Making The Perfect Jamu
Explore how jamu is made and prescribed to give the best healing qualities for different illnesses
By Indonesia Gastronomy Network
Indonesia Gastronomy Network in collaboration with ACARAKI
Copy of Serat Centhini Manuscript Collection of Reksa Pustaka by JamupediaIndonesia Gastronomy Network
Serat Centhini
Serat Centhini is a twelve volume compilation of Javanese tales and teachings, written in verse and published in 1814. The book became main reference to various aspects of philosophy in Javanese culture.
Copy of Serat Centhini Manuscript Collection of Reksa Pustaka by JamupediaIndonesia Gastronomy Network
Review of Jamu in Serat Centhini Jilid III kaca 321-330 contains about 45 types of medicinal plants for concocting 85 kinds of jamu to treat about 30 types of diseases (Sukenti, 2002).
Copy of Serat Centhini Manuscript Collection of Reksa Pustaka by JamupediaIndonesia Gastronomy Network
It consisted of 922 recipes to concoct jamu and 244 recipes in the form of tattoo, talisman, pictures, prayers, incantations and mantras as additional healing powers (Sutarjadi, et al., 2012).
The Copy of Serat Centhini Manuscript, Reksa Pustaka Collection by JamupediaIndonesia Gastronomy Network
As for the Serat Kawruh bab Jampi-Jampi Jawi written during the Sunan Paku Buwono V era in the year of 1833, there were about 1,166 prescription medications.
Copy of Serat Centhini Manuscript Collection of Reksa Pustaka by JamupediaIndonesia Gastronomy Network
The large number of prescriptions for this treatment explain that at that time the Javanese people already had 'linuwih' knowledge or excelled in the art of healing.
Quality Control by AcarakiIndonesia Gastronomy Network
Before being crushed, some ingredients of the jamu concoction need to go through a process to reduce its water content called toasting, an oil-less frying technique.
Mashing Process by AcarakiIndonesia Gastronomy Network
Toasted is also done to extend the shelf life of crushed herbs so that they can be brewed at any time (Garjito, 2019). The toasted tool is usually made of clay, using firewood or charcoal.
Pottery to Make Jamu Godhogan by JamupediaIndonesia Gastronomy Network
The ability to understand the different types of diseases is also extraordinary. For example; for stomach ache, Javanese people give a definition on the basis of individual complaints of disease by assigning different names such as:
Mashing Jamu Ingredients by Michael ChristiawanIndonesia Gastronomy Network
Busung, ising-isingen, kemaden, kembung, kolera(h), krumanen, mejen, sudhuken, padharan, toyan, wawratan (diarrhea), gencok to determine which exact ingredient is needed for healing.
Pilis (2020-08-18) by Prawoto IndartoIndonesia Gastronomy Network
Likewise with dizziness, in the Serat Jampi Jawi, one of the collections of the Museum of Dewantara Kirti Griya Taman Siswa, Javanese people categorize it by the causes and symptoms such as:
a. Sakit ngelu limrah (usual dizziness) b. Sakit ngelu asal saking angin (dizzines-from not feeling well)
c. Sakit ngelu asal saking encok/selakarang (dizziness due to stiffness)
d. Sakit ngelu mawi benter (dizziness with a fever)
e. Sakit ngelu asal saking encok/selakarang sarta asringasring kimat, asring glegeken tuwin antop (dizziness caused by recurring rheumatism or excessive gagging)
f. Sakit ngelu kemanden/sekalor ingkang ngantos sanget (dizziness caused by stomachache or extreme seizure
Aneka Rempah JamuIndonesia Gastronomy Network
g. Sakit ngelu ingkang kraos minger panonipun (dizziness accompanied by blurry eyes)
h. Sakit ngelu ingkang kedah sumaput panonipun (dizziness that feels like fainting)
i. Sakit ngelu ingkang boten doyan nedha, dene cangkemipun kraos pait (dizziness accompanied with appetite loss due to bitter taste in the mouth)
j. Sakit ngelu ingkang mawi pileg sarta talinganipun pating grebeg (dizziness caused by chills with ear ringing)
Various Kinds of Jamu by shutterstockIndonesia Gastronomy Network
The same thing applies in concocting the jamu. Javanese knowledge is no less than modern medical knowledge. For example, concocting jamu for dealing with diarrhea issues in nursing women is different from adults in general, also different for children and the elderly.
For concocting jamu for children and for older people they tend to be similar. Older people are more vulnerable to disease and illness because the body's immune system has begun to decline.
Jamu Cekok for Kids in Yogyakarta by DananjoyoIndonesia Gastronomy Network
Children also, because their immunity has not been completely formed are also vulnerable to disease and illness.
Jamu Cekok for Kids in Yogyakarta by DananjoyoIndonesia Gastronomy Network
It explains that the Javanese community at that time already understood physiological differences, including psychology of each person at a certain age which would affect health, so that the composition in concocting jamu would also be different.
Weighing Jamu Ingredients by JamupediaIndonesia Gastronomy Network
Understanding this knowledge is in line with the practice being widely campaigned by the global community such as the 'American Holistic Medical Association'.
The natural healing process through non-invasive; no chemical approach, person-centered medicine and friendly environment.
Things regarded as superstition in the past are now turning out to be an invaluable inheritance of wealth for the Indonesian people.
Research and Development Center for Medicinal and Traditional Medicinal Plants (Balai Besar Penelitian dan Pengembangan Tanaman Obat dan Obat Tradisional or B2P2TOOT) by JamupediaIndonesia Gastronomy Network
Balai Besar Penelitian dan Pengembangan Tanaman Obat dan Obat Traditional (B2P2TOOT) is a research and development center under the Ministry of Health that focuses on conducting research and studies in the field of medicinal plants.
Medicinal Plant Showcase Map by JamupediaIndonesia Gastronomy Network
One of the B2P2TOOT research is RISTOJA or Riset Tanaman Obat dan Jamu (Research on Medicinal Plants and Herbs) which was conducted in 2012, 2015 and 2017. This research covers 405 ethnic groups in 34 provinces in Indonesia and collected approximately 28,000 plant specimens.
Identity of Parijoto Plant in B2P2TOOT Garden by JamupediaIndonesia Gastronomy Network
The identity of Parijoto plant (Medinilla magnifica or rose grape), one of the collections in B2P2TOOT.
Natural Drying Room in Post Harvest Building B2P2TOOT (2020-07-13) by JamupediaIndonesia Gastronomy Network
The natural drying room at B2P2TOOT utilizes sunlight to dry herbs.
Herbarium in Hortus Medicus by JamupediaIndonesia Gastronomy Network
The results of RISTOJA of B2P2TOOT collection are stored in the Hortus Medicus herbarium at B2P2TOOT.
Medicinal Plants Garden in the Backyard of the Hortus Medicus Clinic by JamupediaIndonesia Gastronomy Network
Various types of medicinal plants are planted in the garden behind the Hortus Medicus.
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