Jamu is a traditional Indonesian drink made of natural ingredients such as roots, flowers, herbs, seeds, leaves, fruits and barks. Many types of jamu are taken for their medicinal benefits, but some people do drink jamu as refreshing drinks. Beras kencur, kunir asem, sinom and temulawak syrup are some of the common jamu that people drink frequently.
The practise of making and consuming jamu has been around for many centuries in Indonesian communities, especially in Java. It is believed to have originated in the Mataram Kingdom era around 1300 years go. People drink jamu to maintain good health, boost immune system, prevent illness as well as to cure common ailments.
In modern days, many people in Indonesia still drink jamu. There are many branded jamu that are mass produced and sold by big companies but there are also jamu that is made and sold traditionally by women roaming the streets of Java.
Jamu’s health benefits
The ingredients of jamu do indeed have medicinal benefits. For example, ginger is loaded with antioxidants that may help your body to fight chronic diseases such as high blood pressure and heart disease. Another popular ingredient is kencur (Kaempferia galanga), which is anti-inflammatory and helps people with Rheumatoid arthritis reduce the inflammation. Turmeric is another popular ingredient that has been scientifically proven to have many health benefits. Similar to ginger and kencur, turmeric has potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It may help prevent diabetes, certain types of cancer and delay Alzheimer’s Disease.