Galangal: A Herbal Remedy for Bloating in Usadha Dalem Traditional Balinese Medicine

Since ancient times, the Balinese people have relied on lontar usadha for making traditional medicine to maintain health. The use of Lontar is typically carried out by a Balian, a traditional Balinese healer skilled in preparing remedies. One of the lontar used is Lontar Usadha Dalem, which contains natural healing properties recorded on palm leaves. Lontar Usadha Dalem is an ancient text that is part of Bali’s cultural heritage, containing knowledge about traditional medicine. This lontar includes guidelines on traditional Balinese healing practices, covering herbal remedies, prayers, and spiritual rituals. In Lontar Usadha Dalem Bali, detailed information is recorded about various types of herbal plants used to treat a wide range of common ailments, such as bloating, digestive disorders, fever, and skin diseases. One of the plants used to alleviate bloating is galangal. 

Remedies for Bloating (Source: Private Collection)

Galangal (Alpinia galanga), a member of the ginger family, is a versatile plant that not only serves as a kitchen spice but can also be used as traditional medicine. In Indonesia, galangal is known by various names, such as "laos" in Java and "isen" in Bali. Galangal is characterized by its wide and thick rhizomes, a distinctive aroma, and a spicy-bitter taste. Typically, galangal thrives in tropical and subtropical regions, especially in Southeast Asia, including Indonesia and the Philippines.

Galangal offers numerous benefits due to its active compounds. It is effective in boosting the production of digestive enzymes, helping the body digest food more efficiently, and reducing issues like bloating and diarrhea. Additionally, it serves as an antifungal agent, alleviating itchiness on the skin caused by fungal infections. Galangal has carminative properties, which means it can eliminate gas in the stomach. This makes it highly valuable for treating bloating in individuals suffering from excess gas in the abdomen.

Required Ingredients (Source: Private Collection)

For galangal to be effective in reducing and treating bloating, it needs to be prepared as a drink. Here are the steps to make a galangal drink to maximize its effectiveness in alleviating bloating.

First, prepare these ingredients:

  - Galangal (1 piece)

  - Ginger (1 piece)

  - Water 

  - Pandan leaves (1-2 piece)

  - Honey.

Secondly, let's process the galangal into a drink:

1. Clean the galangal, ginger, and pandan leaves under running water.

Washing the ingredients (Source: Private Collection)

2. Peel the galangal and ginger, then bruise them to release their juices.

Stripping of the material (Source: Private Collection)

3. Combine the galangal, ginger, and pandan leaves in a pot. Then, pour in 2 glasses of water.

Preparation of boiling in a saucepan (Source: Private Collection)

4. Boil the mixture until it comes to a boil.

Boil the ingredients (Source: Private Collection)

5. After boiling, strain the mixture through a sieve to separate the liquid from the solids.

Filtration of pulp (Source: Private Collection)

6. Then, add 1 tablespoon of honey to sweeten it.

Filtration of pulp (Source: Private Collection)

7. Your drink is ready to be served.

Glasses filled with drinks (Source: Private Collection)

This ginger drink is recommended to be consumed twice a day, morning and night, especially when experiencing bloating. Usadha Dalem, an ancient Balinese herbal encyclopedia, provides valuable information about medicinal plants and their traditional uses. The galangal-based herbal drink is a testament to the local wisdom that combines natural healing with spiritual practices to maintain the balance of body and soul.