Indonesian Herbal Healing: The Science and Lore of Jamu Herbal Preparations and Treatments

Journalist Beers debuts with an informative primer on jamu, or Indonesian herbal medicine. She explains that jamu remedies can take the form of drinks, lotions, massages, or pills, and are prescribed for virtually every conceivable bodily ailment, though they’re most frequently “used to enhance and improve sexual performance.” (Pulped cashew fruit, for instance, is often prescribed as an aphrodisiac.) Delving into traditional applications for various plants, Beers explains that turmeric is often used for liver problems, cardamom for coughs, and a concoction of lime juice and betel leaves for rashes. Other applications address cosmetic complaints. For example, washing one’s face with leftover tea water is reputed to prevent wrinkles, and rubbing aloe vera into one’s scalp to promote hair growth. Though Beers warns that some remedies are dangerous if improperly mixed or dosed (she tells of an American woman who landed in the hospital after taking a larger-than-intended dose of an anti-cellulite drink), she focuses more on exploring the medicinal tradition than showing how to practice it. She does, however, include a few safe and easy-to-make home remedies, detailing how to reduce bloating with red rice, treat wounds with bananas, and fight insomnia with nutmeg. This thorough introduction is a valuable addition to the literature on traditional medicines. (Oct.)