Bottom line: The top local remedy for cooling down in Bali is Loloh Cemcem (herbal juice)—a blend of Cemcem leaves, palm sugar, cinnamon, and tamarind, offering a sweet, sour, and slightly salty taste. You can find it in Ubud and other areas. Alternatively, opt for green coconut water (high in electrolytes, low in sugar) or mung bean porridge (Bubur Kacang Hijau) from street stalls, which helps with diuresis and detox, proving more effective than plain water for relieving heat exhaustion symptoms.
When traveling in Bali, heat exhaustion (Indonesian: Kelelahan panas) or heatstroke is quite common due to the humid tropical climate. Besides the standard advice of finding shade and drinking plenty of water, Bali has some unique local remedies to help you recover quickly:
1. Local ‘Cooling’ Drinks in Bali
Balinese people have many traditional herbal drinks (called Loloh) that are highly effective for reducing internal heat and replenishing fluids:
- Loloh Cemcem (Herbal Juice): This is Bali’s most authentic cooling drink, especially found in Ubud or Penglipuran. It’s green in color, with a sweet, sour, and slightly salty taste, made from Cemcem leaves (a local medicinal herb), palm sugar, cinnamon, and tamarind. Locals believe it effectively relieves ‘internal heat’ (Panas Dalam).
- Kelapa Muda (Fresh Coconut Water): This is the easiest natural electrolyte to find. Opt for ‘green coconut’ (Kelapa Hijau), which has lower sugar content and very high electrolytes. After drinking, ask the vendor to scoop out the coconut meat—it has a moisturizing effect.
- Jamu Kunyit Asam (Turmeric Tamarind Drink): This bright yellow herbal drink is available at most supermarkets and street stalls. Turmeric has anti-inflammatory properties, while tamarind offers excellent cooling effects for the body.
2. Local Dietary Recommendations
- Bubur Kacang Hijau (Mung Bean Porridge): Small roadside stalls (Warung) in Bali often sell this warm or iced mung bean porridge. Mung beans are a recognized cooling food in tropical countries, helping with diuresis and detox.
- Tamarind Candy: If you feel slightly nauseous or dizzy, eating a sour tamarind candy can stimulate saliva production and ease discomfort.
3. Unique Local Therapies
- Boreh Herbal Wrap: While traditional Boreh is meant to warm the body and expel dampness, some spas offer a
Cooling Boreh
made with cucumber, aloe vera, or sandalwood. Applied to overheated skin, it quickly lowers body temperature and helps repair sunburn.
- Balinese Massage: After mild heat exhaustion, blood circulation may be poor. Once your body temperature has dropped slightly, a gentle massage can help relax tense muscles (but avoid it if you still have a high fever).
4. A Modern Bali Travel
Solution
: IV Drip Therapy
In tourist areas of Bali (such as Canggu, Seminyak, or Ubud), IV therapy has become very popular. If you are severely dehydrated and extremely weak, professional hospitals like BIMC or Siloam—or even Balinese doctors offering in-room service—can administer an IV drip containing saline, vitamin C, and electrolytes. This often provides significant relief from heat exhaustion symptoms within an hour.
💡 Emergency Guide
If you experience confusion, a body temperature above 40°C (104°F), or an inability to sweat, this may be severe heatstroke. Seek medical attention immediately.
Can You Get a Massage or Spa Treatment After Heat Exhaustion?
- Fever or high body temperature: Massage stimulates blood circulation and speeds up metabolism, which can further raise body temperature and worsen heat exhaustion.
- Severe dehydration, dizziness, or vomiting: When the body is extremely weak, the stimulation from massage (even gentle) can cause blood pressure fluctuations and lead to fainting.
- Severe sunburn: Bali’s sun is intense, and heatstroke often comes with sunburn. Massaging at this point can overly irritate damaged skin, causing pain or inflammation.
2. Massage Tips for the Recovery Phase (After Body Temperature Returns to Normal)
Once you’ve rested in a cool spot, rehydrated with water and electrolytes, and your body temperature is back to normal, you can selectively enjoy a spa—but keep these precautions in mind:
- ❌ Avoid heat-based treatments: Absolutely skip the sauna, steam room, or hot stone massage.
- ❌ Avoid traditional Boreh: Traditional Balinese Boreh herbal wraps often contain
warming
ingredients like ginger and cloves, which are meant to expel cold—but for someone recovering from heatstroke, it’s like adding fuel to the fire.
- ✅ Choose cooling treatments: Look for Aloe Vera, Cucumber, or Sandalwood-based cooling wraps. These help physically cool the skin and replenish moisture.
- ✅ Gentle acupressure: Light massage on the head or neck can ease heatstroke-related headaches, but keep the pressure very gentle.
3. Special Tips for Spa Visits in Bali
Before booking a massage in Bali, it’s a good idea to communicate with your therapist:
