Cajeput Oil, Tumeric and the Javanese Tradition of Home Remedies
Indonesia is a land filled with local cultural knowledge. There are over 300 ethnic groups each one has local wisdom that represents an accumulation of try and fail efforts of their ancestors; one of the best examples of this cultural knowledge exists in health and remedies.
Healthcare is a tricky phenomenon in Indonesia as the quality of healthcare and availability of proper tools and medication can be drastically different between urban and rural areas. Although all Indonesians are entitled to Jaminan Kesehatan Nasional, the free healthcare, many choose not to visit a clinic as a first measure if they can self-treat. As a result, the knowledge of herbal and natural medicines is wide-spread and indeed the prompt for making this article.
Because of my health situation, in December sembuh (recover) was a new and relevant vocabulary. Within the span of a month I fell sick with a cold, experienced gastrointestinal issues related to eating spicy chili and even was struck with Typhoid Fever, a seemingly extinct illness in America but still a common issue in Indonesia due to poor water quality in the pipes. Because of these various bouts of misfortune, I received much advice for quick recovery from the teachers at my school, so firstly I would like to thank the teachers of MAN 1 Malang and even more specifically Pak Rohim, Bu Milla, Bu Vivi and Bu Diyah as well as my host parents Pak Kasenam and Bu Tutik. This article serves to document health related phenomena that I’ve seen and been explained that show off the vast wealth of the collective knowledge of herbal medicines and illness prevention as understood by my community in East Java.
Cajeput Oil
Firstly, I’d like to taut the vast importance of cajeput oil (kayu putih or white wood in Indonesian). This is a minyak or oil that is the must have item in a purse the same way lip balm is the must have item lining American’s purses. This is the wonder oil that can be used to ease stomach aches, back pain and even be used to clean permanent marker off of white boards [pro-tip]. The cajeput tree grows across Southeast Asia so it’s a popular herbal medicine in places like Malaysia, Phillipines and Vietnam, among others. Kayu putih is extracted by steam distillation of the leaves and branches of the cajeput tree and is commercially used in everything from dentistry to antiseptic lotions. It has the power to remedy colds, headaches, stomach aches and phlegm. I have seen people around me interacting with kayu putih since my arrival in Indonesia, which really solidifies its recognition as a miracle oil.
The Wonders of Pijat
It has happened frequently. I am eating downstairs when my hostmom calls out from the kitchen, “Miss, do you want to get a massage? I have ordered a housecall just now.” In my time here I have noticed that Indonesians are very keen on giving and receiving massages and to order a masseuse is very cheap particularly when compared with the US. A 30 minute massage in my town only costs about Rp. 30,000 (~$2.00) and usually involves someone from your community who pays a house visit, day or night to give you a massage in the comfort of your own home. However, this concept is much more prevalent in smaller towns and villages. Generally, massages are seen as a treatment for various ailments that range from muscle pain, fatigue to nausea.
Jamu as a Health Elixir
Another essential component to understanding the traditional medicines of Indonesia is jamu. Jamu are health potions that have been brewed with various spices ranging from turmeric, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, chillies and others. Particular combinations of spices are seen as the answers to varous specific symptoms such as fatigue, muscle pain, high cholesterol, common cold, skin problems, etc. I frequently see older women packing a motorcycle filled with a collection of variously sized bottles, bright yellow, orange and brown liquid sloshing at the sides of the bottles.
“Nggak Boleh Makan Pedas”
This is a common word of caution from Indonesians. The meaning is “You should not eat spicy food.” The first shocking cultural lesson to be learned in Indonesia is the astonishing number of people who enjoy seemingly torturing themselves with mouth and stomach problems because of their love of spicy food. Sambel is a staple side dish to any Indonesian meal. It is a broad term to describe any sauce like food that is made by crushing up chilli peppers, tomatoes and other spices with mortar and pestle, creating that eye-watering, tongue-wagging addition to your meal that can destroy your digestive system if eaten in excess. So naturally many stomach issues can arise because of this common ailment. However, I have noticed it being used to explain a wide variety of issues from diarrhea to serious disease like Typhoid Fever.
Phantom Illness and the Importance of Dukun
Dukun or spiritual healers are the omnipotent force in many rural communities in Indonesia. In these areas, where sometimes western medicine can be too expensive or there are no clinics close by, many Indonesians will seek out treatment from a dukun to alleviate some minor issues. On the flipside, there are also examples of individuals seeking out dukun as a final resort because their trip to the doctor’s was fruitless and were told there was no physical illness. I heard of a neighbor who had problems with her eye but was sent to a dukun from the Puskesmas (local clinic).
—
In my time in Indonesia, I have seen just how different perceptions are in major facets of life here from America. The concept of health is no different. Of course, there are some systematic issues in Indonesia. The high sugar and fried diet results in a rather high rate of diabetes; Indonesia has 6.33 prevalence rate globally. In addition, the lack of proper sidewalks and the ease of riding motorcycle everywhere means the rate of heart attack and stroke is also a common cause of death. Finally, delayed diagnoses due to patients self-medicating at home could be a potential risk factor for higher mortality here.
However, there is something very important that I have learned in Indonesia related to the way we internalize illness. The people around me are acutely aware of their bodies and how their corporal experience is influenced by their current state of mind. I can remember specific moments where my community members tried to guess my current issues in my life related to my newly developed cold. Silly as it may sound, we already have some proof of this connection between mind and body. It is true that the brain-gut connection shows proof that our thoughts can shape our illnesses and perceptions of pain. Considering these two very different approaches, the western clinical procedure and the eastern personalized spiritual treatment I can see now that the future in systematic healthcare lies in between these two world views. In the future I can see a progression where society doesn’t overly rely on data and physical markers of illness to guide diagnosis, rather includes a holistic approach to better meet the patient where they are.
As a testament to the associations between herbs and health in the Javanese way, I’d like to share a list of various plants and the illnesses the help either prevent or cure.
Natural medicines:
Cassava, taro — gastritis
Carrot — Eye Vision
Soursop — Headache, constipation
Lemon with kecap (soy-based condiment)— cough, high cholesterol
Papaya — dengue
Avocado — high blood pressure
Celery — high blood pressure
Guava — dengue fever, diarrhea, cancer
Tamarind — menstrual cramps
Tape (fermented cassava)- common cold
Coconut — food poisoning, high blood pressure
Crushed ginger with honey— sore throat
Pare — Cancer
Bay leaf boiled with sugar — uric acid/gout
Tumeric & Honey — Typhoid Fever, stomach ache
Pete-Variety of illnesses such as anemia and high blood pressure as well as general cognitive boost
Coconut water-reducing toxins in the body and energy boost
