A Literature Review of Zingiberaceae Plant Utilisation in Ethnomedicine Across Five Major Indonesian Islands

Abstract

The Zingiberaceae family is a group of plants that has an important role in traditional medicine in Indonesia. Some species that are commonly used are ginger (Zingiber officinale), galangal (Kaempferia galanga), java ginger (Curcuma xanthorrhiza), and turmeric (Curcuma longa). The use of these      plants vary in each region, depending on geographical factors, culture, and developing local wisdom. This article aims to review the use of four Zingiberaceae species in traditional medicine on the islands of Sumatra, Java, Kalimantan, Sulawesi and Papua. Based on the review conducted, ginger and turmeric are widely used in Sumatra and Java as herbs to increase stamina and cure digestive disorders. In Kalimantan and Sulawesi, ginger is more often used to maintain liver health and increase appetite. Meanwhile, in Papua, several types of ginger and turmeric are used as natural antiseptics and wound medicine. This ethnobotanical diversity reflects how local ecology and culture influence traditional medicinal practices.      This review highlights the significance of Zingiberaceae in Indonesian ethnomedicine and supports the preservation of local medicinal knowledge within public health initiatives.