TANJUNG (TABIRkota) – Hundreds of longjacks or “pasak bumi” or “tongkat ali” which were planted in 2018 by the KPH (Forest Management Unit) of Tabalong Regency, South Kalimantan are likely to grow well.
A monitoring carried out by the KPH of Tabalong on Tuesday (April 5, 2022) shows that the Eurycoma longifolia Jacks have been growing about 50 percent.
Some of them are even already flowering and bearing fruits.
The pasak bumi are planted on land belonging to members of “Bumi Lestari” Forest Farmers Group (KTH) in Uwie Village of Muara Uya Subdistrict.
A total of 475 longjack seedlings were provided by coal mining company PT Adaro Indonesia, through its CSR (corporate social responsibility) program.
“Our plan is that the plants will be used as a source of seedlings for Bumi Lestari members,” Aidil Fahruraji, Forest Utilization Section Head of the Tabalong KPH, said.
Beside pasak bumi, longjack and tongkat ali, this plant has also different common names, such as bidara pahit, ali’s umbrella, payong ali, and penawa pahit.
Studies have suggested that pasak bumi can grow well in lowlands to an altitude of 500 meters above sea level.
It is a small, dioecious tree which can grow up to between 10 and 12 metres tall.
The tree is usually unbranched, or with a few upright branches.
Each branch is crowned by an umbrella-like rosette of compound leaves.
Pasak bumi is generally only able to survive until the age of 25 years.
For commercial purposes, this plant can be harvested at the age of 4 (four) years after planting.
Pasak bumi is actually a type of wild tree.
In Indonesia, this plant grows naturally in the forests of Sumatra and Kalimantan islands.
Large scale huntings that have been carried out in the last decades, making the population of tongkat ali declines sharply.
In addition to conservation purposes, pasak bumi are also planted as sources of raw materials for various supplements and medicines.
A popular traditional medicine, the plant is often harvested from the wild for local use.
All parts of the plant, in particular the roots, have long been used medicinally.
It has antibacterial and aphrodisiac properties and is used for pain relief.
The roots, and particularly the bark of the roots, are used as a febrifuge in the treatment of malaria, fevers and intestinal worms.
They are also used as a tonic, especially following childbirth.
The root is also used as a male aphrodisiac.
The bitter constituents of the roots will, in a large enough dose, provoke vomiting and are employed as such.
A decoction of the root is drunk to relieve gastric pains and reduce high blood pressure.
A poultice of the pounded root is used as a treatment on wounds, ulcers and sores.
A decoction of the bark is drunk to relieve pain in the bones.
The leaves are reportedly eaten raw to relieve stomach-ache.
A decoction of the leaves is used for washing itches. (sah)
