Page 36 - EBOOK_Jamu: The Ancient Indonesian Art of Herbal Healing

CHAPTER 2

Jamu in Daily Life

DESPITE THE DIVERSE RANGE OF OPINIONS ON THIS SENSITIVE

TOPIC, THERE IS ONE COMMON PERCEPTION—THE MOST POPULAR
TYPES OF JAMU ENHANCE AND IMPROVE SEXUAL PERFORMANCE.

So, what exactly is jamu? An easy reply to this question is jamu is Indonesian

herbal medicine. But the answer is not that simple, particularly as it is widely
believed that jamu is nothing more than a powerful aphrodisiac. Mention jamu in
Asia and reactions vary from total dismissal and distrust, to amusement,
knowing smiles or perhaps a lengthy discourse on its benefits. Even in
Indonesia, people cannot agree on a definition. Everyone knows what jamu is,
but each person draws the line in a different place between jamu, medicine and
cosmetics. Each jamu may be applied in more than one way; its use depends on

the complaint or need. It can be a herbal drink taken to prevent sickness, the
answer to chronic illness or an infusion, distillation, brew or paste to treat
lifeless hair.
Jamu has also been described as homeopathic medicine. Certainly, there are
similarities: both are holistic and plant-based. But the similarity ends there;
homeopathy’s basic principle of diluting the remedy with upwards of 99 parts
alcohol hardly fits with jamu-making techniques or Islamic laws on alcohol.
Jamu covers a dazzling array of drinks, pills, capsules and powders said to cure
nearly every disease known to man. Indonesian Department of Health officials
describes it as “any curing mixture that is taken internally”—certainly a neat
definition. Healthcare professionals have their own interpretations, whilst many

small-scale producers and even large-scale manufacturers categorize their
cosmetics and beauty products as jamu.
Jamu can be used on its own or in conjunction with other healing
techniques such as massage. Its advantage is that, if correctly administered, it
has no side effects and, according to most Javanese, it is highly effective.
Despite the diverse range of opinions on this sensitive topic, there is one
common perception—the most popular types of jamu enhance and improve