Do you want to recreate the purifying and refining magic of traditional Lulur? This Javanese tradition started as a royal ritual and is now used in many resorts and spas across Indonesia.
This full-body massage and skin-cleansing scrub is widely regarded as a great way to maintain good health, remove impurities, and enhance natural beauty. Keep reading, and we'll share the history and applications of Lulur, as well as how to recreate it at home with a handful of fresh ingredients.
Key Takeaways
- Lulur originated in the 17th century in the Yogyakarta palace and was often used by Javanese royalty and princess brides before their wedding day.
- A traditional Lulur ritual involves a foot cleansing, full-body massage, skin scrub, yogurt rub, and bath soak.
- Many Lulur treatments are concluded with a serving of Jamu, a healing tonic made from ginger and turmeric.
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Click here for a step-by-step at-home Lulur recipe and ritual.
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The History of Lulur
Javanese Lulur was once known as the royal body treatment of Indonesia. It originated in the Yogyakarta palace in central Java during the 17th century and was intended for princess brides and Javanese royalty.
Mandi Lulur involves a special blend of herbs and spices that soften and lighten the skin, preparing brides-to-be for their wedding day. These women would undergo Lulur for 40 days prior to their wedding day.
Nowadays, brides-to-be in Indonesia still often undergo Lulur, but only for a week or so prior to their wedding day.
Though Lulur beauty treatments were first introduced centuries ago, they are still a commonplace practice in Indonesia today. They are used not only for Javanese royalty but for anyone seeking a restorative and therapeutic experience.
Traditional Lulur Ritual
Lulur is a traditional beauty treatment that is often offered to Indonesian brides-to-be and spa-goers. Locals and tourists alike enjoy these purifying and cleansing rituals that result in glowing skin, relaxed muscles, and a calm mind.
Lulur is the name of the body scrub used in these beauty treatments. But Mandi Lulur itself is a multi-step process that involves a full-body massage, skin scrub, yogurt rub, and floral-infused bath. It's a holistic experience designed to stimulate the senses, soothe the body, and clear the mind.
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Foot cleansing: A traditional Lulur treatment starts with foot cleansing and scrapping.
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Full-body massage: The full-body massage encourages relaxation and mindfulness.
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Skin scrub: The Lulur is a body scrub made from natural botanicals like rice flour, turmeric root, and various spices. This is designed to remove dead skin cells, dirt, and bacteria and gently exfoliate to reveal glowing and healthy skin.
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Yogurt rub: The yogurt rub soothes and softens the skin after the Lulur scrub. It refreshes and calms the skin, reduces inflammation, and balances pH.
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Bath: A soak in a bathtub adorned with flower petals concludes the Lulur treatment.
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Jamu: Jamu, a traditional Indonesian beverage brewed with ginger and turmeric, is offered to further improve general wellness and soothe the senses.
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How Do You Make Lulur at Home?
You can visit a spa or resort in Indonesia to experience the magic and wonder of Lulur. However, unless you travel or live in Southeast Asia, that can be difficult to do.
Luckily, it's possible to recreate your own version of Javanese Lulur at home.
Massage
For an at-home massage, use an oil like coconut oil, almond oil, or jojoba oil. Gently work your skin using your thumb to relax the muscles and joints.
To rejuvenate and hydrate the skin, use a body oil like our Kartini Body Oil.
This formula is inspired by Princess Kartini, making it ideal for a truly royal and rewarding spa experience. It has a warm and sweet scent and contains natural ingredients like turmeric, plumeria flower, and moringa oleifera to brighten and smooth the skin.
Skin Scrub
The foundation of Lulur is the body scrub. You will need the following ingredients:
- 1/2 cup ground rice or rice flour
- 1 tablespoon of fresh grated turmeric or turmeric powder (Note: This can stain light clothing.)
- 1 tablespoon of fresh grated ginger or ginger powder
- 1 tablespoon of honey
- 2 tablespoons of milk
Each ingredient plays a particular role. The rice flour is used to exfoliate and purify the skin, the turmeric acts as an anti-inflammatory agent, the ginger improves blood circulation, the honey moisturizes and nourishes the skin, and the milk transforms the dry ingredients into a thick paste.
You can add additional spices like nutmeg, clove, or cinnamon for a refreshing and soothing experience.
Combine these ingredients, and smear the thick paste on your body. Gently massage this exfoliating scrub into the skin to exfoliate and polish from head to toe.
Take this time to feel the way the ingredients smooth and energize the skin.
Rinse in the shower to remove the thick paste when complete.
Bath
Fill a bath with warm water and add a few drops of your favorite essential oils like lavender, sandalwood, or eucalyptus. Sit back and enjoy this full-body relaxation and restoration.
Don't forget to brew yourself a cup of homemade Jamu to top off your at-home Lulur treatment! This is the perfect addition to your daily wellness routine.
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