Jamu: The Ancient Art of Herbal Healing [Paperback]

Susan-Jane Beers (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 2001

Just as India has Ayurveda and China has its traditional medicinal system, Indonesia has jamu: an integrated system of inner and outer health and beauty. Indonesian jamu has a 1,200-year-old history but is virtually unknown outside of that country. Now, an experienced writer has devoted herself to understanding jamu: its history, its applications and its potential for use outside its native environment. Author Susan-Jane Beers first encountered jamu after pain-killers failed to relieve her joint pain. A prescription from an expert made the pain go away. Now, in Jamu, she chronicles the practice of this holistic system, the materials and ingredients it employs and its rich background dating back to the ancient Javanese palaces where it was perfected. Complemented by over 100 photo-graphs, Jamu is the first definitive reference to this exotic yet practical health-care system.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Little-known in the U.S., jamu is the Indonesian practice of herbal healing for medical, sexual, hygienic, and cosmetic complaints. Beers relates some of jamu's long history, and the many color photos of plants, scenery, and prominent individuals make for an appealing as well as an informative book. Those associated with jamu say that its preparations have few or no side effects and can cure or substantially ameliorate almost any disease. The gendong, or practitioner, of jamu may come from any level of education and society, and much of jamu lore is in poetic form and so can be learned by the illiterate. Beers devotes considerable space to the manufacturers of jamu's herbal remedies, and she reports that several of these companies seek to expand their markets overseas. An attractive introduction to its subject, though it comes close to being a sales pitch. William Beatty
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

About the Author

Susan-Jane Beers is an Asia-based writer for a variety of regional magazines. She researched this book while living in Indonesia from 1990-1995 and is committed to demystifying and promoting the use of jamu internationally.

Product Details

• Paperback: 168 pages
• Publisher: Periplus Editions (November 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 9625935037
• ISBN-13: 978-9625935034
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 8.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #919,533 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Jamu - a mystifying subject only to the uninitiated, April 29, 2002

By 

victor olsen (Singapore) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Jamu: The Ancient Art of Herbal Healing (Paperback)

The author, Ms Beers, has done remarkable justice to the subject of Jamu in her book. It is very well researched.

The many references she makes in her book transports the reader, especially those who are Westernern educated and who have visited or lived in Indonesia, like me, to the domestic level of how jamu is manufactured both at cottage industry level as well as in large factories and how jamu is packaged, marketed and sold both in its raw domestically dispensed form and in glitzy packaged boxes for export.

Remarkably, she has managed to capture how much traditional jamu is appreciated by millions of Indonesians and foreigners who have benefited from its holistic healing properties.

Jamu is the indigenious health tonic and elixir which is and has been trusted by numerous generations of Indonesians. It is very much a part of the fabric of Indonesian society and counts Kings, royalty, Presidents and the general populace, right down to even humble poor peasants who wish to enhance their health and/or remedy ailments as its regular consumers and believers.

The range of the different types of jamu is so vast. It is not a cure-all but from my days in Indonesia, I believe that jamu has a potion or tonic for almost every ailment and is easily affordable even to poor peasants.

To people who enjoy and appreciate the health benefits of jamu, Ms Beers book paints a lucid landscape of the real world of jamu and the exotic ingredients and spices which are used to make jamu. I read her several references to the larger Jamu manufacturers as being little oil lamps to create greater awareness of and for jamu.

Her book is not sponsored by any of the large jamu concerns. Therefore, I am flummoxed at how or why William Beatty came to the conclusion that her book is something close to a Sales Pitch. I beg to differ. In fact I see Ms Beers book as an attempt to promote the awareness of jamu internationally and, hopefully, it may become another cash export product which may help boost Indonesia's economy while bringing a "new" art of ancient HOLISTIC HEALING to the world.

I would go one step further and hope that her book will be a catalyst to generate greater interest in jamu. I hope that it will lead to collaboration with manufacturers and practioners of Western medicine and other healing practices so that jamu will become scientifically refined, tested and manufactured to meet the highest medical standards of the open minded sophisticated Western world.

Like every new product or cure, jamu has to survive the mandatory sailing in a sea of trepidation and cynicism before earning greater acceptance and following. Ms Beers book is a plus for jamu.

Congratulations! Ms Susan Jane Beers, on a well researched and written piece of "jamu" work. I thoroughly enjoyed reading your book; made more enjoyable by my rather basic knowledge of and experience with jamu. I keep it on the bookshelf as a reference.

Wishing you success on your future literary endeavours.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding journey and beautifully done!, March 29, 2002

By 

Shirley Meerson (Asia and USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Jamu: The Ancient Art of Herbal Healing (Paperback)

Susan-Jane Beers through her personal experience provides a wealth of material complete with references and recipes that opens a door to this all-encompassing holistic system.

This is not a novel - yet it drew me into its world and enclosed me in feeling tones of healing, simplicity, and nature.
Ms. Beers has more than done her homework! The act of drawing attention to the preservation of this culture by the author is something to commend. There are side stories with photos of the fascinating small business people dedicated to running their healing business in a traditional way.

Susan-Jane Beers has been a wonderful vehicle to bring Jamu to us - leading us on this journey from the kraton to the current state of affairs with plants becoming endangered. She is applauded to be a credit by not only increasing our interest in this subject but also importantly shedding light on the potential outcome of the endangered plant/eco system issues.
Ms. Beers points out the fact that Indonesian medicinal plants can make a major contribution to world health.

This book is not a quick read. You reach a corner and you stop and can see the people. Massage therapists, healers, herbologists, botanists, beauty experts, spa staff, and travelers will all find this book to be a keeper. I have it on my shelf to use as a manual and reference.