Exploring New Territory

One morning, Mayang and Rani set out from the village, venturing deep into the forest. The mist clung to the trees, and the air was thick with the scent of damp earth. As they walked, Mayang’s eyes scanned the lush greenery, taking in the diversity of plant life that the Dayak people relied on for their traditional remedies. Rani moved with quiet confidence, occasionally stopping to point out various plants and their uses. The deeper they went into the forest, the more Mayang felt an undeniable shift—a sense that the forest was alive, not just biologically but spiritually.

Rani, kneeling by a patch of wild plants. “This one here, Cempedak bark, is used for treating digestive issues. We boil it in water and drink it as tea.”

Mayang, observing closely. “I know this plant. In the lab, we’ve analyzed its compounds. It contains saponins, which we use in modern pharmaceuticals.”