UNAIR NEWS – Family Medicinal Plants or known as TOGA are plants that can function as herbal medicine and are intentionally planted in residents’ yards or gardens. The medicinal plants are often used by the community as traditional medicine because besides being affordable, they do not cause side effects for health.
Because of the importance of TOGA for human health, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR), through the Department of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry educate residents of Al-Hafizh Mental Rehabilitation Center in Sidoarjo Regency. The community service program themed “Making TOGA Gardens and Counseling on Medicinal Plants, Fruits and Vegetables for Mental Disorders at Al-Hafizh Mental Rehabilitation Center, Sidoardjo, East Java “was initiated by three lecturers, Dra. Rakhmawati, MS., Apt as the team leader, Rr. Retno Widyowati, SSi., M.Pharm., PhD., Apt, and Dr. Idha Kusumawati, SSi., MSi., Apt.
When asked for a statement, Retno Widyowati., PhD., Apt revealed that the community service was held on Saturday, November 28, 2020 and attended by 26 residents of the rehabilitation center, most of whom are alumni of Menur Mental Hospital and 7 administrators of the facility. The team held the community service at that facility, said Retno, because they wanted to share and provide solutions for brain health management through local wisdom, medicinal plants.
“So the mental health sufferers are not only dependent on modern medicine, but can take advantage of medicinal plants, vegetables and fruits,” said Retno.
The Pharmacy Team introduced the medicinal plants to the residents by planting them together, by making a mini toga garden. A total of 63 medicinal plants from 18 plant species; Katu plants, Mint leaves, Aloe Vera, Oranges, Pomegranates, Lemon, Passion Fruit, Mulberry, Celery, Oregano, Parsley, Lavender, Asian pigeonwings, Neem, Guava, Ginger, Kencur, Turmeric, Curcuma, Laos, Moringa, and Asiatic pennywort.
Retno said the residents were very enthusiastic. Thanks to this community service, they got new knowledge, that using plants can help improve brain health.
“They will plant more. There is an empty land belonging to the family of one of the residents of rehab center. Later it will be planted with vegetables, fruit and medicinal plants, ” she said.
Furthermore, Dra. Rakhmawati and her team provide modules on medicinal plants, vegetables and fruits to improve brain health. The module will be studied further and compiled as book so it can be used by the community.
The team hoped that after the community service, the residents of the Rehabilitation Center can take care and take advantage of the toga plants that have been given. What is no less important, they are expected to stop depending on modern medicine. (*)
Author: Dimar Herfano
Editor: Feri Fenoria
