A documentation on medicinal plants and their uses among the Jahai ethnic group in Jeli, Kelantan

A documentation of the traditional medicinal plant and knowledge and their uses by the Jahai ethnic group conducted in Kg. Sg. Rual, Jeli , Kelantan. Based on the interviews with 35 informants within the study site, information on the traditional medicinal plants was classified according to their local name, scientific and family names, parts of plants used, uses and methods of herbal preparations. A total of 39 plant species used by Jahai etnic communities living in Kg. Sg. Rual area is presented here. They were grouped into six methods of application namely drink, eat, chew, poultice, rub and bath. The plants include those used to relieve common health diseases such as headache, cold, fever and diarrhea. Among the plant species that were noted and collected the study were piperaceae, zingiberaceae, apocynaceae and lauraceae. However, the interest and popularity of the traditional medicinal plant uses among Jahai community was fading due to lost interest of younger generations and the heavy dependence on modern medicine. The development and agricultural activities around the forest makes the traditional medicinal plants lesser from time to time. Lastly, only a few plants have been subjected to detailed scientific investigation. However, further pharmacological and toxicological studies at the molecular and clinical levels are still warranted to confirm the potential of these plants.