The Concoction of Flora and Fauna in the Malay Mujarrabat

Traditional medicine continues to flourish within the world of modern medicine as a method of treatment of illnesses for the community. Traditional treatment methods predominantly use ingredients derived from flora (plants) or fauna (animals). These ingredients are believed to contain hidden medicinal values to cure diseases. In relation to the Mujarrabat Melayu, the concoction of flora and fauna simply means acquiring selected ingredients derived from flora and fauna to be used as traditional medicine in order to treat varieties of illnesses that are either caused by physical or spiritual elements. These plants are easily found around the house and often used as flavour enhancers and seasoning for foods (such as turmeric, kaffir lime leaves, cekur (Kaempferia galanga), pandan leaves, curry leaves and ginger) or as medicine and garden plants. However, these materials should be mixed with other ingredients to increase the effectiveness of their usage. There are several common methods to prepare medicine derived from plants such as boil, blanch, squeeze, knead, grate, fry, pound, dry, parch, soak, bake, cook, smoke, dry, wet, ferment, ensile and compress. Meanwhile, there are various ways to apply the herbal medication such as dabbing, rubbing, dripping, applying as a poultice, wrapping, pasting, massaging, eating, drinking and bathing. The commonly used parts of the plants in making traditional medicine are leaves, flowers, roots, stems, seeds skin, seeds, bark, fruit, water or fruit juice, root stem, root hair, coating fruit, thorns, rubber, coir, fill, kernel and pulp. Each component also has its own usefulness as a remedy or cure for illness. In addition to the flora, fauna is also utilised in concocting potions and cures for certain illnesses. However, its use is limited to only certain parts of the body of an animal. However, such substance should also be adapted with other ingredients to demonstrate their efficacy. Among the parts of fauna or animals that are used for treatment are blood, bile, horns and bones which are mixed with other ingredients believed to be able to cure human ailments. Therefore, this paper will discuss the properties of flora and fauna in the Mujarrabat Melayu as an alternative treatment for diseases that inflict humans