Medicinal forest plants and community immunity: The ethnobotanical knowledge of indigenous people in managing health and forest sustainability

Abstract

This paper presents the findings of a study on the ethnobotanical practices of the Miduana Indigenous Community in utilising medicinal plants derived from tropical forest ecosystems to improve community health and immune resilience. Through field observations and semi-structured interviews with the Traditional Leader and local female herbal practitioners, at least 40 families of medicinal plants were documented. The data collected were then analysed using thematic analysis to identify recurring patterns and key themes in the community's medicinal plant practices. These are commonly used to treat respiratory infections, digestive issues, fatigue, and seasonal illnesses, including species such as Curcuma longa (turmeric), Zingiber officinale (red ginger), and Piper betel. The study reveals that beyond their therapeutic benefits, knowledge of medicinal plants also serves as a foundation for ecological stewardship and the preservation of cultural identity within the community. Sustainable harvesting methods, biodiversity conservation, and the maintenance of forest ecosystem services are all practised following traditional ecological knowledge. In the context of post-pandemic recovery, this study highlights the significant contribution of forest-based medicinal systems to community-level health security. The integration of indigenous ethnobotany into public health and forest conservation strategies is essential, particularly in tropical regions that are rich in biodiversity yet vulnerable to socio-economic and environmental pressures.