Abstrak Malaria masih menjadi permasalahan kesehatan di wilayah Papua, sehingga pemanfaatan tumbuhan obat tradisional tetap menjadi pilihan utama masyarakat pedalaman. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mendeskripsikan pemanfaatan tradisional tumbuhan Nelambo suon oleh masyarakat Suku Tehit di Distrik Teminabuan, Kabupaten Sorong Selatan, serta mengidentifikasi kandungan metabolit sekundernya melalui skrining fitokimia. Penelitian dilakukan melalui wawancara mendalam kepada informan lokal untuk memperoleh data pengetahuan, pengalaman, cara penggunaan, dan keyakinan terhadap efektivitas tanaman tersebut, serta uji fitokimia secara kualitatif terhadap ekstrak kulit batang. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa kulit batang Nelambo suon secara turun-temurun digunakan sebagai obat antimalaria, dengan cara direbus dan airnya diminum dua kali sehari hingga gejala berkurang. Analisis responden menunjukkan bahwa tingkat pengetahuan dan pengalaman tertinggi terdapat pada kelompok berpendidikan rendah (SD dan SMP), menandakan bahwa pengetahuan tradisional lebih dipengaruhi oleh pewarisan budaya dibandingkan pendidikan formal. Hasil skrining fitokimia menunjukkan adanya kandungan alkaloid, flavonoid, dan tanin, sedangkan saponin tidak terdeteksi. Senyawa-senyawa ini diketahui memiliki aktivitas antiplasmodium, antioksidan, serta antiinflamasi, sehingga mendukung potensi Nelambo suon sebagai kandidat obat tradisional antimalaria berbasis kearifan lokal. Kata Kunci: Etnofarmasi, Nelambo suon, antimalaria, skrining fitokimia. Abstract Malaria remains a major health problem in papua, making traditional medicinal plants an essential therapeutic option for remote communities. this study aims to describe the traditional use of nelambo suon by the tehit community in teminabuan district, south sorong regency, and to identify its secondary metabolites through phytochemical screening. data on traditional knowledge, experience, usage methods, and beliefs were collected through in-depth interviews with local informants, while qualitative phytochemical tests were performed on the stem bark extract. the results show that nelambo suon has been traditionally used for generations as an antimalarial remedy, prepared by boiling the stem bark and consuming the decoction twice daily until symptoms reduce. respondent analysis revealed that the highest levels of traditional knowledge and experience were found among those with lower formal education (elementary and junior high school), indicating that cultural transmission plays a greater role than formal schooling. phytochemical screening confirmed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, and tannins, while saponins were absent. these compounds possess antiplasmodial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities, supporting the potential of nelambo suon as a traditional antimalarial agent grounded in local wisdom. Keywords: ethnopharmacy, Nelambo suon, antimalarial, phytochemical screening.
Copyrights © 2026