UNAIR NEWS- Dozens of international students from Federation University Australia got to know the cultural heritage of Indonesian medicine through UNAIR Traditional Medicine (Battra) class on Monday, January 16, 2023. Being held in the shared lectures building in Dharmawangsa (B) Campus, they were also introduced to traditional massage, herbs and nutrition.
Not only students there were three teaching staff participating in the series of events. Associate Professor Muhammad Aziz Rahman MBBS, MPH, CertGTC, GCHECTL, PhD, as the Program Coordinator, admitted that he liked the learning activities that were carried out. “Remarkable. We were taught how to do Javanese massage and prepare Indonesian food. We plan to come back next year with our students,” said Aziz at the end of the session.
Started with Indonesian Traditional Massage: Javanese Massage and Lulur by Dr. Ario Imandiri SpAk and Edith Frederika Puruhito SKM MSc (MedSci), the activity taught the international students basic anatomy theory in the massage area and basic massage movements. Then proceed with the theory and practice of Javanese massage.
Meanwhile, Myrna Adianti SSi MKes PhD and Maya Septriana SSi Apt MSi explained traditional Javanese massage has various health benefits. In addition to relaxing the body, traditional massage also improves blood and lymph circulation, increases metabolism, detoxifies and helps the process of cell regeneration. Myrna also explained that traditional massage is useful in beauty care.
One of Indonesia’s natural care products, such as lulur (scrubs), is used to clean and regenerate the skin. Maya explained that traditional Javanese scrubs could help lighten the skin. The materials used in its production include rice, turmeric and Javanese ginger (temulawak).
In the following session, international students were invited to learn how to make Jamu and traditional Indonesian food. Rini Hamsidi SFarm MFarm Apt and Dwi Setiani Sumardiko Skep Ns MSi, as mentors, gave several theories about sinom and klepon as Indonesian traditional food. The students at Federation University Australia were introduced to the herbal ingredients used, such as turmeric and sinom, and then they also had practice making them.
Susan, an international student from Federation University Australia, said she was very happy and interested in learning. “Interesting experience, very insightful. I came to understand how to make and use traditional medicine in Indonesia,” said the nursing program student.
Author: Jihan Aura
Editor: Khefti Al Mawalia
