Page 82 - EBOOK_Jamu: The Ancient Indonesian Art of Herbal Healing

highly toxic. Nonetheless, its roots are used in remedies for cholera, asthma and

toothache, while the leaves relieve lower back pain, swelling and rheumatism. In
modern medicinal application, Datura metal is important because it can reduce
spasms by blocking the action of part of the nervous system. Thieves often
prepare a narcotic powder from the seeds to spray over their intended victims
putting them into a deep sleep, but this crime can unwittingly become murder if
the dosage is too strong.
The deceptively pretty pink flowers of the Madagascar periwinkle
(catharanthus roseus) are both a useful healer and a lethal poison. Yet the plant
is revered as a miracle cure for certain forms of cancer. Another questionable
plant is the green, leafy physic nut (Jatropha curcas): Although the psychic nut
is on the who Priority List, its seeds contain two poisons that can burn the throat

and damage the intestines. It is often taken for edema, dropsy, or as a liniment
for rheumatism, skin diseases and hair growth, but accidental cases of poisoning
are still common in Asia.
The four o’clock flower (mirabilis jalapa), so called because it opens in the
late afternoon, has poisonous roots and seeds. Yet the root is taken for chronic
constipation, while its seeds are a mild laxative and, when crushed into a fine
powder, are used to make face powder. The humble pineapple (Ananas sp.) and
lovely yellow allamanda flowers (Allamanda sp.) (great for fevers and

diarrhoea) often cause contact dermatitis. Used correctly, these ‘dangerous
plants’ become efficient healers. But, as in Western medicine, the effectiveness
of a treatment really all depends on the skill of the practitioner.

Dwindling Resources
The greatest problem facing today’s traditional medicine makers is disappearing
raw materials. Most ingredients are found in the wild, and over-exploitation of
these natural resources has meant some medicinal plants have become
endangered. In many cases we have no Western names for these valuable
products. At this moment in time, there are 15 plants vital for many jamu
approaching extinction. Some of these plants may be irreplaceable, and while
rainforests continue to shrink, others are lost before their healing powers are
even discovered.
Pulosari (Alyxia stellata), a white bark found in almost every Javanese

jamu, is under threat. It is often present to mask the taste and smell of other raw
materials but is particularly well known as a remedy for coughs, fever, urinary
problems and gonorrhoea. The same danger applies to sintok (cinnamomum
sintoc), a reddish-brown bark prescribed for many illnesses, including diarrhoea,