Introduction | Objectives Research Links | Units

Information Unit

| Introduction | Research |

RESEARCH

1. Ethnopharmacology studies

• Documentation of the traditional utilization of medicinal plants
• Collection of live and voucher specimen

2. Global Information Hub on Integrated Medicine

• Information requirement by different groups of users
• Development process of content management

3. Traditional & Complementary Medicine (T/CM) practices in Malaysia

• Studies on the training of Homeopathy and Acupunture
• Study on the midwifery practice of the traditional Malay practitioners

 

ACTIVITIES

1. Global Information Hub on Integrated Medicine

This project, currently managed by IMR for the Ministry of Health Malaysia, is a central electronic database that hosts validated and up-to-date information covering a comprehensive range of areas on integrated medicine from all over the world. The vision is to promote and enhance the practice of traditional and complementary medicine (T/CM) towards the establishment of integrated medicine together with allopathic medicine towards contemporary health care, through global communication and education with the availability of valid, up-to-date and comprehensive information.

The information in GlobinMed consists of various topics related to traditional and complementary medicine and cover topics as depicted in Figure 1. The web portal is developed together with both local and international partners.

We invite strategic partners to fulfil the vision of ensuring reliable and accurate information on Integrated Medicine for the world.

• To be part of the project with provision of relevant content
  
• To utilize the website as a platform for further activities
  
• To become collaborators of the project
  
• To suggest relevant key people or centers for further improvement
  

2. Compendium

One main publication by HMRC is the “Compendium of Medicinal Plants Used in Malaysia”. This book contains information of 2002 medicinal plants that is available in Malaysia with 500 coloured photographs.

Compendium of Medicinal Plants Used in Malaysia

3. Ethomedicine & Ethnopharmacology Studies

1. Ethnomedicine: a sub-field of medical anthropology that deals with the study of traditional medicine: not only those that have relevant written sources (e.g. Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ayurveda), but especially those, whose knowledge and practices have been orally transmitted over the centuries.
2. Ethnopharmacology: the scientific study of the materials used by ethnic and cultural groups as medicines.
   

4. Voucher Specimen

1. The collection of live and dried plant specimen from field work.
2. The dried specimen is prepared as a record of the plant.
   

Preparing the voucher specimen

5. Traditional & Complementary Medicine (T/CM)

1. Studies on T/CM modalities in Malaysia namely on prevalence of use, distribution of use, characteristics of practices, choice of use, esteemed practitioners and related information.
2. Survey on training of practitioners: Homeopathy & Acupuncture
   

Interviewing practitioners

 

| Introduction | Research |