Indonesia is popular for its global spice culture. One form of the archipelago’s natural wealth has been glimpsed by foreign nations since ancient times because of its motive as a food flavor enhancer. Spices are a form of plant variety that has multifunctions in people’s lives, with limited use. In addition to their function as a flavor enhancer, spices are also used in medicine. The existence of spices in Indonesia still survives in terms of function until now. Each region has its own characteristics in utilizing spices in everyday life, both in traditional and modern ways.
The world has begun to change, the times are changing by showing new cultural entities. Nevertheless, the memory of knowledge about spices in the archipelago is still documented in several literary works. In the Javanese literary tradition in Yogyakarta, there are several ancient manuscripts that discuss spice processing, one of which is Serat Primbon Jampi Jawi. Serat Primbon Jampi Jawi is one of the manuscripts in the library collection of the Dewantara Museum Kirti Griya Taman Siswa Yogyakarta, with the entire content of the manuscript discussing traditional medicine. Interestingly, the ingredients used in the treatment are mostly spices.
The life of Javanese people in the past could not be separated from spices. In Serat Primbon Jampi Jawi, there is some information about spices as ingredients for traditional herbal medicine, which are used to cure complaints of pain experienced by the community. Even the use of several types of spices is also explained in Serat Primbon Jampi Jawi in chapters XXVI-XLII. The traditional medicine methods in this manuscript are quite interesting when compared to modern medicine. One of the contents of the manuscript that is rarely explored is the knowledge about menstruation from a traditional Javanese perspective.
In chapter XXII, it discusses the treatment of menstruation in adult women. In this chapter, traditional recipes are explained to overcome menstrual problems and facilitate the menstrual cycle. As well as recipes for herbal medicine during pre-menstruation, and post-menstruation.
- If a woman is about to menstruate, it is recommended to grind the root of walulangan grass, betel leaf root, alas root, pulasari, when it becomes a fine powder, then rub it on the genitals. In Serat Primbon Jampi Jawi, it is explained as follows: /Badhe sukêr : 1. Oyod rumput walulangan, 2. Oyod sêdhah, 3. Oyod alas, 4. Pulasari, kapipis lêmbat kaparêmakên ing baga/.
- When not menstruating, it is recommended to consume preparations of orang-aring, pulasari, shallots, and menyan honey, mashed until soft, then drunk. This is in line with the contents of Serat Primbon Jampi Jawi, which reads: /Botên sukêr : 1. Ron orang aring, 2. Adas, 3. Pulasari, 4. Brambang, 5. Mênyan mabên, kapipis lêmbat kaombe/.
- If a woman does not menstruate and feels hot, then garurames, jadam, ginger, and keji leaves can be a remedy. These spices are boiled and then drunk. The text explains: /Botên sukêr ingkang kraos bênter : 1. Garuramês, 2. Jadham, 3. Jae, kagodhog kaangge omben-omben utawi => Ron kêji kagodhog kaliyan bêling, kaangge omben-omben/.
- After menstruation, one should consume a drink of empu turmeric, mesoyi, white cumin, black cumin, trawas, sidawayah, kencur, mungsi, manis jangan, cloves, nutmeg, secang, kelabu, and shallots. The spices are burned, mashed, and drunk. This is in accordance with the contents in Serat Primbon Jampi Jawi, as follows: /Bakda sukêr : 1. Êmpu kunir kabakar, 2. Mêsoyi, 3. Jintên pêthak, 4. Jintên cêmêng, 5. Trawas, 6. Sidawayah, 7. Kêncur, 8. Mungsi, 9. Manis jangan, 10. Cêngkeh, 11. Pala, 12. Sêcang, 13. Klabêt, 14. Brambang kabakar, kapipis kaombe/.
The traditional herbal medicine recipe for smooth menstruation above is explicitly mentioned in the text. Serat Primbon Jampi Jawi is a literary work that contains an encyclopedia of spices as ingredients for traditional medicine in the Yogyakarta area. Although literary works emphasize aesthetic aspects, with a lack of authenticity and accuracy, the information contained in literary works is a reflection of the culture at that time. Serat Primbon Jampi Jawi is a literary work, but information about the function of spices as traditional medicine may have existed in the past. The utilization of spices in the smooth menstrual phase of women is one proof of the diversity of spice functions in Yogyakarta in the past.
Yogyakarta is a city of culture. The vortex of spice development in this city seems quite complex, this is evidenced by the existence of ancient manuscripts that discuss the use of spices, either medicinally or in food. Some examples of such manuscripts are Serat Primbon Jampi Jawi. Serat Kawruh Bab Jampi-jampi Jawi, Serat Centhini, etc. Seeing the abundance of literary works on herbal medicine proves that the life of the people of Jogja cannot be separated from spices and their utilization.
Bibliography
Utami, R, R, P. 2010. Serat Primbon Jampi Jawi Koleksi Perpustakaan Museum Dewantara Kirti Griya (Suntingan Teks dan Terjemahan). Thesis. Yogyakarta: Universitas Gadjah Mada.
Image credit: https://www.halodoc.com/kesehatan/menstruasi
Author : Muhammad Siswoyo
Editor : Haryo Untoro
