What is Jamu?

Jamu is Indonesian traditional herbal medicine. It is made using roots, leaves, flowers, seeds and spice. It is used to support general health, balance and wellbeing. Jamu is a part of daily life for Indonesians.

Jamu originates from the Mataram Kingdom in Java, Indonesia, during the 8th to 10th centuries. The Sultan's palace in Yogyakarta and Surakarta became centers of jamu knowledge, where royal healers refined formulations for the nobility. The tradition began by the healers of the royal courts and was eventually passed down to the public through word of mouth.

Why did Hen Herbal begin?

In Indonesia, I love meeting the elderly Mbok (Auntie) Jamu and taking their recommended prescription. These women have made Jamu their whole lives, waking up at 4am every day to grind whole ingredients into paste, blending ancient recipes. Individual recipes would be poured into bottles and carried in baskets for a day of sales. A labour of love and devotion, with no apprentices to continue the trade.

Learning about the philosophy and practice of Jamu has deepen my connection to ancestors, to land, to my heritage and to own healing path with plant medicine.

In Australia, I could only find cheaply made Jamu using powders, fruit juice or vinegar to dilute. So I began making concentrated, fresh Jamu using whole, organic, quality ingredients.

I haven’t tweaked the flavour for western palates. It is my cultural heritage and I don’t want to dilute it.

How does Jamu philosophy approach healing?

Jamu supports holistically, believing that prevention is better than cure. Ingredients are sourced and blended to promote daily balance, rather than just treating acute symptoms.

Jamu restores equilibrium when incorporated daily, like using a daily moisturiser or working in comfortable shoes. Benefits accumulate over time.

What is unique about traditional Jamu preparation?

Correct preparation of Jamu relies on specific ritual and timings believed to enhance the medicines effectiveness. Ingredients are traditionally ground using stone (cobek) as practitioners believe this preserves the herbs natural energy. Many recipes specify the best times for harvesting ingredients, often during specific moon phases of times of day. Hen Herbal combines ancestral wisdom with modern quality control and exceptional ingredient quality, providing benefits of traditional preparation with efficacy.