Amarullah H Siregar
Jamu is believed to originate from two ancient Javanese
words, Djampi which means healing and Oesodo which
means health. The term herbal medicine is introduced
to the public through people who are believed to have
traditional medical science.
Indonesian people since the days of the Mataram Kingdom
until now still use herbal medicine. This typical Indonesian
drink has become a matter of pride as it is with
Ayurveda from India and Zhongyi from China. Since
then, women have more role in producing herbal medicine,
while men have a role in finding natural herbal
plants. This fact is reinforced by the findings of Cobek
and Ulekan artifacts - mash tools to make herbal medicine.
The artifact can be seen at the Liyangan archeological
site located on the slopes of Mount Sindoro, Central
Java.
Jamu as herbal medicine is generally used by the Indonesian
people as a natural medicinal beverage to maintain
health, and cure various diseases. The tradition of
drinking herbal medicine is estimated to have existed
since 1300 AD and is a historic drink. Jamu is a nutritious
drink from Indonesia as a health drink, preventing
and curing various diseases. Jamu is served with various
types, considering that Indonesia has quite a lot of herbal
plants. Each region has a different type of herbal medicine,
adapted to herbs that grow in the area.
Processing herbs is not too complicated, most of them
only take juice from the juice of herbal plants. There is
also crushed. Often made from turmeric, ginger, galangal,
kencur, and cinnamon.Specially brown sugar, rock
sugar, and lime juice are usually used as enhancers of the
fresh and sweet taste.
Uniquely, in the manufacture of herbal medicine also adjusted
the dose of each ingredient, temperature, mashing
or boiling time, and others. If not considered properly,
will lose the properties of the ingredients can even harm
the body. Likewise with its development, the tradition of
drinking Jamu experiences ups and downs according to
its era. Broadly speaking, it is divided from the pre-historical
era when the processing of forest products flourished,
the Japanese colonial era, the early era of Indonesian independence,
until now.