The Natural Healing Powers of Usadha Paneseh: Traditional Balinese Remedies for Pregnant Women

Usadha Paneseh is a part of Balinese traditional medicine recorded in the Usadha lontar manuscripts. This practice specifically focuses on the care and treatment of pregnant women, from maintaining their health during pregnancy to preparing for childbirth. The treatment uses herbal medicine, prayers, and spiritual rituals to ensure physical and mental balance for both the pregnant mother and the fetus. Usadha Paneseh is typically aimed at pregnant women, who receive constant support from the Balinese community and their families, who care for them during pregnancy and provide traditional herbal remedies.

This treatment is practiced in Bali, especially among communities that still follow their ancestral traditions and use the Usadha lontar as a symbol of health. Rituals and the consumption of herbal mixtures are usually carried out in sacred places such as homes or temples to ensure spiritual blessings. The goal is to ensure the health of the mother, the development of the baby, and to provide the pregnant woman with enough strength to give birth.

Turmeric Herbal Plants Used (Source: Private Collection)

The benefits of Usadha Paneseh help pregnant women overcome discomforts such as nausea, vomiting, bloating, dizziness, and fatigue. Using herbs like ginger and turmeric can be very helpful in alleviating these symptoms. The herbal content in Usadha Paneseh can boost stamina, improve digestion, and enhance blood circulation in pregnant women. This is important in preparing the mother for childbirth. The prayers and rituals performed in Usadha Paneseh have a calming effect on pregnant women, helping to reduce stress and anxiety during pregnancy.

Ingredients Prepared (Source: Private Collection)

Here are the ingredients for a mixture for the health of pregnant women:

The necessary ingredients are:

  - Turmeric

  - Water (1 glass)

  - Honey

Stages of processing:

1. Wash the turmeric thoroughly until it's clean.

Washing Turmeric (Source: Private Collection)

2. After washing, peel the turmeric.

Peeling Turmeric (Source: Private Collection)

3. Pound or grind the turmeric until it forms a fine paste.

Mashing and smoothing Turmeric (Source: Private Collection)

4. Next, pour 1 glass of water into a bowl and sprinkle the finely ground turmeric over it. Bring the mixture to a boil.

Boiling Turmeric (Source: Private Collection)

5. After boiling, filter the turmeric mixture to separate the liquid from the solids.

Filtering Turmeric Water (Source: Private Collection)

6. For a sweeter taste, add 1-2 tablespoons of honey. Alternatively, you can use palm sugar.

Add honey to make it taste delicious (Source: Private Collection)

7. Turmeric water is ready to be consumed.

The water are ready to consume (Source: Private Collection)

Consume this drink 1 glass per day during pregnancy. Usadha Paneseh is one of Bali's wisdoms that provides incredible benefits for the health of pregnant women. Combining natural herbal remedies, prayers, and spiritual rituals, Usadha Paneseh not only helps address physical ailments but also supports the emotional and mental health of pregnant women. This practice demonstrates that Balinese customs honor and maintain the balance between humans and nature at every stage of life, including pregnancy. Therefore, preserving and understanding Usadha Paneseh can be a way to provide comprehensive and meaningful care for pregnant women.