Lecturer from Unej researches the potential of tree ferns as a raw material for medicine

Jember, East Java (ANTARA) - Lecturer at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA) of the University of Jember (Unej), Fuad Bahrul Ulum, is researching the potential of tree ferns as a raw material for medicine.

The lecturer did not stop at researching the plant’s systematics but continued by researching the potential of tree ferns as a raw material for medicine because the prehistoric plant is believed to have a high antioxidant content that is useful for cancer treatment.

“I am interested in researching tree ferns because research on them is relatively limited. Especially research on the potential of tree ferns as a raw material for medicine,” said Fuad in Jember, Friday.

The doctoral graduate from Gottingen University, Germany, together with researchers from various universities and researchers from the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), has been intensively researching tree ferns since 2022.

“I am optimistic that tree ferns have the potential as a raw material for medicine. When conducting research in the field, I found that the community around the forest where tree ferns grow uses the sap of young tree fern shoots as a hair growth medicine, which is believed to be effective,” he said.

“In addition to the potential as a raw material for medicine, the presence of plants from the Cyathea genus also indicates that the surrounding environment is still well-maintained,” he said.

He said that tree ferns can grow at altitudes ranging from 600 meters above sea level to 1,200 meters above sea level and require protective trees which then form a canopy.

So, if tree ferns grow well, it can be ensured that the surrounding environment has lush trees and sufficient water sources.

“Don’t forget, tree ferns are a kind of parent for other plants, such as ferns and orchids,” said Fuad, who also involved his students in the research.

He explained that biologists identified the first plant on earth that grew was moss, followed by ferns, open-seeded plants, and finally closed-seeded plants.

In the world, there are an estimated 400 species of Cyathea, five of which are found in East Java Province. Such as those that grow in the Erek-erek Geoforest area in Banyuwangi, Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park, Mount Ijen, and Mount Raung.

“The natural wealth in the form of tree ferns must be preserved because it is a valuable asset, especially since its growth is relatively slow, only five inches per year. So if there is a tree fern that is as tall as a coconut tree, like in Erek-erek Geoforest in Banyuwangi, you can imagine how old it is, maybe it is already tens or even hundreds of years old,” he said.

Tree ferns are classified as prehistoric plants because they are estimated to have existed on earth since 65 million years ago. In fact, some experts believe that they have existed on earth since 240 million years ago and uniquely, their shape has not changed much.

“So tree ferns are included in prehistoric plants because they have existed on earth since millions of years ago, not because of the age of the tree which reaches millions of years,” he said.