Page 33 - EBOOK_Jamu: The Ancient Indonesian Art of Herbal Healing

a decade ago; in fact, therapies such as acupuncture, Reiki, acupressure,

massage, the taking of herbal teas and elixirs, have become— if not mainstream
—certainly perfectly acceptable. All this is good news for those who want to see
Indonesia’s herbal medicine out in the open—and available in the wider world.

AN INTERVIEW WITH SOEDARMILAH SOEPARTO OF JAMU DARMI

Soedarmilah Soeparto is the name behind Jamu Darmi (see story on page 152), a small but successful
and well respected jamu production company located in a suburb of Central Jakarta. As with many
such companies, it grows its own supply of medicinal herbs (see left). In a question and answer
session taken from her lectures, the founder answered some commonly-asked questions about jamu.
Does jamu have any harmful side effects?
There are no side effects or harm because genuine jamu is made only of herbs, unadulterated
by chemicals and artificial fillings, not spoiled by modern processing. The natural balance of the
active enzymes and vitamins gives the human body its wholesome effect.
Is it all right to take different types of jamu?
Depending on your needs, it is perfectly all right to combine jamu intake. For example, a
woman who intends to lose weight can alternate between Galian Lansing and Kempes Perut.
Is it dangerous to go above the recommended dose?
No. The recommended dosage is usually the minimum dosage that will allow the jamu to take
effect quickly. For quicker results, a higher dose can be taken without harm. However, in cases like
Kempes Perut, very high doses can cause diarrhoea. A reduction in the dose is required if the jamu
causes diarrhoea.
Is jamu heaty?
Complaints about heatiness of jamu could be due to individuals not being used to the high
dosage recommended. In this case, it would be advisable to start on a lower dose so the body gets
used to jamu and slowly increase the intake.
Is it harmful to take jamu during menstruation?
No, although it is advisable to avoid taking jamu during this period as it might upset the
system.
Is jamu intake addictive?