It is already known that Indonesia, the country is very prosperous for spices. Therefore, long ago attracted many foreign countries, including China, Arabia, Portugal, Spain, United Kingdom and the Netherlands are to come here to conquer or trade. It is also the reason why Indonesian food is rich in spices and herbs such as ginger, turmeric, galangal types, shallots, garlic, nutmeg, cloves. There are also herbs such as lemon grass, fresh leaves, lemon basil (also known as kemangi), kaffir lime, Daun salam (a kind of bay leaves), turmeric, etc. And of course, peppers. Not only do these spices to make the food tastes delicious, but they are also part of the botanical treasures that are good for medicine. As part of modern medical treatment, the people of Indonesia for spices and herbs, traditional medicine have used.
Here are some herbs that are used for, among other things, the medicine may:
- Clove, which is a native plant from Indonesia and is used as an ingredient in the kitchen all over the world, has many useful especially for the use of drugs. According to FAO, Indonesia produced almost 80% of the world’s clove output in 2005 at a distance by Madagascar and Tanzania. In India, used in Ayurveda as Lavangen cloves, while Chinese and Western, they consider it a minor (pain killers) to use for dental emergencies. Cloves are also used as a carminative, to increase hydrochloric acid in the stomach and peristalsis. It is as natural anti antihelmintic (drugs, parasitic worms (helminths) from the body to expel, by either stunning or killing) is known. The cloves contain an essential oil (essential oil), some good chemical bond. According to WHO (World Health Organization), is one of the most popular clove herbal medicines in the world. As in Indonesia, this spice in medicine for a long time ago is used. With the right amount, together with other spices, clove may toothache, severe cough, fever due to malaria, pain during menstruation and even cure a bad breath problem.
- Ginger is widely used across the country both for cooking and medicines. There is a special drink in Central Java called Wedang Round “, produced the will of ginger and peanuts and it is good to cure a sore throat. Ginger is also good for the body, stamina, colds, nausea, vomiting, headache, dizziness and to increase cure fever.
- Galangal (Kaempferia galanga), like ginger, it is also good for healing the body, increase stamina, against bad breath to gastritis, nausea, vomiting, and cold.
- Turmeric has many health benefits. Besides widely used as a dye and is one of the main ingredients in curry powder, it is also used for traditional medicine is good for health and beauty coverage. Turmeric has long been used in medicine as an anti-inflammatory, for digestive disorders (indigestion, flatulence, stomach-stuffing) and problems with the liver and prevents bacterial infections in wounds and to treat skin diseases and wound healing treatment. It is also good for the treatment of irregular menstruation and fluorine for women. Other benefits for the body heat and blood circulation smoothly. There is a considerable amount of research into anti-cancer potential of curcumin. Results from laboratory and animal studies, turmeric has potential in the treatment of various cancers, including prostate, breast, skin and intestines. Human studies are needed before it is known to what extent these results apply to humans.
- Another Indonesian herb that is good for food ingredients such as lemongrass or health of the Indonesian ‘Sereh “or” Serai “called Lemongrass is widely used as a spice in Asian cooking It has a citrus flavor and can be dried and pulverized. or used fresh. It is often used in teas, soups and curries. Research also shows that lemon grass oil has antifungal properties. Lemongrass has many good qualities, like curing a headache, muscle and joint pain, nerve pain, rheumatism, sore throat, irritable bowel syndrome, gastroenteritis, abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, stomach pain, irregular menstruation, bad breath, increases the appetite, cures swollen gums, tooth pain. It is a traditional drink of the West Java called “Bandrek ‘, which is of lemongrass is made stick. It’s good to warm the body.
Despite all the above herbs, there are many herbs and spices in Indonesia, the major benefits for the people, health. As long as you with the correct measurement / dosing.