Page 79 - EBOOK_Jamu: The Ancient Indonesian Art of Herbal Healing

body care preparations. For instance, it is an ingredient in Galian Kempes Perut,

which slims by removing fats, cleansing the blood and eliminating waste. It is
also found in Galian Singset, guaranteed to make the body firm and tight,
internally and externally, by removing liquids rather than fats. It is an even-
tempered plant that grows in most places between one to 500 metres (three feet
to 1,500 feet). Whilst temu lawak is cultivated in Java, it can still be found
growing wild in the teak forests elsewhere in the Indonesian archipelago.

Lempuyang (lempuyang pahit; Zingiber amaricans and lempuyang wangi;
Zingiber aromaticum)
The last of the high profile gingers is lempuyang, also without a common
English name though it is sometimes called wild or bitter ginger. The principle
task of this plant is to warm the body and increase muscle flexibility. It is known
for its strong flavour and extremely biting, bitter taste. This makes it a popular
appetiser seasoning, because it activates taste buds. Consequently, juice from
lempuyang roots is often prescribed as medicine to stimulate the appetite after
illness.

Draughts are prescribed for stomach pains accompanied by cramps in the
legs. lempuyang is applied externally to treat fever and numbness in the feet. The
rhizome’s irritants draw blood to a certain part of the body by over-stimulating
blood vessels and nerves. This causes the skin to redden, thus increasing the
blood flow and cleansing the tissues of toxins.
The root is frequently used to heal infections after childbirth and it is an
effective tonic. Crushed lempuyang mixed with coconut oil and ash becomes a

paste that is smeared over hard swellings to reduce the inflammation. Change the
ingredients to lempuyang, roasted red onions and liquorice strained through a
cloth and it becomes a cure for whooping cough—another example of jamu’s
versatility. lempuyang is an active ingredient in Jamu Pria Awet Muda (Forever
Young jamu). Until recently, this formula was the exclusive property of Javanese
royalty and one of the secrets of their excellent health, youthful looks and long
life. Temu lawak is put into the male version that keeps men fit, virile and
energetic whatever their age. Ladies of the court have their own variety called
Wanita Awet Muda, but this formula is based on ginger and kayu pahit
(translated as bitter bark), a green shrub (Strychnos ligustrina).

A Cornucopia of Spices
Spices used in jamu include cinnamon, nutmeg, mace, cloves, fennel, black and
white pepper, cardamom, coriander, cumin and caraway seeds, together with
herbs such as basil, dried tamarind fruit and brown or white sugar. With the