Biodiversitas Journal of Biological Diversity
Vol. 27 No. 2 (2026)

Medicinal leaf knowledge of the five Dayak Ethnic Groups in West Kalimantan, Indonesia

MARKUS IYUS SUPIANDI (Department of Biology Education, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Negeri Malang. Jl. Semarang 5, Malang 65145, East Java, Indonesia)
SITI ZUBAIDAH (Department of Biology Education, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Negeri Malang. Jl. Semarang 5, Malang 65145, East Java, Indonesia)
SUSRIYATI MAHANAL (Department of Biology Education, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Negeri Malang. Jl. Semarang 5, Malang 65145, East Java, Indonesia)



Article Info

Publish Date
26 Mar 2026

Abstract

Abstract. Supiandi MI, Zubaidah S, Mahanal S. 2026. Medicinal leaf knowledge of the five Dayak Ethnic Groups in West Kalimantan, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 27 (2): d270215. https://doi.org/10.13057/biodiv/d270215. The Dayak community in West Kalimantan, Indonesia, comprises 151 sub-ethnic groups, including the Iban, Tamambaloh, Jangkang, Limbai, and Linoh. These groups rely heavily on plant leaves for traditional medicine, transmitting their knowledge orally across generations. However, researchers have not adequately documented this knowledge in scientific literature. This study documents and analyzes the diversity of medicinal leaf species utilized by five Dayak Sub-ethnic Groups in West Kalimantan, Iban, Tamambaloh, Jangkang, Limbai, and Linoh, to preserve and promote their ethnobotanical heritage. Data were collected through structured interviews, participatory observation, and field documentation with local healers and community elders. The team identified plant species through an online platform, verified them with botanists, and organised the findings systematically in tables and figures. The analysis recorded 84 species belonging to 41 plant families. The Lamiaceae family contributed the highest number of species. Community members used these plants primarily to treat severe and chronic conditions, including cancer, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disorders, liver diseases, and kidney problems. The Iban, Tamambaloh, Jangkang, Limbai, and Linoh Dayak Sub-ethnic Groups actively preserve rich ethnobotanical knowledge centered on plant leaves. This study underscores the significance of integrating traditional medicinal knowledge into biodiversity conservation and sustainable development efforts, aligning with SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 15 (Life on Land).

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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 ...