Ethnomedical use of Dodonaea viscosa for postpartum perineal wound care among Dani tribe women in Puncak Jaya, Indonesia
Abstract
Maternal mortality remains a pressing issue in many developing countries, with postpartum infections being one of the leading causes. In remote regions of Indonesia, such as the highlands of Papua, traditional healing practices are still widely adopted due to limited access to formal health services. Among the Dani tribe in Puncak Jaya District, the use of Dolli or Dolingga (Dodonaea viscosa) leaves for perineal wound care after childbirth is a longstanding cultural tradition. This study aimed to explore the ethnomedical practices, preparation methods, and perceived therapeutic effects of Dolli leaves in managing postpartum perineal wounds among women in the Dani tribe. A qualitative exploratory design was employed. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with 10 postpartum mothers and 2 key informants, including a health official from the Puncak Jaya District Health Office. Thematic content analysis was applied to identify key patterns and cultural meanings associated with the use of Dolli leaves. The use of Dolli leaves is a generational practice, valued for its accessibility and safety. Leaves are wilted over fire to release their oils, then layered (approximately 3 cm thick), and applied externally by having the mother sit or lie on them. Most participants reported improved perineal wound conditions within 1–4 days, characterized by dryness, lack of odor, and absence of infection. Mild abdominal discomfort was noted by some, though no adverse effects were reported. Cultural taboos such as not stepping on the leaves were observed during use. The leaves were also applied for neonatal umbilical cord care. The ethnomedical use of Dolli leaves for postpartum perineal wound healing reflects culturally embedded knowledge with perceived therapeutic benefits. These findings suggest potential for integrating local ethnomedicine into maternal care in resource-limited settings, pending further clinical and pharmacological validation.
There is no Figure or data content available for this article
References
- Maternal mortality rates and statistics [Internet]. UNICEF DATA. [cited 2023 Sept 17]. Available from: https://data.unicef.org/topic/maternal-health/maternal-mortality/
- Suparji S, Nugroho HSW, Sunarto S, Prayogi AS. High maternal mortality rate in Indonesia: a challenge to be addressed immediately. PAMJ-One Health [Internet]. 2024 July 19 [cited 2025 Sept 17];14(13). Available from: https://www.one-health.panafrican-med-journal.com/content/article/14/13/full
- Siahaan CA, Sumunar AAK, Pratama D, Mustikaningrum M, Srihadini TN, Puti RF. Material and child health analysis and its intercourse to the availability of health facilities in Papua province. Che Omar R, Sri Sumantyo JT, White B, Ballesteros FC, Cardenas Tristan A, editors. E3S Web Conf. 2023;468:06012.
- Nayeem N, Mohammed Basheeruddin Asdaq S, Alamri AS, Alsanie WF, Alhomrani M, Mohzari Y, et al. Wound healing potential of Dodonaea viscosa extract formulation in experimental animals. J King Saud Univ - Sci. 2021 July;33(5):101476.
- Syairaji M, Nurdiati DS, Wiratama BS, Prüst ZD, Bloemenkamp KWM, Verschueren KJC. Trends and causes of maternal mortality in Indonesia: a systematic review. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2024 July 30;24(1):515.
- Man R, Morton VH, Morris RK. Childbirth-related perineal trauma and its complications: prevalence, risk factors and management. Obstet Gynaecol Reprod Med. 2024 Sept 1;34(9):252–9.
- Regional Health– Americas TL. Menstrual health: a neglected public health problem. Lancet Reg Health - Am. 2022 Nov 11;15:100399.
- Beshah F, Hunde Y, Getachew M, Bachheti RK, Husen A, Bachheti A. Ethnopharmacological, phytochemistry and other potential applications of Dodonaea genus: A comprehensive review. Curr Res Biotechnol. 2020 Nov 1;2:103–19.
- Untari YD, Yantina Y, Susilawati S, Sari DY. Washing Water Red Betel Leaves In Acceling The Healing Of Postpartum Women’s Perineum. JKM J Kebidanan Malahayati. 2022 Apr 30;8(2):478–84.
- Mona S. Complementary Intervention in Postpartum Women with Combination Therapy of Betel Leaf Decoction and Binahong to Accelerate Healing Perineum Pain. MEDIS J Ris Ilmu Kesehat. 2024 Mar 27;1(1):18–21.
- Triyani Y, Wittiarika ID, Hardianto G. Factors Influencing the Process of Perineal Wound Healing in Postpartum Women in Serui Hospital, Papua. Indones Midwifery Health Sci J. 2021 Oct 28;5(4):398–405.
- UPTD Puskesmas Mulia. Laporan Tahunan Upaya Kesehatan Puskesmas Mulia Tahun 2023. Puncak Jaya, Papua; 2023.
- Mantula F, Chamisa JA, Nunu WN, Nyanhongo PS. Women’s Perspectives on Cultural Sensitivity of Midwives During Intrapartum Care at a Maternity Ward in a National Referral Hospital in Zimbabwe. SAGE Open Nurs. 2023 Feb 27;9:23779608231160476.
- Al-Snafi PDAE. A review on Dodonaea viscosa: A potential medicinal plant. IOSR J Pharm IOSRPHR. 2017 June;07(02):10–21.
- Salinas-Sánchez DO, Herrera-Ruiz M, Pérez S, Jiménez-Ferrer E, Zamilpa A. Anti-inflammatory Activity of Hautriwaic Acid Isolated from Dodonaea viscosa Leaves. Molecules. 2012 Apr;17(4):4292–9.
- Kementerian Kesehatan RI. Permenkes No. 61 Tahun 2016 [Internet]. Permenkes No. 61 Tahun 2016. Available from: http://peraturan.bpk.go.id/Details/114472/permenkes-no-61-tahun-2016
- Kementerian Kesehatan RI. Permenkes No. 37 Tahun 2017 [Internet]. Permenkes No. 37 Tahun 2017. Available from: http://peraturan.bpk.go.id/Details/112104/permenkes-no-37-tahun-2017
- Kementerian Kesehatan RI. Permenkes No. 15 Tahun 2018 [Internet]. Permenkes No. 15 Tahun 2018. Available from: http://peraturan.bpk.go.id/Details/111834/permenkes-no-15-tahun-2018
- Carvalho MTB, Araújo-Filho HG, Barreto AS, Quintans-Júnior LJ, Quintans JSS, Barreto RSS. Wound healing properties of flavonoids: A systematic review highlighting the mechanisms of action. Phytomedicine Int J Phytother Phytopharm. 2021 Sept;90:153636.
- Hossain MA. Biological and phytochemicals review of Omani medicinal plant Dodonaea viscosa. J King Saud Univ - Sci. 2019 Oct 1;31(4):1089–94.
- Khan S, Rehman MU, Khan MZI, Kousar R, Muhammad K, Haq IU, et al. In vitro and in vivo antioxidant therapeutic evaluation of phytochemicals from different parts of Dodonaea viscosa Jacq. Front Chem. 2023 Nov 7;11:1268949.
How to Cite This
Copyright and Permissions

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Publishing your paper with Jurnal Kesehatan Ibu dan Anak means that the author or authors retain the copyright in the paper. Jurnal Kesehatan Ibu dan Anak granted an exclusive reuse license by the author(s), but the author(s) are able to put the paper onto a website, distribute it to colleagues, give it to students, use it in your thesis etc, even commercially. The author(s) can reuse the figures and tables and other information contained in their paper published by Jurnal Kesehatan Ibu dan Anak in future papers or work without having to ask anyone for permission, provided that the figures, tables or other information that is included in the new paper or work properly references the published paper as the source of the figures, tables or other information, and the new paper or work is not direct at the private monetary gain or commercial advantage.
Jurnal Kesehatan Ibu dan Anak provides immediate open access to its content on the principle that making research freely available to the public supports a greater global exchange of knowledge. This journal is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. This license lets others remix, transform, and build upon the material for any purpose, even commercially.
Jurnal Kesehatan Ibu dan Anak Open Access articles are distributed under this Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License (CC BY-SA). Articles can be read and shared for All purposes under the following conditions:
- BY: You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use.
- SA: If you remix, transform, or build upon the material, you must distribute your contributions under the same license as the original.