Studi Etnofarmasi Tanaman Berkhasiat Obat Oleh Masyarakat Suku Jawa Di Kecamatan Pesantren Kota Kediri Jawa Timur

Abstract

This study aims to explore the ethnopharmaceutical practices of the Javanese community in Pesantren District, Kediri City, East Java. The main focus is to identify medicinal plants used, diseases treated, and the traditional methods of preparation and application. A descriptive qualitative method was employed using snowball sampling to recruit 15 informants with inherited knowledge of traditional medicine. Data were collected through semi structured interviews, direct observation, and documentation, then analyzed thematically and supported by simple quantitative descriptive data such as percentages and frequencies.The findings reveal a total of 55 plant species from 26 families used as traditional medicine. The most commonly utilized plant part is the leaf (74.5%), followed by rhizomes and fruits. A total of 83 traditional herbal recipes were documented, comprising 36.14% single-herb use and 63.68% polyherbal formulations. The treated diseases range from mild ailments such as coughs and colds to chronic conditions like hypertension, diabetes, and tumors. The choice of plants is based on empirical effectiveness, ease of access, and family traditions.Traditional medicine continues to thrive amid urban modernization, demonstrating the adaptive value of local knowledge passed down through generations. This study highlights the importance of documenting ethnopharmaceutical knowledge as a means of preserving cultural heritage and unlocking the potential for future development of plant-based medicines.