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Community
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Stories of Vendors Living Natural, Being Healthy – Kak Sa's Herbal Remedies
With this in mind she began collection information on herbs and their medical uses from the old people around her. Much of her knowledge came from the Orang Asli who lived close to her when she was working in Cameron Highlands. She also stated that she learned from her Indian neighbors. It helped that her husband, Fendi, is of Javanese descend, a culture know for their use of herbal medication. Fendi's mother would invite the village midwife (bidan) home each time Saoda paid her a visit. These village healers shared their knowledge with her.
Thus began Kak Sa's Herbal Remedies, a small eco friendly, totally organic series of simple herbal remedies for the home. She began the business 3 years ago, packaging and selling her herbs and herbal preparations to the community. She was then discovered by organisations like the Friends of Penang Botanical Gardens and Spice Gardens Penang. This led to more demand for her products.
List and description of Products on Sale : Nimm Oil - coming from the nimm tree and is well known for its antiseptic/de worming properties. The oil is made from products of trees grown on her farm. She uses a base of coconut oil, made from coconuts from trees which are also grown on the farm. Banana Cider - This is made from macerated bananas and acts very much like apple cider. A detoxifier, it is used to clean the digestive system so that it functions better. She has used it to control the weight of the obese.
Aromatic Bath - A mixture of dried leaves, bark and roots for an aromatic, Asian spa experience. The ingredients are freshly picked and dried in the sun. They are then brought to a simmer in a pan to release their mixed fragrance. The mixture also deep cleanses the skin. Saoda throws unsold packets after 3 days. Saoda can be found at the Little Penang Street Market once a month. Her success there has prompted her to add three new products to her line of goods. They are Pure Coconut Oil, Bedak Sejuk, a traditional face powder thought to have cooling properties, and Wild Honey from her farm. The market has linked her up with the masseurs from St Nicholas Home for the Blind and she hopes to be providing them with her base oil to be used in their massage. _________________________________ Written
Ambiga Devy |
As
a young person, Saoda had a lot of interest in the herbs used by her
aunts and mother. This interest grew as she began to have children of
her own. Saodah decided that she would rather her children use herbal
medication, as opposed to Western medication, to treat minor illnesses.
She also tried to restrict their use of antibiotics. 
Saoda
also moves around the village community around her farm providing basic
medical assistance in the form of massage using herbal oils for the
old and infirm. In this manner she has continued to collect other recipes
from the community, along with a wide variety of knowledge on local
herbs, habits and taboos. She also collects herbal plants which she
then propagates at her farm. 
Today
Kak Saoda and her husband own and run two small farms in Sauk, Kuala
Kangsar, Perak. In one they grow herbs organically to make into herbal
medication. These are also pesticide free. In the other they keep goats,
geese and chickens which are fed organically. 
Turmeric
Facial Wash
- Made from turmeric and a mixture of inactive bases, it is meant to
clear the face of pimples and lead to a better completion. Ingredients
include rice, glutinous rice, green peas, nimm, turmeric, ginger and
guava leaves. 
Feminine
Wash
- Made from dried leaves collected from her farm. Instructions are given
to boil the said leaves and use the steam arising. An all round cleanser
and feel good spa preparation for the cleansing of the privates.