PROGRAM EDUKASI BIJAK MEMILIH OBAT TRADISIONAL MENGGALI POTENSI HERBAL UNTUK MENGHINDARI RISIKO EFEK SAMPING - Muhammad Nurul Fadel; Eko Retnowati; Nurlena Ikawati; Hidayah Karuniawati; Muhammad Da'i; Emma Jayanti Besan (Jurnal Abdimas Indonesia, 2025)
Penggunaan obat tradisional masih tinggi di masyarakat, namun sebagian besar didasarkan pada informasi empiris tanpa pengetahuan ilmiah yang memadai. Hal ini berpotensi menimbulkan penggunaan yang tidak rasional dan risiko efek samping. Kegiatan pengabdian masyarakat ini bertujuan meningkatkan literasi kesehatan masyarakat terkait pemilihan dan penggunaan obat tradisional secara aman dan berbasis bukti ilmiah. Pengabdian dilaksanakan di Desa Sanggrahan, Kecamatan Potronayan, Nogosari, Boyolali pada 15 Juni 2025 dengan sasaran 52 Ibu-ibu PKK. Metode yang digunakan meliputi ceramah interaktif, diskusi, demonstrasi, serta evaluasi pre-test dan post-test menggunakan kuesioner. Materi mencakup pengenalan jenis obat tradisional (jamu, obat herbal terstandar, fitofarmaka), kandungan kimia tanaman obat seperti kurkuminoid, xanthorrhizol, dan andrographolide, manfaat dan risiko penggunaannya, serta cara mengenali produk herbal legal dan ilegal. Hasil kegiatan menunjukkan peningkatan rata-rata nilai pengetahuan dari 55,3 (pre-test) menjadi 85,7 (post-test) atau naik 30,4 poin. Peserta antusias dan mampu membedakan produk herbal aman serta memahami pentingnya izin edar BPOM. Sebanyak 92% peserta merasa kegiatan ini bermanfaat dan berharap ada edukasi lanjutan. Kegiatan ini efektif meningkatkan kesadaran masyarakat untuk lebih selektif dalam memilih obat tradisional dan mendorong perilaku penggunaan herbal yang aman dan rasional. Edukasi berbasis komunitas direkomendasikan untuk dilaksanakan secara berkelanjutan dan diperluas ke wilayah lain.. AbstractThe use of traditional medicines remains high in the community, but most practices are based on empirical information without adequate scientific knowledge. This may lead to irrational use and potential adverse effects. This community service activity aimed to improve public health literacy on the safe and evidence-based use of traditional medicines. The program was conducted in Sanggrahan Village, Potronayan Subdistrict, Nogosari, Boyolali, on June 15, 2025, targeting 52 PKK (Family Welfare Movement) women. The methods included interactive lectures, discussions, demonstrations, and evaluation using pre-test and post-test questionnaires. The materials covered the classification of  traditional medicines (jamu, standardized herbal medicines, phytopharmaceuticals), chemical constituents of medicinal plants such as curcuminoids, xanthorrhizol, and andrographolide, their benefits and risks, as well as how to identify legal and illegal herbal products. The results showed an increase in the average knowledge score from 55.3 (pre-test) to 85.7 (post-test), with a 30.4-point improvement. Participants were enthusiastic and able to distinguish safe herbal products and understand the importance of BPOM (Indonesian FDA) registration. About 92% of participants stated that this activity was beneficial and expected further education on the proper use of traditional medicines. This program effectively increased public awareness to be more selective in choosing traditional medicines and encouraged safe and rational herbal use. Community-based health education is recommended to be implemented sustainably and expanded to other areas.