Utilization of Indigenous Buton Flora for Natural Bodycare: Preserving Local Knowledge and Community Traditions

The indigenous knowledge of the Buton ethnic community regarding the utilization of plants for soap, detergent, and shampoo is progressively overlooked due to socioeconomic transformations, globalization, and contemporary lifestyles. The erosion of local community knowledge is recognized as a key danger to the sustainability of biodiversity and culture. Furthermore, the recording of indigenous plant biodiversity, including that of soap, detergent, and shampoo, on Buton Island, Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia, is limited. This study employs a qualitative method with an exploratory approach. Data were provided by informants, including traditional leaders, indigenous individuals, and the youth of Buton. The data were assessed by reduction, visualization, and verification methods. Additionally, a relative frequency citation (RFC) study was conducted to ascertain the local significance of each species. Eighteen plant species, categorized into fifteen families, possess the capacity to serve as natural soap, detergent, and shampoo. The specimens were gathered from 14 indigenous settlements. This study highlights the significance of prioritizing indigenous plants in the search for natural biosurfactants suitable for cosmetic applications.