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Jamu Scientific
Many people in Indonesia rely on jamu (traditional herbal drink) to maintain their wellness, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Jamu could be used as a supplement to strengthen the immune system and should be made at home or purchased from trusted sources to ensure that they are not full of artificial ingredients. According to BBC’s article – The Ancient drink that power in Indonesia, Jamu is seen as more of a preventative measure than a cure and the health-giving drink is viewed holistically, in that it treats body, mind and soul.
Jamu can be found throughout Indonesia, however it is most prevalent in Java. The drink has a rich and ancient history, originating during the times of the Mataram Kingdom (8th to 10th Centuries) more than 1,300 years ago. The first recipes were found in records in the royal courts.
The recipe for jamu and the way it's consumed can vary widely depending on the person and place. Mostly, the recipes were passed down by word of mouth through families and each family may also have their own version of the drink. Based on that situation, Socfindo Conservation has developed the jamu scientific recipes which have been scientifically proven by the Center for Research and Development of Medicinal Plants and Traditional Medicine (Balai Besar Penelitian dan Pengembangan Tanaman Obat dan Obat Tradisional/B2P2TOOT).
There are five recipes of Jamu Scientific for common diseases in Indonesia which have been widely taught to the community and will describe as follow:
Jamu Scientific for gout disease
Ingredients:
• 6 gram dried field milk thistle (Sonchus arvensis L)
• 15 gram dried sappanwood (Biancaea sappan)
• 9 gram dried kepel apple (Stelechocarpus burahol)
• 9 gram dried javanese turmeric (Curcuma xanthorriza Roxb)
• 9 gram dried turmeric (Curuma longa L.)
• 9 gram dried chanca Piedra (Phyllantus niruri L.)
• 1 liter water
Jamu Scientific for arthritis disease
Ingredients:
• 3 gram dried fennel seed (Foeniculul vulgare)
• 5 gram dried cat's whiskers leaves (Orthosiphon aristatus)
• 5 gram dried scouring rush (Equisetum hymale)
• 15 gram dried javanese turmeric (Curcuma xanthorriza Roxb)
• 15 gram dried turmeric (Curuma longa L.)
• 7 gram dried chanca Piedra (Phyllantus niruri L.)
• 1 liter water
Jamu Scientific for cholesterol disease
Ingredients:
• 1 gram dried senna alexandrina
• 6 gram dried west indian elmis leaves
• 6 gram dried field milk thistle (Sonchus arvensis L)
• 5 gram dried green tea
• 5 gram dried javanese turmeric (Curcuma xanthorriza Roxb)
• 4 gram dried turmeric (Curcuma longa L.)
• 3 gram dried chanca Piedra (Phyllantus niruri L.)
• 1 liter water
Jamu Scientific for high blood pressure disease
Ingredients:
• 15 gram dried celery (Apium graveolens)
• 9 gram dried indian pennywort leaves (Centella asiatica)
• 9 gram dried cat's whiskers leaves (Orthosiphon aristatus)
• 9 gram dried javanese turmeric (Curcuma xanthorriza Roxb)
• 9 gram dried turmeric (Curuma longa L.)
• 9 gram dried chanca Piedra (Phyllantus niruri L.)
• 1 liter water
Jamu Scientific for hemorrhoids disease
Ingredients:
• 15 gram dried caricature plant (Graptophyllum pictum)
• 12 gram dried trefle Gros (Desmodium triquetrum)
• 9 gram dried coleus leaves (Coleus scutellarioides)
• 3 gram dried javanese turmeric (Curcuma xanthorriza Roxb)
• 3 gram dried turmeric (Curuma longa L.)
• 3 gram dried chanca Piedra (Phyllantus niruri L.)
• 1 liter water
In 2022, Socfindo Conservation has collaborated with Tapanuli Selatan and Labuhan Batu Utara government to run a community development project called family food security program. The districts delegated the representatives who were member of the women association - family welfare program, to be trained at the Socfindo Conservation. Not only there, the Jamu Scientific workshops were also held in several villages around Socfindo’s plantation and had been taught these recipes to a thousand participants.
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Reference: BBC. (2023). ‘The ancient drink that powers Indonesia’.BBC,[online] Available at: https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20230221-the-ancient-drink-that-powers-indonesia [Accessed 6 March 2023]