Jamu - Herbal Immune Booster

This is the exciting story of “Jamu Gendong”, the lady vendors selling Jamu, that herbal immune booster drink from door to door, by carrying it on their back. They’ve been doing it for generations as it’s a part of Indonesian culture.

The General public tends to ignore the power of plant-based medicines, correct? Indeed, it’s a fact! Doctors and health practitioners around the globe advised people to boost the immune system. That’s when people started looking for herbal drinks and medicines like Jamu. The challenge is to get these herbal medicines or drinks in the most natural form.

It’s time for Jamu

The centuries-old traditional Indonesian herbal drink, comes back into the limelight!

The world came to know about this herbal drink after the famous molecular biologist, Chairul Anwar Nidom, released his research paper. He’d mentioned that drinking “Jamu” as a healthy drink will boost the immune system. Indeed, it’ll make your biological system stronger to combat deadly diseases.

Doctors and health practitioners around the globe advised people to boost the immune system. That’s when people started looking for herbal drinks and medicines. This herbal drink is in demand all over Indonesia. People know the health benefit of this drink and how it boosts the immune system. Thus, local Jamu sellers had a good time as they’d doubled their sales.

But, what’s there in this juice?

It’s a mix of multiple herbal ingredients like tamarind, galangal, ginger, and turmeric.

We’ll dive deeper to learn more about this traditional health drink. Indeed, according to Indonesian history, locals are consuming it for over a thousand years. But why it’s such a potent herbal drink? What’s the story of Jamu Gendong, the lady who sells this herbal medicine to every door. Let’s start by learning more about this Miraculous Herbal Health Drink, power-packed with tons of healthy benefits.

The ancient history of Jamu

To unfold the ancient history of this unique plant-based herbal drink Jamu, we’ve to travel date-back to the 13th century. During the famous Mataram Kingdom reign, people considered it a therapeutic drink for its miraculous healing power.

It’s a home-made traditional herbal drink, and the art to prepare it is itself a legend. It’s taught orally from mothers to their daughters for generations after generation. The lady seller will fill the drink inside an unlabelled glass bottle and visit door-to-door to sell it, or you’ll find vendor stalls in streets selling them.

It’s the unique preparation technique and the mix of the natural ingredients that make it a super-health drink.

You’ll be surprised to know that they’re over three hundred different recipes. Furthermore, every recipe comes with a unique preparation and health benefits.

Interesting Facts About Jamu

With the surge of COVID 19 all over the globe, this herbal drink is in demand all over Indonesia. People know the health benefit of this drink and how it boosts the immune system. Thus, local Jamu sellers had a good time as they’d doubled their sales. Indeed, it’s good for everyone to rely on herbal medicines over cosmetic drugs.

If you explore the medical history, you’ll also find many eminent German physicists and Dutch authors wrote about Jamu. Today, the statistics say that nearly 80% of the locals drink it daily. You can even order a fresh glass of Jamu drink while you visit any cafe; it’s common to see!

How is Jamu selling all over the country?

If you’re wondering how this unique herbal health drink sells all over Indonesia, we’ll not be surprised.

It’s an exciting story of “Jamu Gendong,” where the world “Gendong” means carrying something on the back. The Jamu seller got this name as they take it on their back inside a rattan basket and move around door-to-door.

You’ll also find people selling this beneficial herbal drink on the market stalls or streets.

What are the Ingredients used in Jamu?

Since it’s a herbal drink, it contains various natural ingredients with medicinal values. Some of them are:

• Jahe /Ginger
• Kunyit / Turmeric
• Temulawak (Javanese-Turmeric)
• Sambang Darah
• Brotowali leaves
• Cinnamon barks
• Ylang-Ylang (Cananga odorata) flowers, and others.

However, the most popular is Turmeric Jamu. You can make it by mixing fresh lime juice and honey with turmeric, dry or boiled.

Health Benefits of Jamu 

This traditional natural immune-booster drink comes with tons of health benefits. We’re listing the most significant ones for you.

• Anti-Inflammatory Properties

One of the primary ingredients is Turmeric. Do you know that it’s one of the most popular herbs used in ancient Ayurveda? Turmeric is power-packed with Anti-Inflammatory Properties as it contains curcumin. There are proven results showing that people using turmeric get relief from pain, headaches, osteoarthritis, bowel disease, and other diseases. Almost in all Jamu recipes, you’ll find this herb because of its health benefits, that make it a super-drink.

• Keeps Heart Healthy

If you want to keep your body healthy in a natural way, this herbal drink can be a savoir.

Turmeric, when mixed with tamarind, boosts the cardiovascular system and keeps the heart healthy. It’s for the potassium content present in tamarind. Furthermore, you’ll also find the taste of honey and ginger in this drink. Both of these are good for heart health.

• Power-packed with Antioxidants

Tamarind and honey both are high in Antioxidants. Thus, it’ll help you rejuvenate your skin when you consume them together, increase the vitamin c levels and iron content. Therefore, you’ll start glowing naturally and remain full of energy.

• Keeps your Liver and Kidney healthy

If you are on a lousy diet and living an unhealthy life–style, you’ve to detox yourself. Once you start consuming Jamu drink regularly, you don’t have to worry about it.