The benefits of herbal medicine for health have been highly trusted by the people of Indonesia. Not only as a health drink, herbal medicine has also been used for a long time as a medicinal herb. Some of the herbal raw materials have also gone through clinical trials, so that their effectiveness and benefits can be ascertained.
Jamu is known as a traditional Indonesian medicine. Jamu is made from natural ingredients that are widely grown in various parts of Indonesia. Around 2,518 types of plants are used as traditional medicine to maintain health and prevent disease.
Although many people believe that herbal medicine has various health benefits, further clinical research is still needed to confirm these benefit claims. Herbal medicine used as a complement to medical treatment must be done under the supervision of a doctor.
Benefits of Jamu Based on the Type of Plant
There are several natural ingredients that are usually processed into herbal medicine. Well, here are the benefits of herbal medicine based on its raw materials:
Turmeric
Turmeric has been used for a long time in traditional medicine. This herbal plant is known to be able to overcome various conditions, such as osteoarthritis, digestive tract disorders, menstrual pain, to skin problems such as acne and eczema.
These benefits come from the curcumin content in it. In addition, turmeric is also known to reduce high cholesterol levels, prevent heart disease, and reduce the risk of cancer.
Curcuma
Temulawak has long been used as the main ingredient for making herbal medicine. Research shows that temulawak has antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antidiabetic properties.
Traditionally, temulawak is often used to increase appetite and treat several diseases, such as stomach disorders, liver, constipation, arthritis, hemorrhoids, vaginal discharge, to fever in children.
However, further research is still needed to ascertain the benefits of this one ginger.
Ginger
Just like turmeric and temulawak, ginger has also long been used as a raw material in traditional medicine. This plant is believed to be able to overcome arthritis, headaches, menstrual pain, and nausea and vomiting after surgery.
In addition, ginger has a distinctive aroma that can relieve nausea during pregnancy. However, further clinical trials are still needed to ensure the veracity of these various claims of benefits.
Herbal Medicine Recipes to Overcome Various Diseases
Some medicinal plants in Indonesia do require further clinical trials to ensure their effectiveness in treating or preventing a disease. However, research results from the Ministry of Health have classified ingredients or herbs that can overcome complaints of various diseases.
This traditional herb or herbal medicine can overcome various health problems that you are experiencing. Well, here is a herbal composition that you can try to make yourself at home:
1. Cough with phlegm
To treat cough with phlegm, you can try the following herbal recipes:
- Steeping fine fennel seeds at a dose of 2 x 3–7 grams/day
- Boiled liquorice water with a dose of 1 x 10 grams / day
- Saga leaf decoction with a dose of 3 x 5 grams / day
2. Headache
If you want to deal with headaches, you can use inggu plants, bengle, and kencur leaves. All three are mixed by mashing and affixed to the temples to dry. The dosage is as follows:
- Sunday, with a dose of 1 x 5 grams / day
- Bengle, with a dose of 2 x 5 grams / day
- Kencur leaves, with a dose of 1 x 3 leaves / day
3. Hemorrhoids
The following are some herbal ingredients that can be used to treat hemorrhoids:
- Decoction of wungu leaves with a dose of 1 x 7 leaves / day
- Decoction of slobber leaves with a dose of 1 x 25 grams / day
4. Stomach bloating
You can overcome flatulence by concocting the following ingredients:
- Steeping ginger with a dose of 2 x 2.5 cm rhizome / day
- Steeping turmeric that has been mashed and dissolved at a dose of 3 x 50 grams / day
5. Sciatica
When aches and pains attack, you can use the following herbal ingredients to overcome them:
- Bitter leaf decoction with a dose of 15 leaves / day
- Turmeric mashed and dissolved at a dose of 3 x 20 grams / day
Although made from natural ingredients, herbal medicine is not necessarily safe and good for the body. Some herbal ingredients may interact with medications prescribed by a doctor. Therefore, consult your doctor first before consuming herbal medicine if you have certain medical conditions.
In addition, patients with impaired liver and kidney function as well as pregnant and lactating women are also not advised to consume herbal medicine before consulting a doctor.
If you experience certain complaints after consuming herbs or complaints that do not seem to improve even after taking herbs, immediately consult a doctor to get the right treatment.