| dc.description.abstract | This study discusses the consumption of herbal medicine as an effort to prevent
colds among online motorcycle taxi drivers in the University of North Sumatra
(USU) Campus environment. The main objective of this study is to understand the
perceptions, consumption habits, and reasons behind the decisions of online
motorcycle taxi drivers in choosing herbal medicine as a prevention and treatment
of colds. This study uses a qualitative method with an ethnographic approach,
where researchers conducted participatory observations and in-depth interviews
with online motorcycle taxi drivers and herbal medicine traders to explore the
experience of consuming herbal medicine in their daily lives. The results of the
study indicate that the consumption of herbal medicine for online motorcycle taxi
drivers has a complex perception, not only to prevent colds, but also as part of
maintaining endurance in the midst of physically demanding work. a) Online
motorcycle taxi drivers view herbal medicine as a more natural and safe solution
compared to modern medicine, especially because of the belief in the minimal side
effects that can harm organs such as the kidneys and stomach. b) The types of herbal
medicine most often consumed include complete herbal medicine, temulawak
herbal medicine, turmeric herbal medicine, and sachet herbal medicine products
such as Bejo. Consumption of herbal medicine is done routinely or irregularly, such
as when starting to feel symptoms of a cold, with the aim of maintaining stamina
and preventing minor health problems such as colds. c) The main factors behind
the choice of herbal medicine consumption are its effectiveness in increasing
endurance, socio-cultural factors that are passed down from generation to
generation, affordability, and ease of access to herbal medicine available in stalls
and street vendors. In addition, herbal medicine traders also play a role in
providing recommendations for types of herbal medicine that are in accordance
with customer complaints, especially for online motorcycle taxi drivers who often
experience fatigue and colds due to working all day on the road. The conclusion of
this study shows that herbal medicine consumption among online motorcycle taxi
drivers is not only a hereditary habit, but also a personal experience, work
conditions, and ease of access to herbal medicine. | en_US |
