Jamu – the all-natural healing tonic of Indonesia – is a magical natural medicine and delicious refreshing drink on a hot day in Bali.
You can try this Ayurvedic magic mix of herbs, roots, and spices anywhere in Bali or make it yourself following our simple instructions.
Let’s find out more about this traditional homemade beverage, its health benefits, and where you can try it while visiting Bali.
What Is Jamu in Bali?
Jamu is an Indonesian turmeric ginger drink originating from Central Java and known for reducing inflammation, body detox, and immune-boosting properties.
Jamu in Bahasa Indonesia (Indonesian language) is the general term for all the variations of that juice. For ex., Turmeric Jamu will be called kunyit jamu, Turmeric Tamarind Jamu – kunyit asam and so on.
Brief Jamu History And Origins
Indonesian healers and the royal family of the Javanese Hindu–Buddhist kingdom Mataram which existed in Central Java in the 8-10th century used Jamu.
Later, healers shared the drink and recipes with ordinary people.
Historians believe the migration of people spread the jamu all across the archipelago.
Only in the 1940s, did local healers agree to share their recipes and the process of making Jamu. So for almost 900 years, they kept this secret.
In 2019, the Indonesian Ministry of Education and Culture named the Jamu drink as part of Indonesia’s cultural heritage.
The tradition is still alive today. In Java and Bali, vendors set up shops early in the morning. Descendants of healers and jamu makers are also trying to introduce Jamu into cities and high-end restaurants.
What Is Jamu Juice Made Of?
Jamu only has natural ingredients that grow abundantly in Bali and Indonesia, with the main ingredients being fresh turmeric and ginger root.
Some other ingredients you may find:
Fresh ginger root (jahe in Indonesian).
Fresh turmeric root (kunyit). Natural energy booster. Works better them coffee.
Black pepper. When you add black pepper, it helps digest and absorb turmeric better because pepper contains piperine without which we ingest very little turmeric.
Lemon juice or lime juice works as a natural preservative.
Tamarind is a traditional ingredient of Javanese Jamu, the OG Jamu.
Lemongrass is an add-on Balinese recipes often have.
Galangal is a rarer ingredient that is known to reduce muscle pain.
Sugar or honey. In Central Java, people use palm sugar to sweeten Jamu.
Garlic is an anti-inflammatory and immune system booster ingredient. The taste of garlic will not be pronounced.
Cloves are another rarer ingredient that is more common for Jamus from the Moluccan islands.
How Does Jamu Taste?
Traditional Jamu has a strong, pungent, earthy but fresh taste with a bit of spiciness from ginger and a sour flavour from lime.
It is usually not sweetened and may seem bitter.
Jamu has a bright orange colour and a distinctive aroma of turmeric and ginger.
Many people dilute it with water or juice and add some natural sweetener like honey or syrup.
What Does Jamu Do For You? 12 Jamu Health Benefits
Jamu is a traditional Indonesian medicine well known among locals for its medicinal properties and refreshing flavour.
- Naturally boosts the immune system as it has loads of vitamin C and antioxidants to fight the first symptoms of a cold or illness, and help slow down the aging processes.
- Boosts energy levels, increases circulation, and fights off fatigue better than coffee!
- Anti-inflammatory properties. Jamu shots, specifically curcumin found in turmeric and gingerol from ginger, reduce inflammation, even chronic, and help prevent heart diseases. The drink also soothes irritated throat very well.
- Antibacterial properties. Jamu fights viruses and bacteria to prevent diseases, especially E.coli which often causes infections and diarrhea. Galangal fights infections, parasites, and fungus.
- Ginger helps with digestion and promotes gut health. Jamu lowers bad cholesterol, calms upset stomach, and eases nausea. It also increases metabolism, which helps with weight loss, and cures Bali Belly.
- A natural painkiller that eases muscle and joint pain, as well as headache. A good natural medicine for people suffering from arthritis.
- Anti-cancerogenic properties. Some studies found that turmeric slows down cancer and can help our body kill bad cells.
- Helps ease skin and stomach conditions, and keeps the skin, young, glowing and healthy. It can even help with acne.
- Balances hormones. It helps women with a variety of conditions, including PMS and period pain, and promotes overall well-being.
- Natural detox. Jamu is a traditional Indonesian herbal drink and it was used for centuries to heal and get rid of sickness and viruses without using doctor’s services. Nowadays, in Bali, it is widely used to detox the liver and kidneys from an unbalanced diet or less-than-healthy lifestyle.
- A good drink for people with diabetes.
- Turmeric is good for our brains. It boosts brain neural activity that naturally slows down with age, and prevents Alzheimer’s and dementia.
Is Jamu Good for Bali Belly?
Jamu juice and coconut water are great natural remedies for food poisoning, diarrhea, and Bali Belly.
Turmeric Ginger Jamu Recipe To Make At Home
You will quickly find out that all the shops and Indonesian granmas have their unique recipe of Jamu they’ve been making for decades.
In 2012, the Indonesian Ministry of Health tried to make a list of all existing jamu recipes in the country – they collected more the 15,000!
You can adjust it and try to make your own version, even if it is just the basic turmeric-ginger-lime version.
You’ll need turmeric root, ginger, black pepper, and lime juice.
Optional: tamarind paste, honey, juice or coconut water.
Directions
Get fresh turmeric root and ginger in the ratio of 2 to 1. Wash and dry. Cut in thin disks.
In a saucepan over medium-high heat bring ginger, turmeric, and 1L of water to a boil. Optional, add 4 tbsp of tamarind paste. Reduce the heat and simmer for 20 minutes. Cool completely. Don’t discard the water! Use it for blending.
Add the mixture with honey or other sweetener (to taste), black pepper, and lime juice (2-3 limes) to the blender and blend until smooth without any lumps.
Strain the juice through a fine mesh sieve (muslin cloth or nut milk bag work too). It is optional as some prefer the pulp.
Add orange or pineapple juice, coconut water, or regular water to taste.
It is usually served chilled but can work as hot tea too.
Be careful handling turmeric as its juices can stain practically everything and the stains are hard to remove.
You can blend fresh turmeric and ginger but they are very firm, some blenders can’t handle it. Plus, boiling really brings out all the flavours of the roots.
Traditionally, the roots were not blended but crushed to pulp using pestles and mortars.
The best time to drink jamu is morning, to boost energy and digestion for the day. We don’t recommend drinking jamu at night since it is a potent energy drink and may keep you awake.
Where To Try Classic Turmeric Jamu in Bali?
You will find Jamu at street vendors, hotel restaurants, and grocery stores. The best Jamu is always freshly made and uses fresh ginger and turmeric instead of powders.
Bali Buda and health shops (offline and online)
Finns Beach Club serves kombucha, classic jamu, and jamu juice with guava or beetroot.
Ubud restaurant Room4Dessert serves jamu as a dessert.
If you buy Jamu, store it in a glass bottle in the fridge for 3-5 days. The fresher jamu is, the better it tastes, but there are also potent jamu powder concentrates you can find in local stores.
Jamu Massage & Balinese Boreh – Ancient Beauty Practices
Jamu can promote health not only from the inside but through our skin too.
Jamu Massage
It has slimming and lymph drainage properties and keeps the skin toned. Massage therapists use herbal mixes during Jamu massage.
It is very beneficial for pregnant women and women who just gave birth as it helps the body remove excess liquid, and promotes lactation and a good night’s sleep.
Balinese Boreh or Healing Body Scrub
Balinese boreh is a traditional body scrub made of ginger, galangal rice and spices – a close recipe to Jamu.
It is believed to relax the muscles, exfoliate gently, tone the skin, but also speed up recovery from flu or ease arthritis.
Final Thoughts
Indonesian fresh turmeric ginger drink aka Jamu is a healing power that kept Bali and the rest of Indonesia safe and healthy for centuries, long before clinical medicine was invented.
Tapping into our roots, and connecting with nature’s revitalizing properties with help you balance your body and mind, and you can even take your favourite Jamu recipe back home to treat your family.
