Jamu: The Ancient Indonesian Art of Herbal Healing

by Susan-Jane Beers

An integrated system of inner and outer health and beauty, Indonesian jamu has a 1,200-year-old history, yet it is virtually unknown outside of thatcountry. Now, an experienced writer has devoted herself to understanding jamu: its history, its applications, and its potential for use outside its native environment. Jamu can be found across a broad spectrum of Indonesian life, from home kitchen pharmacies to the personal traveling kits of multinational CEOs. With jamu's reach extending into medicine, massage therapy, and cosmetics, this book chronicles how this holistic practice is used, the materials and ingredients it employs, and its rich background dating back to the ancient Javanese palaces where it was perfected.

Author Biography: Susan-Jane Beers is an Asia-based writer for a variety of regional magazines. She researched this book while living in Indonesia from 1990 to 1995 and is committed to demystifying and promoting the use of jamu internationally.

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.