Page 113 - EBOOK_Jamu: The Ancient Indonesian Art of Herbal Healing

minutes, John could “actually feel the bits of splintered bone being pushed back where they
belonged”. The rubbing continued for another ten minutes, after which pads of cotton wool soaked in
oil were applied above, below and round the knee. Finally, tiny bamboo splints measuring about 2 x
10 cm (1 x 4 in) were placed over the swollen part of the knee and bound tightly in place with an
elastic bandage.
John was then asked to test his leg. The improvement was immediately evident: he could put
more weight on it than when he arrived. Three half-half hour visits later, John could walk again,
albeit a little stiffly. By the time he returned to the USA, even though his knee had not healed
completely, doctors said that without Pak Haji Naim’s intervention the problem might have become
permanent.

Cupping
The use of cupping-glasses in healing is tedious, troublesome and somewhat
inconvenient. In essence, a heated glass or cup is placed on the skin; as it cools,
the blood below is drawn to the surface, and this is said to improve circulation. It
creates a hot, biting sensation on the skin which is not painful. Today, the
technique is practised in Indonesia, China, Indochina and, interestingly, in parts
of France. Indonesia has seen a decline in cupping though the technique still
enjoys some success with the older generation. Their children prefer jamu or
Western medicine. Most Westerners regard cupping as a relic from the Dark
Ages (when indeed it was one of the most popular medical treatments) and are
vague about its purpose.

In Java, cupping techniques take on complicated overtones. A small amount
of coconut oil is poured into a ceramic saucer, which is placed directly onto the
stomach or back. A piece of cloth or cotton wool is set alight on the oil, creating
a makeshift candle. A larger upturned glass or cup is placed completely over the
saucer where lack of oxygen makes it stick to the skin. After about 15 minutes, a
red mark appears where blood has been brought to the surface. The whole
tiresome business is repeated wherever there is pain. Older Javanese swear by it
for removing the ever-present ‘wind’.