The Elixir (a film by Kimo Stamboel)

The Elixir

Kimo Stamboel directs the first Indonesian zombie-themed film, The Elixir (Abadi Nan Jaya). The Elixir (Abadi Nan Jaya) film first launched on Netflix Indonesia on October 23, 2025, which also offers English and Japanese dubbed audio. The Elixir (Abadi Nan Jaya) is set in Wanirejo Village, a fictive location in Yogyakarta, where the center of the film focuses on the family who owns Pabrik Jamu Wani Waras (Wani Waras Herbal Medicine Factory). The film itself was actually shot in Piyungan village, Bantul, Yogyakarta.

Top Movies on Netflix on November 1, 2025, provided by FlixPatrol.

The Elixir (Abadi Nan Jaya) uses more than 200 extra cameos who play zombie crowds. The combination of the zombie makeup artist's work and special effects has made the film the most watched on Netflix in its first week. After all, it is the first Indonesian zombie-themed genre, unlike previous Indonesian ghost-themed films.

The Javanese language is used in the film, with most dialog using Bahasa Indonesia. I think it is quite funny hearing Rudi scream dog as a profanity to curse at the zombie who is chasing him when it is dubbed in English audio. Jamu Abadi Nan Jaya from the sample ANJ 23B is said to use natural ingredients from the Kantong Semar (Nepenthes Linn.).

Kantong Semar (Nepenthes Linn.)

Kantong Semar (Nepenthes Linn.) is a carnivorous plant that catches and digests insects. This plant is characterized by a tube-shaped pouch or trap located at the tip of its leaves. A reason for the zombies becoming numb when it rains and catching the falling raindrops.

The ending of the film implies that there will be a second sequel to the film, which would certainly be more rational if the location setting was expanded to at least cover the entirety of Indonesia being affected by the zombie outbreak before heading overseas.

The Elixir (Abadi Nan Jaya) Official Trailer
YouTube video is courtesy of Netflix Indonesia

Plot

The scene opens 5 hours later at a wedding reception at the village head's house. Rahman (Ardit Erwandha), who was still in full police uniform, chased after Ningsih (Rr. Claresta Taufan Kusumarina), who half ran and rushed to the kitchen, leaving him behind upon seeing him. Ningsih questioned Rahman's determination about when he would propose to her while washing the dishes. Behind Ningsih, Rahman took out his ring to propose to her in the kitchen. However, Rahman canceled his proposal when his commander called and asked him to return to the police station.

Shortly after Rahman left the wedding reception at the village head's house, a car passed by on the road where the wedding tent had been set up and knocked over the guest chairs. The car stopped after hitting a pickup truck carrying a sound system for the wedding reception. Many guests fell due to the speed of the car. The village head (Stephanus Tjiproet) then ran to the stopped car and knocked on the window. When the car door was opened, inside, Aris (Kiki Narenda), the Sadimin (Donny Damara) family driver, who had begun to transform into a monster, quickly pounced on the village head, knocked him down, and bit him on the edge of the rice field.

5 Hours Earlier

Wani Waras = Dare to be healthy

At Pabrik Jamu Wani Waras, the herbal medicine scientist is asking his crew to deliver the two samples of the new product of herbal medicine that they call Abadi Nan Jaya (Eternity Glorious), which have not been tested by the Indonesian BPOM (National Agency of Drug and Food Control). One for the owner, Sadimin, and the other for his business partner in Jakarta, Grace (Karina Suwandhi).

Receiving the sample from the factory, Sadimin drinks it without hesitation. Returning from the bathroom after taking a shower, he is surprised that he no longer needs glasses and his gray hair has also turned black again. His wrinkled, aged skin is no longer visible. His wife, Karina (Eva Celia Latjuba), noticed the change in her husband's looks and then asked Sadimin. Thanks to this new formula of Jamu Abadi Nan Jaya. It makes me young again, said Sadimin.

Best Friend as Mother-in-Law

Kenes, Karina & Bambang (From left to right)

That morning, Kenes (Mikha Tambayong), with her husband Rudi (Dimas Anggara) and their only child Raihan (Varen Arianda Calief), is visiting Sadimin's residence from Jakarta by car. Kenes is Sadimin's youngest daughter, who is also his wife, Karina's best friend from high school. While Bambang (Marthino Lio), Sadimin's elder son, is a toy collector and an online gamer that never left his father's house. Kenes's and Karina's relationship was broken after Karina married Sadimin shortly after Kenes's mother passed away.

Kenes and Rudi's visit to Sadimin's house was to finalize the sale of the factory, which Sadimin had previously mentioned. Sadimin's plans to retire from managing the factory and the lack of sales were the primary reasons for the sale. Meanwhile, Bambang, Kenes, and Rudi had other plans for the money that they would receive from the factory sale's deal. Bambang wants to buy a new car. Kenes and Rudi are getting a divorce, and Kenes will use the money to start a new business. But all of their plans go away after Sadimin states that he refuses to sell the factory. Both Sadimin's children questioned him angrily. "It's all because of this new formula of Jamu Abadi Nan Jaya that will make the factory great again, said Sadimin.

The First Bite Zombie

Sadimin turns into a zombie.

Sadimin is stressed after having an intense debate with both of his children and his son-in-law. He feels an itch on his skin and suddenly gets a seizure. All of them are in a panic after noticing that Sadimin is no longer breathing.

Raihan screams for his mother when he first sees his grandfather turn into a monster. Pardi (Hingka Moedra), the family servant, is surprised to see his master suddenly change, who then jumps on him and bites him. Aris's effort to rescue Pardi is in vain when Sadimin suddenly jumps on him. Lying on the floor, Sadimin, on top of Aris's body, tries to bite him but vomits blood instead all over Aris's face.

Bambang comes to rescue Aris but ends up in the same position as Aris. Having his new toy in his hand, Bambang shoots his father's head with a plastic arrow. Rudi then asks Aris to drive to the nearest precinct to report the incident in their house. Meanwhile, the other family servant treats the injured Pardi in the kitchen.

Assault on Precinct Wanirejo

Assault on Precinct Wanirejo.

After the wedding incident, which made more infected zombie crowds, which was transmitted by Aris. The crowds occupy the Precinct Wanirejo until late at night, after the help from the Sleman Police Resort has also been attacked by the crowds on the way to the precinct.

On that same night, Rahman finally manages to propose to Ningsih by putting the ring on Ningsih's finger while surrounded by zombie crowds who bite both of them. Bambang sacrifices himself to save Kenes, Karina, and Raihan by blowing up the whole precinct.

Kenes takes a bullet through her head.

On the way escaping the remaining zombie crowds, Kenes notices that her hand has also been bitten. She then asked Karina to take care of her only son. Kenes takes a bullet through her head when her face is starting to show the zombie transformation.

Karina and Raihan in the distance followed by Pardi, the 1st bite zombie, leaving Wanirejo village.

In the morning, Karina and Raihan manage to leave the village using Rahman's motorbike, followed by Pardi walking behind them. Meanwhile, in Jakarta, Grace, Sadimin's business partner, tries to call Sadimin shortly after drinking the sample ANJ 23B from the factory. The film ended with a blurry image showing Grace's youth transformation after leaving the bathroom.

The Elixir (Abadi Nan Jaya)

Update: November 2, 2025.

Gowok: Javanese Kamasutra (a film by Hanung Bramantyo)

Gowok: Javanese Kamasutra

A film by Hanung Bramantyo that tells about Gowok, a profession for women aged 20 to 40 years who are hired by a family to teach their adult son, who is soon going to be married, how to treat his wife well, maintain household harmony, and prepare the man to become a quality husband in sexual aspects. As a gowok, they are usually unmarried and adopt a young girl as their student who will one day succeed them and inherit their knowledge. Gowok, called "Nyai", or "Madam", are highly respected by the local residents, similar to a traditional witch doctor or shaman who usually assists in childbirth in the community.

The Gowok: Javanese Kamasutra film participated in the Big Screen Competition for the 2025 Rotterdam International Film Festival. The film is based on a 2014 Kamasutra novel, "Nyai Gowok", by Budi Sardjono. Gowok: Javanese Kamasutra is set in an unknown village in Bumirejo, Central Java, with a 4-year period between the years of 1933, 1950, 1965, and 1985. The film was actually shot in Gamplong village, Sleman, Yogyakarta, which is more than 100 km away from Bumirejo.

The term "Gowok" is said to have originated from the name of a Chinese woman, Goo Wok Niang, who came to Java along with Admiral Cheng Ho's expedition fleets in the 15th century. The Gowok: Javanese Kamasutra film mostly used the Javanese language with the Tegal dialect, or Ngapak language, which I am also not familiar with.

Gowok as illustrated in the 2014 novel "Nyai Gowok" by Budi Sardjono.

Gowok - Official Trailer (Uncut Version 21+)
YouTube video is courtesy of MVP Pictures ID

Plot

A woman was running while carrying a baby and fell when a knife stabbed her in the back. She told Nyai Santi (Lola Amaria), a well-known Gowok in the village, to look after her baby named Ratri. Seventeen years later, young Ratri (Alika Jantinia) transforms into a gorgeous girl. As Nyai Santi's apprentices, along with Liyan (Aldy Bisl), a gay man who loves to dress as a woman, they both serve their master with their whole lives.

Young Ratri (Alika Jantinia).

When a noble family arrives at Nyai Santi's mansion asking for their son, young Jaya (Devano Danendra), to be "gowok" by Nyai Santi, both Ratri and Jaya fall in love at first sight. Jaya gives a promise to Ratri that he will marry her after graduating from his school in Semarang. Both of them then exchange letters after Jaya finishes the "gowok ritual".

However, Nyai Santi has another plan to separate both of them and is convinced that Jaya will never keep his promise to Ratri. Ratri's heart is broken after learning that Jaya is soon to be married to the daughter of the Sultan of Surakarta (Slamet Rahardjo Djarot) and will earn the title of Regent of Bumiarjo. Twenty-five years later, the adult Ratri (Raihaanun) finally succeeded Nyai Santi, inherited all her knowledge, and became a famous gowok in the district.

A surprise visit came from the Sultan of Surakarta to Nyai Santi's mansion, asking her to "gowok" his grandchildren, Bagas (Ali Fikry). But since Nyai Santi is already retired and succeeded by Ratri, who is now called Nyai Ratri, she will be the one to "gowok" Bagas. Without both Nyai Santi and Nyai Ratri knowing, adult Jaya (Reza Rahadian) enters the room and claims to be Bagas's father.

Bagas is unaware of his father's past relationship with Ratri, who successfully made him fall in love, just like his old man. Ratri used this opportunity as a weapon to take revenge for what Jaya did to her in the past.

The Gowok: Javanese Kamasutra film also features the Indonesian history of the 1965, 30 September Movement of PKI, Partai Komunis Indonesia (Indonesian Communist Party). The greatest mass slaughter involved millions of civilians suspected of affiliation with the PKI.

The Indonesian military displayed suspected PKI members and sympathizers, one of whom was Putmainah, a Gerwani figure in Blitar, East Java.
Image is courtesy of BBC Indonesia

My mother once told me about the events of 1965, when she was 9 years old. She and her entire family were forced to leave my grandparents' house in Grabag, Magelang. The village chief warned my late grandfather that his house would be burned down with them inside that night. My late grandfather was a civil service police officer. He was also a target for his suspected affiliation with the PKI.

The film ended with the scene in the year of 1985, 20 years later. A young man with his sister is negotiating with a village's chief to buy Nyai Santi's abandoned mansion, which was left damaged after the 1965 event. The chief also said that the owner of the mansion, Nyai Santi, had died by suicide in the mansion during the event. The young man then asks his sister to call their mom in the car. A woman steps out of the car and is shown as adult Ratri, who wants to buy the mansion to build a school for women.

How I Coped Suffering From Bell's Palsy

Bell's Palsy
Image from Wikimedia

What is Bell's Palsy

Bell's palsy is named after the Scottish anatomist, Sir Charles Bell. Bell's palsy is associated with facial paralysis of unknown cause. A neurological disorder on one side of the face. In some rare cases it can occur on both sides of the face. Bell's palsy is a disorder affecting nerves that control muscles in the face that become injured or stop working properly.

Bell's palsy is common in people aged 15 to 40 years and make a spontaneous recovery within 3 to 4 weeks. Symptoms of Bell’s palsy include:

• Paralysis on one side of the face.
• A drooping eyebrow and mouth.
• Drooling from one side of the mouth when talking, eating, or drinking.
• Difficulty closing one eyelid, which makes the eyes dry.

Charles Bell
Image from Wikimedia

What are my experiences dealing with Bell's Palsy?

Since 2024 I have been working as a freelance contributor for a daily job. I worked mostly at night and slept in the morning. Most of my clients are at least 8 to 12 hours in a different timezone from mine. I usually went to bed at 3 or 6 AM in the morning and started to work again at 10 or 12 PM.

Tape
Image from Wikimedia

It was last August 21, 2025, when I felt strange on the right side of my face. I remembered that I ate 3 pieces of a very sweet tape, a traditional fermented cassava. It is not the usual tape that I used to eat. It is very sweet and well cooked. That day I went to bed at 4 AM and woke up at 11 AM. When I woke up from bed, my mouth was drooling so much that it wet my pillow. I washed my face in the bathroom, and the water was entering my right eye because I cannot close it. I asked my wife to take me to the clinic near my home.

Arriving at the emergency room, my blood pressure was checked. The nurse only said that my systolic blood pressure was 160, without mentioning what my diastolic was. The nurse asked me to go to see the doctor. Noticing that my systolic blood pressure was 160, she said to me that I had very high blood pressure. The doctor then asked me what I have been eating, what pain I have suffered, and what medication I have used.

I told her that I just ate tape last night. Since I had been suffering from influenza with a dry cough for weeks, I only took methylprednisolone as medication. The doctor argued, Why have you taken methylprednisolone since it is used only for inflammation? The dry cough had made my throat become inflamed, I answered. OK, then, she replied.

She then examined my face. She asked me to look at her pen and where she pointed her pen. Since your blood pressure is high, I'll prescribe some medication for you. But remember not to take methylprednisolone again. You should come back here to check your health in ten days, she said, ending the conversation.

Guess what? The doctor prescribed me a blood-lowering medication, vitamin B complex, and flu medication. All medications are expected to be consumed within ten days, as most are only 1 dose per day.

The flu medication, which consists of 500 mg of paracetamol, is supposed to be consumed 3 times a day. I stopped taking the flu medication on the next day after having 3 times the day before. I continued taking methylprednisolone with an added dose.

Before I had Bell's palsy, I only consumed methylprednisolone once a day. Now I'm having it 4 times a day and using the lower dose of 4 mg. After my blood-lowering medications were all consumed in 10 days, I didn't visit the doctor again. I continued the medication by taking methylprednisolone 4mg 4 times a day.

Methylprednisolone 4mg by Hexpharm Jaya

Why I haven't followed the doctor's orders?

At home, I asked my wife to check my blood pressure once more using my neighbor's digital tensiometer. When my wife checked my blood pressure twice on both my upper arms, it turned out my left arm was 135/96, while my right arm was 143/103. When at the hospital, the nurse checked my blood pressure on my left arm using a manual tensiometer, which is more accurate than a digital one. But the nurse forgot to mention what my diastolic was. She only told me that my systolic blood pressure was 160. I forgot to mention earlier that the doctor also asked me when the last time I checked my blood was and what the number was. I normally have 110/80 for my blood pressure, and it was 2019 the last time I checked during a medical checkup, I answered.

Later on that day, I studied a lot about Bell's palsy through Pubmed portal, my very reliable resources. What I learned from Pubmed's site became references for this article. What I have written here is what made me to not follow the doctor's orders.

Please don't take this as a medical advise, as this is just my point of view!

Personally, I think the doctor seems like just trying to sell me blood-lowering medications that I should consume for the rest of my life. For my consideration, the doctor from my point of view is just the same as a drug dealer.

The main point based on what I have learned from the PubMed website:

• The exact cause of Bell’s palsy is unknown.
• 85% of people found improvement within 3 weeks and 3 to 5 months in the remaining 15%.
• The inability to close the eyelid could lead to potential eye injury. You may find it hard to close your eyes while taking a shower.
• Possible triggers of Bell's palsy may include:
  • Viral infections, such as herpes or chickenpox. Herpes simplex virus (HSV)-1 has been detected in up to 50% of cases by some researchers.
  • Low immunity due to stress, sleep deprivation, physical trauma, minor illness, or autoimmune syndromes.
  • Infection or damage to a facial nerve that causes inflammation.
• Not all patients with facial paralysis who enter the health care system have been diagnosed as having Bell's palsy.
• Laboratory or imaging studies are not necessary.
• Physicians should not prescribe oral antiviral therapy alone for patients with new-onset Bell's palsy.
• Physicians may offer electrodiagnostic testing to Bell's palsy patients with complete facial paralysis or both sides of the face.
• Surgery and electrical stimulation to treat facial paralysis are still being studied by scientists.
• Corticosteroids, including methylprednisolone, a drug that can reduce inflammation and suppress the immune system, alone could improve the rate of recovery.

Warning!!!
Please don't take this as a medical advise! The first week was the hardest time for me. I'm still in my recovery for better improvement when I posted this article.

References:

• Bell's Palsy
  https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/bells-palsy?search-term=disorders%20bells%20palsy.
• Axelsson S et al. 2011
  https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20027713/.
• Baugh RF et al. 2013
  https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24189771/.
• Holland NJ et al. 2014
  https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3980711/.

Health Benefits of Honey

Honey

Nutritional Healthy

Honey, a nutritional healthy product, is produced mainly by two types of bees: honey bee and stingless bee, has been recognized for its medicinal properties for thousands of years. Meanwhile, An essential pollinator of our food crops is the honey bee. Honey bee pollination contributes either directly or indirectly to nearly one-third of our food supply.

Nutritional value per 1 tablespoon (21 g)

Nutrients	Amount	Nutrients	Amount
Water	3.59 g	Calories	64 kcal
Energy	267 kJ	Protein	0.06 g
Ash	0.04 g	Carbohydrate	17.30 g
Sugars	17.25 g	Sucrose	0.19 g
Glucose	7.51 g	Fructose	8.60 g
Maltose	0.30 g	Galactose	0.65 g
Calcium, Ca	1 mg	Iron, Fe	0.09 mg
Phosphorus, P	1 mg	Potassium, K	11 mg
Sodium, Na	1 mg	Zinc, Zn	0.05 mg
Copper, Cu	0.008 mg	Manganese, Mn	0.017 mg
Selenium, Se	0.2 µg	Fluoride, F	1.5 µg
Vitamin C	0.1 mg	Riboflavin	0.008 mg
Niacin	0.025 mg	Pantothenic acid	0.014 mg
Vitamin B6	0.005 mg	Choline	0.5 mg
Betaine	0.4 mg

USDA

Products from honeybees, like honey, propolis, and royal jelly, are not only food but also provide significant health advantages against a variety of illnesses. Honey's possible health advantages are discussed, including its effects on other diseases, wound healing, and microbial suppression.

Numerous health advantages associated with gastrointestinal illnesses, allergies, and issues linked to gynecology, oral health, and dermatology have been described for propolis. The preventive properties of royal jelly on wound healing, aging, neurological diseases, and reproductive health are widely recognized.

The ancient Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, and Chinese all utilized honey to treat gastric ulcers and other intestinal lesions. Additionally, it has been used to treat earaches, sore throats, and coughs. Lotus honey has been used traditionally to heal eye infections and other ailments since ancient India.

Honey is utilized both externally and internally as a functional food to support the body's vital organs by supplying energy and nutrients. The quality of honey is significantly influenced by its active ingredients, which include organic acids, glucose, fructose, flavonoids, and polyphenols.

Biological Activities of Honey

Honey has long been used to heal burns, wounds, insect bites, skin conditions, boils, and ulcers. Honey's effectiveness as an antibacterial and wound-healing agent is confirmed by scientific evidence of its wound-healing properties. The proteolytic enzyme is dynamically expressed when honey stimulates the wound matrix's latent plasminogen to become active. Plasmin destroys fibrin and causes blood clots to retreat. This enzyme breaks down fibrin clumps in the wound bed that have dead tissues adhering to them.

Clinical data demonstrating honey's efficacy, specificity, and sensitivity in wound treatment shows that honey works better than both traditional and contemporary wound care dressings. Fast healing, wound cleansing, infection removal, tissue regeneration, reduced inflammation, and improved dressing comfort because of less tissue adhesion are among the therapeutic benefits seen following honey administration.

365 by Whole Foods Market, Organic Light Amber Wildflower Honey.

Honey also improves the epithelialization of the affected skin surface, which helps to reduce skin deterioration around stomas like ileostomy and colostomy. Honey helps with psoriasis, eczema, and pediatric dermatitis brought on by overuse of diapers and napkins. Researchers looked into how honey combined with beeswax and olive oil affected those who had atopic dermatitis or psoriasis.

According to a clinical trial, a honey-based mixture produced notable gains and was incredibly well tolerated. Numerous nitric oxide metabolites found in honey lower the risk of skin infections in people with psoriasis.

Enzymes that aid in the absorption of substances like sugars and starches make up natural honey. Honey contains sugar molecules that are easily absorbed by the body. Honey contains minerals, phytochemicals, and flavonoids that promote digestion.

Honey is utilized in wound management and is useful for patients with locally infected wounds, diabetic foot ulcers, Charcot foot ulcerations, and complex comorbid disorders that have failed hospital treatment. Additionally, the presence of honey results in low damage to the wound bed and great tolerability.

MANUKA DOCTOR - Raw Manuka Honey MGO 30+ SQUEEZY, 100% Pure New Zealand Honey.

Honey can be used to treat a variety of oral disorders, including periodontal disease, stomatitis, and halitosis. Furthermore, it has been used to prevent periodontitis, gingivitis, mouth ulcers, and dental plaque. Honey's antibacterial and anti-inflammatory qualities can promote granulation tissue formation, which will help damaged cells heal.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
A mucosal infection caused by aberrant stomach reflux into the esophagus or lungs. Acid regurgitation, irritation, and heartburn are signs of GERD. Honey helps with this illness by covering the lining of the stomach and esophagus, which stops food and gastric juice from flowing upward. In order to aid in the regeneration of the sphincter's tissues and ultimately lessen the likelihood of acid reflux, honey might further stimulate them.

Dyspepsia
A chronic condition in which the gastrointestinal organs, primarily the stomach and first part of the small intestine, function improperly. It is a condition that manifests as nausea, bloating, heartburn, and epigastric pain.

According to clinical studies, honey enhanced the healing effect and reduced the production of stomach acid. Because of its antimicrobial qualities and preventive effects, honey is therefore consumed as a nutritional supplement.

Gastroenteritis
Often known as stomach or gastric flu, is characterized by inflammation of the digestive tract. Foodborne, waterborne, and person-to-person transmission of infectious pathogens could be the cause of this illness. Gastric pains, bloating, watery diarrhea, dehydration, and nausea are all signs of gastroenteritis.

According to a clinical trial, honey can be used to treat infantile gastroenteritis. Because honey's high sugar content promotes electrolyte and water reabsorption in the gut, the study discovered that substituting honey for the glucose in the usual electrolyte oral rehydration solution shortened the recovery period for gastroenteritis patients.

Nate's 100% Pure, Raw & Unfiltered Honey.

Chronic constipation
A frequent and multifaceted disorder marked by painful defecation (irregular stools and difficult stool passage). Symptoms of difficult stool passage include lumpy or hard stools, a feeling of incomplete evacuation, straining, and a prolonged time to pass stool. A excessive number of bowel movements with watery stool is called diarrhea. Compared to traditional antiviral treatment, honey has reduced the pathophysiology and duration of viral diarrhea.

Honey can relieve pain, normalize hepatic processes, and eliminate poisons. The cause of hepatic system complications is oxidative damage. Honey may help heal damaged livers since it has antioxidant properties. Heart problems and vasomotor dysfunctions brought on by adrenaline can be prevented and treated with natural wild honey.

The use of honey was found to significantly lower the risk factors for cardiovascular and metabolic disorders. Vasoprotective benefits of honey include vasodilation, vascular homeostasis balance, and lipid profile improvements. Honey's flavonoids boost high-density lipoproteins (HDL), inhibit oxidation of low-density lipoproteins (LDL), improve endothelial activities, diminish platelets' capacity to form clots, and promote coronary vasodilation. (Pasupuleti VR et al. 2017)

100% Pure New Zealand Manuka Honey.

Coconut Water to Prevent Acid Reflux

Vita Coco Organic Coconut Water

Coconut as Folk Medicine

It’s been a while since my last blog post. What drives me to write this post is because in my home in Sukodono District, every 100 meters I go, all I can see is a coffee shop and a wholesale coconut shop.

Coconut is considered to be number two as the miracle trees, because its whole trees are useable, providing food, home, shelter, medicine, utilities, and etc., for millions of people in the world.

Since ancient time, tropical people have used every parts of coconut tree for folk remedies, such as: abscesses, alopecia, amenorrhea, asthma, blenorrhagia, bronchitis, bruises, burns, cachexia, calculus, colds, constipation, cough, debility, dropsy, dysentery, dysmenorrhea, earache, erysipelas, fever, flu, gingivitis, gonorrhea, hematemesis, hemoptysis, jaundice, menorrhagia, nausea, phthisis, pregnancy, rash, scabies, scurvy, sorethroat, stomach, swelling, syphylis, toothache, tuberculosis, tumors, typhoid, venereal diseases, and wounds.

In term of medicine, coconut may also consider as miracle tree, because it reported has many active substances, or bioactive compounds, such as:

• Anthelmintic (a medicine used to destroy parasitic worms).
• Anti-blenorrhagic (an agent used to manage gonorrhoea).
• Anti-inflammatory.
• Antibronchitis (used to treat bronchitis, an inflammation of the airways leading into lungs).
• Antidotal (a medicine taken, or given to counteract a particular poison).
• Antigingivitic (used to treat painful inflammation of the gums).
• Antihypertensives (used to treat hypertension, high blood pressure).
• Antipyretic (used to prevent or reduce fever).
• Antiseptic (an antimicrobial substance or compound that is applied to living tissue/skin to reduce the possibility of infection, sepsis, or putrefaction).
• Aperient (used to relieve constipation).
• Aphrodisiac (a substance that increases sexual desire, sexual attraction, sexual pleasure, or sexual behavior).
• Astringent (a chemical that shrinks, or constricts body tissues).
• Antiepileptic (used to treat epilepsy).
• Bactericidal (a substance which kills bacteria).
• Cardioprotective (protect the heart).
• Cytokinins (anti-cancer compounds).
• Depurative (herbs that are considered to have purifying, and detoxifying effects).
• Diuretic (substance that promotes diuresis, the increased production of urine).
• Febrifugal (as medicine to reduce fever).
• Hemostat (preventing the flow of blood from an open blood vessel by compression of the vessel).
• Kinetin (N6-Furfuryladenine, strong anti-ageing effects on human skin cells).
• Pediculicide (an agent that destroys lice). Another way to get rid of lice naturally, just like I’ve already wrote in my previous post.
• Purgative (a medication that encourages bowel movements).
• Refrigerant (a medication for reducing body heat).
• Stomachic (a medicine that serves to tone the stomach, improving its function and increase appetite).
• Styptic (a drug that causes contraction of body tissues and canals).
• Suppurative (undergo the formation of pus).
• Vermifuge (an anthelmintic medicine).

Coconut Water to Prevent Acid Reflux

Coconut water contains 95.5% water, 0.1% protein, 0.1% fat, 0.4% ash, and 4.0% carbohydrate. 100g of coconut water contains 105mg Natrium, 312mg Kalium (Potassium), 29mg Calcium, 30mg Magnesium, 0.1mg Ferrum, 0.04mg Copper, 37mg Phosphorus, 24mg Sulfur, and 183mg choline. Coconut water also contains vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B7 and B9.

Research shows that consuming coconut water can help prevent dehydration in children with mild diarrhea. Also that drinking coconut water might lower blood pressure in people with high blood pressure, but taking coconut water along with medications for high blood pressure might cause your blood pressure to go too low.

Due to coconut water contains high levels of kalium or potassium, a person with kidney problems should also watch more carefully when consuming coconut water.

It was my son, Michael’s regular barber who aged about 60 yrs old told me his story why his barbershop was closed for couple of months. The old man said that he was being treated at an island called Bawean Island, about 135km north of Gresik City, due to suffering from gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). He often felt a burning sensation in his chest, known as heartburn, and sour taste in back of his mouth. That’s why the doctor diagnosed him as suffering from GERD.

After several visits to the doctor in the hospital and taking the medicine, the symptoms never recovered. The old man also suffered from shortness of breath, like he had asthma, even though he had never had asthma complaints before. So, he quit visiting the doctor and sought alternative treatment.

Then he ended up in Bawean Island, in a traditional hospitals whose owners do not have health certificates, or any medical degrees. The old man stayed there for a month, and everyday, he used one young coconut to drink its water. The practitioner told him, that he should consult his former doctor to perform more medical checkups after consuming coconut water for a month. .

Why should I?, the old man said to me. I feel much better now. I don’t need to go to the hospital anymore. I never felt heartburn anymore., he added.

Like the old man, I also had GERD when I was young. Smoking and drinking coffee are most likely to be the sources of problems. The doctor once said to me that GERD patients often suffer from irritation of the skin if exposed to alcohol compounds. That was when I suffered from boils in my armpits when using deodorant and itching on my chest when I sprayed perfume directly on my chest. Since that moment, I never use any deodorant or perfume anymore.

Based on the old man story, whenever I had symptoms like heartburn or a sour taste in my mouth, I quickly bought coconut water and drank it without adding any sugar.

Bai Coconut Flavored Water	Taste Nirvana Real Premium Coconut Water

References:

• T Alleyne et al. 2005
  https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15892382/.
• JWH Yong et al. 2009
  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6255029/.
• ZA Zakaria et al. 2006
  https://scialert.net/fulltext/?doi=jpt.2006.516.526.
• P Anurag et al. 2003
  https://link.springer.com/article/10.1023/B:QUAL.0000040363.64356.05.

The Miracle Moringa

(a) A tree of Moringa oleifera, (b) Moringa flowers and leaves.

Moringa oleifera Lam. is a miracle plant, native to the Indian subcontinent, where its various parts are valuable for food and medicine. Moringa is also called plant that never die, due to its ability to survive harsh weather and drought. In Indonesia, moringa is known as kelor. Kelor, in Javanese tradition, is often to be connected with its magical, or supranatural properties.

Moringa is also known as drumstick tree, horseradish tree, clarifier tree, ben oil tree, and benzoil tree. Other common names of moringa, includes, Kalor, Merunggai, Sajina (Malay), Chùm ngây (Viet), Ma-rum (Thai), Malunggay (Tagalog), Sahjan (Hindi), Surajana (Sanskrit), Sajiwan, Swejan (Nepali). Moringa can grow either, in lowland, or highland up to 1000 m above sea level, and reach a height of 7–12 m.

The seed of moringa is said to be eaten like a peanut, in Malaya. Thickened root used as substitute for horseradish. Foliage eaten as greens, in salads, in vegetable curries, as pickles, and for seasoning. Leaves pounded up, to be used for scrubbing utensils, and also for cleaning walls.

In Africa, commonly planted as a living fence tree. Moringa trees planted on graves are believed to keep away hyenas, and its branches are used as charms against witchcraft.

Moringa is called miracle plant, because it has many active substances, or bioactive compounds, such as:

• Anti-aging.
• Anti-anxiety, or Anxiolytic.
• Antibacterial.
• Antibiotic.
• Anti-depressant.
• Antidiabetic
• Antiepileptic.
• Antifungal.
• Anti-hypertensive
• Anti-hyperthyroidism (substance that inhibits hyperthyroidism, an excessive production of thyroid hormone by the thyroid gland).
• Anti-inflammation.
• Antimicrobial.
• Antioxidant.
• Anti-progestational (disturbing the phase of the menstrual cycle).
• Antipyretic.
• Antiscorbutic (rich in vitamin C).
• Antispasmodic (substance that relieves, prevents, or lowers the incidence of muscle spasms).
• Antitumor.
• Anti-ulcer.
• Counter-irritant (applied to the skin to provoke a mild inflammation, and relieve deeper pain, either by improving the blood supply, or by interfering with the passage of sensory nerve impulses).
• Diuretic (promotes the increased production of urine, to help reducing the amount of water in the body, and to lower high blood pressure).
• Emmenagogue (substance that stimulate blood flow in the pelvic area, and uterus, to promote menstrual discharge).
• Estrogenic (substance which acting like estrogen).
• Galactagogue (promotes lactation, in humans and animals).
• Hepatoprotective.
• Hypocholesterolemic (substance that promotes hypocholesterolemia, condition of abnormally low levels of cholesterol in the blood).
• Hypoglicemic (substance that promotes hypoglycemia, or insulin reaction, or low blood sugar).
• Purgative (substance that makes you empty your bowels).
• Rubefacient (substance for external application that produces redness of the skin, by causing dilation of the capillaries, and an increase in blood circulation, to relieve acute, or chronic pain).
• Stimulant (substance that induce temporary improvements in either mental, or physical functions, or both).

FRESH HEALTHCARE Moringa Oleifera

Moringa History as Folk Medicine

According to NCI's Jonathan L. Hartwell's works of study from 1967–1971, the roots of moringa are used in folk remedies for tumors. In Nicaragua, the root decoction is used to treat dropsy.

Moringa roots are bitter, acrid, and pungent, which act as a tonic to the body and lungs, are taken to promote digestion. Moringa roots are also act as an expectorant, mild diuretic, and a stimulant in paralytic afflictions, epilepsy, and hysteria

Moringa leaves, which have purgative properties, applied as poultice to relieve sores, and rubbed on the temples for headaches. Moringa leaves are used as poultice on the abdomen to expel intestinal worms.

In Guatemala, moringa leaf is used for skin infections and sores. In Malaysia, Puerto Rico and Venezuela, it is used as a cure for intestinal worms. In Nicaragua, moringa leaves are used to cure headache. In Philippines, it is used to cure anemia, glandular swelling and lactation. In Senegal, moringa leaves are used to treat diabetes.

Moringa leaves are rich in vitamins A and C, ß carotene, potassium, calcium, iron and phosphorus.

Moringa leaves have the calcium equivalent of four glasses of milk

The vitamin C content of seven oranges

Potassium of three bananas

Three times the iron of spinach

Four times the amount of vitamin A in carrots

Two times the protein in milk

The decoction of moringa flowers, combined with cow's milk, is an excellent herbal tonic for sexual weakness, and functional infertility of both males, and females. Powdered moringa bark is used to improve quality of semen, and premature ejaculation in male.

Moringa is a natural medicine for digestive disorder. The combination of fresh leaf extract, one teaspoon honey, and one glass of coconut water is an excellent herbal antidote for cholera, diarrhea, dysentery, jaundice, and colitis.

Moringa leaf extract mixed with cucumber, or carrot juice is a natural antidote for dysuria, and high acid percentage in urine. Moringa leaf extract mixed with lime juice is helpful for the treatment for pimples, black head, and age spots. On regular use it adds natural radiance on skin tone.

An ointment which is made from moringa leaves mixed with whiting (calcium carbonate) is used to treat rheumatism. The decoction of fresh leaves extract mixed with one teaspoon honey, and one glass of water is used to treat nyctalopia (night-blindness). An eye drops which are made from moringa leaves extract is used to treat eye-ache.

Moringa in Javanese Tradition

Dunia Tak Selebar Daun Kelor

Above quote translates in English as The world is not as wide as moringa leaf. Other common English quote, which is similiar to above quote, The world is bigger than your backyard. The meaning is quite simple, that is, the world is not as small as you think it is. Open up your view, and not just being shallow minded people! We all have different parts to make this world a better place. Start from your little place called home.

Moringa or kelor in Javanese tradition, as I have mentioned earlier in this post, is connected with its magical, or supranatural properties. Just like in Africa, which kelor branches are used as charms against witchcraft, Javanese people believed, that kelor trees planted on homeyard, are also used as charms against witchcraft.

Kelor branch with some leaves attached is used to remove supranatural thing inside near death, or coma patient, by hitting the patient's body with the branch. Supranatural thing, or susuk in Javanese term, that I mentioned before, is a kind of silver, or gold needle. Susuk is planted below the skin of elbow, shoulder, foot, arm or face, to use it as charms, for labor job, in sports, for health and longevity.

My Great Grandfather, which I had mentioned about him in my earlier post, who died at the age of 95 years, was also had to be hit with a branch of kelor leaves, to remove the susuk inside his body, in order to give him a peaceful death, in his bed.

Kemade kelor, or in English is known as moringa parasite, is a kind of parasite which is seldom be found on moringa branches. Javanese people believed that kemade kelor have more healing effects than any other parts of moringa tree. Only for those who needed the most, for healing purpose, could found it.

My friend was once told me a story about his neighbour who searched for kemade kelor on a metre of height moringa tree, near his house. His neighbour could not find it anywhere on the tree. But an hour later, his brother searched again the kemade kelor for his brother's friend. His brother managed to find this amazing kemade kelor for his friend. I couldn't find any image in the internet about this magical, and miraculous moringa parasite.

Mustika galih kelor, or in English known as moringa bark fossil, is a stone which is made from moringa bark fossil. The stone could also be found on a 12 m height of hundreds years old moringa tree. Javanese people believed that by wearing the stone, it will gain several magical effects, such as unlimited health, body armour, and charms against witchcraft.

Maju's Organic Moringa Powder	Moringa Powder 1LB (16Oz) 100% CERTIFIED Organic Oleifera Leaf - (100% PURE LEAF | NO STEMS) - Raw from Egypt | Smoothies | Drinks | Tea | Recipes - Resealable Bag

Moringa Tea Lemon 30 Bags By Bio Nutrition Inc	Moringa 60 Vegi Caps By Puritan's Pride

References:

• Image from ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
• Hartwell, J.L. 1967–1971. Plants used against cancer. A survey.
• Duke, J.A. 1983. Handbook of Energy Crops.
• Patel, S. et al 2010. Moringa oleifera: A Review of There Medicinal and Economical Importance to the Health and Nation. (Read or download PDF from Web Archive 8/14/2021).
• Tanaman obat Indonesia. Sentra Informasi IPTEK (Web Archive 7/15/2008).

Does Milk Raise Cancer Risk?

Image from wikimedia.org

Milk, a white colour liquid, which produced by the mammary glands of mammals. Milk is the primary source of nutrition for infant mammals, before they are able to digest other types of food. Early lactation milk contains colostrum, which carries the mother's antibodies to its young, and can reduce the risk of many diseases.

Speaking of colostrum, here's a quote from my previous post:

Is colostrum from cows good for you? Yes, if you are a baby cow…..

Many women think it's not necessary to breastfeed their babies, for at least the first 1½ years. That's why, many children are fat, have allergies, and 'behavior disorders' nowadays. Formula milk will never replace all the substances in a mother’s milk.

Have you wonder why every mammals stops drinking mother's milk at a certain age? It is because by then, their bodies are able to produce itself, its own substances needed for the body, including, hormones, growth factors and other peptides.

Also, have you ever heard a cow gets an osteoporosis? Think again! What does cow eat everyday?

In 2015, according to USDA, world total cows milk production was 491,204 kilo metric tons. While in US alone was 94,480 kilo metric tons. World total cows milk (fluid) consumption was 179,838 kilo metric tons. In US was 26,789 kilo metric tons. And not to mention other diary products, such as, cheese, butter, yoghurt, and ice cream. Most Americans now eat 40% of their calories, in the form of dairy products.

Dairy Products as a Possible Cancers Trigger

A controversial theory singled out dairy products as a possible cancers trigger. Professor Jane Plant, bestselling author of Your Life in Your Hands - Understanding, Preventing and Overcoming Breast Cancer, had made a war against dairy products, started in 1993. Shortly after the doctor told her, that she had only months to live, following her breast cancer recurrences for the 5th time.

Professor Jane Anne Plant CBE FREng FRGS FRSA FRSE FRSM CEng CGeol FIMMM FAEG FGS (1945-2016).

Professor Jane, and her husband, Peter, who is also a Professor of Geology, had been worked together in China. Learning that breast cancer rate in China, was one in 100,000 women, compared to a rate of one in ten, in the UK at that time. She then wondered, "Why don't Chinese women in China get breast cancer?" Turned out, it was Chinese women habits, which made them had a lower risk of breast cancer.

Most Chinese people are vegetarian, and to them dairy products are rich people foods. After a year on a strict vegetarian diet, she was being declared cancer free, and remained free of cancer, for nineteen years, without taking medication.

I now believe that, the link between dairy produce, and breast cancer, is similar to, the link between smoking, and lung cancer. - Professor Jane Plant

But still, not everyone who consumed dairy products everyday, die from cancer, and not everyone who smoked everyday, die from lung cancer. Because everyone has a chance of developing cancer, whether they have family history of cancer, or not.

Cancer is an abnormal and uncontrolled growth of the cells that make up living things. Cancer is often thought of as human disease but is actually widespread in most forms of plant and animal life. Tumors have been found in insects, fish, reptiles, birds, fungi, ferns, carrots, spruce, willow, and sugar beets.

Milk Consumption vs. Cancers Risk Study

Reported data of milk consumption habits were obtained by questionnaire, from 3,334 cancer patients, and 1,300 comparable control subjects, at Roswell Park Memorial Institute. As a group, control patients were more likely to report never drinking whole milk. Cancer patients more often reported frequent consumption of whole milk.

The data found that consumption of low fat milk was linked to significant risk reduction for oral, and cervical cancers, but drinking only whole milk was linked to significant risk increases for cancers of the oral cavity, stomach, rectum, lung, and breast. (Mettlin CJ, et al. 1990)

Breast Cancer

Dietary information which based on food frequency questionnaire of 88,691 women was collected from 1980 until May 31, 1996. Among them, there were 3,482 women with incident invasive breast cancer. The study found no association between intake of dairy products, and breast cancer. (Shin MH, et al. 2002)

Recent study among 97 breast cancer patients, and 104 control healthy individuals, in Western Mexico, were analyzed their lifetime consumption of meat and milk. According to the study, high milk consumption increased the breast cancer risk by 7.2 times, whereas the consumption of meat, was not significantly associated with the disease. The study concluded that high consumption of cow's milk was a risk factor for the development of breast cancer. (Galván-Salazar HR, et al. 2015)

Lung Cancer

Cigarette smoking causes most lung cancers. The more cigarettes to smoke per day, and the earlier age of starting to smoke, the greater the risk of getting lung cancer. A prospective case control study, in the west of Sweden, was aimed to investigate the relationship between lung cancer, smoking, and dietary factors.

The study was using the data from the local cancer register, on 308 cases, and 504 controls. The study found no significant risk for males smoking 1-10 cigarettes/day, for less than 20 years. A lower consumption of vegetables was related to a higher risk, both for smokers, and nonsmokers. A higher consumption of milk was related to an increased risk. (Rylander R, et al. 1996)

Ovarian Cancer

Dairy foods and its constituents, lactose and calcium, have been hypothesized to promote ovarian carcinogenesis. Milk is a source of animal fats in the diet, and animal fat intake is associated with ovarian cancer risk.

A case control study of 303 ovarian cancer cases, and 606 age matched nonmalignant disease controls, was performed between 1982 and 1988, at Roswell Park Memorial Institute, in Buffalo, New York. The study suggested that, milk drinking is not a source of ovarian cancer risk independently of its fat content. (Mettlin CJ, et al. 1990)

A case control study in Hawaii, and Los Angeles, California, among 558 ovarian cancer patients, in 1993-1999, and 607 controls, were interviewed regarding their diet. Consumption of all dairy products, all types of milk, low fat milk, but not consumption of whole milk, was significantly inversely related to the odds of ovarian cancer. The study suggested that intake of low fat milk, calcium, or lactose may reduce the risk of ovarian cancer. (Goodman MT, et al. 2002)

A prospective population based cohort study of 61,084 women, aged 38-76 years, who were enrolled, in the Swedish Mammography Cohort. Diet was assessed, in 1987-1990, with the use of a self administered food frequency questionnaire. During a follow up of 13.5 years, 266 women were diagnosed with invasive epithelial ovarian cancer, in which 125 of them had serous ovarian cancer.

The study indicated that high intakes of lactose, and dairy products, particularly milk, are associated with an increased risk of serous ovarian cancer, but no other subtypes of ovarian cancer. (Larsson SC, et al. 2004)

A meta analysis study from 18 case control, and three prospective cohort studies, concluded that prospective cohort studies, but not case control studies, support the hypothesis, that high intakes of dairy foods, and lactose may increase the risk of ovarian cancer. (Larsson SC, et al. 2006)

62,573 postmenopausal women were participating, a self administered questionnaire on dietary habits, and other risk factors for cancer, in the Netherlands. After 11 years of follow up, no association was seen between consumption of milk, yoghurt, cheese, or fermented dairy products, and ovarian cancer risk. The results do not support an association between consumption of dairy products, or lactose intake, and ovarian cancer. (Mommers M, et al. 2006)

A pooled analysis of the primary data from 12 prospective cohort studies was conducted. The study population consisted of 553,217 women, among whom 2,132 epithelial ovarian cases were identified. The study found no associations were observed for intakes of specific dairy foods, or calcium, and ovarian cancer risk. (Genkinger JM, et al. 2006)

Results from epidemiological studies examining the relationship between intake of dairy foods, and breast, or ovarian cancer risk are not consistent. Animal studies have suggested that galactose may be toxic to ovarian cells, but results from epidemiological studies, that have examined ovarian cancer risk, and milk or lactose intakes are mixed. (Rock CL. 2011)

Prostate Cancer

In 1986, 58,279 men aged 55-69 years completed a self administered 150 item food frequency questionnaire. After 6.3 years of follow up, there were 642 prostate cancer cases. Positive trends in risk were found for consumption of cured meat, and milk products. (Schuurman AG, et al. 1999)

A high calcium intake, mainly from dairy products, may increase prostate cancer risk. A cohort study investigated the association between dairy product, calcium intakes, and prostate cancer risk, in the Physicians's Health Study, a cohort of male US physicians.

During 11 years of follow up, the study documented 1,012 incident cases of prostate cancer, among 20,885 men. The study resulted that, men consuming dairy products >600 mg/d, had a 32% higher risk of prostate cancer. The study supported the hypothesis, that dairy products, and calcium are associated with a greater risk of prostate cancer. (Chan JM, et al. 2001)

Multiethnic cohort study, from 1993 to 2002, was aimed to examined 82,483 men who completed a food frequency questionnaire. During a follow up of 8 years, 4,404 total cases of prostate cancer were identified. The study suggested an association between milk consumption, and prostate cancer risk may vary by fat content, particularly for early forms of this cancer. (Park SY, et al. 2007)

Tell me what you eat, and I will tell you what you are! - Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin

Addicted to LEGO

The LEGO Movie Videogame

Due to heavy job at work, my blogging habit had been disrupted. I was no longer focused in blogging for several months. In this time of Christmas holiday, I'm going to share how my son, Michael, has been addicted in playing LEGO brick. Back then, a couple months ago, he was seeing a video in youtube. At first search, my 6 years old son, who is going to be 7 years old in the next month, was typed a kind of cartoon movie. But somehow, his search ended up in this trailer video.

The LEGO Movie Videogame Official Launch Trailer
YouTube video is courtesy of WBGAMES

He then insisted me to buy him the PC version game of The LEGO Movie Videogame. After I got the game installed on my PC, he got extremely excited. But, after a week played the game alone, he found the game was very hard for him. An Indonesian 6 years old boy without proper English speech, was finally managed to play the game, after seeing several tutorial videos in youtube. That was amazing thing for him.

Watching my son played The LEGO Movie Videogame, I became curious to play the game myself, and yes the game was very much addicted indeed. LEGO is not only the game versions that are very addicted, but its brick versions are also addicted to be played for people from age 6 to 99 years old. Yes, 99 years old. You may find it on the LEGO brick box, about the age which is suggested, in some LEGO collection bricks.

Since my son Michael was still at the at of 3, I had introduced him in playing bricks. But, the bricks were not made by the LEGO brand. A type of larger brick, which much safer for kids below the age of 6. By the time he reached 6 years old, I allowed him to play the small type bricks. And the bricks that are made in Denmark, the home of LEGO brand, never doubt is very please indeed to be played. Not just for children, but for adult as well. Amazing educated toys which are very addicted for anyone.

LEGO Movie 70800 Getaway Glider	LEGO Movie 70803 Cloud Cuckoo Palace