benalu kopi

Local Knowledge-Research and Learning

Medicinal Plant Knowledge of Lubuk Bigau

Documenting medicinal plants, traditional remedies, and community knowledge as part of the living relationship between people and the forest landscape.

  • Lubuk Bigau Village, Kampar Kiri Hulu
  • 2025
  • Completed

Project Overview

The study documented medicinal plants, traditional remedies, habitats, uses, and community narratives in Lubuk Bigau and organised the evidence for cultural continuity, biodiversity awareness, research, and future learning.

Documented reach

At a glance

95

medicinal plant species documented

Final public reference figure

55

traditional remedies recorded

Final public reference figure

6

local

knowledge holders as central contributors

Documented Outputs

• 95 medicinal plant species documented.
• 55 traditional remedies recorded.
• Records of habitats, uses, preparation practices, and community narratives.
• Analysis of knowledge-transmission challenges.
• Recommendations for conservation, documentation, regeneration, and further research.

Project Context

Medicinal plant knowledge in Lubuk Bigau is embedded in everyday practice, oral transmission, cultural identity, and close relationships with the forest landscape. Social and ecological change creates risks of fragmentation and loss of knowledge.

Objectives

• Document medicinal plant species known and used in Lubuk Bigau.
• Record traditional remedies, preparation methods, habitats, and associated knowledge.
• Identify challenges affecting intergenerational transmission.
• Organise evidence for research, learning, and conservation.

What Hutanriau Did

• Semi-structured interviews with knowledge holders.
• Documentation of plants and habitats.
• Ethical collection of samples where appropriate.
• Thematic analysis.
• Public discussion of findings.
• Preparation of a scientific article and research materials.

Early Outcomes

The study strengthened Lubuk Bigau’s position as a learning landscape and showed that biodiversity conservation is also connected to knowledge, cultural identity, and intergenerational transmission.

Limits of the Evidence

Use 95 species and 55 remedies as the final public figures. The study does not clinically validate effectiveness, dosage, safety, or treatment outcomes. Sensitive knowledge and locations require appropriate consent and data governance.

Field Documentation

Selected photographs documenting project activities, field implementation, and community participation.

Planning locally grounded environmental work in Riau?

Hutanriau collaborates with communities, donors, government agencies, research institutions, civil society organisations, and responsible private-sector partners.

Discuss a Partnership