The Benefits of Dapdap Leaves: Health Advantages in Tradition and the Lontar Usada Taru Pramana
The Lontar Usada Taru Pramana notes that each plant possesses specific properties that can be used in various forms of medicine, both as external and internal remedies. Dapdap leaves are mentioned as having "tis" (cooling) properties, which are useful for alleviating heat-related conditions, including feverr and inflammation. The dapdap tree is considered sacred and is referred to as "magic wood" due to its extensive use in health and religious practices.
Bali is an island rich in medicinal plants used in traditional healing practices. One such medicinal plants is the dapdap leaves. In the Lontar Usada Taru Pramana, which discusses medicinal plants, dapdap leaves are recorded as having numerous health benefits, ranging from relieving inflammation to helping reduce fever. The Balinese people have passed down the use of dapdap leaves for generations, incorporating them into various remedies to maintain physical and mental health.
The Benefits of Dapdap Leaves According to the Lontar Usada Taru Pramana
The Lontar Usada Taru Pramana mentions several benefits of dapdap leaves, including:
1. Reducing Inflammation
Dapdap leaves possess anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce inflammation and alleviate pain. In traditional Balinese medicine, a concoction made from dapdap leaves is often used to treat inflammation. This remedy is typically applied to the affected or inflamed area as an external treatment.
2. Reducing Fever
The Lontar Usada Taru Pramana mentions another benefit of dapdap leaves, which is their use as a remedy for reducing fever. The leaves are pounded into a boreh and applied to the forehead or other parts of the body experiencing heat due to fever. Their cooling properties help lower body temperature naturally.
3. Detoxification
In addition to being anti-inflammatory, dapdap leaves also possess diuretic and diaphoretic properties that assist in the body's natural detoxification process. Diuretic means the leaves help increase urine production, while diaphoretic means they promote sweating. Both mechanisms are important for eliminating toxins from the body.
Processing Dapdap Leaves into Herbal Remedies
The preparation of dapdap leaves as a herbal remedy can be done by boiling the leaves or pounding them into a boreh. Below are the ingredients used when making dapdap leaves into an herbal medicine.
Ingredients for Making Dapdap Leaves Decoction (Photo Source: Personal Collection)
Ingredients for Making Boreh from Dapdap Leaves (Photo Source: Personal Collection)
Here are the steps to make a decoction from dapdap leaves:
1. Clean the Dapdap Leaves
Prepare 5-7 dapdap leaves and wash them thoroughly under running water. This is done to remove any dirt or impurities from the surface of the leaves.
2. Boil the Dapdap Leaves
Once the leaves are clean, prepare about 300 ml of water to boil the leaves. The water will absorb the active compounds from the dapdap leaves during the boiling process. Boil the leaves untill the water turns a yellowish color.
Boiling Dapdap Leaves (Photo Source: Personal Collection)
3. Strain the Dapdap Leaves Decoction
After the decoction turns yellowish, strain the liquid to remove leaf particles so they are not ingested. Once strained, the dapdap leaves decoction is ready to drink, allowing you to experience its benefits.
Herbal Remedy from Dapdap Leaves (Photo Source: Personal Collection)
In addition to boiling, dapdap leaves can also be pounded into a boreh, whish is used to help reduce fever. Below are the steps for making boreh from dapdap leaves.
1. Wash the Dapdap Leaves
Preapre around 10-15 dapdap leaves (or as needed) and wash them under running water to remove any dirt from the surface of the leaves. Also, prepare an adequate amount of aromatic ginger (kencur), which will add a warming effect to the body.
2. Pound the Dapdap Leaves
After washing, pound the dapdap leaves and aromatic ginger (kencur) untill smooth.
Boreh from Dapdap Leaves (Photo Source: Personal Collection)
Once smooth, the boreh from dapdap leaves ready to use. The application method is quite simple, spread the boreh on the affected area and leave it on for a while to reap its benefits.
Dapdap leaves play an important role traditional medicine in Bali, particularly in reducing inflammation and lowering fever. Their use as a natural remedy or boreh helps effectively address various health complaints. With its remarkable benefits, dapdap leaves aerve as a valuable herbal medicine for maintaining overall health naturally.
