Page 64 - EBOOK_Jamu: The Ancient Indonesian Art of Herbal Healing

Camphor trees (pluchea balsamifera or Drybalanops aromatica) are a
lucrative business in rainforests, but because many of the trees are scattered, they
are not worth tapping. However, a good tree can produce six to seven kilos of
resin and a handsome reward for the finder. The precious liquid is used to

stimulate heart and blood circulation, and is also accepted in Western medicine
as a mild antiseptic and anaesthetic.
By far the most popular plants to emerge from the forests of East
Kalimantan are pasak bumi (peg of the earth; eurycoma longifolia) and its
partner, tabat barito (Borneo fig; ficus deltoidea). pasak bumi is also called
bidara laut, so its Latin name, eurycoma longifolia, is often used to avoid
confusion with the genuine bidara laut (see left). The root bark—very bitter—is
reputed to be one of nature’s most powerful male aphrodisiacs. Tabat barito has
the same effect on women and is an important ingredient in female Love Herb
tablets. Their combined use is said to be earth shattering! Sadly, unless someone
mounts a rescue operation soon, such experiences are on the wane because both

plant species are classified as endangered.
With at least 4,000 species of plants found in Kalimantan, its rainforests
have enormous potential for new medicines. However, excessive logging, slash-
and-burn farming methods and spontaneous forest fires mean these riches could
well be lost forever, unless projects such as Barito Ulu (see page 87) receive