Bali Herbal Healing Traditions - Meet the Traditional Healers of the Island

In the quiet corners of Bali, where jungle paths twist past rice fields and temples sleep beneath banyan trees, a different kind of wisdom thrives. It’s not taught in schools. It isn’t written in books. It flows through generations like the rivers that nourish the island—Bali’s herbal healing traditions.

For many Balinese, health isn’t just about curing a symptom. It’s about realigning the body, mind, and spirit with the rhythms of nature and the gods. And guiding that journey are the island’s traditional healers, known as balian.

I didn’t go looking for a balian. Like most meaningful encounters in Bali, it found me. I had a stubborn stomach ache that lingered through temple visits and early-morning treks. My host mother in a village near Bangli suggested we visit a healer. “Not a doctor,” she said, “but someone who listens to the spirit of the body.”

I agreed, unsure of what to expect. That visit would become one of the most powerful and unexpected moments of my entire trip.

The Role of the Balian – More Than Just a Healer

A balian isn’t just someone who mixes herbs. They’re spiritual practitioners, intuitive listeners, and often considered a bridge between the visible and invisible worlds. In Balinese culture, illness is rarely seen as purely physical. It may stem from imbalances in energy, ancestral issues, or even cosmic disharmony.

There are many types of balian. Some are born into the calling, guided by visions or dreams. Others are chosen through lineage or initiated by unusual experiences. Their roles can vary—from herbalists (balian usada) to mediums who channel ancestral spirits.

When I met my balian, he didn’t ask about my symptoms at first. He asked about my sleep, my dreams, and even if I had unresolved sadness. Only then did he offer a potion of herbs, crushed and infused with a chant. It tasted earthy, bitter, and oddly comforting.

A World of Herbal Remedies

The heart of Balinese traditional healing lies in nature. Bali’s lush ecosystem is home to a pharmacy of healing plants: turmeric, ginger, galangal, betel leaf, tamarind, lemongrass, guava leaves, and dozens more. These are ingredients of jamu—traditional herbal tonics used across Indonesia.

Each balian has their own recipe. Some grow herbs in their garden, others forage from the jungle or buy from local markets. But what makes these remedies powerful isn’t just the plant—it’s the intention behind their use.

One woman healer I met explained that turmeric isn’t just anti-inflammatory—it also cools emotional fire, especially anger. Ginger doesn’t just warm the body—it helps stimulate stagnant energy.

Healing in Bali is holistic. A treatment may involve herbal drinks, oil massages, mantras, or flower baths. Sometimes, the healer prescribes silence. Or laughter. Or a pilgrimage to a sacred spring.

Rituals for the Body and Spirit

Spirituality is woven into every part of Balinese medicine. Healing often begins with a prayer to the ancestors. A small offering of flowers and rice might be placed on a stone altar. Incense fills the room, purifying the space. These acts are not superstition—they are acts of alignment.

Many healers perform melukat, a ritual cleansing that uses holy water from specific springs. The goal is not just to purify the body but also the subtle energy layers. During melukat, participants may feel shivers, release emotions, or experience visions. It’s not just healing—it’s transformation.

I was invited to join one such ritual near Sebatu. After bathing in the spring, the healer tapped my head gently with flower water, whispered a mantra, and smiled. “Now your body remembers light,” he said.

Healing Through Connection

What moved me most wasn’t just the remedies—it was the presence of the healer. Balian don’t rush. They sit with you. They look in your eyes. They listen beyond your words. In a world obsessed with speed, their slow attention feels revolutionary.

In Bali, healing is personal. You’re not a patient. You’re a human being seeking balance. And the balian treats you as such—with respect, care, and often, humor.

There’s a deep communal trust in these healers. Villagers often consult them for everything from fever to heartbreak to spiritual disturbances. In some remote areas, they are the only accessible health resource. But even in modern cities, people still seek them—because medicine without spirit, in the Balinese view, is incomplete.

Learning from the Landscape

One of the reasons Bali has such rich healing traditions is the land itself. The soil is volcanic, fertile, and full of life. Herbs grow wild in backyards, forests, and even along roadside shrines. Nature here is alive with energy. It’s no wonder so much medicine comes from it.

Balinese healers don’t just use plants. They communicate with them. They know when to harvest, at what phase of the moon, and which prayer to whisper while doing so. It’s a dance between human and nature.

In a world where medicine often feels synthetic and impersonal, Bali’s herbal healing reminds us that wellness can come from the ground beneath our feet, the leaves above our heads, and the stories passed through hands.

The Journey of Becoming a Balian

Not everyone can be a healer. The path of a balian is often marked by challenges. Some are chosen after a serious illness or a near-death experience. Others receive dreams or signs that guide them toward the path.

Training is both spiritual and practical. It involves learning about plants, mantras, meditation, and how to interpret signs from nature. Often, they study under an elder healer before beginning their own practice.

One healer told me, “You don’t choose to be a balian. You’re called. And if you don’t answer, your body will remind you.”

Visiting a Balian – What to Know

If you’re curious to experience this yourself, visiting a balian can be a profound part of your journey. But it must be approached with respect and humility.

Ask a local for recommendations—many families know trustworthy healers. Dress modestly. Bring a small offering—perhaps flowers, fruit, or incense. And most importantly, arrive with an open heart.

Not every session is dramatic. Some are gentle conversations. Some may involve massage or herbal drinks. Others feel more like ceremonies. The key is not to expect anything. Just be present.

Bridging Ancient and Modern

Today, there’s a beautiful dialogue emerging between traditional healing and modern wellness. Yoga studios in Ubud serve jamu. Resorts offer herbal compress massages inspired by Balinese medicine. Some clinics now include herbalists as part of their staff.

This isn’t appropriation. It’s evolution—with respect.

Healers are also finding ways to protect their knowledge. Some work with cultural preservation groups. Others teach workshops or invite students. Their aim is not to commercialize—but to keep the lineage alive.

Why This Matters

In a world that often disconnects us from ourselves, our environment, and our heritage, Bali’s healing traditions offer reconnection. They remind us that healing is not just fixing what’s broken, but remembering what’s whole.

Through the balian, we see how wisdom flows—not from textbooks, but from earth, sky, dream, and devotion. Through herbs, rituals, and deep listening, we’re invited to return to something ancient and essential.

Whether you come to Bali with a broken heart, an aching body, or simple curiosity, know that there are healers waiting—not to fix you, but to guide you back to your own natural rhythm.

Because sometimes, the most powerful medicine isn’t found in a bottle. It’s found in a handful of turmeric, a whispered mantra, and a healer who sees you not as a case, but as a soul.