The Benefits of Jackfruit Leaves in Lontar Usadha Bali: Traditional Remedies with Hidden Health Advantages

Traditional Balinese medicine, passed down from generation to generation, preserves ancient practices known as usadha. Usadha is a collection of medical teachings written in lontar—ancient palm-leaf manuscripts rich in knowledge about herbal remedies and traditional healing. One of the ingredients mentioned in the lontar usadha is jackfruit leaves (Artocarpus heterophyllus), believed to have various health benefits.

In the Balinese cultural context, the use of natural ingredients like jackfruit leaves is not only about physical health but is also closely related to spiritual balance and harmony with nature. According to Usadha Taru Pramana, every plant holds a certain healing energy that can support the healing process of body, mind, and soul. Jackfruit leaves are one such example, used in remedies that have been applied for various health conditions.

Jackfruit Leaves: A Natural Healer

The jackfruit tree (Artocarpus heterophyllus), a tropical plant widely found in Southeast Asia, including Indonesia, is mainly known for its large, nutrient-rich fruit. However, other parts of this plant, particularly its leaves, also hold significant value, especially in traditional medicine

In the lontar usadha—ancient texts discussing herbs and traditional treatments in Bali—jackfruit leaves are noted for their diverse health benefits. The Balinese have long used these leaves in herbal concoctions to treat various health issues, including fever, digestive problems, body aches, and skin disorders.

Contents and Benefits of Jackfruit Leaves

Jackfruit leaves are known to contain natural chemical compounds that play an important role in bodily health. Some of the active compounds found in jackfruit leaves, include antioxidants, flavonoids, saponins, and antibacterial substances. Scientifically, these compounds have been identified as substances that support bodily functions, such as strengthening the immune system, reducing inflammation, and fighting infections.

One of the main benefits of jackfruit leaves is as a fever reducer. The leaves are boiled and consumed as a drink to lower fevers, especially in children. This method is considered safer and more natural than modern chemical medications, in line with traditional medicine principles that advocate the use of natural ingredients.

Jackfruit Tree (Source: Personal Collection)

Another lesser-known benefit of jackfruit leaves is their use in treating skin problems such as wounds, boils, and itching. The leaves are ground into a paste and applied directly to the affected area. The antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties of jackfruit leaves are believed to help speed up the wound healing process and prevent infection.

In addition, jackfruit leaves are beneficial for digestive health. In traditional medicine, these leaves are used to relieve digestive disorders such as bloating, diarrhea, and constipation. The remedy is typically prepared in the form of tea or a decoction, consumed regularly to improve digestive function and maintain gut flora balance.

Hidden Benefits of Jackfruit Leaves in Usadha Tiwang

Usadha Tiwang is part of the traditional Balinese medical literature that discusses rituals and spiritual healing for those who are terminally ill or nearing death. In this tradition, it is believed that physical treatment alone is not enough, and attention to spiritual aspects is essential, especially when facing the transition between life and death.

In Usadha Tiwang, it is mentioned that jackfruit leaves can be used to alleviate severe body pains and headaches. This condition, called Tiwang Tuwedan, is treated by combining jackfruit leaves (Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam) with red rice (Oryza nivara) and galangal root (Alpinia galanga). The remedy is ground and applied externally.

Beyond Usadha Tiwang, jackfruit leaves are also useful in treating a condition known as Mokan, characterized by swelling and pain. To treat this, jackfruit leaves (Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam) are combined with galangal (Alpinia galanga), Chinese leek (Allium cepa), milkweed leaves (Calotropis gigantea), and banyan leaves (Ficus benjamina). The mixture is applied externally to the head.

Jackfruit leaves can also be combined with other ingredients to relieve body aches and muscle soreness. This medicine is called boreh, where jackfruit leaves (Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam) are combined with ginger (Zingiber officinale), clove buds (Syzygium aromaticum), nutmeg (Myristica fragrans Houtt), and aromatic ginger (Kaempferia galanga L).

Here are the steps to make this traditional boreh.

Boreh Ingredients (Source: Personal Collection)

Steps:

1. Prepare the ingridients for the boreh as listed above.

2. Grind the ingredients using a grinder until the texture is smooth.

3. After Grinding, mix with a little water to make it easier to apply to the sore areas of the body.

4. The boreh is now ready to be used.

Jackfruit Leaves Boreh (Source: Personal Collection)

The Spiritual Use of Jackfruit Leaves

Beyond their role as physical medicine, jackfruit leaves also hold spiritual value in Balinese life. In certain rituals, these leaves are used as part of healing ceremonies to cleanse negative energy and restore spiritual balance. This illustrates how, in Balinese tradition, health is viewed holistically, involving the connection between the body, soul, and nature. 

The use of jackfruit leaves in spiritual rituals also provides a broader context about the role of plants in maintaining holistic human health. Jackfruit leaves are seen not only as a medicinal ingredient but also as a medium that helps connect humans with the forces of nature and their ancestors.