Page 166 - EBOOK_Jamu: The Ancient Indonesian Art of Herbal Healing

the country there are stores specializing in jamu.

HEALTH NOTES

Tests conducted at Widya Mandala University, Surabaya, on jamu supplied by jamu gendong in
markets around Surabaya, revealed that 80 per cent of the potions were below the Department of
Health standards. The researchers concluded that incorrectly stored raw materials and lack of clean
water were responsible for this high level of contamination. Whilst most jamu gendong would be
slighted if you cast doubts on the safety of their products, others, usually through ignorance, do not
always apply the same diligence to their ingredients and jamu. It is, therefore, always wisest to visit a
well-respected and personally recommended jamu gendong.

The Indonesian jamu shop is ubiquitous, but is concentrated in regions with
a strong tradition in herbal medicine, the expertise, raw materials and, of course,
customers who have been taking jamu since they were born. Large and varied
populations in cities such as Jakarta, Surabaya, Bandung and Yogyakarta result

in a high demand for jamu. Universities here have designated centres for jamu
research and clinical trials, thereby publicizing the benefits of traditional
medicine. Bogor, south of Jakarta, is a special case because its cooler climate is
ideal for growing medicinal plants. Ironically, few Sundanese who live in the
area know much about making jamu.
Solo, Yogyakarta, Semarang and Surabaya are big jamu centres. People in
both Central and East Java have inherited herbal medicine skills, so jamu shops
are extremely common in Solo and Yogyakarta. These shops stay open late into

the night and usually sell fresh as well as packaged jamu. Would-be jamu buyers
are aware that whatever their size, style or location, jamu shops in most cities
attempt to come up with a sensible answer to a health problem. In some places,
one brand of jamu is sold exclusively. For instance, Cap Jago jamu products are
sold at a busy outlet in Solo that resembles a juice bar. The atmosphere is very
social and drinks are served into the small hours. Another shop, Akar Sari, is
owned by a small factory on the outskirts of Solo. This shop successfully blends
modern retailing with the jamu tradition; its open front, displaying all its wares,
helps attract customers.