Page 127 - EBOOK_Jamu: The Ancient Indonesian Art of Herbal Healing

and replacing negative feelings, this healer passes positive thoughts on to her

patients.
A book by Dr Lawrence LeShan, How to meditate, goes far in explaining
the unexplainable. The author defines extra sensory perception (ESP) as a
collective phrase to cover telepathy, clairvoyance and precognition, and points to
evidence that such paranormal occurences include both spontaneous cases and
precise laboratory studies.

BANISHING THE BLUES

Healers are often consulted for mental or emotional illnesses, as well as physical ones. In Serat
Centhini there are a number of healing remedies for psychological conditions. We read of an antidote
for sadness which recommends pressing gambir putih (Uncaria gambieri) flowers together with

semanggi leaves (Hydrocotyle sibthorpioides) and pouring this mixture over the head. The hair
should then be twisted hard before the liquid is poured in the other direction, that is, from the ends of
the hair over the face. As this procedure has to be carried out with the eyes open, it must have been
uncomfortable. Indeed Widuri, the girl afflicted in Serat Centhini is said to have “shouted loudly,
had difficulty breathing and moaned miserably” during the cure. Nonetheless it was deemed totally
effective, according to the book.
Similarly, a distraught mother managed to treat two lovesick daughters using sirih or betel
leaves (Piper betel) that were inscribed with religious symbols and figures. The leaves were sprayed
over the girls and that, apparently, was the end of their broken hearts.

Trances, meditation and mysticism, which form an important part of healing
in Indonesia, are at once fascinating, impressive and even frightening. Western
writings on psychic power generally concur that it works when practised by

highly trained minds, but those less skilled abuse it at their peril or are simply
ineffectual, which is what sometimes happens in Indonesia.

Dreams in Healing

In the past, dreams were an integral part of healing. Although the practice is no
longer so prevalent, there are still people who firmly believe in dreams and take
interpretations very seriously. In many countries, including Indonesia, dreams
and other forms of divination have been used—and continue to be used—to
determine auspicious times, circumstances, places or even useful ceremonial
items. Understanding these and other signs is considered essential to the well
being of the population.