The University of Tokyo · Agricultural and Biological Sciences
Professor Yen Yen Sally Rahayu’s research lab focuses on ethnopharmacology, traditional medicine integration, and biodiversity conservation with a strong emphasis on underutilized and neglected plant resources in Indonesia. The lab investigates the role of wild, underutilized, and neglected edible plants (WUNEPs) and traditional food plants (TFPs) in enhancing food and nutrition security, particularly in rural communities. It also explores the integration of traditional Indonesian herbal medicine (TIHM) into national healthcare systems, such as Universal Health Coverage (UHC), and examines the attitudes of healthcare practitioners toward herbal medicine. Additionally, the lab applies advanced biotechnological tools like DNA barcoding for the authentication and quality control of herbal materials.
Figures are computed from collected data and may differ slightly.
UFP use is common in the study area, where local communities value these plants for their critical roles in diet, medicine, and culture. Given their significant potential to meet dietary needs, educating and raising awareness about UFPs can enhance their consumption and contribute to food and nutrition security.
Background: Indonesia has committed to achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and introduced national health insurance (JKN) to meet that commitment. Despite the increasing availability of healthcare services under the JKN scheme, traditional medicine (TM) continues to be a significant part of healthcare for Indonesians. In the context of the UHC system, this study aims to examine the predictors of TM use among urban and rural communities in Indonesia. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was co
Implementation of the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in Indonesia has created renewed momentum for integrating traditional Indonesian herbal medicine (TIHM) in healthcare delivery under the national health insurance program (NHI). At present, little is known about the attitudes of conventional healthcare practitioners towards the clinical use of TIHM. This study aimed to explore the attitudes of general practitioners (GPs) towards TIHM use in conventional care and their perception of the integr
Abstract: Due to its accuracy and expert-authenticated validation mechanism, DNA barcoding technology is advocated to be superior to existing methods of species identification. While DNA barcoding is generally viewed as valuable innovation in herbal materials authentication, the acceptability and accessibility issues pose a barrier to its uptake into the global herbal regulatory framework. We explore the current status of DNA barcoding technology for quality assurance of herbal materials/ produc
Background: Traditional food plants (TFPs) are integral to dietary resilience in Indonesia, yet their consumption dynamics and potential health links remain understudied. This study aims to document TFPs’ use, examine factors correlated with consumption, and explore their associations with perceived health and well-being. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of 335 participants in three socio-ecologically distinct provinces (West Java, West Nusa Tenggara, Aceh) employed food frequency questionnaire
Abstract Background As one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots, Indonesia contains over 19,000 plant species, including wild, underutilized, and neglected edible plants (WUNEPs). These WUNEPs complement people’s diets and substitute for common vegetables, particularly in rural areas. However, in West Java, the biodiversity of WUNEPs is declining, which coincides with public health issues related to malnutrition. Because they often contain higher levels of micronutrients than domesticated crops,
Open papers in the app to read, cite, and organize with AI.
