THE MAGIC DJAMU

In these COVID19 times, we have all thought of inventing that one drink that can solve all our problems without much cost or side effects to our bodies. Djamu has been available for centuries, and although it is not a cure to all ailments, the drink is behind the strong immunity of its partakers. With ingredients readily available, Djamu is slowly making its way to the international market as people realize its benefits and return to herbal medicine in preference over pharmaceutical drugs.

What is Djamu?

Djamu is a traditional herbal tonic, which originated in 800 AD in Indonesia, is recognized as a healing concoction that is commonly used to cure flu, reduce inflammation and detoxify the body. The people of Mataram kingdom of Java learned about the benefits of Djamu from the book of Ayurveda – the science of life, in Sanskrit between the 9th and 11th centuries.

Then the herbal drink was referred to as Djampi, a word that means ‘healing’ in ancient Javanese. Over the years the pronunciation of the word has evolved and led to the current name of the drink, Djamu. It is referred to as the mother of all healing and has been used by people to heal themselves of various diseases and conditions.

Djamu is made from assorted spices and herbs that have been pounded, squeezed, and boiled in water at a specific degree and within a specific time to produce the magic Djamu tonic. Some of the most common Djamu ingredients include; turmeric, ginger, galangal, Curcuma, cinnamon, kencur or sand ginger, lemongrass, cardamom, tamarind, and lemon. Many people have come up with different variants of herbal drinks based on the availability of ingredients in their environment. They look at relevant spices and herbs with specific and different benefits to the body.

 Traditionally, Djamu was sold in bottles that were well packed in baskets. The art of packaging and selling the beverage was called Djamu Gendong. Each Djamu Gendong seller has different types of choices of Djamu, depending on the habits they learn from experience about what herbs are the most ordered and interested in from their customers. Djamu is generally used for the purpose of maintaining health. People buy herbal medicine often because of the habit of consuming it as a health drink consumed daily.

 Djamu now is very common in the streets in Indonesia, especially during the morning market hours. It is affordable and can be drunk on the spot or carried for later use depending on how it has been packaged. The benefits of Djamu include boosting appetite, reducing period cramps, boosting immunity, increasing breast milk for lactating mothers, reducing the risk of diabetes, easing joint pains and lower back pains, treating fevers, and bloating among many other conditions. 

Djamu has been through a very long journey throughout Indonesian history. This healing beverage doesn’t only reflect how natural remedies are still relevant in a world so artificial and fast-paced today but it also teaches us to live accordingly with mother nature. Imagine all the outcomes that shall come to us if we start nurturing them with consciousness and adoration. Imagine the amount of love we could radiate to power your well-being to new heights. Also, imagine how a cup of good Djamu today would cleanse the cholesterol inside your body system.

Visit our website for more info, www.djamu.nyc, subscribe for more stories or follow us on Instagram @djamu.com