Page 115 - EBOOK_Jamu: The Ancient Indonesian Art of Herbal Healing

stimulates circulation. Blood circulation is the body’s distribution system and thus essential for good
health.
“When a patient feels the body getting warm during massage it’s a sign the circulation is
improving,” she adds. But Ibu Evelyn recognizes that some complaints are not apparent on the
surface. “Hardness is a common sign of trouble but you need to look out for tension, red skin and
compare symptoms with those of other clients. The masseuse must also be careful not to press too
hard unless someone is strong and healthy, otherwise muscles become inflamed or strained. Watch
out for fair skin because it is also more fragile and usually turns red during a tough massage.”
“Normally,” she adds, “it’s only friction bringing blood to the surface and there’s no cause for
alarm.”
Developing her own technique, Ibu Evelyn combines scientific principles with traditional
Indonesian massage, acupressure-acupuncture and reflexology. Her bias towards reflexology came
about because “it works directly on the nerves and is holistic; by pressing reflex points on the feet,
you treat the whole body”.

Ibu Evelyn believes that successful massage comes down to skilled handwork. “Let the body
dictate, then supply what it needs” is her advice. Illnesses differ, people differ and the right blend of
strokes must be chosen for each patient. For example, pressure points are not always found in the
same place. “You can’t follow a massage routine willy nilly,” is the warning. “You have to use your
brain.” Oils are governed by the same rule, she says. “They must suit the patient. I would never mix
an oil without first checking the whole body, particularly the skin. Rough skin benefits from heavy
oil and Minyak Tawon is a good all-purpose oil. I mix it with skin cream which also softens the skin;
other oils can be used straight from the bottle.”
Although Ibu Evelyn has retired from teaching, she is still involved with Indonesian massage.
She has penned two books aimed at upgrading and standardizing massage practice. She would like to
see a more scientific approach to massage and hopes that one day she will create a massage training
school. For the moment, however, that remains a project in the pipeline.

Pregnancy and Post-Natal Care
Ante-natal massage is popular in Indonesia. Regular massage helps relieve
pregnancy pains, promotes blood circulation, relieves water retention, and