Penggunaan tumbuhan obat semakin diminati masyarakat karena dianggap lebih aman, murah, dan minim efek samping dibandingkan obat kimia. Kawasan Gunung Tilu yang terletak di perbatasan Kabupaten Kuningan (Jawa Barat) dan Kabupaten Brebes (Jawa Tengah) memiliki potensi keanekaragaman hayati yang tinggi, termasuk tumbuhan obat yang secara turun-temurun dimanfaatkan masyarakat. Namun, pemanfaatannya belum optimal dalam meningkatkan kesejahteraan masyarakat. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis jenis tumbuhan obat yang memiliki nilai ekonomi serta menggali manfaatnya bagi kesehatan dan ekonomi masyarakat di Desa Cimara, Desa Jabranti, dan Desa Capar. Penelitian menggunakan pendekatan deskriptif kualitatif dengan teknik purposive sampling dan snowball sampling. Data dikumpulkan melalui observasi partisipatif, wawancara mendalam dengan masyarakat, tokoh lokal, dan pelaku usaha, serta dokumentasi lapangan. Instrumen penelitian berupa pedoman wawancara dan catatan lapangan yang divalidasi melalui triangulasi sumber dan metode untuk menjamin keabsahan data. Analisis data dilakukan melalui reduksi data, penyajian data dalam bentuk naratif dan tabel, serta penarikan kesimpulan yang diverifikasi secara berulang.Hasil penelitian menunjukkan terdapat 31 jenis tumbuhan obat yang dimanfaatkan masyarakat, namun hanya 6 jenis yang memiliki nilai ekonomi dan dipasarkan, yaitu kemukus (Piper cubeba), nilam (Pogostemon cablin), temulawak (Curcuma xanthorrhiza), temu putih (Curcuma zedoaria), kunyit (Curcuma domestica), dan kayu rapet (Parameria laevigata). Jenis dengan nilai ekonomi tertinggi adalah kemukus dengan harga Rp150.000/kg. Proses pengolahan masih dilakukan secara tradisional, seperti pemotongan, penjemuran rimpang, daun, buah, atau kulit kayu. Kendala utama meliputi keterbatasan akses pasar, minimnya pelatihan pengolahan produk, dan rendahnya jumlah usaha lokal. Kesimpulan penelitian ini adalah potensi tumbuhan obat di Gunung Tilu sangat besar, namun kontribusinya terhadap pendapatan masyarakat masih rendah. Oleh karena itu, disarankan adanya peningkatan sosialisasi, pelatihan pengolahan pascapanen, pengembangan usaha berbasis tumbuhan obat, serta akses pasar yang lebih luas agar pemanfaatan tumbuhan obat dapat menjadi sumber ekonomi berkelanjutan bagi masyarakat.

Kata kunci: Tanaman Obat, Gunung Tilu, Ekonomi, Masyarakat

The use of medicinal plants is increasingly popular among the public because it is considered safer, more affordable, and has fewer side effects than chemical drugs. The Mount Tilu area, located on the border of Kuningan Regency (West Java) and Brebes Regency (Central Java), has high biodiversity potential, including medicinal plants that have been used by the community for generations. However, their utilization has not been optimal in improving community welfare. This study aims to analyze the types of medicinal plants that have economic value and explore their benefits for the health and economy of the communities in Cimara Village, Jabranti Village, and Capar Village. The research employed a qualitative descriptive approach with purposive sampling and snowball sampling techniques. Data were collected through participant observation, in-depth interviews with community members, local leaders, and business actors, and field documentation. The research instruments consisted of interview guides and field notes, validated through triangulation of sources and methods to ensure data validity. Data analysis was conducted through data reduction, presentation in narrative and tabular form, and drawing conclusions that were repeatedly verified. The results of the study showed that there are 31 types of medicinal plants used by the community, but only 6 types have economic value and are marketed, namely cubeb (Piper cubeba), patchouli (Pogostemon cablin), ginger (Curcuma xanthorrhiza), white ginger (Curcuma zedoaria), turmeric (Curcuma domestica), and rapet wood (Parameria laevigata). The type with the highest economic value is cubeb with a price of IDR 150,000/kg. The processing process is still carried out traditionally, such as cutting, drying rhizomes, leaves, fruit, or bark. The main obstacles include limited market access, minimal product processing training, and the low number of local businesses. The conclusion of this study is that the potential of medicinal plants on Mount Tilu is very large, but their contribution to community income is still low. Therefore, it is recommended to increase socialization, post-harvest processing training, development of medicinal plant-based businesses, and wider market access so that the use of medicinal plants can become a sustainable economic source for the community.

Keywords: Medicinal Plants, Mount Tilu, Economy, Society