Short Communication: Biocultural patterns of medicinal plant use in the Gunung Sewu Karst of Central Java, Indonesia

Abstract

Abstract. Wibowo CNP, Azizah CKG, Rizka DR, Maharani DS, Susatio R, Yasa A, Jumari, Saensouk S, Setyawan AD. 2025. Short Communication: Biocultural patterns of medicinal plant use in the Gunung Sewu Karst of Central Java, Indonesia. Intl J Trop Drylands 9: 181-191. Karst landscapes represent environmentally constrained systems characterized by shallow soils, limited water availability, and strong seasonal variability, conditions that shape both ecological processes and human livelihoods. In such settings, traditional medicinal plant use constitutes an important biocultural adaptation that supports household health and resilience. Despite the ecological and cultural significance of karst regions, ethnobotanical studies integrating medicinal plant use with biocultural adaptation frameworks remain limited, particularly in the Gunung Sewu Karst of Central Java, Indonesia. This study aims to document medicinal plant diversity and to analyze patterns of plant use in relation to karst environmental constraints. Ethnobotanical data were collected through semi-structured interviews, field observations, and direct plant identification in two karst villages of the Gunung Sewu Karst Region. A descriptive analytical approach was applied to classify plant use, preparation methods, application routes, and treated ailments. A total of 25 medicinal plant species belonging to 16 families were recorded. Zingiberaceae was the most represented family, reflecting both ecological suitability and cultural familiarity. Medicinal plant use was dominated by herbaceous species, with leaves and rhizomes as the primary plant parts utilized. Decoction and oral administration were the most common preparation and application methods, while treated ailments mainly comprised mild to moderate conditions related to digestion, respiration, skin health, and musculoskeletal pain. The observed patterns indicate that ecological filtering, sustainable harvesting practices, and household-based healthcare strategies shape medicinal plant use in the Gunung Sewu Karst. By explicitly linking growth forms, harvested plant parts, and preparation methods to karst environmental constraints, this study demonstrates that traditional medicinal practices function as a coherent biocultural adaptation rather than isolated cultural remnants. These findings contribute to ethnobotanical research by highlighting the adaptive role of local knowledge systems in karst environments and underscore their relevance for community-based conservation and sustainable health strategies.