Giriloyo's formula
Giriloyo's status as the center of gurah treatments has seen many locals try to profit from the practice: One can see signboards on practically ever street corner in the hamlet, directing newcomers to this or that gurah expert.
Hisyam and Ali Sarpan, as the pioneers of the treatment in the village, have the two busiest practices in Giriloyo.
There are people in the hamlet who even claim to be Hisyam's nephews or students.
"None of my students or nephews have opened a gurah business here. What can you do about people who are just seeking their fortune?" Hisyam said.
Ali Sarpan cautioned people to be aware, saying some people claiming to be practitioners had added different ingredients to the original Giriloyo formula, or had changed its form to reap more profits.
He cited the popular gurah "capsule" as one example.
"Many of my patients, both local and from abroad, said they had used gurah capsules, which cost them hundreds of thousands of rupiah. But their health conditions hadn't improved (after using them)," Ali said.
Based on research carried out by a team from Gadjah Mada University and Sardjito Hospital in 1998 and led by Prof. Soepomo, gurah is a safe health treatment provided the patient doesn't have an infection.
Soepomo said the root of Cherodentum serratum contains two key substances -- serotannin and tannin. The function of serotannin is to stimulate nerves; this helps expel the mucus after the herbal mix is inserted in the nasal passage.
"The tannin makes the mucus congeal and closes wounds after the mucus has been expelled," said the retired former lecturer of ear, nose and throat disorders and medications.
Patients who suffer from allergies or sinusitis have been known to enjoy improved health after undergoing gurah treatment.
"It's said that it can also cure breathing problems and asthma but we don't focus on those claims. It's only logical that people who can hardly breathe because they have an excess amount of mucus in their airways will experience improvements in their breathing once the mucus is out," Soepomo said.
However, he said, there is a need to be cautious: People with infected tonsils should avoid the treatment.
"This is because when you cleanse the nose hairs, which filter bacteria, they get disturbed. If someone with an infection has the treatment, their infection may become worse."
Giriloyo's status as the center of gurah treatments has seen many locals try to profit from the practice: One can see signboards on practically ever street corner in the hamlet, directing newcomers to this or that gurah expert.
Hisyam and Ali Sarpan, as the pioneers of the treatment in the village, have the two busiest practices in Giriloyo.
There are people in the hamlet who even claim to be Hisyam's nephews or students.
"None of my students or nephews have opened a gurah business here. What can you do about people who are just seeking their fortune?" Hisyam said.
Ali Sarpan cautioned people to be aware, saying some people claiming to be practitioners had added different ingredients to the original Giriloyo formula, or had changed its form to reap more profits.
He cited the popular gurah "capsule" as one example.
"Many of my patients, both local and from abroad, said they had used gurah capsules, which cost them hundreds of thousands of rupiah. But their health conditions hadn't improved (after using them)," Ali said.
Based on research carried out by a team from Gadjah Mada University and Sardjito Hospital in 1998 and led by Prof. Soepomo, gurah is a safe health treatment provided the patient doesn't have an infection.
Soepomo said the root of Cherodentum serratum contains two key substances -- serotannin and tannin. The function of serotannin is to stimulate nerves; this helps expel the mucus after the herbal mix is inserted in the nasal passage.
"The tannin makes the mucus congeal and closes wounds after the mucus has been expelled," said the retired former lecturer of ear, nose and throat disorders and medications.
Patients who suffer from allergies or sinusitis have been known to enjoy improved health after undergoing gurah treatment.
"It's said that it can also cure breathing problems and asthma but we don't focus on those claims. It's only logical that people who can hardly breathe because they have an excess amount of mucus in their airways will experience improvements in their breathing once the mucus is out," Soepomo said.
However, he said, there is a need to be cautious: People with infected tonsils should avoid the treatment.
"This is because when you cleanse the nose hairs, which filter bacteria, they get disturbed. If someone with an infection has the treatment, their infection may become worse."
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