Fadly Husain, Baiq Farhatul Wahidah
In 2013, 30.4% of households in Indonesia were using traditional health services. A survey in 2012 claimed 27% of West Nusa Tenggara people were using traditional medicine. The limitations of conventional drugs, potency, and cost as well as traditions and beliefs are several reasons people use traditional medicine. Decoction of herbs is one of traditional medicines commonly used by a belian (indigenous healer) in his treatment practice process. This research was carried out from July to September 2013 and June to September 2014 in the Sasak community in Lombok Island, West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia. The study was conducted using qualitative methods, interviews, participant observations, and photo documentation. For the Sasak people of Lombok, there are several types of belian with various specialties, they are belian (treating various diseases), belian ranak (indigenous midwife), belian polak (bone setter), and belian pijat/urut (masseur). In the treatment process, the belian uses four kinds of medicines, the bubus, minyak, sembek, and aik putek. Bubus uses paddy/rice, while minyak uses coconut as the main ingredient. Sembek is a pounded decoction made from piper betel leaves, betel nut, and milk of lime. The last medicine is aik putek (mineral water). This traditional medicine is also a natural and cultural wealth that must be maintained and preserved. Although the government has not given serious attention to the indigenous healers, there is legislation that accommodates traditional medicine as an entry point in the development and preservation of these traditional medicines. © 2018 Author(s).
Department of Sociology and Anthropology, State University of Semarang, Semarang, Central Java, 50229, Indonesia; Department of Biology, UIN Walisongo Semarang, Semarang, Central Java, 50185, Indonesia
