Jamu : A healthy drink for health and beauty

Me and Self Care

Recently I have been really into self care. Fatigue and other problems like dull skin, coarse and frizzy hair really made my mom and aunt nag at me. I thought it was normal until I felt my body became heavy and uncomfortable. I think I have too much toxic residing happily in my body. Maybe, it is also the cause for my dull skin and fatigue problem. 

Taking supplements

So, I started to think about what I should do and available choices that I have. First I tried to eat prune extract. It worked great but I have to continuously buy and consume it, and in that time my income is really in a sad situation. Then I tried green tea with herbs. And it works also, for my digestive system that is. While consuming the herb tea I also consume vitamin C and glucosamine for a month. It gave good result but the prune extract is the best.

However my nurse cousin warned me not to take excessive vitamin C. She said that we only need less than 100 mg a day. I read if we take extra, our body will excrete the excessive vitamin C and thus we eat it for nothing. 

I also think that we should consult the doctor first before taking any supplements and undergo any beauty treatments to prevent unwanted health problems in the future. And supplements also must be taken in moderation.

Jamu

Then I came to a thought. What if I try to consume jamu. Our ancestors have drank jamu for centuries to maintain health and beauty. It is a drink made from various types of herbs and spices. It works to improve health and beauty from within the body. Since our ancestors had put so much efforts researching and inventing it, why not I give it a try. Maybe it is the best remedy for me. 

Then I came to making jamu. Jamu is the healthy drink is famously consumed by Indonesian. In Malaysia we also consumed jamu but many of us left it long ago due to modernization. I personally respect our Indonesian neighbor because they still believe and preserve what our ancestors have left for us. 

Ingredients in Jamu

Jamu contains several ingredients that is well known for its health benefits such as turmeric and ginger. Turmeric is well known for its anti inflammatory properties and it  improves blood circulation. Ginger is known as a good remedy for bloating and indigestion, and it promotes blood circulation as well. It also brighten the skin and decrease dullness in skin. 

Another ingredients in jamu is lemongrass. Lemongrass has a calming smell and effect, and reduce bloating. It also helps the body to detoxify and reduce inflammation. I still remember a few months ago when I had an abdominal pain. An aunt which I usually call for massage treatment told me to drink lemongrass tea with lemon and honey to decrease the inflammation and swelling in my abdominal muscles which might be the cause of my pain. I drank it for a few days and the pain decreased.

Other ingredients in Jamu are fragrance ginger, tamarind juice, pandan leaves, and palm sugar. There are many types of Jamu made with many types of herbs, and spices, consumed for different purposes. The Jamu I always make is called Jamu Asam Kunyit or in Javaness Jamu Asam Kunir (Sour Turmeric Jamu). 

Some of the ingredients I used to make jamu.

Jamu Recipes

The easiest way to make Jamu is Jamu Asam Kunyit (Sour Turmeric Jamu). The recipe is here. 

Cooking jamu

The benefits of drinking jamu

After I drank Jamu for a month I felt some difference in my health. I feel more energized and healthier. My muscle pain and headache decreased and my skin became brighter (less dull). My hair also became more manageable and smoother. Below are some popular believed benefits of drinking Jamu.

Detoxify the body

Improve blood circulation

Reduce inflammation

Increase body strength

Increase immunity

Brighten the skin

Tighten the skin

Tighten loose muscles

Slow down ageing process

Reduce acne

Reduce depression and stress

Boost energy 

Boost mood

My homemade Jamu

However, it is advised that we should take the jamu in certain amount only. Usually based on one's need, jamu should be drank half a cup a time, once to thrice a week. Because any food, if we eat abundantly, may cause unwanted side effect to our health that we cannot predict. And some people don't drink jamu during menstruation. But before the menstruation come, it is good to drink jamu because lemongrass and ginger works to reduce period cramps, and clean the uterus from clotted blood that did not came out during previous menstruation.