Indonesia's Ancient System of Herbal Healing
Indonesia's Ancient System of Herbal Jamu is the Indonesian traditional herbal medicine that has been practised for many centuries in the Indonesian community to maintain good health and to treat diseases. Although modern (conventional) medicine is becoming increasingly important in Indonesia, jamu is still very popular in rural as well as in urban areas. Based on its traditional use jamu is being developed into a rational form of therapy, by herbal practitioners and in the form of phytopharmaceuticals. Jamu has acquired a potential benefit, both economically and clinically. We surveyed the most frequently used plants in jamu that have also been investigated regarding their constituents and pharmacological effects. The Indonesian government has divided the preparation of medicinal plants into three categories, i.e. jamu , standardized herbal medicines and fitofarmaka (phytomedicines). As the biological activity ascribe...