Page 83 - EBOOK_Jamu: The Ancient Indonesian Art of Herbal Healing

insect bites and syphilis.

Temu mangga (curcuma mangga) is a favourite culinary seasoning. It
doubles up as a remedy for stomach problems and fever, but is almost impossible
to buy in local markets nowadays. masoyi (cryptocarya massoy), a popular
perfume for incense and also widely used for cramps during pregnancy, is fast
disappearing as well. Jenitri (elaeocarpus ganitrus) is the Java laurel tree; its
gall is used for treating white vaginal discharge and pus in the womb, and the
tree is becoming scarce.

One of the stalwarts of slimming jamu, the bastard cedar (guazuma
ulmifolia; jati belanda), is now in danger. The same is true of kayu rapet
(parameria laevigata), the bark used in recipes to keep a woman’s body and
complexion in beautiful condition. Its prime function is to dry and tighten the
vagina. It is a favourite product of many Indonesian women who will, however,

feign embarrassment at the mention of the name and suggest that this jamu is
“only for bad girls”.
Burahol (Stelechocarpus burahol), whose fruit removes smell from the
urine, is also part of this sorry tale, as is purwoceng (pimpinella alpina), which
(as its name suggests) grows high up in the mountains. It is considered a
wonderful aphrodisiac and impotency cure, and goes into countless remedies.
Kikoneng (Arcangelisia flava) has, in its stem, chemical components useful for
treating jaundice, mouth ulcers and smallpox, while the seeds are an antidote for

poisoning. Its numbers are also decreasing.
Well-known names on the endangered species list are the perfumes,
sandalwood (Santalum album) and musk mallow (Abelmoschus moschatus;
gandapura or fragrance of the palace). Apart from adding their famous scents to
jamu cosmetics, they soften skin, are used in face powders and can effectively