Page 63 - EBOOK_Jamu: The Ancient Indonesian Art of Herbal Healing

Nutmeg (myristica fragrans), indigenous to the Moluccas (Maluku), is one

of Indonesia’s most famous trees. In Europe, it is primarily valued as a spice; in
Kalimantan, it is regarded as a medicine. The mace or lacy covering of the
nutmeg seed can banish headaches and, when dried, the flowers are often added
to jamu recipes. The bark and leaves contain essential oil and different parts of
the plant are variously used as an aphrodisiac, a cure for diarrhoea, a purgative
or a gargle. Carrying a nutmeg is said to be good for muscular aches, pains and
rheumatism. When cut, the bark of the nutmeg tree oozes with a watery, pink sap
that dries to the colour of blood, hence its Malay name, pendarah (blood). This
has strong, magical connotations in Indonesia and is frequently used to describe
the kris, a dagger said to possess magic powers.
Another commonly used plant is Strychnos ignatii from the Strychnine

family. Its local name is bidara laut (sea tree), but perversely, it is found in the
mountains and forests. An infusion of the root bark is considered a wonderful
tonic. Steeped in a glass of water, bidara laut stimulates the appetite, cures
indigestion, diarrhoea and fatigue, as well as hundreds of other ills.
Maternity care in Kalimantan is surprisingly effective. The expectant
mother is given an oil to rub over the stomach during the last two months of
pregnancy. Immediately before the birth, she takes a drink that ensures labour
rarely lasts longer than 15 minutes. Many Western women would pay a fortune

for such an express delivery, but the secrecy surrounding this medicine means it
will probably never happen. A shrub with dark red wood, needle-like leaves and
the smell of lavender grows in the fallow grassy areas of the island. It is called
ujung atap (roof edge; baeckea frutescens) and has a multitude of uses,
including encouraging menstruation and abortion, and is also a diuretic. Mixed
with water, it is drunk for abdominal pain and features strongly in medicines
taken after childbirth.
A quick look at medicine used in Kalimantan shows that barks account for
three-quarters of the ingredients. One bottle contained eight different materials
and was recommended for an astonishing total of 32 ailments from backache and
poisoning to impotence and syphilis. One can only assume the concoction works

on the principle of normalizing the body functions, curing everything in its path.