Page 147 - EBOOK_Jamu: The Ancient Indonesian Art of Herbal Healing

Throughout her life, jamu is a woman’s support system: it guarantees a
harmonious home life and is the answer to physical problems. There is Jamu
Langsing, which removes excess fats and liquids; Galian Singset, which tones
the body and tightens muscles; and Jamu Parem, which helps the body stay
sexily curvy if a woman becomes too thin. For exhaustion there are potions such
as Kolasom, a tonic wine. The choice of jamu is endless. Mustika Ratu’s Jamu
Sedet Saliro, for example, contains jati belanda leaves (bastard cedar)and bengle

(purple ginger; zingiber cassumunar), both of which are known to keep the
female body firm and slim. Jamu Pare Anom, made from bunga srigading
(flower from the tree of sadness; nyctanthes arbortristis), helps a woman stay
young, while botor (a type of bean; psophocarpus tetragonolobus) is for fine,
glowing skin.

Pregnancy, Post-Natal Care and the Later Years
Jamu Hamil Muda (early-pregnancy jamu) will see expectant mothers safely
through the first six months of pregnancy. For the remaining weeks, she should
switch to Jamu Hamil Tua (late-pregnancy jamu). After birth, maternity jamu,
like Jamu Darmi’s Galian Luntur, purifies the blood, cleanses the womb and
fights off infection during the seven days after delivery. Galian Bersalin then
strengthens the womb and helps restore the body to its former shape. If the
womb is not properly cleaned, the mother may experience irregular periods and
painful, swollen breasts, which indicate impurities still remain. For this, Jamu
Luntur or Jamu Nifas is used because it contains a mild abortifacient which

thoroughly cleanses the womb. A herbal sit-bath to soothe and restore swollen
tissue helps. The mother is also encouraged to do vaginal exercises to strengthen
the muscles.