Page 152 - EBOOK_Jamu: The Ancient Indonesian Art of Herbal Healing

Kamal, which had been advertised on television and were purportedly made specially for allergies by
a company named Borobudur. Kamal worked—her hands were cured in three days.
The instructions on the pack stated: “Very effective for skin diseases such as itch, scabies, skin
rash, allergy, itch caused by louse (infested) water etc, and to protect from mosquito bite and so speed
up the curing process of wound.” The makers emphasize active alkaloid ingredients in their herbs
produce excellent results for skin disorders. June’s hands did periodically suffer again but a course of
Kamal always remedied the problem. June’s conclusion?
“If you find the right jamu, it seems to work when other products don’t!”

The Most Popular Ingredients
In all, 64 species of plants are used in traditional cosmetics, which can be
divided into five groups: face, beauty, hair, body care and medicated cosmetics.
Nearly all double as medicines. The various gingers are by far the most
frequently used ingredients in face products and medicated cosmetics; turmeric
is a favourite for body care and often also appears in medicated cosmetics.

Urang-aring (false daisy; eclipta prostrata) was used by Indian women as
early as AD 600. Indonesians most likely adopted the Indian method of pounding
its leaves with coconut oil to produce a hair tonic that stimulates growth and
prevents greying. It is also excellent for skin complaints, breathing problems and
liver disease. remujung (cat’s whiskers; orthosiphon aristatus) and daun sendok
(rat tail; plantago major) are anti-inflammatory astringents that dry, tone and
cleanse, and thus are perfect for skin care products that eliminate pimples.
Medically, they are used for bladder complaints and for purifying the blood. Rat
tail is often recommended for wounds and bites.