Medicine and magic

Tiger parts have long been used in Asian systems of traditional medicine and magic purposes. Tiger skins, claws and canine teeth are valued as status symblos, novelties and sold as souvenirs.

The following list shows their uses in traditional Asian medicinal and some of the more superstitious and magical practices in Sumatra.

By far the most valuable parts of a tiger are:

Bones: Ground into powder to be taken with a glass of warm water. It is used to treat rheumatism and head aches.
Skin: used to protect the owner from black magic and used by Shaman to cast black magic spells on others. Tiger skin wall hangings are also a very popular status symbol.

However, it's not just the skin and bones. These parts of the tiger are also popular:

Canines: Some local people believe tiger canines provide good luck and protective powers to those who wear them
Claws: Local people believe tiger claws provide good luck and protective powers to those who wear them
Whiskers: Whiskers are believed to have magical powers to protect those who possess it from malicious curses
Tail: is said to protect one from curses if kept in the home
Eyebrows: The eyebrows are said to be very powerful and have the ability to protect the owner from evil and give them strength
Penis: The penis when cooked in wine is said to have aphrodisiac powers
Flesh: Flesh is cooked and eaten to treat skin diseases. Farmers burn small strips of flesh around the edge of a field to keep wild pigs away