Spa Therapies Of Indonesia
Jamu – Indonesia’s Ancient Elixir:
Jamu is synonymous with Indonesian traditional medicine and is touted as an ancient elixir of life. Despite the lack of scientific proof supporting its wonders, many Indoensians swear by its effectiveness. An estimated 70 to 80 per cent of the Indonesian population drink a glass of jamu daily, but not without a prayer first – jamu is supposedly ineffective without it. As many as 150 ingredients are used to produce jamu, although only a few are usually at any one time. Raw ingredients include the leaves, bark and roots of spices such as ginger, turmeric and cinnamon. Sweeteners such as palm sugar are usually added for the flavour. If the jamu drink is bitter, a sweet drink is offered to counter its unpleasant flavour.
Jamu has four basic functions: to cure illnesses, prevent diseases or maintain health (by promoting blood circulation and increasing metabolism), relieve aches and pains (by reducing inflammation and aiding indigestion), and correct malfunctions (such as infertility and mestrual irregularity). Jamu is available in many different forms. It may be consumed as a tonic, brew or juice; used in body wraps or as a facial mask; and as a massage ointment. Simply put, jamu is an extremely versatile remedy. Modern scientists do not yet know what its active ingredients are, but they do not discourage its consumption as long as its effects are identified and qualified, and most importantly, there are no side-effects. Today, it is common to find jamu gendong (ladies selling jamu) in the streets of Javanese towns. With bottles of jamu in a basket slung over the neck and shoulders with a slendang (carry cloth), the jamu gendong goes from door to door in the villages, helping to keep the age old tradition alive.
