Page 41 - EBOOK_Jamu: The Ancient Indonesian Art of Herbal Healing

body—means that both illness and medicines are divided into hot and cold

categories. The herbalist’s skill lies in contrasting a hot illness with the
appropriate cold medicine and vice versa; hot medicine cures a cold illness and
cold medicine is recommended for a hot illness. Jamu prescriptions always
follow this rule, which is why there is a catalogue of antonyms: hot and cold;
sweet and sour; bitter and sugary; strong and weak. Similarly, if a formula is
developed to treat a specific problem in one organ of the body, the effect on the
rest of the system must always be taken into consideration. The numerous
leaves, roots or barks in a single jamu comprise three categories: the main
ingredients, the supporting ingredients and those that are added simply to
improve the taste of the jamu. Once mixed and administered, all the ingredients
interact together to work on the symptoms.

Jamu has four basic functions. It treats particular illnesses (problems as
varied as kidney stones, cervical cancer or diarrhoea); it maintains continuing
good health (through the promotion of blood circulation and increased
metabolism); it relieves aches and pains (by reducing inflammation or by aiding
digestive problems); and it also addresses particular malfunctions in the body
(such as lack of fertility or unpleasant body odour). Sometimes it can be multi-
functional: for example, a jamu may be a general tonic, but it also acts as an
antiseptic to prevent stomach infections.

Jamu is not an overnight remedy. Results can only be achieved with regular
use over a period of time. And because the ‘cure’ is gradual, patients do not
usually experience any side effects. Some jamu are made from poisonous herbs
and if they are not made up and administered correctly, they can be potentially
toxic. The herbalist’s art lies in knowing how to neutralize these poisonous
elements to produce a powerful and curative medicine. Sometimes, jamu will be