Hundreds of herbal medicines found

KENDARI, Southeast Sulawesi: A research team found recently that 449 kinds of traditional herbal medicines were still widely used in the province, Antara reported yesterday.

The news agency quoted Wa Ode Asnah Ganiu of the food and drug section of the provincial health office as saying that the study conducted in January and February also found dozens of unpatented herbal mixtures.

The province had a great opportunity to develop a traditional herbal medicine industry, she said.

Among the province's natural wealth is a plant known as saumpai to residents of Buton Island who use it to cure cough and lung problems.

Locals also use tampu masodo plants to cure indigestion. (swe)