Calming Blend

Blend 1
Lavender 3 drops
Geranium 1 drop
Bergamot 5 drops
Rosewood 3 drops
Blend with 40 ml carrier oil

A complex blend that calms the mind and lifts the spirit

Blend 2
Chamomile 3 drops
Ylang ylang 3 drops
Jasmine 1 drop
Rose 1 drop
Blend with 30 ml carrier oil

A premium blend that centres the heart and puts the mind at peace

Blend 3
Sandalwood 4 drops
Frankincense 2 drops
Myrrh 2 drops
blend with 30 ml carrier oil

A blend that is excellent for meditation that calms the mind and nurture the spirit.

Javanese Wedding Ritual for Wellness

A Historical Perspective
Some of the most popular Indonesian beauty and wellness modalities can be traced back to the history of the Mataram Kingdom that ruled Central Java 1,300 years ago. These rituals have been passed down from one generation to another - Jamu, pijat, lulur, pilis, tapel, parem, bengkung, herbal steam, flower bath, meditation and fasting are some of the Javanese rituals to promote wellness.

There are murals carved on the walls of the ancient Keraton (palaces) found at various locations that reflect these practices. In the Mojokerto and Kendiri area, which was the site of the Singosari Kingdom, there is a large pool of bricks called the jalatunda, where King Erlengga spent his daily quiet time to meditate. At the famous Borodubur, the walls that depict Queen Maya being massaged by her household also remained. Near Mount Merapi, bas-reliefs show royalties and women engaged in health and beauty rituals such as having a massage, bathing, receiving scrubs and drinking herbal decoctions. There was a special class of people called Abdi Dalem, whose task was to serve the royal family and were experts at conducting special rituals for the various stages of life of a royalty.

Wellness from Within
In Indonesia, the birthplace of many natural health and beauty secrets, there is an ancient Javanese expression – rupasampat wahya bhiantara. Loosely translated, it means ‘the balance between inner and outer beauty, between that which is visible and that which lies within’, a life of balance. It is this notion and guide by which women in this part of the world live. According to Javanese tradition, a balance between inner and outer beauty could be attained through various paths. One central aspect of the Javanese philosophy of wellness is that of respecting nature. It is believed that maintaining one’s connection and union with nature is a way to achieve balance and harmony between the inner and outer being. This forms the holistic principle of many Javanese practices in preserving beauty and wellness.

Meditation, fasting, consuming jamu and acts of giving and charity address the inner needs. Rituals aimed at delivering outer beauty, health and wellness involve treatments using natural ingredients for skin, hair and body. They include nyuboming rogo (body steam), siraman (bathing), pijat (massage), lulur (scrubs), parem (masks) and bengkung (a kind of body wrap). Music therapy is also part of Javanese rituals to wellness, but a minor one. Gendhing gamelan, tembang and joget (traditional dance) form the core on which this therapy revolves.

The Javanese Wedding Ritual
In the Javanese philosophy, a human goes through eight life stages and each needs Divine blessings, as well as from family and the society. This has remained and is preserved in the younger generations. One prominent stage in every human’s life is the experience of love and marriage. When one enters this stage, it begins with a pingitan, a forty-day pre-marital treatment for the bride-to-be from tip-to-toe.

The treatment series begins with pijat, a traditional Javanese massage that aims to soothe the body and calm the nerves. Another form of massage known as urut, which works on nervous pathways and deeper muscle layers is also incorporated. This is followed by lulur, an ancient Javanese body scrub. Lulur is made from herbs such as ginger, turmeric, tamarind and cloves. These natural ingredients have antiseptic and cleansing properties that help to exfoliate dead cells and rejuvenate the skin. Other treatments using natural herbs, spices and aromatics are also administered for the hair, face, hands and feet. Jamu, a herbal decoction is given to the bride to prepare her for pregnancy and motherhood.

Another significant ritual is the mandian, a flower bathing ceremony for the couple-to-be to represent their union of love, with the hope that it will last for generations to come. In this ceremony, sweet-scented flowers known as kembang setaman are used, which are normally cempaka, red and white roses, jasmine, cananga, opandanus leaves and kanthil. In this bath, water symbolizes purity and the sweet fragrant flowers symbolise happiness. More importantly, the mandian is an act of physical purification to prepare the couple for their big day.

The akad nikah, or marriage solemnisation is held on the wedding day, where the groom formally asks the bride’s father for her daughter’s hand in marriage. Kacar kucur is also held on the wedding day where the groom gives mixtures of rice, beans and gold coins as symbols of fertility and wealth. The way in which the groom presents the bride the mixture is like a stream of waterfall, called kucuran.

The Javanese Tradition Relived
Presently, the Javanese wellness traditions are adopted and integrated in luxurious modern spas and wellness centres. Brides-to-be usually opt for a seven-day treatment, which usually includes massages, body scrubs, body wraps and floral baths. Although these practices are derived from the culture and tradition of the ancient Javanese, today these are regarded and appreciated as routines that promote personal hygiene and preserve beauty and wellness by many. In essence, the Javanese traditions share the common fundamental belief of achieving balance and total wellness as with Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda.