UNS — Javanese traditional medicinal beverages with various health benefits have existed from a long time ago, well-known as jamu. Unfortunately, it is hard to find this healthy beverage now. This beverage is made from traditional medicinal plants that can be cultivated around the house, and the tradition of jamu consumption has blended with the Javanese culture that will pose a significant cultural loss when people stop understanding its health benefits.
To prevent the cultural loss surrounding jamu, the Philology Research Group from Local Literature (Javanese Language and Literature) Program Faculty of Cultural Studies (FIB) Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta held socialization on traditional Javanese medicines on ‘Rheumatic Pain in Old Javanese Manuscript’. This program aims to introduce plants that can be used as traditional medicines and bring health benefits to the community.
The offline program was held in Blag-Bligan Hall Pajang RW 12 Pajang Village, Surakarta, on Tuesday (5/10/2021). Two speakers were invited to the event: Dr. Supana, M.Hum, and Drs. Imam Sutarjo, M.Hum., with Drs. Sisyono Eko Widodo, M.Hum as the moderator, all of whom are the Faculty Members of FIB UNS. The village government and neighborhood leader also attended the program as participants.
As reported in fib.uns.ac.id, the program was conducted as a response towards the low utilization of traditional medicines in the community that contradicts Javanese philosophy on memayu hayuning jiwa or maintaining soul through God’s creation in the form of medicinal plants. As an example, the medicines for rheumatic pain are explained in Serat Kawruh Bab Jampi-jampi Jawi (book of Javanese medicinal plants) which also teaches the traditional medicines for headache and back pain. In the book, rheumatic pain can be treated with besaran root, headache with red turi, adas, and pulasari, while back pain with nus fish bones (beluntak), ginger, onion, and vinegar.
Dr. Supana also added that traditional medicines are also explained in Serat Centhini, especially for illnesses that are often experienced by the community, for example, cough and toothache. “The medicine for cough are turmeric tubers, red shrimp paste, old tamarind, coconut milk. Mixed then be drunk. Another medicine for cough is coconut oil, kunci, and old tamarind, mixed and be drunk,” he explained.
This program is expected to increase local community knowledge on traditional medicines from their surrounding medicinal plants. By understanding the medicinal plants and their benefits, the community has participated in preserving the Javanese jamu consumption tradition. Humas UNS
Reporter: Alinda Hardiantoro
Editor: Dwi Hastuti