Page 60 - EBOOK_Jamu: The Ancient Indonesian Art of Herbal Healing

paracetamol) to the blender with every glass of jamu even though it is illegal to

mix jamu with chemical drugs. On its own, this is not such a bad thing as many
Western doctors recommend a small dosage of paracetamol each day. The real
problem is that good jamu is so carefully concocted that if it is tampered with,
toxic chemical reactions are liable to occur.

Pharmacists on the staff of Indonesia’s major cosmetic and herbal medicine
manufacturers warn against jamu that is not stored properly. When jamu
becomes damp, perfect conditions exist for poisonous fungi to develop in the
bottle or packet. For this reason, manufacturers seal their packets and bottles
thoroughly and instruct retailers not to exceed the sell-by dates.
Currently there is no systematic approach to traditional medicine in
Indonesia, which is why manufacturer Martina Berto has set up scientific
procedures to standardize jamu at every stage of research and production. Before
launching a new product, the research and development staff test the jamu by
taking the recommended dose themselves. It will only be launched if no negative

physiological effects result. In addition, they carry out efficacy as well as
toxicity studies (including acute and sub-acute toxicity studies) and the product
is carefully monitored once it enters the marketplace. They are not alone in
moving towards more stringent regulations: major competitors such as Nyonya
Meneer have also instigated quality controls that inspire confidence. There are
charlatans in any country and the Indonesian Jamu Association constantly warns
the public against using illegally manufactured products and advises buying
exclusively from the 500 brands on its own register.