Herbal approach the road to inner and outer harmony
Herbal approach the road to inner and outer harmony
People in Eastern countries have long believed that a balance
between inner and outer harmony maintains physical and mental
health.
Indonesians have practiced traditional medicine and herbal
remedies for centuries, as stated in many inscriptions and other
historical artifacts.
Although written records of traditional medicine in Indonesia
are extremely rare, evidence of the use of herbal remedies and
body massages can be found etched on the walls of Borobudur
temple, Central Java.
In Bali, ancient Lontar Usadha (palm inscriptions) recorded
numerous traditional medicines to cure tangible and intangible
illnesses according to Balinese beliefs.
Within Indonesia, healing traditions differ from region to
region.
In Java, especially Central Java, people consume jamu, one of
the most widely used herbal medicines.
Jamu has four basic functions: to cure illnesses, prevent
diseases or maintain health (by promoting blood circulation and
increasing metabolism), relieve aches and pains (by reducing
inflammation and aiding digestion) and correct malfunction such
as infertility and menstrual problems.
Jamu is available in many different forms. It may be consumed
as a tonic or brew, be used in body wraps, or as a massage oil.
Balinese people use boreh (a scrub), a traditional village remedy
originally used by rice farmers in Bali.
It is believed that boreh stimulates body warmth and relieves
aching muscles and joints, especially during the cold and rainy
seasons.
Hand-crushed spices were applied to farmers' legs after a
day's work in the padi fields. Because they encourage body
warmth, boreh scrubs are also good for relieving fevers and
headaches.
Ingredients for Balinese boreh includes rice powder, clove
powder, ginger root, cinnamon powder and water.
"Unfortunately, a lot of Balinese women do not consume jamu as
much as their counterparts on the island of Java, particularly
women in Central Java," said Ida Ayu Rusmarini, who is an avid
promoter of traditional medicinal plants.
Food patterns, lifestyles and personal hygiene have led many
women, married women in particular, in Bali to suffer from
cervical cancer.
"Balinese men are mostly uncircumcised. If they fail to
maintain hygiene in their important genital areas, they will
likely suffer from various diseases including herpes, etc,"
Rusmarini said.
By consuming traditional medicine and herbal plants, these
diseases can be cured.
Sirih (betel leaves), for instance, could be used for its
antiseptic properties and has the ability to combat bad odors.
Women can pick up several betel leaves and boil them into water.
The boiled water can be used to cleanse their vital organs.
The juice of turmeric, tamarind, limes, palm sugar and pandan
leaves is potent for boosting blood circulation, and is
recommended for pre- and post- menstrual women.
To "cleanse" female genitalia, Rusmarini opened gurah vagina,
a vaginal spa.
"We use old royal beauty and health treatment using various
materials such as warm and genuine coconut oil, betel leaves and
other spices aimed at cleansing the organs," she said.
"Most women do care about their face, hair and easily seen
parts of their bodies but they ignore the well-being of their
inner beauty -- their physical, psychological, mental and
spiritual condition," Rusmarini added.
"When sipping herbal juices or consuming traditional medicine,
people in the East may first pray to God, asking for his
Blessing. This is what made Eastern traditional medicine potent
for many people over hundreds of years," she said.