Plants and animals are the basis of most traditional medicines. Rural communities in many parts of Malaysia still depend on traditional medicines for their healthcare needs. It is estimated that about 1,200 species of higher plants in Peninsular Malaysia and 2,000 species in Sabah and Sarawak have potential medicinal properties and are used in traditional health care. Furthermore, many of these species are endemic to Malaysia, making them truly a natural asset worth conserving. Modern medicine also uses plants and plant products as the basis for many commercial drugs. Plants and herbs such as “Hempedu Bumi” (Andrographis paniculata), Bitter Melon "Peria" (Momordica charanthia) and White Leadtree "Petai Belalang" (Leucaena leucocephala) have shown potential for dengue treatment.