The Java Jive

17:33Toni
hannah dont you know what is masuk angin?

17:33Hannah
nopee

17:35Toni
hehe.. its an indonesian language 4 headache caused by less meal

17:36Hannah
if you eat not enough you get headache?

17:36Toni
hmmm.. yes, but not seldom

Guys, Interesting discussion regarding this medical conception. I am an Indonesian and a nurse here in US. As health care providers here in States, we are being reminded again and again of the importance of respecting the cultural believe of our patients. Because the mind is indeed control the body. Remember placebo, anyone?
I grew up in Indonesia and live there for more than 25 yr. I'm very familiar with the masuk angin phenomenon. Why not, I was hammered everyday by my mom whenever I played outside during the rain or whenever it was windy about masuk angin. I was required to have a "mandi air panas" whenever I returned from my forbiden mandi hujan.
This is the same concept as the hot-cold. You know, you get sick because of the imbalance between the hot and cold stuff (the yin-yang thing). Asian is not the only group that believe in it. The hispanic and Indian-American also believe in the same concept.
My hubby is an American (bule), when he lived in Indo, he loved to just stand in the rain for hours in order to prove to my mom and the neighbors that he'll be fine after that. And, indeed, he never caught any cold. And he never had any episodes of masuk angin.
My son, here in States, prefers to sleep with no clothes. He never experiences any masuk angin. And we love to sleep with our AC at 68 F. The reason I think we get sick so easy in Indo whenever it's windy, is thanks to our nice tropical breeze. Unfortunately, with lack of hygiene (sampah and air tergenang di mana2), and the wonderful tropical whether, Indonesia is also a paradise for microorganisms. We need a good campaign on handwashing. It does help.

Rit, you are beginning to sound a bit arrogant with regard to masuk angin, and to Dian's explanation. It does exist, but it might not be what you think. I lived in Java for 25 years AND I can assure you I have experienced masuk angin numerous times. It is not fun. There is a term for this problem in Chinese medicine - interestingly called "wind invading the body". Specialists in TCM (traditional Chinese medicine) have herbal prescriptions to treat it. (And no, I am not Chinese.) You can laugh at a MD's with TCM training if you like - but you will only succeed in making yourself look ignorant.

Hahhaa Masuk Angin, it's like being in a draft (of wind) it is said you can catch a cold. Old Wives Tail with no medical proof.....

Er... more twaddle! (twaddle=talking rubbish).

I am currently in Indonesia, and I love sitting next to fans and air conditioning. I would happily run naked around the house. But I have never (NEVER) experienced this "masuk angin".

It is correct that in western medical there is no "masuk angin" term (duh!), however the symptoms of "masuk angin" (ie. bloated, muscles & joints pain, burping, shivering) are caused by tropically cooler climate and can be explained (western) medically.

The cooler climate causes vasoconstricion (constriction of blood vessels) which causes reduction of body temp and disrupts blood flow, which causes metabolism result and hydroxypropanoic acid to be accumulated in muscles and thus causes shivering, fatigue and muscle pain.

Also cooler climate slows the peristaltic movement of digestive system, which causes the accumulation of gas and thus the bloated feel.

Of course after one's body is weakened by the cooling climate, exposing it more to the climate by running around the house half naked or sitting on a windy beach for hours will definitely make one "masuk angin". So "masuk angin" is NOT "an old wives tale".

Hey there,

Well, firstly, I am married to an Indonesian and therefore spent sometime learning the culture and language (bahasa). You are totally right about "masuk angin" meaning "enter wind," and the Indonesians tend to use this term to let you know that they are "catching a cold." We, of course, don't literally "catch" colds. But the major difference here is, an Indonesian (usually Javanese) believe that it's the wind that causes this illness.

If you are sitting on a smoky and crowded bus (which is a whirlpool of bacteria and potential illness) you should keep the windows closed! Because you may get "masuk angin!". Forget the potential cancer risks and other bacterial infections that are multiplying in the heat! haha.

It is of course medically unproven that wind (or gentle breeze) on the body is bad for you, but the Javanese strongly believe that it is. If I mention the reality to my wife she goes mad at me and cannot accept that "masuk angin" doesn't exist in medical terms.

It is what we westerners (bules) would call, "an old wives tale!".

I hope this helps!