Wednesday, October 6, 2010

The Herbs of Malaysia & Their Uses


If you’re out for walks in the forest or any other nature parks on a mushroom hunt, you might also consider looking out for one of the many types of herbs that can be found growing in the wild. Herbal medicine of course has a long history in Malaysia and has been used for centuries by the locals to treat a variety of ailments and it would be interesting to see just how many of them are out there and see if you can spot a few. As a guide, here are only a few of the hundreds of herbs and their uses:

 
1) Tongkat Ali (Eurycoma longifolia): Suitable for treating malaria, hypertension, body aches and to improve vitality. Also believed to be an aphrodisiac  


2) Kacip Fatimah (Labisia pumila): For treatment of hypertension, diabetes and stomach aches. Also helps to improve vitality.  


3)Kulit kayu manis (Cinnamomum verum): Cinnamon in essential oil farm is a carminative and anti-gripe remedy. Works well as a tea too even though it has a mild anti-diarrhea action.  


4) Nilam (Pogostemon cablin): As an essential oil, it ease headaches.  


5) Serai wangi (Cymbopogon citratus): As an essential oil, it is an effective insect repellent, a cleaning agent and an air freshener.  
 
6) Kunyit terus/Bonglai putih (Aingeber cassumunar): For treatment of simus, cardiovascular disease, rheumatism and headaches.  
  
7) Kunyit (Curcuma domestica): Used in the treatment of coughs, wound and asthma.  
 
8) Misai kucing (Orthosiphon stamineus): For treatment of hypertension and kidney stones.  


9) Jerangau (Acorus calamus): For treatment of malaria, high fever and sinus.  
hempedu bumi
10) Hempedu bumi (Andrographis paniculata): For treatment of blood pressure, cardiovascular disease and diabetes. It is also a remedy for snake bites.  


11) Cekur (Kaempferia galanga): For treatment of coughs, dandruff or scabs on the head, sore throats, fever, sore eyes and swollen/tender breast.  


12)Pegaga (Centela asiatica): Used in the treatment of skin disease, asthma, hypertension, poor appetite, poor bblood circulation, leprosy and kidney stones.
Sources : MARDI