Jamu: The Ancient Indonesian Art of Herbal Healing

by Susan-Jane Beers

Indonesian jamu—part of an integrated system of inner and outer health and beauty, encompassing powders, pills, ointments, lotions, massage and ancient folklore—is unknown to most Westerners. How, when, where and why were these treatments developed? And, what is so special about them?

Through the pages of this book you'll learn about the closed world of ancient Javanese palaces where Indonesian jamu was perfected. You meet the healers and jamu makers whose skills have been passed from generation to generation and learn about their cures. Advice is offered on where to find these age-old remedies, including formulae that can be made safely at home. The information here is for people who wish to find out more about Indonesian health and beauty, draw their own conclusions and even try jamu for themselves.

An integrated system of inner and outer health and beauty, Indonesian jamu has a 1,200-year-old history, yet little is known about it outside this diverse island nation. The first book to comprehensively explore the background, materials and application of this holistic approach, Jamu: The Ancient Indonesian Art of Herbal Healing is the culmination of ten years of research and more than 100 interviews with practitioners and producers—from housewives in kitchen apothecaries to CEOs of multinational corporations. Its publication coincides with the increasing availability in the West of modern preparations of these time-honored herbal remedies. Encompassing medicine, massage, cosmetics and folklore, jamu is as applicable to today's lifestyles as it was in the rarefied world of the ancient Javanese palaces where it was perfected.

Complemented by explanatory photographs shot on location, Jamu is the first definitive reference to this exotic yet practical healthcare system.

Genres: Nonfiction

192 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2001

Reviews

[Deasy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got recommendation about this book from my friend. I am Indonesian, I drinked jamu since I was a kid. I know about jamu more when I lived at Jogjakarta during my college. Find this book, and read it make me remember Beringharjo Market at Jogjakarta, the place where you can find many kind of spices and share about health and got recipes from the sellers.

As foreigners, I admit, the writer understands very well about Indonesian Jamu, all the recipes that written in the book were spices in our kitchen. This book also make me remember about the grandmother recipes and make me start to use Jamu again as my regular tonic.

[Ola · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have never known more about jamu than I do right now

[Dave · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is very informative about Jamus and Jamu related things in Indonesian culture. Some parts are a bit scattered in their placement in the book but overall, if you’re looking to learn about Indonesian herbal medicines then this is a great resource.

[Micheline · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice overview of the philosophy and history of jamu. Not so much in terms of recipes and practical knowledge

[Maki]

I enjoyed the details of plants used for jamu but, as I'm Betawi and Javanese, I felt alienated by the constant reference to Indonesia's 'exotic,' 'mystical' culture, the elevation of colonizers above pribumi, and the lack of nuance when discussing the colonial times. There were also a few gross exaggerations and over-generalisations. A book by a white woman for white women with some useful info and some jumping-off points.

[Anwari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good for health.

[Andre Hermanto · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good:
* Complete overview of Indonesian traditional medicine and health industry.
* Plenty interesting anecdotes.

Bad:
* Some non-sense such as claims of supernatural powers are also covered.