TRADITIONAL MEDICINE AND THE USE OF HERBAL INGREDIENTS

IN USADA BALI

Traditional healing methods in Bali are contained in the Usada Bali lontar which
contains a system of treatment, medicinal ingredients and methods of treatment. Lontar-lontar
about Balinese healing-knowledge can be divided into two parts, namely Usada (rules,
recipes, and medicines), and "Tutur" (teachings and interpretations). In Balinese “Balian”,
diagnosis cannot be separated from prognose (prediction, how the disease will end), because
its cultivation must depend on the possibilities or cure.

Lontar usada Bali is a manuscript that contains a system of medicine, medicinal

ingredients and methods of traditional medicine which has an important meaning and position
in the repertoire of traditional medicine in Bali. The word usada comes from ausadhi which
means plants that contain medicinal properties. Lontar usada is a manuscript containing a
system of medicine, medicinal ingredients and traditional methods of treatment in Bali
written on palm/siwalan (Borassus) leaves. The palm leaves are made in a rectangular shape
with a size of 3,5 x 35 cm. Some examples of Usada Bali contained in the lontar include
Usada Tenung Tanyalara, Usada Sasah Bebai, Usada Tumbal, Usada Buduh, Usada Dalem,
Usada Tiwas Back, Usada Tiwang, Usada Edan, Usada Mala, Usada Tatenger Beling (Nala,
1996). Usada medicine in Bali is based on Ayurvedic medicine and ancient medicine texts
that exist in Bali. One of the evidences that the treatment of traditional medicine continues to
this day is the large number of “Pedanda” who are still actively treating the community and
the large collection of manuscripts owned by the “Pedanda”.

For examples, traditional fever treatment can use ingredients, namely Temulawak
(Curcuma xanthorhiza), temu tis (Curcuma purpurascens), kenanga (Cananga odorayun), 7
slices of lawos (Alpinia galanga L.), ketumbar /coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.
Umbelliferaceae), musi (Artemisia cina), sepet-sepet, bobolong (Melaleuca bucadendra L.).
All these ingredients are mixed and finely ground to obtain powder or boreh. The ingredients
that have been finely ground in the form of powder are divided into two parts. Some are
mixed in bath water and some are applied to sweaty forehead and shoulders as powder or
boreh to bring back tis or lower body temperature. This herb comes from Usada Tenung
Tanyalara.