International Journal of Research in Humanities and Social Studies Volume 5, Issue 8, 2018, PP 40-48 ISSN 2394-6288 (Print) & ISSN 2394-6296 (Online)

The Preservation of Local Wisdom in Sundanes Traditional Medicine in West ,

Dadang Suganda, Wagiati, Sugeng Riyanto, Nani Darmayanti Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Padjadjaran, , Indonesia *Corresponding Author: Nani Darmayanti, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Padjadjaran, West Java, Indonesia.

ABSTRACT In reality, Sundanese, along with other ethnicities in Indonesia, has long had their own knowledge of traditional medicine stemming from local wisdom. Unfortunately, this knowledge has now been limited to only older generations. Therefore, few know about traditional medicine. This paper’s goal is to discuss the system in traditional Sundanese medicine as well as provide an alternative of modern medicine to society. This research using the method of ethnography as a means to understand Sundanese cultural system and their healthcare model. Generally, it is known that until now the Sundanese hold onto their knowledge of traditional medicine as a part of their cultural system. In Sundanese culture, two types of diseases are known: the naturalistic and the personality; knowledge about the environment, especially related to plants and medicinal herbs, is a basic knowledge for . Keywords: preservation, local wisdom, traditional medicine

INTRODUCTION If we relate it to the traditional understanding and view among the society at large, people As territorial beings, the survival of humankind know that the imbalance may be caused by two depends on their ability to adapt with the factors, the physical and non-physical. Physical environment. This is what sets humans factors can be caused by nature, like wind, differently from other creatures. On the other weather (hot and cold), temperature, moisture, hand, in the interaction with their environment, rain, and others. On the other hand, the non- humans interact actively with their environment. physical factor is understood as factors cause by This condition is strengthened with their attempt the supernatural, such as spirits, djinns, ghosts, and interest to establish good relationships in and mystical objects owned by persons who can fulfilling their needs as a super being. master and control them. Health, in its relation with the livelihood of the The two medical phenomena above require public, becomes an important and vital factor in different approaches as well. A medicinal human life. The living quality of an individual is system required to deal with the two factors are reflected in the health condition of the need by our society, whether for communities in individual. That is why health plays a vital role cities or villages, even if the patterns and in human life In daily life, a healthy person characteristics are different. For example, would be able to do his or her activities without society in villages when dealing with a disease much difficulty. On the contrary, the constitution will first search for plants around their dwellings of less healthy people may influence their daily that can be used as medicine; ask help from lives such as difficulties in doing some traditional medics; and finally go to the hospital activities, disorganized routine, and so forth. (houses were doctors hold their practice) if the Being ill, in general, can be understood as an illness doesn‘t subside. This pattern is almost imbalance in oneself with the environment always visible among village communities, in (Foster, 1986). Therefore, we can conclude that contrast to the pattern in cities. if someone has difficulty in maintaining the The cultural reality elaborated above shows that balance with him or herself or with the despite the progresses made in modern environment, it can be said that the person‘s medicine, or the availability of paramedics body isn‘t functioning as well as it should; we specializing in various fields of modern can say that the person is ill or sick. medicine, the reality, function, and role of

International Journal of Research in Humanities and Social Studies V5 ●I8 ●2018 40 The Preservation of Local Wisdom in Sundanes Traditional Medicine in West Java, Indonesia traditional medicines are still in need; and the society. Thus, the findings of this result can practice still exists among society. The same can hopefully assist the government in expanding also be found among the Sundanese people of the medical world of Indonesia. West Java that so far have been consistent with As a solution to the above problems, this paper‘s their traditional medicinal system that has been aims are mentioned below: passed down by their ancestors. This is why there needs to be a constant improvement in  Expose and discuss the intellectual-cultural preserving the local wisdom of traditional wealth in the form of Sundanese society‘s medicinal system. It can be understood that that knowledge related to the medicinal world, the modern life has increased society‘s degree of which is the Sundanese traditional rationality. This may result in the deterioration medicinal system and attempts to preserve it of cultural values in a society, resulting in a through the use of medicinal herbs. shift. (Purnomowulan, dkk., 2017: 63).  Provide alternative choices to communities, Traditional medicinal system has a special especially Sundanese ones, with low buying position in Sundanese society as a local wisdom power so they may switch to the traditional that is inherited from their ancestors. medicinal system for their healthcare Furthermore, traditional medicinal system too, functionally, is still needed as society, especially  Provide literature on traditional medicine in maintaining health, as well as for preserving related to medicine and traditional stamina and fitness of the body. This is also an meditional system, especially for people attempt in preserving local culture. Local culture who wish to study further on the matter is in itself a root of national culture (Sobarna, et. The research is focused in two main domains of al, 2018: 148). discourse: the material and spatial aspects. The Interestingly, 80% of the world‘s medicinal material aspect includes views and the herbs are available in Indonesia. Therefore, it understanding of Sundanese people on the makes it easier for us to make nature-based concept of wellness and illness, characteristics traditional medicine. This in accordance with and diseases and their cure, as well as Jennifer and Endah‘s (2015) statement that knowledge on medicinal herbs. The spatial Indonesia has an outstanding biodiversity with (regional) aspect is understood as a discourse on over 40.000 species of plants, with 1300 of them the space (region) of the research. This research being medicinal herbs. is focused on regions of and Sumedang. The considerations in choosing these Even so, the many natural resources among two regions are that aside from properly Sundanese society have yet to be utilized to representing the Sundanese society as a whole, their outmost potential do to the problems as the two regions are known to have existing follows. Sundanese society is one among the medical practices that use certain medicinal many societies of Indonesia that have long herbs as remedies. possessed knowledge of traditional medicine, but these have not been thoroughly researched. In its relation to the conceptual aspect, Sundanese traditional medicinal system is Expertise in knowledge of traditional medicine understood as a part of Sundanese culture that is only limited among the older generation, with has been passed down from one generation regeneration only depending on orally through oral and written transmission transmitted information or actions. On the other (Djelantik, 1983: 3). Therefore, there exists a hand, old scriptures containing the knowledge of literary system in the form of a holistic study on medicinal herbs and how to use them are written types of medicinal herbs that is then widely in ancient language, while experts who are able known among the Sundanese today. to decipher and understand them are very Nevertheless, constant research needs to be done limited in numbers. The low purchasing power to fulfill the gaps in this study. This is the basis of society, making the availability of traditional of our research; one of which is to fill the gaps medicine derived from natural resources an from previous studies by other researches. alternative choice in the medicinal world. RESEARCH METHOD In regards to the problems elaborated above, a research is needed on Sundanese traditional This research may be categorized as a ―strategic herbal medicine and their preservation as an research‖ as a synchronization between the intellectual-cultural wealth of Sundanese livelihood of many with the accumulation of knowledge that possesses its own scientific

41 International Journal of Research in Humanities and Social Studies V5 ●I8●2018 The Preservation of Local Wisdom in Sundanes Traditional Medicine in West Java, Indonesia value. Therefore, this research has to be done 1987). To maintain the relevance and validity of holistically and exhaustively to obtain good the data, several methods are taken (1) direct scientific values. The approaches applied to this involvement (2) diligence in observation (3) research are the theoretical and methodological triangulation, both for data obtained from methods. Theoretically, the method used in this observation and interview and theoretical and research is cultural studies. Methodologically, methodological triangulations, (4) re- the approach used in this research is examination of data obtained from informants ethnography as developed by James Spradley and consultation with associates who are (1997) which is based on humanist problems competent with the topics off this research arising in the middle of a community. For (Muhadjir, 1996). example, research in traditional medicinal The analysis of data is done with the qualitative system provides the proper solution for the method; this means that the analytical activities society, especially those who are financially are focused on general patterns of in the form unable to fulfill their own medical needs. and behavior of the data that are influenced by In order for this research to fulfill the scientific and appear with their contexts (Asher 1994 in method and be held responsible, the following Arimi 1998: 27). The analysis of the data isthen steps are required. presented descriptively through formulation and disclosure of results using words and sentences.  To begin the research process, there needs to The analysis of data is done through several be literary research to attain a holistic and procedures (1) data reduction in the form of comprehensive understanding of matters identifying language maintenance (2) data related to the substance of research. Results presentation with matrix and (3) drawing of of literary study are useful for the conclusion and tentative verification by data construction of conceptual, material, and triangulation along with method triangulation spatial framework, other than as references and data selection techniques. to ease analysis of data. RESULTAND DISCUSSION  Direct observation. Joegensen (2001) stated that the method of direct observation or For the interest of this research, the regencies of involvement can be understood as the Bandung and Sumedang are designated as starting foundation of a research and its regions for observation. Both locations are seen methods, deriving data from real situations as representing the elements of Sundanese among natives on the field. culture and West Java as a whole. Furthermore, in both regions exist traditional medicine using  Interviews with many parties, such as herbal concoctions which are easily affordable sources, which encompass practitioners of in terms of pricing and distance. Thus, we hope traditional medicine, community that the results of this research will be relevant members— chosen via random sampling— to the topic at hand who use medicinal herbs to cure their diseases. Interviews are done using a series of questions that are structural, systematic, The Regency of Bandung in Brief Overview and open in nature which enable the attainment of information regarding the The geographic condition of domain of basic elements of the cultural (henceforth referred to as Kabupaten Bandung), knowledge of the sources positioned on a coordinate of 1070 22' - 1080 - 50 East Longitude dan 60 41' - 70 19' South The data sources of this research are traditional Latitude is situated in higher plains. The total medicinal practices in Bandung and Sumedang. area of Kabupaten Bandung is 176.238,67 Ha. To obtain the data, research is conducted in the Most of Bandung is among hills and mountains regencies of Bandung and Sumedang. The surrounding Kabupaten Bandung, with considerations in choosing these two regions are Bukittunggul standing 2.200 m in the north, that aside from properly representing the Gunung Tangkuban Parahu with a height of Sundanese society as a whole, the two regions 2.076 m on the border of Kabupaten Bandung are known to have existing medical practices and Kabupaten Bandung Barat and Kabupaten that use certain medicinal herbs as remedies. , with Gunung Patuha on the south The data obtained through audio and written with a height of 2.334 m, Gunung Malabar with recording on the field are then transcribed, a height of 2.321, along with Gunung classified, and temporarily interpreted (Milroy, Papandayan with a height of 2.262 and Gunung

International Journal of Research in Humanities and Social Studies V5 ●I8●2018 42 The Preservation of Local Wisdom in Sundanes Traditional Medicine in West Java, Indonesia

Guntur with a height of 2.248 m. Both bordering Kabupaten Sumedang has an area of 153.124 ha Kabupaten Bandung with Kabupaten Garut. with a population of almost 1 million. It has many natural resources. Kabupaten Sumedang The administrative borders of Kabupaten especially has some potential in the sector of Bandung are: Kabupaten Bandung Barat, Kota tourism, signature food items, traditional crafts, ‗town‘ Bandung, and Kabupaten Sumedang on as well as animal husbandry, forestry, and the north; Kabupaten Sumedang and Kabupaten agriculture. Garut in the east; Kabupaten Garut and Kabupaten Cianjur in the east; and Kabupaten While not of all them has been maximally Bandung Barat, Kota Bandung, and Kota developed, all the commodities and potentials Cimahi in the west. are still in development to increase their growth and popularity, as well as increasing their Kabupaten Bandung‘s morphology is that of a production and the stream of tourists that visit mountain range with the average slope between Sumedang. One of the attempts to develop these 0-8 %, 8-15 % and up to above 45 %. potentials is by providing facilities to traders of Kabupaten Bandung has a tropical climate special products such as Cilembu hui ‗yam‘ and which is often influenced by the monsoon Cigendel peuyeum ‗fermented tapay‘. climate with an average rainfall between 1.500 mm and 4.000 mm every year. The temperature Traders of Cilembu hui and Cigendel peuyeum is around 12oC to 24oC with a humidity between are given properly arranged and clean stalls all 78 % during rain season and 70 % pada during along the roadside of Cadas Pangeran. The dry season. sweet hui Cilembu has in fact penetrated the Singaporean market and can be found in several From a a demographical aspect, Kabupaten retail stores in Singapore. the Cilmbu hui has Bandung has a population of 3.215.548 males in also entered the market of various countries in 2010 (BPS Data 2010) with a total number of Asia, such as Japan and Taiwan. About 6 tons of 1.638.623 for males (50,96%) and 1.576.925 for hui Cilembu are shipped weekly to Singapore women (49,04%). This number increased by alone. 1,35% compared to 2009, in which the population of Bandung reached 3.172.860 with Kabupaten Sumedang has potential tourist spots 1.590.399 (50,13 %) male residents and such as the Prabu Geusan Ulun Museum which 1.582.461 (49,87%) female residents. The exhibits various artifacts from the era of the composition of residents by age in 2010 shows Subanglarang Kingdom and the Padjadjaran that residents in the productive age (15-64) Museum. The Prabu Geusan Ulun museum is make up 64,89% of the population, with the located in the middle of the city within the young population (0-14) reaching 31.17% and complex of Sumedang‘s Regional Government the old population (65 and up) reaching 3,94%. or around the town square which makes it easier The productive group of the population (15-64) for tourists to navigate to. Aside from the saw a reduction of 2,25% the following year museum, there are other historical sites such as while those in the old demographic (65 and up) Mount Tampomas, Mount Lingga, and the grave went down 0,44%. The young population on the of National Hero Tjoet Nyak Dhien. other hand, saw a 2,69% increase. Other notable tourist attractions that are From the population data above, there is a constantly in maintenance and development are dependency ratio of 54,10% which means that Kampung Toga, Benteng Gunung Kunci every 100 people must support 54 unproductive (‗Gunung Kunci Fort‘), Cipanas (‗hot water people. Compared to 2009, there is a 5,15% springs‘) Cileungsing and Cipanas Conggeang. increase in the dependency ratio in 2010, with a Tourists interested in golf may also play in a 48,59% dependency ratio in 2009. This golf field situated right around a notable dependency ratio is hoped to decrease in the university in Jatinangor. Soon, the Kampung following years, thus increasing the Toga area will also be equipped with sport competitiveness and human resources in facilities such as paragliding and hang-gliding. Kabupaten Bandung All the potentials of Sumedang are expected to grow in the near future. The Regency od Sumedang (Kabupaten Sumedang) in Brief Overview Sundanese Traditional Medicine Sumedang is one of a kabupaten (regency) in The aforementioned regions were chosen due to West Java and directly observes the province‘s the cultural substance and reality of the two capital, Bandung. Like other kabupaten, regions. This is connected to the existence of

43 International Journal of Research in Humanities and Social Studies V5 ●I8●2018 The Preservation of Local Wisdom in Sundanes Traditional Medicine in West Java, Indonesia medical practices that still rely on traditional Sumedang at least use three main approaches: methods by using natural resources in the form using traditional remedies, using cultural of medicinal herbs growing the region. remedies such as spells and verses from the Qur‘an, and the use of specific skills such as In the cultural reality of Kabupaten Bandung massaging and urut. These three approaches and Kabupaten Sumedang there exist medical have their own degrees in effectivity. Some practices based on traditional local wisdom by practices even combine all three at the same using medicinal herbs growing in the areas. The time. traditional herbs were then concocted to be used alternative cures for various diseases. This In its relation to effectivity, traditional medicinal cultural reality indicates that traditional system has its advantages against modern medicinal systems still exist and are practically medicinal system. There are at least six main still in use by its supporting communities. considerations from society before using Nowadays, however, elements and modern traditional medicinal system as an alternative for medicinal systems have been widely known and curing their diseases. The consideration are as applied to public life. This, however, does not follows. erode the intellectual-cultural wealth among the Ease of Access Sundanese with the maintenance of the utilization of tradiotional medicinal herbs used The Sundanese, especially those residing in as natural alternative medicine. Kabupaten Bandung and Kabupaten Sumedang believe that the ingredients for traditional This cultural reality is further made concrete remedies aren‘t hard to find. The ingredients with supporting facts with the availability of themselves are readily available in people‘s figures and practitioners in the field of yards and gardens tended by local communities. traditional medicine, be they ‗witch doctors‘ of This means that the core ingredients to traditional medicine, or even regular people who traditional remedies are readily available even in indirectly wield the knowledge for curing cases of emergencies. If somebody falls ill and various diseases. In their medical practices, they is in dire need of immediate medical attention all use medicinal herbs are their main despite limited access to hospitals and doctors, ingredient. Today, medicinal herbs such as then traditional medicine will become the best babandotan, baluntas, daun binara, bungur, alternative treatment. This is the reason why cecendet, cengkeh, cereme, eurih, handeuleum, traditional medicinal systems still flourish in hareuga, ki encok, and so forth are still available Kabupaten Sumedang and Kabupaten Bandung. in those regions Aside from utilizing traditional herbs around the community, there are also Most traditional herbs are planted (intentionally medical practices that still involve cultural or not) in the yards of people‘s homes as approaches, such as the reciting of spells in the ornamental flowers or as apotek hidup ‗natural local language (Sundanese) accompanied with pharmacy‘. Apotek hidup is the planting of herbs the reciting of certain verses from the Qur‘an understood to have healing properties for curing believed to have mystic effects. various diseases in the yards and gardens of community members. Aside from the aforementioned practices, there are also other traditional approaches that still The attempt to plant these medicinal herbs are exist and develop among Sundanese society. not without reason. Historically, the ancestors or These approaches are in the form of masteries in predecessors of Sundanese people have long several skills such as massaging, urut, and so practiced traditional medicine. They use various forth. In Sumedang, for example, there have types of medicinal herbs growing amongst them. been found massage centers that specialize in This habit is then inherited by the next curing various external ailments such as sprains generations until today. This attempt in as well as internal diseases such as heart, lung, preserving this intellectual-cultural wealth is and stomach diseases, among others. Only by still in effect so that recent generations will still using massaging skills, a masseuse may cure retain some knowledge about the traditional various decisions just in several massaging medicinal system. sessions, in depending on the severity of the This is of course a strategy to survive and retain disease. their way of life. As mentioned by Kluckhon (in From the realities mentioned above, it can be Koentjaraningrat, 2007: 81), humans must guard concluded that Sundanese traditional medicine the secrets of nature and use them for their own in Kabupaten Bandung and Kabupaten livelihood and must live in harmony with

International Journal of Research in Humanities and Social Studies V5 ●I8●2018 44 The Preservation of Local Wisdom in Sundanes Traditional Medicine in West Java, Indonesia nature. dangerous. Drugs are often labelled as having potentially dangerous side effects to the heart, Affordable Price liver, kidneys, and even embryos for pregnant Another consideration for the public to choose women. Chemical drugs often come with traditional medicine is its cost. Price must be specific age usages. For example, certain drugs considered in every transaction including in should not be used for children below the age of choosing the treatment for one‘s ailment. five or by patients with drug allergies. Modern medicinal system, compared to On the other hand, traditional medicine with traditional medicinal system, is often considered only the use of traditional herbs are mostly free to be less affordable, especially in terms of of hazardous effects. Even when used routinely purchasing drugs and treatments for more severe and continually and in accepted dosages, health diseases such as heart diseases, urogenital can be maintained through traditional diseases, cancer, and so on. This leads to medication alone. For example, turmeric can be Sundanese people (especially those residing in used to cure patients with gastritis. Additionally, Kabupaten Bandung and Kabupaten Sumedang) through the continued consumption of turmeric, to choose traditional medicine as an affordable the patient may be able to regulate his or her alternative. blood circulation Even so, there are many cases where modern Belief in treatment medicine is more favored in the case of certain diseases such as the flu, fever, coughs, and other A patient‘s belief in the traditional medication minor diseases. This is due to the fact that some that he or she is being treated to is not drugs are cheap and more immediately available something to be considered lightly. This element than some concoctions which may take some plays an important part in both modern and time and energy to prepare. Again, economic traditional medication. In some cases, a patient choices are once again at play in the choosing of may repeatedly go to a doctor and given drugs medical treatments. Others, however, resort to only to find that the given treatment doesn‘t traditional medicine, when modern treatments work. He or she then goes to another doctor prove obsolete for certain diseases and patients whom his or her friend recommends and is then cannot be constantly admitted to the hospital. given the same type of drugs but on a different dosage. The patient may feel that he or she is Effectivity and Efficiency cured afterwards. Belief in the treatment itself A concoction-based traditional medicinal system boosts the recovery of patients. The same can be becomes the alternative medical choice to its applied to traditional medicine. Sometimes a advocates, especially the Sundanese community patient may feel cured of his or her diseases in Kabupaten Bandung and Kabupaten after using medicinal herbs from around his or Sumedang due to the simple and flexible her home. concoction of traditional medication. The Its accessibility as First Aid production techniques themselves don‘t require much intellectual efforts nor do they require a The availability of traditional medications for high number of human resources. Therefore, Sundanese people especially in Kabupaten almost every layer of the society is able to Bandung and Kabupaten Sumedang plays an gather and mix together the medicinal herbs important part in first-aid treatment. There is a needed to make a traditional medicine. For psychological element in the process its example, in the case of stomachache and selection. Usually, the Sundanese first try using dysentery, only the tips of guava leaves are concoctions formulated by their predecessors to needed. To use it, the guava leaves are simply see if the concoction works for a certain disease cleaned and directly consumed or boiled with or not. If the disease is cured, then the one cup of water before cooled down and drunk. treatments ends on first-aid level. But if the This means that the consideration for its treatment fails or even further deteriorates the effectivity and efficiency makes the traditional health of the patient, they will resort to modern medicine and alternative to modern medicine to medicine instead. This is in line with cure certain diseases. Nisfiyanti‘s (2012: 128-129) statement that medical treatment is given stage by stage. The No Side Effects first stage of treatment is usually done by using Almost every chemical drug and modern traditional medicine or by mixing one‘s own treatment induce side effects that are often combination of medicinal herbs from plants

45 International Journal of Research in Humanities and Social Studies V5 ●I8●2018 The Preservation of Local Wisdom in Sundanes Traditional Medicine in West Java, Indonesia found around the house. If the condition remains that somebody is incapable of fulfilling his or unchanged, only then will modern medicine be her normal role. (Soejoeti, 2005). required. Sundanese people themselves, especially The Concepts of Wellness and Illness in pracititioners of traditional medicine, believe in Sundanese Culture two concepts of causes of illness: the naturalistic and the personalistic. The Related to the concept of wellness and illness to naturalistic concept defines illness as caused by Sundanese people, their knowledge of both is environment, food (problematic eating habits), not absolute and universal due to other factors day-to-day habits, body imbalance, as well as outside of the clinical world: the socio-cultural gastris acid problems or locally known as factor. Both do not contradict one another and ‗masuk angin’ (Sundanese people belive that are mutually related; one of them can be masuk angin is a disease caused by wind; angin understood only if the other one is understood. is wind) and genetic diseases. This means that Therefore, the concepts of illness and wellness the naturalistic concepts stresses on external are not monolithic, relevant only in clinical factos such as natural phenomena. terms. Their existence is complex and involves many perspectives to be understood. The personalistic viewpoint can be understood as a framework that regards illness as an In the discourse of wellness and illness in intervention by an active supernatural agent Sundanese culture, there have been (spirits, djinn, ghosts, ancestors, or wraiths) or philosophers, sociologists, psychologists, humans (dark magic). This means that to the medical practitioners and other experts who Sundanese people, someone can be deemed ill if have attempted to give provide their own it is caused by mystical elements in the form of perspective of illness and wellness according to subconscious viewpoints that are intertwined their respective fields. Overall, the main with the belief in the metaphysical condition. conclusion of these viewpoints regarding illness and wellness is that being ill and being well are In Sundanese culture, somebody is said to be ill processes related to the ability and inability of when he or she cannot treat his or her own humans to adapt with its surroundings, be it ailment and the ailment prevents them from biologically, psychologically, medically, or doing daily activities. The concept of illness in socio-culturally. Sundanese culture is referred to as nyeri while diseases are known as panyakit. Ill people are Health problems are complex problems which called gering while people inflicted with are the result of disturbances in the environment diseases are known as panyakitan. People who that may be natural or man-made: by socio- carry or pass on diseases is known as nepaan. cultural phenomena, behavior, human Healthy people, on the other hand, are called population, genetics, and so on. Thus is the cageur, or jagjag, while people who cure reason why the discourse of the concepts of diseases are known as paraji or dukun. wellness and illness in a socio-cultural framework is just as complex. The term nyeri ‗ill‘ can be categorized into more detailed categories such as muriang, leuleus, Wellness, in general, are loaded with various lieur, lalieur, asup angin, nyeri sirah, among cultural, social, and professional definitions. others to describe fever, headaches, and so on. Before more in-depth explanations of wellness People who are cageur or jagjag ‗well‘ are also are understood, the concept had been based categorized by several terms like jagjag founded solely in medical perspectives; that waringkas ‗perfectly healthy‘ or jalinger ‗agile wellness is closely connected to illness and and active‘. diseases. But in reality, it is far more complex. This is what WHO decrees as the meaning of The preservation of Sundanese traditional wellness. WHO defines health as the condition medicine has been passed down from older of perfection in terms of physiological, generations to younger generations. This psychological, and social welfare of a person . regeneration process has long occurred, even since children have been taught by their parents In an even wider context, medical experts view on the use of several types of medicinal plants health anthropology as a socio cultural around them to be made into alternative discipline that studies the biological and socio remedies. Those plants are easy to obtain and cultural aspects of human behavior. In fact, even grow around their environment such as diseases themselves are determined by culture, forests, fields, yards, or even along the road because diseases are a social acknowledgement

International Journal of Research in Humanities and Social Studies V5 ●I8●2018 46 The Preservation of Local Wisdom in Sundanes Traditional Medicine in West Java, Indonesia towards forests and fields. Some of the herbs domestic medicine or self-medication by using commonly used by the Sundanese to make medications, traditional treatments, and medical traditional remedies are babandotan, baluntas, treatments involving modern practices, such as cecendet, cencen, cengkeh, dalima, daruju, nurses, doctors, and pusat kesehatan masyarakat dendereman, eurih, gadung, genje, gondola, (puskesmas) ‗community health centers‘ or hades, handarusa, handeuleum, hanjuang, hospitals (Young, James C., 1980, 7(1): 106- hareuga, jahe, jamblang, jambu batu, jambu 131). However, there are also other mede, jawer hayam, jawer kotok, jintan, kaliki, considerations that become decisive factors in kitajam, ki encok, ki hitut, ki madu, kuray, choosing medicinal systems among the oyong, panglai, supa sinduk, tataropongan, Sundanese, which are the concepts of illness and uncal, walot, wuni, cangkudu, cikur, singugu, their treatment, belief in the medication, severity and many more. These herbs are often used in of the illness, economic affordability, and medications for common diseases among the distance. This is in line with Green‘s (1980) Sundanese such as fever, coughs, stomachaches statement that health behavior is can be seen a or diarrhea, toothaches, dizziness, stiffness, collective function of three factors: gout, muscle ache, wounds and ulcers and even  The predisposition factor, related to lethargy. understanding, attitude, and perception; The plants and herbs that can be used as  The possibility factor, related to access and traditional medicine are easy to obtain as they availability related to cost of traditional grow among various shrubs around villages, treatment and the distance that needs to be fields, or forests or even in gardens grown on covered; purpose by the rural community although these have been few. That is why some would go out  Strengthening factors, including social support to forests, fields, or shrubs in search of these (Green, Lawrence W., etc., 1980: 14-15). herbs. This could pose a problem if the herbs are Knowledge of Medicinal Herbs required immediately and the patient requires immediate medical attention while the herbs are Another factor that becomes a main indicator in situated in fields or forests with a considerably traditional medicinal system aside from the long distance from the residential area. concepts of illness and wellness are the knowledge of the Sundanese themselves With those problems in mind, Sundanese people regarding traditional herbs that can be used as have begun to realize the importance of planting traditional medicine. In reality, the knowledge medicinal herbs around their homes. One of the has been passed down from generation to solutions to the aforementioned problems is generation by oral transmission and direct apotek hidup (live pharmacies). This concept practice. However, there also members of seems to have been well known in some regions, society who obtain such knowledge from especially among communities who have personal experience, usually by directly testing realized the importance of medicinal herbs, the plants on their own. especially with the advent of global attempts to preserve and protect the environment like the The practice of traditional medicine has long ―back to nature‖ movement. An apotek hidup existed among the Sundanese. According to the garden can be understood as an empty spot of info obtained from the location of research, land around the yard and are then planted with almost a majority of the Sundanese in various plants with medical properties and can Kabupaten Bandung and Sumedang do their be used to make herbal medication. The own traditional treatment for certain diseases advantage of having apotek hidup is to ease such as fever, diarrhea, burns, itches, and so on. access to medicinal herbs when there is an The intensity of the community‘s interaction emergency. Another advantage of having apotek with their environment has led to the rebirth of a hidup is the preservation and regeneration of ―back to nature‖ movement which brings major cultural knowledge pertaining to local wisdom changes to the geography of the environment on plant-based traditional medicine. Therefore, around the yards of these people‘s houses. These the younger generations‘ knowledge on many apotek hidup gardens can be readily used traditional medicine will be easier to guard and in cases of emergency. preserve. CONCLUSION In its relation to medicinal systems, the source From the explanations above, it can be itself encompasses three factors. They are concluded that Sundanese people especially

47 International Journal of Research in Humanities and Social Studies V5 ●I8●2018 The Preservation of Local Wisdom in Sundanes Traditional Medicine in West Java, Indonesia those residing in Kabupaten Bandung and Diagnostic Approach. California: Mayfield Kabupaten Sumedang can unti today hold onto Publishing Company, page. 14-15. 1980 their intellectual,cultural wealth in the form of [5] Jennifer, Herika dan Endah Saptutyningsih. knowledfe about traditional medicine as a part ―Preferensi Individu Terhadap Pengobatan of alternative medicinal system. Tradisional di Indonesia‖ dalam Jurnal Ekonomi dan Studi Pembangunan, Volume 16, Among the Sundanese, there are two known Nomor 1, April 2015, page. 26-41. 2015 causes of diseases, they are the naturalistic and [6] Jorgensen dalam Deddy Mulyana, Dr. M. A. personalistic. Naturalistic diseases are caused (2001). Metodologi Penelitian Kualitatif, by the environment, food (problematic eating Paradigma Baru Ilmu Komunikasi dan Ilmu habits), daily habits, body imbalance, as well as Sosial Lainnya. Bandung: PT Remaja belief in diease ‗masuk angin‘ and genetic Rosdakarya. 2001 diseases. Personalisti diseases are understood to [7] Koentjaraningrat. Sejarah Teori Antropologi II. be the work of supernatural agents (spirits, Jakarta: UI Press. 2007 djinns, ancestors, and wraiths) or humans using [8] Milroy, Lesley. Observing and Analysing dark magic. Natural Language: A Critical Account of Sociolinguistics Method. Oxford: Brasill Knowledge of the environment, especially Blacwell. 1978 knowledge related to plants and medicinal herbs [9] Muhadjir, Noeng. (1996). Metodologi are a basic knowledge for the Sundanese people. Penelitian Kualitatif (Edisi III). Yogyakarta: This knowledge is closely connected with their Rakesarasin. 1996 understanding of treatments for diseases among [10] Nisfiyanti, Yanti. ―Sistem Pengobatan them. Looking at the Sundanese‘s knowledge on Tradisional (Studi Kasus di Desa Juntinyuat, traditional medicinal herbs, it can be concluded Kecamatan Juntinyuat, Kabupaten Indramayu)‖ that the Sundanese people obtain their in Patanjala Vol. 4 No. 1. March 2012. Page. 125-136. 2011 knowledge of medicinal herbs through the passing of knowledge from the older [11] Purnomowulan, N. Rinaju, dkk. ―Teknologi Tepat Guna – Membangun Kecintaan dan generations to the younger generation or even Kebanggaan pada Kearifan Lokal Bahasa through personal experience. Sunda‖ in Jurnal Panggung Vol. 27. No. 1, March 2017, Page 62-73. 2017 REFERENCES [12] Sobarna, Cece, dkk. ―Toponimi Nama Tempat [1] Arimi, S. ―Basa-basi dalam Masyarakat Bahasa Berbahasa Sunda di Kabupaten Banyumas‖ in Indonesia‖. Graduate Thesis Graduate Program Jurnal Panggung Vol. 28 No. 2, Juny 2018, Universitas Gadjah Mada Yogyakarta. 1998. Page 147-160. 2018. [2] Djlantik. Peranan Pengobatan Tradisional [13] Soejoeti, Sunanti Z. ―Konsep Sehat, Sakit, dan pada Upaya Pelaksaaan Kesehatan dalam Penyakit dalam Konteks Sosial Budaya‖. Sistem Kesehatan Nasional dalam Pertemuan 2005https://www.scribd.com/doc/189684148/K Ilmiah Pengobatan Tradisional Indonesia. onsep-Sehat-Sakit-Dan-Penyakit-Sunanti-Z-S Jakarta: Lembaga Penelitian Universitas [14] Spradley, James P. Metode Etnografi Erlangga. 1993. (Pengantar DR. Amri Marzalui M.A). Jogya: [3] Foster.Antropologi Kesehatan. Jakarta: UI PT Tiara Wacana. 1997 Press.1986 [15] Young, James C. ―A Model of Illness [4] Green, Lawrence W., Keuter, Sigridge, Deeds, Treatment Decision in A Tarascan Town‖, in dan Kay B. Partridge Education Planning, a American Ethnologist, 7(1): page106-131. 1880

Citation: Dadang Suganda, Wagiati, Sugeng Riyanto, Nani Darmayanti,.” The Preservation of Local Wisdom in Sundanes Traditional Medicine in West Java, Indonesia”. (2018). International Journal of Research in Humanities and Social Studies, 5(8), pp.40-48. Copyright: © 2018 Nani Darmayanti This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

International Journal of Research in Humanities and Social Studies V5 ●I8●2018 48