Preserving medical heritage for sustainable futures: An ethnoscientific and etiological framework of halal Malay herbal remedies
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55573/JISED.118806Keywords:
Medical Heritage, Ethnoscience, Etiological Framework, Halal Herbal Remedies, Sustainable FuturesAbstract
Growing interest in ethical healthcare and sustainable wellness has renewed attention to traditional medical heritage. However, Traditional Malay Medicine (TMM) continues to face fragmented documentation, limited integration of historical knowledge with contemporary practices, and insufficient policy support for sustainable development. This study examines the diversity and traditionally reported therapeutic applications of Malay herbal remedies across four disease categories, investigates preparation methods and ethical practices, and proposes interdisciplinary and policy approaches for sustainable healthcare integration. Employing a qualitative methodology, the research combines documentary and doctrinal analysis of selected classical Kitab Tib sources, relevant legal provisions and scholarly literature with semi-structured interviews involving ten experienced TMM practitioners. The findings identify traditional herbal applications associated with chronic diseases, respiratory ailments, dermatological conditions, and psychosocial disorders. Three interrelated themes emerge: ethnoscientific botanical classification, traditional etiological interpretations, and ethical practices involving halalan toyyiban and responsible botanical sourcing. The integration of documentary and practitioner perspectives highlights the cultural significance of Malay medical knowledge and its potential contribution to heritage preservation, ethical herbal innovation and environmental sustainability. The study recommends strengthening practitioner education, interdisciplinary collaboration, sustainable botanical resource management and policy coordination to support responsible integration into contemporary healthcare and the halal wellness industry. Future research should prioritise botanical authentication, herbal safety assessment, pharmacological and clinical validation, and evaluation of sustainable governance models to establish stronger evidence for traditional therapeutic applications.
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