“Djamoe” and the History of Traditional Medicine in Indonesia
The advancement of modern healthcare continues to progress. However, many Indonesians still preserve their ancestral traditions for maintaining health and treating illnesses through traditional methods.
Indonesia’s rich biodiversity and cultural diversity make it a treasure trove of traditional knowledge about using plants as traditional medicine.
Historical evidence suggests that traditional medicine practices have existed since the Meso-Neolithic era, spanning the Middle Stone Age to the New Stone Age. “Jamu” is one of Indonesia’s oldest cultural heritages in the development of traditional medicine.
So, what historical evidence has been found, and how has jamu evolved in the history of traditional medicine in Indonesia?
Historical Evidence of Traditional Medicine in Indonesia
According to the Regional Health Office of Yogyakarta Special Region, traditional medicine is a combination of skills, knowledge, and practices based on theories, beliefs, and experiences developed by various cultures. These practices are passed down from generation to generation.
The Faculty of Medicine at the University of Indonesia reports that traditional medicine existed even before the 18th century AD. Evidence shows that ancestors have been using herbal jamu for health purposes since the Meso-Neolithic era.
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Archaeological findings on Java Island include stone mortars, pestles, and grinders, indicating the use of herbs for medicinal purposes. Some temples in Indonesia, such as Borobudur, Prambanan, and Penataran, also provide evidence that herbal medicine was practiced in the 8th–9th centuries AD.
Reliefs on the walls of Borobudur Temple depict scenes of people preparing jamu by grinding herbs. Ancient texts in Old Javanese, Sanskrit, and Balinese written on palm leaves, known as Usada Bali, describe herbal recipes for medicine and date back to 991–1016 AD.
The Development of Jamu as Indonesia’s Traditional Medicine Heritage
Jamu has been recognized as Indonesia’s 13th Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO since 2023. The culture of jamu is seen as a medium of cultural expression, fostering a connection between humans and nature. This aligns with UNESCO’s sustainable development goals.
The term “djamoe” first appeared in the Primbon Jawa, a Javanese ancestral manuscript containing traditional knowledge, dating back to the 15th–16th centuries AD. “Djamoe” is derived from “djampi,” meaning prayer or medicine, and “oesodo,” meaning health. Together, these words describe jamu as a prayer or remedy for improving health.
Kanjeng Gusti Adipati Anom Mangkunegara III, a king of the Mataram Kingdom, documented jamu recipes in the Serat Centhini between 1810 and 1823. Centhini is a collection of Javanese cultural stories and knowledge. Around 1,734 herbal recipes were later documented by Raden Atmasupana II in 1850.
Jamu was not only popular among locals but also attracted Dutch, German, and British doctors. In 1829, Dr. Carl Waitz wrote a book titled Practical Observations on a Number of Javanese Medications, detailing jamu. A health expert, Geerlof Wassink, also studied jamu, establishing a medicinal plant garden in 1850 at the military hospital in Weltevreden (now Gatot Soebroto Military Hospital). Geerlof encouraged doctors to use herbal remedies.
Another book on jamu’s benefits was written by Dutch doctor Dr. Cornelis L. van der Burg, titled Materia Indica, a 900-page volume. In 1930, Indonesian doctors Dr. Abdul Rasyid and Dr. Seno Sastroamijoyo advocated for the use of jamu and herbal medicine as preventive healthcare.
The Indonesian Doctors Association (IDI) organized a conference in 1939, inviting traditional medicine practitioners to present their methods. This event popularized jamu-based treatments.
The study of jamu marked the establishment of Indonesia’s first jamu factories: PT Jamoe Iboe Jaya (1910), PT Nyonya Meneer (1919), and PT Sido Muncul (1940). Government support led to regulations ensuring the safe production and monitoring of traditional medicines.
On May 27, 2008, Indonesia’s 6th President, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, officially designated jamu as Indonesia’s national brand and declared the date as Indonesian Jamu Awakening Day. This celebration underscores jamu’s significance as a cultural heritage in the development of traditional medicine in Indonesia.
Translated from GNFI — “Djamoe” dan Sejarah Perkembangan Pengobatan Tradisional di Indonesia
