Page 142 - EBOOK_Jamu: The Ancient Indonesian Art of Herbal Healing

cure is so popular that extract of mistletoe, Eurixor, is available from pharmacies. Since early 1991,
he began taking two to four raw daun dewa leaves (leaf of divinity; Gynura procumbens var.
Macrophylla) daily.

Known in Java as sambung nyawa (“prolonging the soul or life”), the leaves are often also
prescribed for removing warts, allergies, itching, stomach complaints, wounds, high blood pressure,
cholesterol, and even bee stings. The healing element is saponin in the leaves.
Dr Asmino was a consultant to Yayasan Wisnuwardhana, a charity that treats cancer patients
using Hyoko mushrooms and shark cartilage. “Finally I am so convinced of the therapeutic qualities
of these two treatments that I have stopped looking for other cancer cures,” he said. “Using these, I
feel happy, healthy, like a fish in water.”

JAMU MAKER TO THE STARS

The warmth and friendliness of Pak Suryo Ing Alogo are, upon meeting him, immediately apparent.
A spiritual strength seems to radiate from the man, making one aware of his intelligence and the
power of his personality.
Pak Suryo is a well-known maker of traditional Indonesian remedies. Just 15 years ago, he
was equally famous as one of Indonesia’s leading film producers. The events which changed his life
began the morning he successfully negotiated the contract for a new film. This achievement should
have been cause for celebration; however, by that evening, his euphoria had strangely disappeared
and Pak Suryo was in turmoil. He had received a strong and unusual message, which he believed
came from God.
Pak Suryo belonged to a non-political spiritual group for years and was used to listening out
for messages. He explains: “The purpose of the spiritual group was for members to communicate
directly with God without an intermediary.” Pak Suryo learned to accept that when he prayed for
guidance and none was forthcoming, it was God’s way of saying that whatever he sought was not his
destiny at that time. However, now, he was receiving a message, and it was urging him to help people
by making jamu. After much thought, he decided to ignore the message and he continued to make
films until, suddenly, he became ill. Despite the symptoms, doctors were unable to diagnose his
sickness, let alone cure it. His condition deteriorated, and in total despair, Pak Suryo turned, once
again, to God.
“I said to God: take my life, I am completely in your hands. Instantly I felt the pressure to
become a jamu expert returning; it was stronger than ever.” This time he vowed he would follow the
instruction. “The following morning, I awoke to find the symptoms had completely disappeared,” he
exclaimed. “Everything felt normal again.” Puzzled doctors checked Pak Suryo repeatedly and
pronounced him 100 per cent fit. He was discharged, and began the preparation to start making jamu
while still continuing his film career.
To his amazement, Pak Suryo found once he began, research was unnecessary—knowledge
simply appeared. Whatever he needed to know about roots, plants, herbs and formulæ was instantly
available in his head. Quantities presented themselves to him as he strove to follow God’s will. He
swears his only contribution was to learn Latin to identify the scientific names of jamu ingredients,
and even that came easily to him. He had only to read a book once and he would remember it by
heart. There was no doubt in Pak Suryo’s mind—he had been chosen as an instrument of God.
Word spread quickly and Pak Suryo’s practice grew. He discovered he could treat many
illnesses, including those which defeated orthodox medicine. To his surprise, Pak Suryo realized he
could also tell when a patient was the victim of black magic. “Of course I never informed them,” he