SOLO CULTURE : Javanese Medicine

I hate airconditioning. So I drive around the countryside with the car windows wound down, letting in the fresh aroma of diesel fumes and dust. The two girls complain like mad, mainly about the heat and the probability of their skin getting black – what we westerners would call a golden tan. But being the boss has advantages, and the windows remain firmly in the down position. Anyway, the car ac has been broken for 5 years now, and is way down on the list of priorities.

There are disadvantages however. The worst seems to be reoccurring bouts of “Flu mata” – eye flu, or what we call conjunctivitis. Red and rheumy eyes are not necessarily the results of yet another boozy session at of the local watering holes, I try and explain to everyone. Taking medicine from the local chemist shop or hospital sort of works, but slowly. Then a couple of days ago it was explained how this problem could be quickly fixed, Javanese style. “What you have to do” said Bu Titin “is when you get up in the morning, piss in a bucket. Then use it to wash your eyes out”
T
wo days later, and my eyes are still sore. Trying to alleviate the itchiness with beer the night before had had little effect, other than a splitting headache and an ample supply of Javanese medicine. So at 4.30 in the morning, I piddled in a bucket and applied the ointment. Actually, it’s not as bad as I thought it would be. It’s warm and wet and very slightly smelly. It stings a little a first. But it does seem to give some sort of relief. And it’s cheap.






















There are a lot of traditional herbal remedies here in Java. Some, like the use of the sap from Lidah Buaya (crocodile tongue, or aloe vera) on burns or scratches works very well. There are all sorts of leaves, bark, berries and bits of trees than can cure almost anything.

And then there are the Jamu Gendong, Javanese ladies who walk or cycle around the villages and towns with a bamboo basket of bottles on their back. For Rp500 (US 5 cents), you can get a glass of tonic. For Rp1500 (15 cents) a more elaborate concoction with a sachet of factory made jamu added. They have cures for aches and cancer, potions to increase milk for nursing mothers and energy for flagging fathers. I am searching for a cure for hangovers.

The Ancient Herbal Jamu From Indonesia

The first time I ever tried Jamu was at Candika's office on Jalan Poncowinatan in Yogyakarta, Java. I had seen the Jamu sellers, or jamu gendong, carrying the putrid looking contents in bottles on their backs in a basket, on my numerous travels in Java.
Most of the people working for Candika drank it every morning as did she and, although offered to me many times, my stomach declined. Eventually I gave into my 'sense of adventure' and actually tasted the concoction. I was surprised it tasted so, how can I put it, deliciously different!. And, did I feel better after drinking it?. Not at first but after a few weeks drinking it every day I felt bloody fantastic!.
Jamu is the ancient Indonesian art of herbal healing. As old as the Javanese culture itself, most Indonesians believe the herbal medicine (jamu) originated from Central Java and indeed from the ancient palaces of Yogyakarta and that of Surakarta (Solo). Numerous other cultural affects from different countries has influenced is reflected in the medicines - these countries being India, China and Arabia.
It wasn't until I started looking into this in-depth did I actually realise how involved the complex of making Jamu is. Here is a site that will give you a brief outline on Jamu.
It truly is a fascinating subject. I can well remember walking into the apotik's in Yogyakarta and seeing the various packets for sale produced by Jamu companies with all sorts of promises to cure all diseases and ailments. Jamu is big business in Java, but for me, the Jamu Gendong is the way to go for the real McCoy.

Tags: Bali, Bali Daily, Exploring Bali, Exploring Indonesia, Herbal, Indonesia News, jamu, Jamu Gendong, Solo, YogyakartaBy Barrie Permalink
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Natural Hair Care

Giovanni Shampoo (with organic ingredients)

A unique, safe, and completely natural hair care formula with herbs, organic extracts, minerals, sunscreen, pro-vitamin B-1 and wheat protein. No laureth, oxide, or petroleum derivatives. Finally a proven all natural shampoo with organic ingredients!
Choose from either Golden Wheat for normal/ oily hair or 50/50 for normal/dry hair.
Golden Wheat Shampoo Contains:Water extracts of organic Rosemary, organic Chamomile, organic Nettle, organic Thyme, organic Birch leaf, organic Menthol, organic Clary Sage, organic Lavender, organic Eucalyptus, organic Yarrow, organic Marshmallow, organic Horsetail, organic Soybean protein, Olefin Sulfonate (from coconut) Cocamidoprophyl Betaine, Vitamin E, trace minerals, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate, sea salt, and Grapefruit Seed extract.
50/50 Shampoo Contains: Water extracts oforganic Rosemary, organic Nettle, organic Thyme, organic Birch leaf, organic Chamomile, organic Clary Sage, organic Lavender, organic Coltsfoot, organic Yarrow, organic Marshmallow, organic Horsetail, organic Soybean protein, Olefin Sulfonate (from coconut) Cocamidoprophyl Betaine, Tocopherol, (Vitamin E derived) trace minerals, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate, Sodium Chloride (sea salt) and Grapefruit Seed extract.
Choose from either Golden Wheat for normal/ oily hair or 50/50 for normal/dry hair
8.5 oz bottle

A unique, safe, and completely natural hair conditioning formula with herbs, organic extracts, minerals, sunscreen, pro-vitamin B-1 and wheat protein. No laureth, oxide, or petroleum derivatives. Finally a proven all natural conditioner with organic ingredients!
Contains: Water extracts of organic Rosemary, organic Nettle, organic Thyme, organic Birch leaf, organic Chamomile, organic Clary Sage, organic Lavender, organic Coltsfoot, organic Yarrow, organic Marshmallow, organic Horsetail, organic Soybean protein, Cetyl Alcohol (plant derived), Stearalkonium Chloride, Tocopherol, (Vitamin E derived) trace minerals, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate, and Grapefruit Seed extract.
8.5 oz bottle

Making Herbal Oil

Because you grow herbs, you cook with them. Realizing that they are good medicine as well, you drink them in teas. Soon, you discover an herbal massage oil, or soap, or salve and then you're done for. Herbs have taken hold of your soul and there's nothing for it but to become a modern herbalist.
A modern herbalist is not quite a witch. She is part cheap, part environmental, part gardener and plantswoman, part medical practitioner, part rebel, part luddite, part scientist—and part witch. The sooner we get over our fear of that last bit, the happier we will be. No one need know, after all. But should you find yourself planting by the moon and growing a little valerian for medicinal purposes, you will know that you are indeed a modern herbalist. And in these times of dubious pharmaceuticals and improved food, that is a very good thing.
One interesting tidbit about herbal techniques is that they have changed relatively little in thousands of years. We still employ herbs and herb mixtures, in teas, decoctions, tinctures, syrups, cordials, oils, salves, wines, vinegars, poultices, and incense. As a gardener and a romantic, I find the prospect of making fragrant, tasty, and medicinal potions more than irresistable.
So I decided to make herbal oil. I had been using a massage oil infused with St. Johns Wort and Lemon Balm for a few months, and had loved the fragrance and texture. So when it came time to prune back the scented leaf geranium, I decided to use the leaves to make a scented massage oil. Luckily, I had just purchased a copy of Herbal Home Remedies by Joyce A. Wardwell from Storey Books. She led me through the process of making my first herbal oil.
You will need:
8 oz. vegetable oil (olive, almond, or grapeseed)3/4 cup fresh herbs, chopped2 tbsp. high octane vodka (100 proof or better)A widemouth pint mason jarCheesecloth
You can use many different herbs for your oil: mint will be anti-bacterial and cooling, lemon balm will be relaxing, thyme will be anti-bacterial and healing, and geranium, the herb I chose, will be uplifting and balancing. Get a good medicinal herb guide for specific properties of herb plants.
How to Make the Oil:

Clean, thoroughly dry, and roughly chop the herbs of your choice (you can blend, but the fewer the better). Allow chopped herbs to sit in a bowl overnight to allow some moisture to evaporate. Failure to follow this short drying process could result in moldy oil from excess water.
Place herbs in the mason jar, and add oil to cover. Add two tablespoons of vodka and close the jar. Shake vigorously.
Reopen the jar and poke the resulting mixture with a chopstick to release air bubbles trapped below, and to insure that herbs are covered with oil.
Place four levels of cheesecloth over the jar, and fix with a rubber band. Don't put the mason jar lid down as you want air to reach the oil as it infuses with the herb.
Put the jar in a warm place such as a heat register or warm sunny window. Let sit for two weeks.
After two weeks, strain the oil into a glass measuring cup through a strainer, and after all the oil has dripped through, pour the strained oil slowly into a glass storage jar (or the original mason jar) until just before the last ounce is poured. Look at the remaining oil. If there are streaks or bubbles, that's trapped water, and you don't want to decant that into your final oil. Pour off all the oil you can, and throw away remaining sediment and water.
The oil you produce from this method should be semi-clear to lightly cloudy, and strongly fragrant. Store in a cool, dark place for up to a year. It makes a great massage oil, allowing the gentle essence of the herbs to enter your system through your skin as therapeutic massage. You can rub it on sore muscles, dry skin, hands, scalp, and anywhere else that needs it. Obviously, it's a good idea to avoid sensitive areas like eyes, mouth, and groin...
And that's all there is to it. You can make any number of herbal oils, depending on what herbs you happen to have going and what you need them for. You'll enjoy getting in touch with the power of plants.