J Ethnopharmacol. 2007 May 22;111(3):641-50. Epub 2007 Jan 19.
Author information
- 1
- Institute of Systematic Botany, University of Zurich, Zollikerstrasse 107, 8008 Zurich, Switzerland.
Abstract
Bakera,
a steam bath prepared with various plants, is a traditional method used
in Minahasa (North Sulawesi, Indonesia) for recuperation after
childbirth. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 14 midwives
and 166 mothers in different villages of Minahasa, in order to document
the preparation and plants used for the bakera. Overall, the use of 60
different plant species for the bakera was recorded. Among the 10 most
frequently cited bakera plants, eight are essential oil plants, which
are usually cultivated in the kitchen gardens and often used as spices.
The therapeutic effects of thermotherapy and aromatherapy contribute to
the effectiveness of the bakera. Thermotherapy soothes symptoms such as
muscular strain, heaviness in the limbs, edema, loss of appetite, and
constipation, whereas the essential oils of the plants used have an
immuno-stimulant, antiseptic, and antiphlogistic effect. If applied
under the guidance of an experienced person, during the late childbed,
the bakera can be regarded as an effective and safe method for
recuperation after child birth.
- PMID:
- 17293070
- DOI:
- 10.1016/j.jep.2007.01.016
