Which Plant can be used as a Medicinal Plant? The Decision-Finding Process of Minangkabau Healers

Abstract

Many ethnomedical researchers describe medicinal plants and the way they are used. In this research, the authors look at how a traditional healer can find a proper medical treatment. The decision-finding is influenced by the ideas of the local cultures regarding the treatment. In qualitative research, various healers were observed and interviewed. It was discovered that different elements influenced the decision-finding process like reference materials, experience and intuition. Furthermore, there are certain peculiar ways how to categorize a plant and decide whether the treatment needs a combination of plants or can be used without other medicinal plants. The healers are embedded in their environment. Therefore, certain concepts and cognitive patterns are essential for both the culture and the traditional medicine.