Page 164 - EBOOK_Jamu: The Ancient Indonesian Art of Herbal Healing

Ideally jamu should be stored in clean, dry, cool conditions, away from direct

sunlight. Reputable manufacturers always ensure packaging is tightly sealed to
protect contents from moisture and humidity. Since they are organic, jamu
ingredients are easily contaminated. For instance, if jamu becomes too wet,
mould appears. This explains why moisture is carefully controlled during
production; were this overlooked, large quantities of jamu would not reach the
customer in good condition. In addition, international standards for hardness and
disintegration time (the time it takes for tablets to dissolve in the stomach) are
laid down for jamu pills and tablets.

New Directions
As companies look to the future, new products are appearing. For example, the
growing demand for health foods has encouraged manufacturers to develop
herbal products that may also be classified as food. These include teas for
slimming, relaxation, fluid retention and the common cold.

PROFILE OF AN INDUSTRY GIANT