5 Medicinal plants that are easy to cultivate at home, plus their benefits: uses, side effects, interactions

Before switching to doctor's medicine, it has become a habit for Indonesians to first try “treatment” using herbs from medicinal plants. The medicinal plant itself has thousands of species. Now, from a total of 40 thousand kinds of medicinal plants in the world, almost 90% of them live in Indonesia. Profitable, right? However, only about 9,000 species are strongly suspected to have medicinal properties, and you can grow your own at home. What are the most popular?

What is a medicinal plant?

In Indonesia, medicinal plants, aka biopharmaceutical plants, are more commonly known as TOGA (Tanaman Obat outGA).

This plant contains certain active compounds or natural ingredients which are allegedly good for supporting body health. Each type of plant may have a "composition" of compounds that are different from one another, so that the benefits may also vary from one medicinal plant to another.

Generally, every part of a medicinal plant can be used to get its properties. Starting from the leaves, stems, fruit, skin, seeds, roots, to tubers or rhizomes which are then consumed in various forms such as being eaten raw, for cooking ingredients, topical medicines, to being blended into drinking herbs.

Medicinal plants that you can grow yourself at home

Indonesia is rich in sources of medicinal plants that can be cultivated at home, either on a plot of land in the yard or in small pots, to fulfill the family's need for medicine.

According to the Information on Commodity of Medicinal Plants issued by the Trade Research and Development Agency (BPPP) from the Ministry of Trade, biopharmaca plants in Indonesia cover 15 main types of plants. These plants include ginger, laos (galangal), kencur, turmeric, lempuyang, ginger, temuireng, temukunci, dlingo or dringo, cardamom, noni (pace), god's crown, kejibeling, sambiloto, and aloe vera.

However, we have selected several types of TOGA that you can easily cultivate yourself at home.

1. Ginger

Ginger is a type of medicinal plant that is popularly used as an ingredient in herbal medicine and traditional medicine.

Ginger contains a strong active compound called gingerol which can treat many digestive problems such as stomach pain and nausea, dizziness due to vertigo, to reduce pain due to menstrual pain and joint pains such as osteoarthritis and rheumatism. Gingerol is also reported to prevent the growth of colon cancer cells. In addition, ginger can help you lose weight.

If you want to use ginger as a herbal medicine, choose fresh. The most abundant and strongest gingerol compounds are found in fresh ginger than ground ginger. Ginger powder on the market is also usually processed with a lot of added sugar. Store ginger in a tightly closed container, store it in a dry place and keep it away from direct sunlight.

Warning: ginger is generally safe, but still should not be consumed in excess. Ginger can cause stomach upset, bloating, heartburn, and diarrhea if too much. You are not recommended to consume more than 4 grams of ginger per day.

2. Turmeric

Turmeric contains curcumin which gives it its distinctive orange color. Curcumin also provides medicinal properties of turmeric to help maintain health and prevent disease.

Thanks to its kurmin compound, this orange simpang has long been used in traditional Indonesian medicine to relieve symptoms of indigestion, symptoms of skin disease, treat liver disease, reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke, and prevent colon cancer. Based on research, curcumin also functions to protect healthy nerve function.

Warning:as well as ginger, turmeric should not be consumed too much. Quoted from Healthline, several studies say excessive consumption of turmeric triggers an increase in excess stomach acid. Too much turmeric intake can also cause bleeding problems. You may find it easier for bruises or old wounds to heal.

Therefore, people who have stomach problems such as ulcers and who are regularly using the blood thinning drug warfarin should not consume too much turmeric.

3. Kencur

Kencur which has a Latin name Kaempferia galanga apparently still a family with ginger No wonder there are still many who confuse kencur with ginger.

Kencur has long been known as a cough medicine with phlegm, diarrhea medicine, fever medicine, and toothache medicine. Kencur can also be used to increase appetite and treat muscle injuries after exercise.

The benefits of kencur don't stop there. A study from Bangladesh shows that kencur extract contains antidepressant properties that are useful for reducing stress and anxiety.

4. Cat whiskers

Cat whiskers is a medicinal plant that is quite well known for relieving several health problems, such as sores on the skin and swollen gums. In addition, anti-inflammatory substances in cat whiskers can help control symptoms of allergies, rheumatism and gout, kidney disease, and stop seizures.

A study on lab rats published in the journal Ethnoparmhacology reports that cat whiskers are also a diuretic that triggers an increase in urine production. Indirectly, back and forth urinating can help remove the bacteria that are in the bladder. This also helps reduce the possible risk of urinary tract infections.

5. Betel leaf

Since ancient times, betel leaf has been used as a medicinal plant to treat various health problems. Our ancestors have always been accustomed to chewing betel to maintain the health of their teeth and mouth.

In fact, this tradition of chewing has indeed been shown to be beneficial by a number of modern medical studies. Chewing betel has been shown to inhibit the growth of bacteria in the mouth, making it useful for preventing cavities and gum disease.

In addition, the antioxidant tannins in betel speed up the body's response to blood clotting and healing wounds. That's why betel is often used to stop nosebleeds and treat burns.

Plants are not a substitute for doctor's medicine

Before deciding to use TOGA to cure diseases, first understand that even though it is proven to have medicinal properties, herbal plants cannot and should not replace medical treatment from a doctor.

Medicinal plants only function to increase immunity as a supporting (promotive) and preventive (preventive) therapy, not to cure disease.

Moreover, herbs made from herbal plants also do not have a fixed dosage standard. Recipes, how many ingredients are added, and the frequency of use will always vary depending on who makes them. Therefore, the drug effects that arise may also be felt differently. Not necessarily one TOGA herbal medicine gives the exact same properties to everyone even though they have the same complaints.

If you want to try cultivating medicinal plants as herbs, you should first consult a doctor about considering the pros and cons according to your condition. Especially if you take it at the same time as other medicines to avoid unwanted drug interaction effects. Also make sure you are not allergic to these medicinal plants before consuming to avoid allergic reactions.