Herbs & Plants

Medicinal plants and herbs are substitutes for modern medicine and have been widely used by people around the world. Their resources are applied in both traditional and modern preparations. Since the herbs and plants products do not use chemical and synthetic drugs, more people have begun to use natural products as remedies for treating or preventing diseases.


The rainforest in Borneo, known as the world’s oldest rainforest has an estimated 12,500 species of seed plants (Bidin and Latif, 1995) of which 2,000 species have been claimed to have medicinal properties (Latiff, 1994). Many of these plants species are either found in the wild or cultivated around the house compounds. Various plants and herbs species such as those of the Euphorbiaceae, Leguminosae, Graminae, Verbenaceae and others are commonly used to treat various ailments such as diarrhea, skin problems and headache. The practices of variety of traditional medicine types are based commonly on ethnic origins.


Hence, the development and growth in ‘complementary’ medicine such as homeopathy, naturopathy, reflexology, aromatherapy, chiropractic, etc.

Lingzhi - The Wonder Mushroom

Posted by Borneo Responsible Tourism on Tuesday, October 4, 2011
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FOR centuries, mushrooms have been known for their medicinal properties and among the well-known medicinal mushrooms is lingzhi, a key ingredient in traditional Chinese medicine for more than 2,000 years.
With a conspicuous red-varnished, kidney-shaped cap anda stem resembling an elk antler, this miraculous health-enhancing fungus is one of the best tonics and energy boosters, and believed to be beneficial for those with asthma and cough as lingzhi has a healing effect on the lungs.
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Planting Hibiscus

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THE Hibiscus is a flower familiar to most, if not, all Malaysians since it is our national flower and we see it everyday.
For instance, the Hibiscus can be found on Malaysian Ringgit notes and coins and during all National Day and Malaysia Day celebrations.
The red Hibiscus was chosen as our national flower for several reasons.
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Broccoli: Protection Against Prostate Cancer

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JUST a few more portions of broccoli each week may protect men from prostate cancer, British researchers reported.

The researchers believe a chemical in the food sparks hundreds of genetic changes, activating some genes that fight cancer and switching off others that fuel tumours, said Richard Mithen, a biologist at Britain’s Institute of Food Research.
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Tomato Protection

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A compound found in dehydrated tomatoes may help quash prostate cancer tumours, new animal research suggests.

Past studies have come to conflicting conclusions as to whether tomatoes or lycopene, an antioxidant found in tomatoes, might offer prostate cancer protection, with one recent study finding no correlation between men’s blood levels of lycopene and their risk of prostate cancer.
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The Soya Bean Story

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THE soya bean (or soybean in the US) has long been recognised for its many health benefits. Being a good source of protein, it makes a great meat substitute for many vegetarians and vegans, and as an alternative source of plant protein for others.
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Garden: Pretty Petite Pink

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An old cottage-garden favourite for over five centuries, pink is a long-flowering and heat-tolerant plant, writes STEPHANIE CHOO.

THE rainbow pinks or pinks that are widely available here are Dianthus chinensis and Dianthus chinensis x barbatus (an interspecific hybrid). Their petite blooms, though only about the size of a 20-sen coin, are fascinating.
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Herbs Are Good For Health But Should Be Taken Cautiously

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KUALA LUMPUR: Herbs and food supplements have become multi-billion ringgit business worldwide as more people take to improving personal health and well-being.

In fact, it is ironical that countries manufacturing such products are not as well endowed with herbal plants as Malaysia with its renowned tropical rainforest.
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