The Secret of Cermai in Bali's Usadha Traditional Medicine for Treating Canker Sores Based on the Lontar Taru Pramana
The Lontar Usada Taru Pramana teaches the treatment of canker sores using the cermai plant. The fruit, leaves, and stems of cermai have properties that help reduce inflammation and accelerate the healing of mouth ulcers. The fruit and leaves of cermai are applied directly to the affected area. Meanwhile, loloh made from cermai stems is consumed regularly to aid healing from within the body. The natural use of cermai helps alleviate pain and speed up the recovery of canker sores.
The Lontar Usada Taru Pramana is a Balinese manuscript that contains knowledge about traditional medicine passed down through generations. This manuscript covers various methods of treatment using herbal plants, spices, and other techniques to address different illnesses. "Usada" itself means medicine, while "Taru Pramana" refers to guidelines or knowledge related to medicinal plants. In this lontar, various plants such as cermai, betel leaf, pegagan, and others are identified as solutions for various ailments, including common conditions like canker sores.
cermai fruit (Photo Source: Personal Collection)
Canker sores are a common condition in the oral cavity that causes painful ulcers. In the Lontar Usada Taru Pramana, traditional treatment for canker sores involves the use of medicinal plants with properties to reduce inflammation and accelerate the healing of ulcers. One of the plants used in this treatment is cermai (Phyllanthus acidus), which is known for its various benefits for oral health.
Cermai, or Phyllanthus acidus, is a tropical plant that produces small, round fruits with a distinct sour taste. This plant typically thrives in tropical climates, including Indonesia. The cermai tree can grow up to 10 meters tall and is often planted in home gardens or orchards as a protective and medicinal plant. The harvest season for cermai usually occurs during the dry season, around July to September, when the tree yields an abundant amount of fruit. In addition to its medicinal uses, cermai fruit is commonly utilized in traditional cuisines, such as pickles, preserves, or juices. Cermai leaves also have additional benefits, such as being used to reduce fever and relieve coughs, while cermai roots are occasionally employed to treat skin ailments. With its high vitamin C content and antibacterial and antioxidant properties, cermai offers numerous health benefits, both in traditional and modern contexts.
According to the Lontar Usada Taru Pramana, it is not only the fruit of cermai that is used in the treatment of canker sores, but also other parts of the cermai plant, such as the leaves and stems. The cermai fruit is known to be rich in vitamin C, which helps accelerate the healing of canker sores. The cermai leaves, with their antibacterial properties, are used to reduce inflammation in the affected areas, while the cermai stems also have properties that support healing and balance the body.
Crushed cermai fruit (Photo Source: Personal Collection)
To treat canker sores, the Lontar Usada Taru Pramana teaches the preparation of natural remedies from cermai. The cermai fruit, leaves, and stems need to be crushed or ground first to create a remedy that is ready for use. Typically, the cermai leaves and fruit are ground into a paste or boreh, while the cermai stems can be boiled and used as loloh (herbal drink). This remedy helps reduce inflammation in the mouth and relieve pain from canker sores.
Once the remedy is prepared, the Lontar Usada Taru Pramana provides instructions on how to use it. The boreh made from cermai fruit and leaves can be applied directly to the affected area in the mouth. The application should be done several times a day until the symptoms subside. Meanwhile, the loloh made from cermai stems can be consumed regularly, usually two to three times a day, to aid healing from within the body.
