KARANGANYAR – Sixth-semester students from the Health Policy and Administration concentration of the Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta (UMS), conducted a field visit to Hortus Medicus Tawangmangu, Karanganyar Regency, as part of the Advanced Health Policy Practicum course. The activity was organized in collaboration with the Traditional, Complementary, and Integrative Medicine (TCIM) Study Club, providing students with an experiential learning opportunity beyond the classroom.

The field visit aimed to enhance students’ understanding of the role of medicinal plants and the integration of traditional medicine into Indonesia’s health system. Through direct observation and hands-on activities, students were able to connect theoretical knowledge with real-world public health practices.

During the visit, participants explored a wide variety of medicinal herbs and learned about their health benefits. They also toured the medicinal plant exhibition area and received comprehensive explanations from Hortus Medicus experts regarding the cultivation, management, and application of herbal plants in traditional healthcare services.

In addition to the educational tour, students participated in a practical session on producing simple herbal inhalers. This activity introduced them to the potential of natural resources as innovative, evidence-informed approaches to promoting community health and supporting complementary healthcare practices.

The field experience provided valuable insights into the relationship between health policy, local wisdom, and the sustainable utilization of natural resources. It also strengthened students’ understanding of how traditional and complementary medicine can contribute to preventive and promotive public health strategies.

The Department of Public Health UMS remains committed to delivering innovative and practice-oriented education by integrating classroom learning with field-based experiences. Activities such as this field visit enable students to develop critical thinking, practical competencies, and a broader perspective on public health challenges and solutions.

Through this initiative, Public Health UMS continues to prepare graduates who are globally competent, socially responsive, and capable of developing sustainable public health innovations by combining scientific knowledge with local wisdom.