On Monday, September 20, 2021 at 8.30 a.m., UAD Pharmacy Ethnomedicine Research team led by Dr. apt. Kintoko, M. Sc made a visit to the health office of Gunung Kidul. The team was received directly by the Head of the Gunung Kidul Health Office, Dr. Dewi Irawaty, M. Kes at the Germas Hall. The head of the Gunung Kidul Health Office was accompanied by the heads of puskesmas such as Patuk, Nglipar and Karangmojo. In addition, the range of the Head of Division and Sie in the Gunung Kidul Health Office were also present there.

In his speech, Dr. Kin conveyed the aims and objectives of Ethnomedicine research as an effort to obtain the potential of medicinal plants that have been used by the people of Gunung Kidul for generations. Through this ethnomedicine research, quantitative parameters can be obtained such as the value of medicinal plants use, information suitability ratio, citation frequency, and etc. With this evaluation, it is possible to obtain types of medicinal plants that have prospects for further development in an effort to improve the health and economic empowerment of the local community.

Ethnomedicine research, according to Dr. Kin, is also a faster and more effective way of discovering new drugs from local wisdom. In addition, this ethnomedicine research is used as an effort to maintain and preserve traditional medicine with medicinal plants by the community.

The Head of the Gunung Kidul Health Office, dr. Dewi Irawati, M. Kes expressed his hope in her speech that this ethnomedicine research could be the basis of policies in the development of medicinal plants, which are cross-sectoral in the Gunung Kidul regency government. In addition, this research can provide the support to the puskesmas, especially in the development of the Family Medicine Garden Independent Care (ASMAN Toga).

The plan involves 9 students who will join this ethnomedicine research, with the funding being supported by the DIY Health Office DANAIS.

As it is known, Dr. apt. Kintoko, M. Sc is trusted to be the head of the Center for Development and Application of Traditional Medicine (SP3T) of the DIY Health Office through a Governor’s Decree.

Besides Gunungkidul, Dr. Kin and the UAD pharmaceutical ethnomedicine team are also conducting a study of Wedang Uwuh in Imogiri Bantul with the aim of obtaining a standard composition of Wedang Uwuh and getting an overview of the benefits and ecosystem aspects of Wedang Uwuh’s business as a whole. The plan is this standard Wedang Uwuh as an icon of a healthy traditional drink.

The other study agendas will be carried out in other regencies such as in Kulon Progo, Sleman and Yogyakarta City with a variety of uniqueness based on local culture.