Abstract

Background:
The highland community of Napu in Poso Regency, Central Sulawesi, possesses unique traditional and supernatural knowledge and practices for managing helminthiasis, locally known as Kekaindoro. Helminthiasis is considered a dangerous condition, even though it does not directly cause death.

Aim:
This study aimed to explore the community’s understanding of helminthiasis, their use of medicinal plants, and perceptions of the efficacy of these treatments.

Methods:
A cross-sectional study design was employed, with data collected through in-depth interviews. Qualitative ethnomedicine data provided insights into the helminthiasis concepts of the community, their use of traditional treatments, and the cultural practices associated with their application.

Results:
The Napu community links helminthiasis to barefoot activities in fields, gardens, or ditches, allowing worms to penetrate the skin. Fourteen local medicinal plants were identified as treatments: Pepolo, Karondo, Tali Pahit, pumpkin, wild tomato, local kedondong, Hiha tree, Duinaru, Bleura, Paroaha, lamtoro, lemon pasia, papaya, and ngilu-ngilu. These plants are consumed raw, boiled, or juiced, with Pepolo being the most common because of its availability and effectiveness, as evidenced by worm expulsion in feces. Traditional knowledge is passed down orally without standardized dosages or guidelines. While the community views medicinal plants as safer than modern drugs, younger generations are shifting toward modern medicine for convenience.

Conclusion:
This study highlights the diverse traditional plant-based practices used by the Napu community to manage helminthiasis, despite the lack of standardized dosing and timing. Scientific evaluation of these plants is needed to confirm their efficacy and inform their integration into evidence-based control efforts.

Key words: Anthelmintic; Ethnobotanical; Helminthiasis; Schistosomiasis; Traditional medicine.