Traditional Malay Remedies for Women’s Health: Transliteration and Scientific Insights from MSS 1796

Abstract

Background: The Malay medical manuscript MSS 1796, preserved at Pusat Kebangsaan Manuskrip Melayu, documents extensive therapeutic knowledge reflecting the intellectual heritage of the Malay world. Among its diverse medical formulations, remedies addressing women’s health are notably prominent but remain underexplored. Objective: This study investigates women’s health-related formulations in MSS 1796, focusing on three key conditions: postpartum disorders (meroyan), uterine prolapse (menyacakkan peranakan), and abdominal pain (rengat atau sakit ari-arinya). The aim is to transliterate, analyze, and scientifically validate the plant-based remedies associated with these conditions. Methods: Seventeen pages of MSS 1796 were transliterated using standard transliteration methods. Of 79 therapeutic prescriptions, 15 were identified as directly relevant to women’s health. The materia medica mentioned in these formulations were cross-referenced with pharmacological studies from PubMed and Google Scholar to assess biomedical relevance. Results: The remedies comprised both single- and multiple-compound preparations, reflecting the sophistication of traditional Malay pharmacology. Oryza sativa was the most frequently cited plant, traditionally used for postpartum recovery and uterine health. Scientific evidence confirms its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, consistent with its traditional applications. Other plants, including Curcuma longa (kunyit) and Trachyspermum roxburghianum (jintan), were also identified, with pharmacological studies supporting their antioxidant and abdominal pain-alleviating effects. Conclusion: This research highlights the significance of MSS 1796 in documenting therapeutic knowledge for women’s health. By integrating transliteration with pharmacological validation, the study demonstrates the potential of Malay medical heritage to inform modern approaches to maternal and reproductive health.