Development of a Family Medicinal Plant Garden (TOGA) as an Effort to Enhance Community Health Self-Reliance in Puguh Village, Boja District, Kendal Regency

Abstract

The utilization of Family Medicinal Plants (TOGA) serves as a community empowerment strategy to support health promotion and disease prevention efforts. TOGA gardens function not only as sources of traditional medicinal ingredients but also as educational tools to enhance public knowledge regarding the benefits of herbal plants. This community service initiative aimed to establish a Family Medicinal Plant (TOGA) garden as a learning resource while fostering community self-reliance in utilizing medicinal plants found in the local environment. The activity took place on November 15–16, 2025, in Puguh Village, Boja District, Kendal Regency. Implementation followed the Participatory Learning and Action (PLA) approach, comprising stages such as site preparation, soil cultivation, planting medicinal species, installing plant identification signs and educational banners, and providing community guidance. The plants cultivated included red and green betel, red and green *Binahong*, cat's whiskers (*Orthosiphon aristatus*), lemongrass, ginger, turmeric, aromatic ginger (*kencur*), Java ginger (*temulawak*), *Kitolod* flowers, aloe vera, guava, and butterfly pea flowers. The results indicate a positive community response to the TOGA garden, as it provides an accessible learning platform for understanding medicinal plant usage. Beyond beautifying the Village Hall grounds, the garden is expected to increase public knowledge of traditional medicine, support the conservation of herbal plants, and sustainably strengthen community health self-reliance.