Jamu - traditional Indonesian medicine

Abstract: Jamu is the javanese name for indigenous medicines usually prepared from herbal material. Nowadays the term 'jamu is also used for traditional medicines from other ethnic groups in Indonesia. Whereas jamu was previously prepared by members of the family or by traditional healers there exist now several hundred small to large jamu manufacturers that control up to 3 0 % of the total pharmaceutical market in Indonesia. Compared to other Asian countries such as India or China where traditional medicine is often practiced side by side with Western-oriented medicine the use of jamu in Indonesia is totally restricted to self-medication. Reasons for this disapproval by Western-oriented physicians in Indonesia include the lack of studies on the effectiveness and harmlessness of 'jamu products. The jamu industry is aware of these problems and is increasingly striving for scientific proof on the quality of their products. On the whole, jamu is now on its way from a tradition of healing deeply routed in mysticism to a modern, scientifically based phytotherapy.

Keyword(s): Jamu

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