Pala Hangat, Raga Sehat: Edukasi dan Produksi Balsem Herbal sebagai Terapi Penghilang Lelah
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.36312/linov.v10i3.3500Keywords:
Pala, balsem herbal, Pemberdayaan Masyarakat, kesehatan komplementerAbstract
Desa Seith, Maluku Tengah, memiliki potensi pala (Myristica fragrans) yang selama ini hanya dimanfaatkan dalam bentuk mentah tanpa pengolahan lanjutan. Belum adanya upaya sistematis dalam mengembangkan produk turunan pala menyebabkan nilai tambah ekonomi dan manfaat kesehatan dari tanaman ini belum optimal. Padahal, minyak atsiri pala diketahui memiliki khasiat antiinflamasi, analgesik, dan relaksan sehingga berpotensi besar dikembangkan menjadi produk kesehatan, salah satunya balsem herbal. Padahal, minyak atsiri pala berkhasiat antiinflamasi, analgesik, dan relaksan sehingga berpotensi dikembangkan menjadi produk kesehatan, salah satunya balsem herbal. Program Pala Hangat, Raga Sehat bertujuan meningkatkan pengetahuan, keterampilan, dan kemandirian masyarakat melalui edukasi dan pelatihan produksi balsem herbal pala. Metode yang digunakan adalah participatory rural appraisal (PRA) melalui sosialisasi, penyuluhan, pelatihan berbasis praktik langsung, serta pendampingan. Peserta berjumlah 10 orang petani pala dengan evaluasi menggunakan pre-test, post-test, dan observasi. Hasil menunjukkan peningkatan rata-rata pengetahuan dari 52,0 ± 8,6 menjadi 83,5 ± 7,1 (delta 31,5). Peserta juga mampu memproduksi sekitar ±50 pot balsem herbal (30 g) dan membentuk 1 kelompok pengolah herbal yang berkomitmen melanjutkan usaha. Program ini terbukti efektif dalam meningkatkan kapasitas masyarakat sekaligus membuka peluang ekonomi berbasis potensi lokal. Kebaruan program ini terletak pada integrasi edukasi, pelatihan, dan pendampingan berbasis PRA yang secara khusus memanfaatkan pala sebagai bahan utama produk kesehatan. Dengan demikian, temuan ini tidak hanya memperlihatkan efektivitas program dalam meningkatkan keterampilan masyarakat, tetapi juga menawarkan model inovatif pemberdayaan berbasis tanaman herbal lokal yang potensial direplikasi di wilayah serupa.
Warm Nutmeg, Healthy Body: Education and Herbal Balm Production as a Fatigue-Relieving Therapy
Abstract
Seith Village, Central Maluku, has the potential of nutmeg (Myristica fragrans), which has so far only been utilized in its raw form without further processing. The absence of systematic efforts to develop nutmeg-derived products has resulted in suboptimal economic value and health benefits from this plant. In fact, nutmeg essential oil is known to have anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and relaxant properties, making it highly potential for development into health products, one of which is herbal balm. The Pala Hangat, Raga Sehat program aims to improve community knowledge, skills, and independence through education and training in nutmeg herbal balm production. The method used was participatory rural appraisal (PRA) through socialization, counseling, hands-on training, and mentoring. The participants consisted of 10 nutmeg farmers, with evaluation conducted using pre-test, post-test, and observation. The results showed an increase in average knowledge scores from 52.0 ± 8.6 to 83.5 ± 7.1 (delta 31.5). Participants were also able to produce approximately ±50 jars of herbal balm (30 g) and formed one herbal processing group committed to continuing the initiative. This program proved effective in enhancing community capacity while simultaneously opening up local potential–based economic opportunities. The novelty of this program lies in the integration of education, training, and PRA-based mentoring that specifically utilizes nutmeg as the main ingredient for health products. Thus, the findings not only demonstrate the effectiveness of the program in improving community skills but also offer an innovative model of empowerment based on local herbal plants that can be replicated in similar regions.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Lintje Sintje Corputty, Abdul Thalib, Djulfikri Mewar, Yosef Marianus Karno, Nadira Pattimura
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