Jamu Ladies of Java

High cholesterol ? Blood pressure up ? Sex drive need a boost ? You need a visit from...The Jamu Ladies of Java.

Java is the fifth largest island in the Indonesian Archipelago, which stretches from the Malay peninsular in the west to Australia in the east and separates the Indian Ocean from the Pacific. It lies south of the equator in the tropic of Capricorn, has an average daily temperature of 26 deg. C. and an average humidity of 80 %.

With a six month wet season and almost perfect soil conditions the growth of a fantastic selection of cultivated exotic fruits, vegetables and wild flowers and shrubs is certain.

The most densely populated island in the Indonesian group, Java, is inhabited by descendants of Sudanese, Betawi and Chinese immigrants. Centuries ago the Witch Doctor, or 'Dukan' was recognized as the healer. Using incantation, prayer and secret recipes for pills, potions and balms, he treated all ailments from boils to broken bones. Chinese and other traditional medicine was also practiced long before the Dutch colonists arrived in the 17th century and although over time Dutch and Western influences have permeated through the Javanese culture and society, herbal and spiritual medicine is still preferred to the modern clinics and hospitals.

However, in terms of traditional medicine, powerful concoctions made from bear's gall, bat excreta, snake brain, tiger's claw and blood from a hen's comb have been replaced by concentrated mixtures of all things vegetable.

Jamu is herbal medicine. Made from recipes handed down from generation to generation. A variety of roots, leaves, grasses, stalks, tree barks is mixed together, steamed, boiled and then reduced to produce thick, pungent liquids usually colored yellow, brown or a dirty green.

In Jakarta, the capital city of Java, lady jamu sellers can be seen walking the streets of the business and residential areas plying their trade. Distinctively dressed in tight gaily colored ankle length 'kebaya jarik' and carrying their wares on their backs in large round wicker baskets called 'selendang'.

The baskets contain all the raw ingredients, freshly brewed and stored in glass bottles of all shapes and sizes. Along with quail's eggs, salt and sugar made from the sap of the coconut tree. The customers, be they security guards, secretaries or high flying executives, can ask for a specific recipe or simply tell the jamu seller symptoms of the ailment or the desired result. The potion is mixed fresh and imbibed immediately. The cost? About fifty cents US.

As Java moves into the present day, Jamu is becoming a marketable product. The traditional jamu seller and the village industry is being overtaken by commerce. Small factories are opening all over Java, over three hundred and fifty at the last estimate and jamu remedies are now appearing prepacked on supermarket shelves. And, yes, jamu is being promoted and sold internationally on the Internet.

There are many jamu remedies taken as a pick-me-up tonic. 'to maintain the physical health', 'for men always working hard' and to 'bring back body freshness and warmth'.  The most popular jamu however is taken to enhance other strengths. Candidly recommended to 'maintain the harmony between husband and wife', the claims are nothing short of miraculous.

There are pills which claim to retighten vaginal muscles after childbirth. Creams for making small breasts big and creams for making big breasts small.  There is even one type of jamu that will 'add vigor for the man with low sex drive' and at the same time will stop him from ejaculating prematurely. Marvellous.

There are also tonics to trim the body, increase weight, and grow hair any where you want hair to grow.  Jamu is not used only for personal health and well being. The jamu making process is also being used to make fertilizer. Concentrated liquid fertilizer, high in nitrogen and ammonia, it is claimed, will double the size of the crop, will make the fruit taste better and improve soil structure.

So, if you need a pick-me-up or tomatoes the size of melons, why not give it a try. You might just find your elixir of life.

Lita Delgado