Biodiversitas Journal of Biological Diversity
Vol. 26 No. 12 (2025)

Ethnobotanical study of postpartum medicinal plants used by the Dayak Kalis in Nanga Danau, West Kalimantan, Indonesia

RUQIAH GANDA PUTRI PANJAITAN (Department of Biology Education, Faculty of Teacher Training and Education, Universitas Tanjungpura. Jl. Prof. Dr. H. Hadari Nawawi, Pontianak 78124, West Kalimantan, Indonesia)
KLAUDIA MARETA SANDRA (Department of Biology Education, Faculty of Teacher Training and Education, Universitas Tanjungpura. Jl. Prof. Dr. H. Hadari Nawawi, Pontianak 78124, West Kalimantan, Indonesia)
EKO SRI WAHYUNI (Department of Biology Education, Faculty of Teacher Training and Education, Universitas Tanjungpura. Jl. Prof. Dr. H. Hadari Nawawi, Pontianak 78124, West Kalimantan, Indonesia)
REXY MAULANA DWI KARMADI (Department of Biology Education, Faculty of Teacher Training and Education, Universitas Tanjungpura. Jl. Prof. Dr. H. Hadari Nawawi, Pontianak 78124, West Kalimantan, Indonesia)
KURNIA NINGSIH (Department of Biology Education, Faculty of Teacher Training and Education, Universitas Tanjungpura. Jl. Prof. Dr. H. Hadari Nawawi, Pontianak 78124, West Kalimantan, Indonesia)
TITIN TITIN (Department of Biology Education, Faculty of Teacher Training and Education, Universitas Tanjungpura. Jl. Prof. Dr. H. Hadari Nawawi, Pontianak 78124, West Kalimantan, Indonesia)
TRI HARSONO (Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Negeri Medan. Jl. William Iskandar Ps. V, Deli Serdang 20221, North Sumatra, Indonesia)
SHOKHAN SHARIF ALI (Smart Health Tower. Madam Mitterrand Street, Sulaymaniyah 46001, Sulaymaniyah Governorate, Iraq)



Article Info

Publish Date
10 Dec 2025

Abstract

Abstract. Panjaitan RGP, Sandra KM, Wahyuni ES, Karmadi RMD, Ningsih K, Titin, Harsono T, Ali SS. 2025. Ethnobotanical study of postpartum medicinal plants used by the Dayak Kalis in Nanga Danau, West Kalimantan, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 26: 5989-5999. The Dayak Kalis community in Nanga Danau Village, West Kalimantan, Indonesia, continues to rely on traditional medicine, particularly for postpartum care. However, no previous study has documented their specific practices. This research aimed to document medicinal plants used for postpartum treatment by the Dayak Kalis. Data were collected through interviews, observations, and documentation, and analyzed using Use Value (UV) and Frequency of Citation (FC). Three key informants (two traditional birth attendants and one customary elder) were selected purposively as knowledge holders. The study identified 10 species from 6 families, with the Zingiberaceae being the most dominant family. Leaves were the most frequently used plant part, typically prepared by boiling. Plants with the highest cultural importance included kunyit (Curcuma longa), daun tonton (Phyllanthus androgynus) and laia (Zingiber officinale), valued for cleansing the uterus, enhancing breast milk, and restoring stamina. Cross-cultural comparison revealed both similarities and variations in postpartum ethnomedicine across other Dayak Sub-ethnic Groups. These findings highlight the importance of documenting traditional knowledge to preserve biocultural heritage and support maternal health. Further phytochemical and pharmacological studies are recommended to validate efficacy and ensure sustainable use of these medicinal resources.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

biodiv

Publisher

Subject

Agriculture, Biological Sciences & Forestry Biochemistry, Genetics & Molecular Biology

Description

The Biodiversitas Journal was first published in 2000 by the Department of Biology, FMNS, Universitas Sebelas Maret, Surakarta, Indonesia, then in 2006 it was co-published by the Society for Indonesian Biodiversity and that department; since 2017 it was also hosted by Smujo. From 2003-2012 it was ...