This month, Student Village has teamed up with the Kul Kul Connection (KKC) kids to create a medicinal herb garden. KKC is a really awesome initiative at Green School whose intent is to develop and maintain sustainable connections with the kids of Sibang Kaja (the local banjar). In short, Kul Kul Connection connects Green School to the Sibang Kaja community. It provides English language education to the kids while also mingling them with the Green School students. There are about 400 kids involved in KKC.
Bali is rich in old knowledge of natural medicine. It is truly a healing place– that’s one of the reasons why many westerners come here. Recently someone came up with the idea of building an herb garden with the KKC kids so that they can learn the local knowledge of medicinal herbs. This knowledge is actually being lost– many of the older generations know how to treat ailments and illnesses, but with the influence of tourism and western culture, there are apoteks on every corner with every kind of Tylonol-esque treatments available.
The KKC kids decided the shape of the garden, which was a swastika! This symbol is everywhere in Bali. From the original sanskrit, the meaning of the swastika is associated with well-being. So, it is a symbol of good luck and health- the clockwise bending of the arms brings good fortune. In Bali you will see it on the mantle of many gateways.
We planted just a few herbs to begin our garden. Unfortunately, the names in Bahasa Indonesia makes it very difficult to look them up and learn their scientific names. But I actually feel like this makes the medicinal concept behind Balinese herbs that much more mysterious and meaningful to place-based research.
Here are some Balinese medicinal herbs that I’ve discovered:
KAYUMANIS/KATUK LEAF– This herb is called “sweet bark” because the leaves smell like cinnamon when crushed or ground. Oil is extracted for aromatherapy uses. The roots have been traditionally used for the treatment of rheumatism and fever.
Medicine – it is used for diarrhea, colds, kidneys, fevers, loss of appetite.
LIDAH BUAYA/ALOE VERA– Aloe grows really well here, which surprised me because I always thought of it as more of a succulent. But no, it grows in tropical climates, which is why mine never survived when I lived in Denver. Aloe is part of the lily family and is a perennial.
Medicine- blood sugar regulator, heartburn and indigestion (but not TOO much for it causes diarrhea), skin rashes and of course sunburn.
BOKASHI– Hmmm. this is where it gets confusing, because Balinese Bokashi oil is a combination if several herbs used to treat ailments of the skin and bones. However, we planted some “bokashi” in our herb garden, so I’m assuming it is used for the same thing.
Medicine of Bokashi oil: It reduced inflammation of the skin caused by infection, bites, rashes, etc.
CAJEPUT– This is actually not an herb but is a white wood tree that is typically made into an oil and is used for just about every ailment in Bali. It smells a lot like licorice and is related to the tea tree. The Balinese kitchen staff at SV rub this oil on your back if you have a fever, are tired, or are coming down with anything. You can also use it as a mild mozi repellant.
Medicine- Because of it’s camphor-like cooling properties, Cajeput is used in many respiratory ailments.
JERUK KEMANGI/LEMON BASIL- I was also surprised to be planting this one, as it has always seemed as one of those leisure herbs that just smells nice. I would call this more of a culinary herb than a medicinal herb, but the Balinese use it for insect repellants and as an antifungal.
Photo of KKC member planting lemon basil
SERAI/LEMONGRASS– Any garden in Bali would not be complete without lemongrass. It is used for treating digestive disorders and stomachache, high blood pressure, as a pain reliever, cough suppresent, and in a tea for exhaustion. It is also used to kill germs and as a mosquito repellant.
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