Indonesian Herbal Healing: The Science and Lore of Jamu Herbal Preparations and Treatments

by Susan-Jane Beers

Overview

Indonesian herbal preparations and treatments are part of an integrated system of inner and outer healthcare and beauty encompassing natural herbal drinks, powders, ointments, lotions, massage and folklore.

The herbal tonics—specifically known as jamu—are drunk daily. In the pages of this book, you'll learn about the world of ancient Javanese palaces where Indonesian Jamu was perfected, the healers and Jamu makers whose skills have been passed down for generations, and the natural ingredients and herbs used in Jamu preparations. You'll also learn how Jamu is used in Indonesia and about dozens of preparations and treatments you can use at home.

This book is the result of ten years of research and over 100 interviews with Jamu practitioners and producers—from housewives and home apothecaries to the CEOs of multinational corporations who produce Jamu products for export. It is lavishly illustrated with over 100 photographs and is the first definitive book on this subject.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780804857734
Publisher:	Tuttle Publishing
Publication date:	10/08/2024
Pages:	192
Product dimensions:	5.12(w) x 8.00(h) x 0.00(d)

About the Author

Susan-Jane Beers is an Irish-born writer with a background in public relations and journalism. Educated in England, she worked in London until 1987 then moved to Asia. While living in Indonesia in the 1990s, she became interested in Indonesian traditional medicine when it solved a chronic ailment she had within days. This led her to embark on ten years of in-depth research into the archipelago's traditional health and beauty treatments; the result is this book. Beers also writes for regional magazines, including Artention, The Peak and B International in Hong Kong and Expat magazine in Singapore.

Read an Excerpt

Chapter Two: Jamu in Daily Life
"DESPITE THE DIVERSE RANGE OF OPINIONS ON THIS SENSITIVE TOPIC, THERE IS ONE COMMON PERCEPTION—THE MOST POPULAR TYPES OF JAMU ARE USED TO ENHANCE AND IMPROVE SEXUAL PERFORMANCE"

So, what exactly is jamu? An easy reply to this question is jamu is Indonesian herbal medicine. But the answer is not that simple, particularly as it is widely believed that jamu is nothing more than a powerful aphrodisiac. Mention jamu in Asia and reactions vary from total dismissal and distrust, to amusement, knowing smiles or perhaps a lengthy discourse on its benefits. Even in Indonesia, people cannot agree on a definition. Everyone knows what jamu is, but each person draws the line in a different place between jamu, medicine and cosmetics. Each jamu may be applied in more than one way; its use depends on the complaint or need. It can be an herbal drink taken to prevent sickness, the answer to chronic illness or an infusion, distillation, brew or paste to treat lifeless hair.

Jamu has also been described as homeopathic medicine. Certainly, there are similarities: both are holistic and plant-based. But the similarity ends there; homeopathy's basic principle of diluting the remedy with upwards of 99 parts alcohol hardly fits with jamu-making techniques or Islamic laws on alcohol. Jamu covers a dazzling array of drinks, pills, capsules and powders said to cure nearly every disease known to man. Indonesian Department of Health officials describe it as "any curing mixture that is taken internally"—certainly a neat definition. Healthcare professionals have their own interpretations, whilst many small-scale producers and even large-scale manufacturers categorize their cosmetics and beauty products as jamu.

Jamu can be used on its own or in conjunction with other healing techniques such as massage. Its advantage is that, if correctly administered, it has no side effects and, according to most Javanese, it is highly effective.