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Medicinal Plants of Tabin Wildlife Reserve

Twenty-nine species of plants in Tabin have been identified as having medicinal value. Some can be used to remedy cuts and wounds, skin and eye infections. Others can treat muscular pains, fever and headaches or are remedies for health complaints affecting young children such as acute abdominal pains, irritation or pain caused by erupting teeth during teething process and treatment for premature babies. There are also specific treatments for mothers recuperation from childbirth.

It is likely that numerous other plants of medicinal value remain to be discovered in the reserve.
Family Acanthaceae (black-eyed susan family)
  Gendarussa vulgaris kougom sidum Boils and swellling around neck region; general malaise Young leaves as poultice and applied as paste with a touch of salt and coconut oil
Family Bignoniaceae (bignonia family)
  Bignonia spp. biluwi Fever, vomiting, chills Leaves as poultice together with Ficis sp.
Family Compositae (sunflower family)
  Ageratum spp. bawing luman Cuts and skin infections Leaves as poultice applied to affected areas
  Blumea balsamifera embong Dizziness, fever, headache Leaves boiled together with Clausena excavata and Sphaeranthus sp.
  Elephantopus scaber saraman Wounds, cuts, stomach ache Leaves as paste for wounds and cuts) or as tea (stomach ache).
  Eupatorium odoratum molosia Stomach ache and gastric ulcers Rhizome pounded as paste and applied on forehead
  Veronia arborea embong gaid Stomach and chest pain; cuts and sores on skin Leaves pounded and applied as paste on affected region
Family Convolvulaceae (morning glory family)
  Merremia borneansis kubat belan Post-natal care for premature babies Leaves warmed and used to wrap baby
Family Cyperaceae (sedges)
  Cyperus aromaticus dukut kiput Post-partum aid to mothers Young leaves as decoction used together with Elusine indica, Leea indica, Leea saxatilis, Uncaria spp. and Cocos nucifera
Family Euphorbiaceae (spurges)
  Jatropha curcas tangan-tangan Severe headache Stems pounded together with Cordyline terminalis and applied as paste to forehead
  Mallotus macrostachythus bayur Boils and skin infections Stems and bark; pounded into paste and applied topically
  Phyllanthus ninuri nipon-nipon Teething problems and associated symptoms in babies Seeds boiled and taken as tea
Family Graminae (grasses)
  Elusine indica dukut kambing Post-partum aid to mothers All parts except roots; warmed over fire wrapped in Musa parassidiacca together with Cyperus aromaticus, Leea saxatilis, Leea indica, Uncaria sp. and Cocos nucifera
  Imperata cylindrica pimpin Fever Roots boiled as teas
Family Leguminosae (legumes)
  Cassia alata bunga belur Ringworm, skin infections Young leaves applied as paste
Family Liliaceae (lily family)
  Cordyline terminalis litik Severe headache Stems pounded together with stems of Jatropa curcus and applied to forehead as paste
Family Malvaceae (mallow & fanpetal family)
  Sida rhombifolia seleguri, lingkabau Skin infections & impetigo Leaves pounded and applied as paste
Family Marantaceae (one of the ginger families)
  Donax canniformis lias Eye infections such as conjunctivitis Juice of young leaves dripped directly into infected eye
Family Melastomaceae (meadow beauty family)
  Melastoma malabrathricum gasing Deep cuts and wounds Leaves pounded and applied as paste
Family Moraceae (fig trees)
  Ficus spp. tepong Fever, vomiting, chills Young leaves as poultice and applied to stomach region; used together with Anthocephalus chinensis and Bignonia spp.
Family Palmae (palm trees)
  Cocos nucifera ning coconut palm Post-partum aid to mothers Processed essential oils used together with Elusine indica, Cyperus aromaticus, Leea indica and Uncaria spp.
Family Rubiaceae (gardenia, coffee & quinine family)
  Anthocephalus chinensis laran, bekol Fever, vomiting, chills Young leaves as poultice and applied to stomach region; used together with Ficus spp. and Bignonia spp.
  Uncaria spp. garak Post-partum aid to mothers Young leaves as decoction used together with Cyperus aromaticus, Elusine indica, Leea indica, Leea saxatilis and Cocos nucifera
  Clausena excevata assam Dizziness, fever, headache Leaves boiled and used as tea or bath
Family Sapindaceae (soapberries)
  Guina pleuropteris tinggir manok Stomach ache and colic in children Stems boiled together with rice to form paste and applied to stomach region
Family Thelypteridaceae (ferns)
  Sphaerostephanos spp. assam jantan Dizziness, fever, headache Leaves boiled together with Clausenia excavata and Blumea balsamifera for teas and bath
Family Vitaceae (grapevines)
  Leea indica mamali Post-partum aid to mothers Young leaves as decoction used together with Cyperus aromaticus, Elusine indica, Leea saxatilis, Uncaria spp. and Cocos nucifera
  Leea saxatilis mamali Post-partum aid to mothers Young leaves as decoction used together with Cyperus aromaticus, Elusine indica, Leea indica, Uncaria spp. and Cocos nucifera
  Tetrastigma trifoliata kayu limo Malaise, general lethargy and chills Leaves pounded and applied as paste on forehead and chest
  Tetrastigma lanceolarium kayu limo Malaise, general lethargy and chills Leaves pounded and applied as paste on forehead and chest
Family Zingiberaceae (gingers)
  Elintgeria brevilabris tolidus Headache in post-partum mothers Rhizome pounded as paste and applied on forehead
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  Genus species Local name(s) English name