Exploration of the Benefits of Kusam as a Complementary Effort in Reducing the Intensity of Menstrual Pain in Adolescent Girls
Abstract
Many adolescent girls suffer from menstrual pain (dysmenorrhea), which can interfere with daily functioning, academic performance, and overall quality of life. While pharmacological treatments are commonly used, complementary therapies using natural ingredients such as turmeric and tamarind (known locally as kusam) have gained attention due to their safety and fewer side effects . The aim of this study was to assess how dullness can function as a supportive therapy to reduce the level of menstrual pain experienced by female adolescents at SMA Negeri 1 Batu Engau. A quantitative method was applied in this study, with a quasi-experimental design and pretest–posttest with a control group. Fifty eligible participants were divided into two groups: the intervention group received kusam (a turmeric and tamarind herbal drink) for three consecutive days at the beginning of menstruation, while the control group received no intervention. Pain intensity was measured using a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), and the Wilcoxon test and the Mann–Whitney U test were applied to analyze the data. This study revealed a significant reduction in menstrual pain levels among the intervention group compared to the control group. The Wilcoxon test showed that the intervention group experienced significant improvement after consuming kusam (p < 0.05). Similarly, the Mann–Whitney U test showed a significant difference between the groups at post-test, with the intervention group achieving a higher mean score. Turmeric has been shown to be effective as a complementary treatment for reducing menstrual pain. intensity in adolescent girls.
References
Agustina, W., Arma, N., Sayekti, PH, Farmasi, F., Kesehatan, D., & Kesehatan Helvetia, I. (2023). Effectiveness of Giving Turmeric and Tamarind to Reduce the Pain Scale of Dysmenorrhea in Adolescent Girls at SMA Negeri 9 Medan in 2022. Jurnal Maternity Kebidanan , 8 (1).
Altruistic Nursing Science, J., Asmy, U., Studi, PD, & Akper Sawerigading Luwu Regional Government, K. (2024). Sri Laela, Suryani Hartati, adaptability and integrity development… Turmeric and Tamarind Drinks on Reducing Dysmenorrhea in Adolescent Girls. IF) , 7 (1).
Amelia, S., Juwita, F., & Fajriyah, A. (2020). The Effect of Turmeric and Tamarind on Reducing Menstrual Pain Intensity. Indonesian Journal of Midwifery . http://jurnal.unw.ac.id:1254/index.php/ijm
Amroussia, N. (2022). Providing sexual and reproductive health services to migrants in Southern Sweden: a qualitative exploration of healthcare providers’ experiences. BMC health services research, 22(1), 1562. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-022-08967-3
Artiyasa, M. A. M., & Nashrul, M. (2025). Exploring Local Wisdom: The Experience of Using Traditional Herbal Medicine in Treating Diseases among Rural Communities. PhytoCare: Journal of Pharmacology and Natural Remedies, 1(1), 10-18.
Barir, B., Fatmawati, Z., Aini, I., & Kristianingrum, D. Y. (2024). The Effectiveness of Red Ginger Tamarind Tea (Kusamera Tea) on Reducing Menstrual Pain in Adolescent Girls. Jurnal Midpro, 16(1), 18-24.
Genovesi, S., Vania, A., Caroli, M., Orlando, A., Lieti, G., Parati, G., & Giussani, M. (2024). Non-pharmacological treatment for cardiovascular risk prevention in children and adolescents with obesity. Nutrients, 16(15), 2497. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16152497
Gutman, G., Nunez, A. T., & Fisher, M. (2022). Dysmenorrhea in adolescents. Current problems in pediatric and adolescent health care, 52(5), 101186. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cppeds.2022.101186
Hagen, I., Skjelstad, S., & Nayar, U. S. (2023). Promoting mental health and wellbeing in schools: the impact of yoga on young people's relaxation and stress levels. Frontiers in psychology, 14, 1083028. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1083028
Health Medika Saintika, J., Purwaningsih, E., Riyan Ariestantia, D., & Diah Anggraini, R. (2020). Design of the Android Application "Si Bulan Merah" as a Medical Health Education Action for the Management of Dysmenorrhea in Adolescents, Diploma III Midwifery Program, Mutiara Mahakam Health College, Samarinda. Journal of Health Medika Saintika December , 11 (2). https://doi.org/10.30633/jkms.v11i1.597
Hizkia, I., Sirait, I., Febriani, K., Ginting, B., Program, D., Nursing, SS, Nursing, F., Tinggi, S., Kesehatan, I., Elisabeth, S., Program, M., & Penulis;, K. (2021). Overview of Knowledge and Attitudes of Adolescent Girls in involving Dysmenorrhea at Airlangga Namu Ukur High School in 2021. https://doi.org/10.54816/jhs.v2i2.525
Ibitoye, B. M., Garrett, B., Ranger, M., & Stinson, J. N. (2025). You Only Work with What You Know: Healthcare providers’ experiences using non-pharmacological interventions in managing sickle cell crisis pain in adolescents. The Journal of Pain, 105551. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpain.2025.105551
Jaber, S. A., Dababneh, M., & Saadah, M. (2022). The comparison between different over-the-counter drugs Analgesics used to relive cramps pain associated with menstrual cycle for females in Jordan on kidney function. Pharmacia, 69, 1089-1094. https://doi.org/10.3897/pharmacia.69.e96357
Keyes, K. M., & Platt, J. M. (2024). Annual Research Review: Sex, gender, and internalizing conditions among adolescents in the 21st century–trends, causes, consequences. Journal of child psychology and psychiatry, 65(4), 384-407. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcpp.13864
Khatun, M., Nur, M. A., Biswas, S., Khan, M., & Amin, M. Z. (2021). Assessment of the anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial activities of different types of turmeric (Curcuma longa) powder in Bangladesh. Journal of Agriculture and Food Research, 6, 100201. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jafr.2021.100201
Koroljević, Z. D., Jordan, K., Ivković, J., Bender, D. V., & Perić, P. (2023). Curcuma as an anti-inflammatory component in treating osteoarthritis. Rheumatology international, 43(4), 589-616. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00296-022-05244-8
Lisani, F., & Hudaya, I. (2021). Literature Review: Giving Turmeric and Tamarind Drink (Curcuma domestica Val.-Tamarindus indica L.) to Reduce Menstrual Pain (Dysmenorrhea). Bhamada: Journal of Health Science and Technology (E-Journal) , 12 (2), 33–37. https://doi.org/10.36308/jik.v12i2.336
Meristin, A., & Supriatna, M. (2023). From Local Wisdom to the Classroom: Integrating Belangiran Values for Holistic Elementary Education. DWIJA CENDEKIA: Jurnal Riset Pedagogik, 7(3).
Nhampoca, J. M., & Maritz, J. E. (2024). Early marriage, education and mental health: experiences of adolescent girls in Mozambique. Frontiers in Global Women's Health, 5, 1278934. https://doi.org/10.3389/fgwh.2024.1278934
Pangestu, RT, & Fatmarizka, T. (2023). The Impact of Primary Dysmenorrhea on Academic Achievement in Adolescent Girls: A Literature Review. Proceedings of the 16th Urecol: Student Papers, Student Series , 735–744.
Pertiwi, PM, Retnaningsih, R., & Ilmiah, WS (2024). The Effect of Turmeric and Tamarind Drink Consumption on Primary Dysmenorrhea in Adolescent Girls at Walisongo Islamic Junior High School. Rustida Health Science Journal , 11 (2), 144–153.
Razavi, B. M., Ghasemzadeh Rahbardar, M., & Hosseinzadeh, H. (2021). A review of therapeutic potentials of turmeric (Curcuma longa) and its active constituent, curcumin, on inflammatory disorders, pain, and their related patents. Phytotherapy Research, 35(12), 6489-6513. https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.7224
Rezkiyanti, A., & Rusli, R. (2022). The Effectiveness of Turmeric and Tamarind Drink as a Therapy for Primary Dysmenorrhea in Reducing Pain Scales. Journal of Occupational Nutrition and Productivity , 3 (2), 59. https://doi.org/10.52742/jgkp.v3i2.15500
Rustini, A., Nafisah, F., Anjani, J., Patmawati, N., Salifiyah, S., Jahronah, S., Sumiati, S., & Rahmatul Amin, D. (2024). Empowering Women to Overcome Menstrual Pain with Turmeric and Tamarind Herbal Medicine. Indonesian Journal of Community Service , 5 (2), 2064–2068. https://doi.org/10.55338/jpkmn.v5i2.3178
Saputra, YA, Kurnia, AD, & Aini, N. (2021). The Effect of Health Education on Adolescents' Efforts to Reduce Menstrual Pain (Primary Dysmenorrhea). Journal of Reproductive Health , 7 (3), 177. https://doi.org/10.22146/jkr.55433
Saputri, IN, Handayani, D., & Yasara, J. (2020). The Effect of Turmeric and Tamarind Drinks on Menstrual Pain Intensity in Adolescent Girls. JOURNAL OF MIDWIFERY KESTRA (JKK) , 3 (1), 55–60. https://doi.org/10.35451/jkk.v3i1.491
Saragih, H., Ginting, A. A. Y., & Manek, E. (2024). Gambaran Faktor-faktor yang Mempengaruhi Dismenore pada Remaja Putri di Asrama Putri Santa Theresia Lisieux Sibolga. JURNAL KEPERAWATAN CIKINI, 5(2), 292-302. https://doi.org/10.55644/jkc.v5i02.192
Schmidt, E. K., Beining, A., Hand, B. N., Havercamp, S., & Darragh, A. (2022). Healthcare providers’ role in providing sexual and reproductive health information to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities: A qualitative study. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 35(4), 1019-1027. https://doi.org/10.1111/jar.12861
Serrahima, C., & Martínez, M. (2023). The experience of dysmenorrhea. Synthese, 201(5), 173. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11229-023-04148-9
Shabanian Boroujeni, Z., Heidari-Soureshjani, S., & Sherwin, C.M.T. (2024). Effects of Curcuma longa (turmeric) and curcumin on premenstrual syndrome and dysmenorrhea: A systematic review. Journal of Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain Disorders , 16 (1), 33–44. https://doi.org/10.1177/22840265231219331
Shandily, S., Singh, A., & Mathur, N. (2024). Menstrual Cycle and Common Menstrual Problems. In Women's Health: A Comprehensive Guide to Common Health Issues in Women (pp. 44-73). Bentham Science Publishers. https://doi.org/10.2174/9789815256291124010006
Sibley, M. H., Bruton, A. M., Zhao, X., Johnstone, J. M., Mitchell, J., Hatsu, I., ... & Torres, G. (2023). Non-pharmacological interventions for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in children and adolescents. The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health, 7(6), 415-428. https://doi.org/10.1016/s2352-4642(22)00381-9
Silaban, TD, Pratiwi Rahmadhani, S., Riski, M., Applied Health, J., & Dewi Sartika Silaban, T. (2021). Factors Affecting Menstrual Pain . 8 (1), 1–8.
Triningsih, RW, & Mas'udah, EK (2023). Literature Review: Reducing Dysmenorrhea Through Complementary Treatment. Journal of Midwifery , 12 (1), 46–56. https://doi.org/10.47560/keb.v12i1.489
Ulaa, M., Amanda, DS, Health, FI, Science, I., & Muhammadiyah, T. (2022). The Effect of Turmeric Tamarind Drink on Dysmenorrhea . 13 (1), 21–26.
Waghmare, B. V., & Jajoo, S. (2024). Navigating the challenges: A comprehensive review of adolescent gynecological problems. Cureus, 16(3).
Copyright (c) 2025 Journal La Medihealtico
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
