Deciphering the Discourse of Traditional Medicine: A Linguistic Examination of Balinese Usada Manuscripts on Early Childhood Diseases

Abstract

Before knowing the modern medical treatment of childhood diseases, the Balinese people have tried to treat diseases by utilizing medicinal ingredients from plants, which until now are still an alternative treatment. This knowledge of medicine is passed down orally from generation to generation, also through written documents, namely the usada manuscript. This study aims to examine the Kuranta Bolong and Taru Pramana usada manuscripts to reveal the types of diseases that are often suffered by early childhood; medicinal ingredients, drug processing, treatment techniques and accompanying mantras or rituals, and categorization of early childhood disease treatment. The methods used are text transcription and transliteration method, content analysis method, and comparative method. The presentation uses formal and informal methods. The results of this study indicate that both manuscripts present traditional Balinese medical knowledge for early childhood and its categorization, which are classified into three, namely: external diseases, internal diseases, and personalistic diseases. The findings of this traditional herbal medicine are expected to encourage the community to preserve medicinal plants in the surrounding nature. For the safety of traditional herbal medicines and treatments, there needs to be a study of pharmacology including clinical trials to ensure that it is safe for children, the dosage is appropriate for age, and the quantity of given medicine per day.