Ethnopharmacological Properties of Essential Oils from Natural Forests in Northern Sumatra

The Covid-19 pandemic has raised global awareness for boosting the body’s immune system through organic product utilization and complementary therapies. This condition encourages re-disclosure of local wisdom in herbal medicine applications which involves essential oils in disease prevention and treatment. This paper describes the local wisdom of various forest essential oils utilization, to identify the phytopharmaceutical content and potential for herbal medicine. The research was carried out through exploration and in-depth interviews with 30 local community respondents who applied essential oils in traditional medicine in Humbang Hasundutan, North Sumatra; and Singkil, Aceh in 2019. This review also explored various literature regarding phytopharmaceutical content and safety issues of various plants used in traditional medicine. The study results identified at least 17 essential oils as the main therapeutic agent, including Sumatran camphor (Dryobalanops aromatica), benzoin (Styrax sumatrana), nutmeg (Myristica fragrans), andaliman (Zanthoxylum acanthopodium), and lemo (Litsea cubeba). The essential oils are extracted from leaves, fruit, flowers, bark, stems, roots, and resin in various ways. Some of the main compounds identified include a-pinene, camphene, limonene, 1,8-cineole, and p-cymene. In aromatherapy applications, essential oils aroma has a relaxing effect and offers relief to a congested respiratory system. The essential oils can also relieve inflammation, irritation, insect bites, itching, rashes, sprains, and muscle aches in topical application. Local wisdom reveals essential oils utilization to treat indigestion, headaches, and insomnia. The compound 1,8 cineole is potential as anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and antifungal, expectorant boosts the immune system and prospective for respiratory and blood vessels treatment.