jamu

we did a jamu workshop through Via Via…totally interesting. jamu is considered the traditional medicine of Indonesia – read more here. Wiwit was our wonderful guide. We started off at a “contemporary” jamu shop and ended up at Tyaz’s house for a “real” sampling of how they actually mash up the roots and herbs…..as well as a massage from a blind woman. It seemed to me that they use tumeric for many many reasons…from healing of cramps to well being. it was the first time I experienced tumeric in its natural form (used to seeing it as a powder). Wiwit shared stories and remedies for certain ailments or rituals – two interesting ones were their “lovemaking” rituals. for this it is imperative for the woman to have a dry vagina – they have liquids and herbs (consisting of white galaangal) that women ingest to help with this, as well as “salt” sticks that women put up themselves to totally dry out. And the other “remedy” is how they perform abortions..apparently the person performing this – has the woman ingest baby pineapples and massages her until the fetus is aborted…but not until s/he poke her with a branch from a special tree…OUCH.