Different types of Jamu and their benefits — Have you heard of Jamu during your stay in Indonesia? Do you know there are different types of jamu that can benefit your body?
Jamu is a traditional medicine that mostly consists of herbal medicine from nature like roots, barks, flowers, and seeds. According to the Indonesian Ministry of Education and Culture 2019, jamu is also one of Indonesia’s intangible cultural heritage. Usually, you can get jamu from mbok jamu, who is a middle-aged woman wearing traditional kebaya carrying a basket filled with jamu who travels from one village to another. You can get them in your local supermarkets too or make them at home—which is not complicated as you can find these ingredients anywhere.
On this list, we’ll inform you of the different types of jamu and their benefits so, check it out!
What Is Indonesia Jamu?
Indonesian jamu is a traditional herbal drink prepared from natural ingredients that are believed to support overall health and well-being. Different recipes are created for different purposes, ranging from supporting digestion and improving appetite to helping the body recover after illness or childbirth.
Research published in the academic journal Elsevier has highlighted the growing interest in traditional herbal medicine, including jamu, due to its use of botanical ingredients and long-standing role in community health practices. While many Indonesians consume jamu as part of a healthy lifestyle, it should not replace professional medical advice or prescribed treatments.
The History of Jamu and Indonesian Wellness Culture
The origins of jamu can be traced back hundreds of years to the royal courts of Java. Historical records and traditional manuscripts describe the preparation of herbal remedies using locally available spices and medicinal plants.
Over time, these recipes spread throughout the archipelago and became part of everyday life. Today, jamu remains deeply connected to Indonesia’s wellness culture, where natural remedies, balanced living, and preventive healthcare continue to be valued.
Beras Kencur
Jamu beras kencur is made by blending rice, aromatic ginger, and palm sugar. It’s known to prevent diabetes, help with diarrhea and phlegmy cough, and boost children’s appetite. It’s also known for speeding up postpartum recovery too!
To make this, you need to boil aromatic ginger, tamarind, palm sugar, salt, and water then strain. Add rice that’s been soaked overnight to the mix then blend before serving it on a cup of glass.
Kunyit Asam
It’s a blend of turmeric root and tamarind. Most people consume Kunyit Asam to relieve menstrual pain, reduce fever, and be anti-inflammatory. Like beras kencur, it’s known to keep blood sugar levels and also reduce weight.
Soak the tamarind with warm water then set it aside. Then, you roast the turmeric before peeling the skin and cut it into dice to blend with water. Boil the tamarind water with the turmeric blend in a pot and add palm sugar before serving it.
Jamu Empon-Empon
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Empon-empon is known for boosting your immune system and protecting your body from free radicals. It can also prevent bacterial infection and inflammation on top of that so drink this when you need a boost for your immune system. Its main ingredients are ginger, aromatic ginger (kencur), and lemongrass with optional cinnamon and brown sugar.
All you have to do is dice all ingredients into pieces except lemongrass, which you have to crush and boil in a pot. Let it rest after turning off the fire before serving it in a glass.
Temulawak
If you’re feeling nauseous, have stomach pains or headaches, Temulawak is the right jamu for you! It’s mainly made from Curcuma, ginger, kencur, palm sugar and pandan leaves. But of course, there are other derivatives of the recipe such as adding tamarind, cinnamon, or honey.
Roast the thinly sliced ginger and kencur, add cumin and water then blend. In another pot, add water to a boil before adding palm sugar or honey and mixing all of them into one. Don’t forget your pandan leaves as it boils then turn the heat off, strain, and serve.
Jamu Pahitan
It’s main ingredients are leaves that are not limited to sambiloto but can include brotowali, meniran, lempuyang and other small leaves. Pahitan is known to be the most bitter jamu of all, as it derives from the word ‘pahit.’ Despite the bitterness, it’s known for helping ease up high blood sugar, and cholesterol and improve digestive systems. While also helps with open wounds, fever, stiffness, and headache. All you need to do is crush the ingredients and boil them in a pot before serving them in a cup.
Jamu Uyup-uyup
This jamu is usually drunk by breastfeeding mothers, as the nutrients can increase milk production and quality. Other than that, it’s known to eliminate bad body odors and also relieve digestive problems. It’s consisted of aromatic ginger (kencur), ginger, galingale, temulawak, puyang and turmeric.
Cut or mash the ingredients to pieces then boil them all together. Once it’s done boiling, let it cool or add sugar if you want to.
Kudu Laos
As the name stated, its main ingredients are galingale –which means laos or lengkuas and noni. There are a ton of nutritional health benefits coming from this drink not limited to increasing the immune system, preventing diabetes, and cancer, and boosting cell recovery.
Usually, you just boil galingale and noni together and drink it while it’s still warm. But you can add some other ingredients like tamarind, garlic, puyang chili, salt, and pepper to improve the taste.
Making jamu is not as hard as it seemed, does it? Most ingredients just need you to cut up and boil them. Not only that it’s easy to make but also has plenty of benefits for your body and immune system alike.
People Also Ask (PAA) About Jamu
1. What is jamu?
Jamu is a traditional Indonesian herbal medicine made from natural ingredients such as turmeric, ginger, roots, leaves, flowers, and spices. It is commonly consumed to support overall wellness and has been part of Indonesian culture for centuries.
2. Why is jamu recognised as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage?
Jamu was recognised as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage element because it represents traditional knowledge, cultural practices, and community-based wellness traditions that have been passed down through generations in Indonesia.
3. What are the most popular types of jamu?
Some of the most popular types include beras kencur, kunyit asam, temulawak, empon-empon, jamu pahitan, uyup-uyup, and kudu laos.
4. Is jamu considered herbal medicine?
Yes. Jamu is considered a form of herbal medicine because it uses botanical ingredients such as turmeric, ginger, galangal, tamarind, and medicinal plants to create traditional health drinks.
5. Can tourists try jamu in Indonesia?
Yes. Tourists can easily find jamu at traditional markets, cafés, wellness centres, supermarkets, and cultural attractions throughout Indonesia, especially in Java and Bali.
