ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Various plants species are used in the traditional medicine for the treatment of malaria. This is the first community based ethnobotanical study in Peninsular Malaysia.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To investigate the plants traditionally used in the treatment of malaria in Malaysia.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

An ethnobotanical survey was carried out among 233 Aboriginal and rural households, and traditional healers in malaria endemic areas in Peninsular Malaysia. Data were collected using a pre-tested questionnaire.

RESULTS

Nineteen species belonging to 17 families were identified. Twelve plant species have not previously been documented for the treatment of malaria in Malaysia.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings of this study can be used as an ethnopharmacological basis for selecting plants for further anti-malarial phytochemical and pharmaceutical studies.