Medicinally use of tamarind (Asam Jawa)

Medicinally use of tamarind (Asam Jawa)
Botanically name Tamarindus indica. The fruit has been used medicinally for at least 3000 years. The ripe pulp is widely used as a laxative, diuretic, antiscorbutic and to treat fevers. Other folk uses include the treatment of indigestion, bile disorders, sore throat, sunstroke, alcohol intoxication and the restoration of sensation after paralysis. The high vitamin C content of the pulp makes it an effective treatment for scurvy.

A tea prepared from the leaves has been used to treat worms, dysentery, diabetes, coughs as a diuretic and as an eyewash for infected or inflamed eyes. Strips of young bark have been pounded, cooked and eaten to cure diarrhea. A tea from roots has been uses to treat constipation and leprosy. The seed cut in two and rubbed on a scorpion sting is said to be a certain cure. Modern medicine has determined that the ripe fruit has antibiotic activity against gram positive and negative bacteria, yeast and fungi.
Medicinally use of tamarind (Asam Jawa)

Centella asiatica - Pokok Pegaga

Centella asiatica - Pokok Pegaga
Pegaga botanical name Centella asiatica is a tender creeping perennial herb of South Asia and Southeast Asia. It is also found in Madagascar and the southeastern United States. Centella asiatica has been utilized as a medicine since prehistoric times in India. Fresh extracts of the plant seem to have been used for medicinal purposes by the people of Malay Peninsular for many years as both typical and internal agents for healing of wounds and relief from leprosy.

Other name for Pegaga is gotu kola. Gotu kola contains a variety of organic acids, triterpenes and flavonoids. It also contains and essential oil with an unidentified terpene acetate.

Centella asiatica is employed in many cultures in Asia. Malay beliefs and use for healing many skin afflictions, including burns, wounds and ulcers. It too reduces the formation of scar tissue and prevents cellulite from forming.

It also helps to prevent varicose veins and reduce high blood pressure. The clinical studies show that Centella asiatica strengthens the veins and capillaries and improves the flow of blood. Malay is also belief that Centella asiatica can give longevity.
Centella asiatica - Pokok Daun Pegaga

Malay Bomoh

Malay Bomoh
A bomoh uses various healing techniques, the most popular being his ability to heal fracture bones. Many Malays believe that modern medicine is no match for treating fractures, and even those who have undergone western medical treatment often seek further help from a traditional healer. Bomohs are also well versed in the art of curing with the herbal medicines.

Only Malay who has received the calling can become a real bomoh. And he usually learns his art by serving as an apprentice to a well known master. An individual can also become a bomoh through inheritance, and often the master will choose one of his siblings to learn his art. The chosen one can be any of his children, but to be eligible and individual must have certain physical and mental characteristics.

One specific requirement is the ability to remember and recite long incantations. This is extremely important because in every form of healing there are various mantras that need to be recited. Even medicine has its own incantations so as to ensure its effectiveness. If bomoh forgets his words this would ruin the healing process.

Incantations can be magical words or verses chosen from Al-Quran. However, most mantras begin with the name of God and end with the mention of the holy prophet Mohammad. This is to ensure that what is being done is always accomplished with the help of God.

Some bomoh treat a wide range of ailments, others specialize in healing certain illness and some, like pawang don’t even involve themselves in healing. The pawang hujan, performs ritual to prevent rain and the pawang buaya is called upon to catch crocodiles. Besides these, there is also the bidan – female bomoh whose specialty is childbirth.
Malay Bomoh