What is jamu: Ayurveda doctor tells how to make a healthy drink

What is jamu

pediatrician, doctor of Ayurveda, lecturer at the Department of Ayurveda of the IVM RUDN

“Jamu is an ancient Indonesian drink. Its popularity increased during the pandemic: as a natural remedy that helps fight viruses and the complications caused by them. It is used to boost immunity because it contains vitamins and substances that help improve digestion even at the cellular level.”

There are quite a few recipes for jamu, but more often this drink consists of:

• turmeric root;
• ginger root;
• lemon or lime;
• honey.

Each ingredient of the drink has its own peculiarities.

Turmeric. It is a natural antibiotic, a strong antioxidant. The spice helps to improve digestive function, relieve inflammation and reduce the risk of cancer.

Ginger. Another natural antibiotic, it strengthens the immune system, increases tissue metabolism necessary for the renewal of all body cells and tissue regeneration. Moreover, ginger reduces blood cholesterol levels and normalizes fat metabolism.

Lemon. This source of vitamin C is an antioxidant and the main natural immune booster that helps the body during colds. The fruit has anti-inflammatory properties, contains useful nutrients, including iron and potassium, which help strengthen the walls of blood vessels, normalize blood pressure and heart function.

Honey- This natural remedy gives strength and increases stamina. It has antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral effects, reduces throat irritation when coughing, reduces total cholesterol and is a natural probiotic (honey contains up to six types of lactobacilli and four types of bifidobacteria).

Honey strengthens the immune system by stimulating the production of immune cells. It contains vitamins C, B2, B3 (PP), B4, B5, B6 and B9, as well as calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, zinc, manganese, fluoride and selenium.

A cinnamon stick and tamarind (Chinese date) can be added to the drink to enhance its properties.

Cinnamon. This spice detoxifies the body, protects against fungal and bacterial infections, improves brain function, prevents certain cognitive disorders, improves metabolism and strengthens the immune system.

Tamarind, or Chinese date. A good antioxidant that strengthens the immune system and is an excellent cold remedy. It is a treasure trove of nutrients.

Of the fat-soluble vitamins in tamarind are A, beta-carotene, E and K, and of the water-soluble vitamins are vitamins C, B1, B2, B3 (PP), B4, B5, B6 and B9. It also contains micronutrients essential for the body such as calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, zinc, copper and selenium.

Despite all the benefits of jamu, you should not forget that this drink is more suitable for prevention, not for the treatment of diseases.

How to prepare jamu

Before preparing the drink, one root each of ginger and turmeric should be well washed, cleaned, and then cut into thin slices, pour water and pulverize in a blender.

The resulting mixture should be poured into a saucepan with water and bring to a boil. In the drink you need to add lemon juice and honey and mix well. Jamu is ready!

As we wrote earlier, you can add tamarind, cinnamon or any other spices to the drink.

Drink jamu should be at room temperature by half or one glass a day. The drink can also be heated – it will not lose its useful qualities.

How to store

Prepared jamu should be stored in an airtight glass container in a cool place – preferably in the refrigerator – no longer than a week.