Page 119 - EBOOK_Jamu: The Ancient Indonesian Art of Herbal Healing

comes only with a combination of broken bones and bleeding that is not visible.

It is important for the massage to begin with the palm about 10 cm (four
inches) away from the actual break. By proceeding slowly, the patah tulang can
feel what kind of break he is dealing with; whether it is jagged, slanted, or a
clean break across the bone. Repositioning bones correctly during the early
stages of therapy is essential. To relieve the associated pain, the tense,
surrounding tendons and muscles are massaged first. The technique is not as
simple as it sounds, especially if sharp pieces of bone need to be repositioned.
One mistake and an artery can be sliced or a lung pierced. A skilled patah tulang
is able to recognize when he can help and where his limitations lie. In the latter
case, he will refer the patient to the hospital and may in some cases even assist
the doctor.

Broken bones rarely see a doctor’s surgery in Indonesia. patients automatically consult the patah tulang, an
expert specializing in realigning broken or splintered bones and torn ligaments through massage and use of
tiny bamboo splints. These are bound in place with bandages or plasters to keep them in position whilst
healing.

Curative Oils
Oils are used in massage for two reasons, to stop body heat from rising
excessively and to make the skin smooth and slippery. Massage professionals
often arrive for appointments clutching oils they have prepared themselves.

Alternatively they may purchase oils over the counter: Minyak Bulus (Turtle
Oil) or Minyak Tawon (Bee Oil; this has nothing to do with bees!). The latter
contains nine ingredients: coconut, casuarina, citrus, and terebinthinae oil, which
comes from the leaves of a small creeping herb and smells of turpentine; ginger
and turmeric roots; garlic, menthol and camphor. An all-rounder, the oil is used