Guidelines for The Use of Herbal Medicines in Family Health Care

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GUIDELINES FOR THE USE OF HERBAL MEDICINES IN FAMILY HEALTH CARE

FOREWORD

FIRST EDITION

The health development’s mission is to fulfil the right of every individual to attain the highest
possible health status. This implies that every individual, family and community should be
able to obtain good health. In other words, no one should be left out however remote or left
behind their circumstances.

Health should be within reach of every family as an integral part of the communities’ daily
life. Therefore communities should participate in health development to improve their self
sustenance and reduce dependency on outside support.

Many factors influence health problems and are not always directly related to health itself nor
could be overcome by health efforts only. Therefore the Primary Health Care (PHC) strategy
should mostly be applied in health development.

Since ancient times, communities have used various remedies of medicinal plants in
preventing and treating their ailments, which is in line with the PHC principles. The PHC
principles also advise to use appropriate technology in health care, focusing on prevention,
with community participation in the spirit of self sufficiency.

These guidelines describe many ways and means to solve the community and family
problems by using remedies derived from medicinal plants. The book will equip cadres to
provide health promotion means to improve the communities’ capacity and self sufficiency
in overcoming part of their health problems.

We are aware that this book is still far from perfect, therefore we very much welcome
suggestions and recommendations for improvement.

Jakarta, January 1991

Director of Community Participation

Dr. WIDYASTUTI WIBISANA, M.Sc. (PH)