Jurnal Penelitian Pendidikan IPA (JPPIPA)
Vol 11 No 10 (2025): October

Integration of Local Medicinal Plant Potential Ethnobotany in Primary Schools as a Strategy for Strengthening Character Education and Health Literacy

Dewi Robiatun Muharomah (Universitas Bina Bangsa)
Maya Rahayu (Universitas Bina Bangsa)



Article Info

Publish Date
31 Oct 2025

Abstract

This study aims to integrate the potential of local medicinal plants based on ethnobotany into primary school learning as a strategy to strengthen character education and health literacy. The research employed a Mixed-Methods Sequential Exploratory (MMSE) design, beginning with a qualitative phase through interviews and observations with local communities around Mount Karang, Pandeglang. The qualitative exploration identified 15 species of local medicinal plants that are still commonly used, both for daily health needs and as part of cultural heritage. These findings were then operationalised into test items and questionnaires, which were subsequently administered in the quantitative phase to 43 primary school students. The results demonstrated a significant improvement after the integration of ethnobotanical content in learning. Students’ understanding of medicinal plants increased from 45% to 80%, environmental care attitude from 50% to 85%, responsibility from 60% to 88.7%, and the application of healthy living from 48% to 84%. These findings indicate that integrating local medicinal plants into the curriculum not only enhances students' health literacy but also fosters values of care and responsibility rooted in local wisdom. In conclusion, this research highlights that ethnobotany-based learning can serve as an effective strategy to nurture healthy, responsible, and culturally grounded young generations in primary schools

Copyrights © 2025






Journal Info

Abbrev

jppipa

Publisher

Subject

Agriculture, Biological Sciences & Forestry Biochemistry, Genetics & Molecular Biology Chemical Engineering, Chemistry & Bioengineering Chemistry Education Materials Science & Nanotechnology Physics

Description

Science Educational Research Journal is international open access, published by Science Master Program of Science Education Graduate Program University of Mataram, contains scientific articles both in the form of research results and literature review that includes science, technology and teaching ...