Traditional Medicine and Medicinal Plants in Indonesia

Since hundreds of years ago, ancestors of our nation has been known for clever mix herbs and traditional medicines. Various types of plants, roots, and other natural ingredients formulated as a medicinal herb to cure various diseases. Ingredients were also used to maintain body condition in order to stay healthy, prevent disease, and partly to beautify themselves. Proficiency dispensing materials were handed down by our ancestors from generation to generation, from one generation to the next, down to our day. In various areas in the country, we find the various books that contain procedures for treatment and other types of traditional medicine. In Bali, for example, found the book usadha tuwa, white usadha, usadha going to, and usadha series containing different types of traditional medicine. In such folk tales Sudamala story, narrated how Sudamala managed to cure a blind eye Tambapetra pastor. Similarly, relief Mahakarmmawibhangga story at the foot of Borobudur temple, depicting a small child who is sick and being treated two physicians. One of the other reliefs, also shows the activities of a physician is dispensing medicine.Indonesian and Traditional Medicine
Since hundreds of years ago, ancestors of our nation has been known for clever mix herbs and traditional medicines. Various types of plants, roots, and other natural ingredients formulated as a medicinal herb to cure various diseases. Ingredients were also used to maintain body condition in order to stay healthy, prevent disease, and partly to beautify themselves. Proficiency dispensing materials were handed down by our ancestors from generation to generation, from one generation to the next, down to our day.
In various areas in the country, we find the various books that contain procedures for treatment and other types of traditional medicine. In Bali, for example, found the book usadha tuwa, white usadha, usadha going to, and usadha series containing different types of traditional medicine. In such folk tales Sudamala story, narrated how Sudamala managed to cure a blind eye Tambapetra pastor. Similarly, relief Mahakarmmawibhangga story at the foot of Borobudur temple, depicting a small child who is sick and being treated two physicians. One of the other reliefs, also shows the activities of a physician is dispensing medicine.
Similarly, in the Malay tradition, found in manuscripts that present the prescription drugs. Manuscripts that, among other things, includes a variety jamusawan, herbal sliding, herbal medicine for pregnant and give birth, eye pain medicine, pain medication, to medications appetite enhancer. The transition from Hindu-Buddhist era to the Islamic era, has been enriching the treasure of medical tradition in our society. Various Islamic medical books written in Arabic and Persian, have been translated successfully into the Java language and the language of this Melayu.Semua lasted without interruption, until we know the nation's medical science from Europe in colonial times.
In the midst of rush of modern medicine, herbal medicine and traditional herb remains one choice for our society. Not only people in rural, urban society began to consume these traditional medicines. In various corners of the country, we easily find the vendors peddle medicinal herbs carry around as a healthy and refreshing beverage. Similarly, the stalls herbs evenly spread throughout the country. Herbal and traditional medicines, has become an integral part of our community life.
The diversity of traditional medicines in the country, have enriched science, and health of our nation. Our country became one of the center of medicinal plants in the world. Thousands of species of tropical plant, thriving in every corner of the country. Not all types of plants that we know the benefits and usefulness. We just believe that God created all kinds of plants that, certainly not in vain. All that certainly helps. Olehkarena, it is necessary conservation of natural resources, to avoid any type of plant species. Forest fires not only destroy the wildlife and fauna, but also cause pollution and global warming increases the temperature.
Herbal medicine and traditional medicine, has yet to be developed optimally. Production of herbal and traditional medicines are produced by homeindustry more. Only a minority of herbal and traditional medicines are being mass-produced through traditional medicinal herb industry and in factories. To improve quality, quality, and herbal products and medicines produced by our society, it needs cooperation of all parties that it intended to terkait.Kerjasama herbal and traditional medicines are produced can compete in both regional and global markets.
Circulation of herbs and drugs that are not listed in Obatdan Food Control Agency, will harm consumers. In addition, the economy, the circulation of drugs like it will only damage the image of traditional medicine. Finally damaged the image will hit the production and marketing of traditional medicines, at home and abroad. Government, continue to perform surveillance in order to enhance safety, quality, and benefits of traditional medicine. This is done so that the public is protected from traditional medicine that can cause unwanted effects.
Through careful research and development and rigorous, herbal and traditional medicines can be directed to a drug that can be accepted in formal health services. Indeed we must admit, that doctors and pharmacists, to this day still can not accept herbal medicine as a remedy that they can recommend to their patients. As a result, marketing of herbal products can not use the power Detailers as in modern medicine.
Lately, it seems the trend of healthy living in the community to use products derived from nature. Therefore, the herbal and traditional medicines should be encouraged to be one treatment option. Jamudan traditional medicines should be encouraged also to become a commodity that can make a positive contribution to improving the economic growth of society. Activities also provide opportunities for employment, and reduce poverty.
Excerpted from the Opening Remarks of the 5th National Congress of Association of Indonesian Herbal and Traditional Medicine by the President of the Republic of Indonesia, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

Classification of Traditional Medicines
Traditional medicine is the ingredient or ingredients in the form of plant material, animal material, mineral materials, supplies Sarian (galenik) or mixtures of such materials, which for generations has been used for treatment based on experience.
Natural medicine in Indonesia today can be categorized into 3, namely herbs, standardized herbal medicine, and fitofarmaka.