OF MEDICINAL PLANTS IN MALAY TRADITIONAL MIDWIFERY AS POTENTIAL MALAY GARDEN DESIGN ELEMENTS

KAJIAN ETNOBOTANI TUMBUHAN PERUBATAN DALAM PERBIDAN TRADISIONAL MELAYU SEBAGAI POTENSI ELEMEN REKA BENTUK TAMAN MELAYU

Authors

  • Rashidi Othman Herbarium unit, Department of Landscape Architecture, Kulliyyah of Architecture and Environmental Design, International Islamic University Malaysia, 53100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
  • ‘Ainmunira Khiruddin Herbarium unit, Department of Landscape Architecture, Kulliyyah of Architecture and Environmental Design, International Islamic University Malaysia, 53100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
  • Razanah Ramya Institute of the Malay World and Civilization, National University of Malaysia, 43600 Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
  • Farah Ayuni Mohd Hatta Institute of Islam Hadhari, National University of Malaysia
  • Wan Syibrah Hanisah Wan Sulaiman International Institute of Halal Research and Training, International Islamic University Malaysia, 53100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
  • Nur Hanie Abd Latiff International Institute of Halal Research and Training, International Islamic University Malaysia, 53100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Abstract

Abstract

In Malaysia, people have traditionally engaged in pre and postnatal care. However, the traditional practice's accompanying information is rarely documented and is simply passed down the generations. Only a few individuals are aware of and believe in the efficacy of herbs for postpartum recovery. The study aimed to explore medicinal plant species utilized by the Malay traditional midwifery and further integrate them into Malay garden design elements. The qualitative approach used in this research was a semi-structured interview at Kampung Panji and Kampung Bandar in Kelantan. They were Malay midwives who had experience as traditional Malay traditional midwifery practitioners. This study indicated that the commonly preferred pre and postnatal care were swinging the tummy, traditional bath, point massage, body wrap and traditional massage and miscarriage treatment. Overall, 44 medicinal plants used by both midwives were categorized into several categories; trees, palm, shrubs, herbaceous, climber and macrophytes. The researcher developed three Malay design concepts from the information gathered: laman tiba, laman sisi and laman suri. These new ethnobotanical records were a valuable source for preserving traditional knowledge of plant species through their integration into the Malay landscape.

Keywords: Landscape ethnobotany, traditional Malay midwifery, herbal, medicinal plant, Malay garden, Malay cultural heritage

 

Abstrak

 Di Malaysia, secara tradisinya masyarakat telah terlibat dalam penjagaan semasa bersalin dan selepas bersalin. Walau bagaimanapun, amalan tradisional ini kurang didokumentasikan dan hanya diturunkan dari generasi ke generasi seterusnya sahaja. Terdapat sebahagian individu sahaja yang sedar dan percaya kemujaraban tumbuhan herba dalam proses pemulihan selepas bersalin. Kajian ini bertujuan untuk meneroka penggunaan tumbuhan perubatan tradisional yang digunakan oleh bidan Melayu dan seterusnya mengintegrasikan tumbuhan ini sebagai elemen dalam reka bentuk taman Melayu. Pendekatan kualitatif iaitu temubual separa berstruktur telah dijalankan di Kampung Panji dan Kampung Bandar di Kelantan. Responden merupakan bidan Melayu yang berpengalaman sebagai pengamal bidan tradisional. Dapatan kajian menunjukkan bahawa penjagaan sebelum dan selepas bersalin yang sering diamalkan termasuklah amalan melenggang perut, mandi herba, bertungku, barut, urutan tradisional dan rawatan keguguran. Secara keseluruhan, 44 jenis tumbuhan ubatan telah digunakan oleh kedua-dua bidan yang merangkumi tumbuhan daripada jenis pokok, palma, renek, herba, memanjat serta makrofit. Daripada maklumat tersebut, pengkaji telah menghasilkan tiga konsep reka bentuk taman Melayu iaitu laman tiba, laman sisi dan laman suri. Maklumat mengenai etnobotani ini boleh dijadikan sebagai rekod baru kerana ia merupakan sumber yang berharga bagi melestarikan ilmu pengetahuan tentang tumbuhan tradisional yang telah disesuaikan dalam lanskap Melayu.

 Kata kunci:  Lanskap etnobotani, perbidanan Melayu tradisional, herba, tumbuhan ubatan, taman Melayu, warisan dan budaya Melayu

Downloads

Published

2022-12-28

Issue

Vol. 6 No. 2 (2022)

Section

Environment & Landscape