Jamu: Indonesia’s Herbal Drink for Health & Energy

In Indonesia, people have been sipping their medicine for over 1,300 years, and it tastes like turmeric, tamarind, and tradition.

That’s jamu, a herbal drink that’s older than most countries and more relevant than ever. It’s what your grandmother might give you for a sore throat. Or what you might find in a Bali juice bar, being sold next to spirulina shots for $8. Same drink. Different vibe.

Here’s the kicker: UNESCO officially recognised jamu as an intangible cultural heritage. That means it’s not just trendy, it’s part of the identity of an entire nation. A liquid link between generations.

So what exactly is jamu? Is it healthy? Is it weird? Can you actually make it at home without grinding roots in a clay bowl while chanting in Old Javanese?

Yes. Yes. Sort of. And yes, but you don’t have to.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through what jamu is, why everyone from herbalists to health bloggers is talking about it, how to make it, where to find the real stuff, and what to avoid. No gatekeeping. No pseudoscience. Just straight-up info and a few good jokes.

Key Takeaways

• Jamu is a traditional Indonesian herbal drink made from roots, spices, and plants like turmeric, ginger, and tamarind, used for centuries to support health and balance.

• It’s not just one recipe, but a family of blends, each with a different purpose from boosting immunity to easing menstrual cramps or aiding digestion.

• The most popular version, Kunyit Asam, combines turmeric and tamarind for anti-inflammatory and hormonal support, delicious chilled or warm.

• Health benefits include reducing inflammation, supporting gut health, boosting energy, and improving skin clarity.

• You can easily make jamu at home with a blender and fresh ingredients, or buy authentic versions from local vendors in Bali or trusted brands online.

• Though now trending globally, jamu is a deeply rooted cultural tradition, more ritual than remedy, and best enjoyed with intention.

What Is Jamu?

Jamu is Indonesia’s ancient answer to wellness, made not in labs but in kitchens, fields, and family recipes passed down like heirlooms.

At its simplest, jamu is a traditional herbal drink. But calling it just a drink is like calling espresso “hot bean water.” Jamu has roots, literally and culturally. It’s been used for over a thousand years to support digestion, immunity, joint health, women’s health, and just about anything else life throws your way.

The base ingredients vary, but the greatest hits usually include turmeric, ginger, tamarind, lime, honey, and sometimes rice or galangal. Everything is blended, strained, and sipped, warm or cold, depending on your mood, ailment, or the weather.

It’s not one recipe. It’s a category. Like soup. Or jazz. There are regional differences, household tweaks, and secret additions no one writes down. And that’s exactly why it works.

Health Benefits of Jamu

Let’s talk results. Why are people obsessed with this spicy yellow potion?

Because it does stuff. Real stuff.

Turmeric is loaded with curcumin, a compound studied for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Ginger helps with nausea, digestion, and circulation. Tamarind is packed with polyphenols and gives your liver a little love. And let’s not sleep on honey, which isn’t just a sweetener, it’s antimicrobial.

People use jamu to:

• Ease period cramps

• Fight off colds

• Calm an angry gut

• Feel like they’re doing something healthy without blending kale

But don’t expect magic. This isn’t a miracle in a mason jar. It’s a habit. Like stretching, flossing, or showing up to therapy. Jamu works because it’s consistent, not because it’s trendy.

3 Most Popular Types of Jamu (And What They’re For)

Jamu isn’t one-size-fits-all. It’s a lineup. A playlist. Different blends for different needs.

Here are the crowd favourites.

1. Kunyit Asam – Turmeric + Tamarind

The Beyoncé of jamu. Bright yellow, tangy, slightly sweet, and incredible for women’s health. Traditionally used to ease menstrual pain, support hormone balance, and make you feel like a queen who owns a spice cabinet.

2. Beras Kencur – Rice + Aromatic Ginger (Kencur)

Great for energy and appetite. Often given to kids or people recovering from illness. It’s creamy, earthy, and a little spicy, like rice pudding went to a yoga retreat.

3. Sinom – Young Tamarind Leaves + Sugar

The cooling jamu. Refreshing, slightly bitter, served chilled. Think iced tea with a Balinese twist. Perfect for hot weather and hot tempers.

Each one has a job. Pick the one that fits your vibe, or your ailment and go from there.

How to Make Jamu at Home

You don’t need a temple, a village healer, or a cast-iron cauldron to make jamu. You just need a blender, some fresh roots, and 15 minutes.

Here’s how to make Kunyit Asam, the most popular version.

Ingredients:

• 1 thumb-sized piece of fresh turmeric (or 1 tsp turmeric powder)

• 1 thumb-sized piece of ginger

• 1 tbsp tamarind paste

• 2–3 tbsp honey (or coconut sugar)

• 2 cups water

• Juice of ½ a lime (optional but highly recommended)

• Pinch of black pepper (helps absorb curcumin)

Method:

1. Roughly chop the turmeric and ginger. No need to peel if they’re fresh and clean.

2. Throw everything in a blender with water. Blend until smooth.

3. Strain through a cheesecloth or fine sieve into a jar or bottle.

4. Taste. Adjust sweetness. Add lime if you like it tangy.

5. Store in the fridge for up to 3 days. Shake before drinking.

Pro tip: Wear gloves if you don’t want your hands to look like a highlighter exploded.

Where to Find Authentic Jamu

If making your own sounds great in theory but bad in practice (no judgment), you’ve got options.

In Bali, jamu is sold everywhere from local warungs to fancy cafés with oat milk lattes and surfboards on the wall. Look for signs that say “jamu kunyit asam” or ask the staff. Most places will know what you’re talking about. If they don’t, run.

In Java, you might find jamu sold by “mbok jamu”, older women who carry bottles door-to-door in baskets or on bicycles. If you see one, buy from her. She’s the OG.

Prefer something you can order from your couch? Brands like Jamu Wild Water (UK), Djamoekoe, and Herbilogy are packaging the good stuff and shipping it worldwide. Check ingredients, look for real roots, not concentrates or artificial flavours.

Rule of thumb: if it tastes like candy, it’s not jamu. If it burns a little going down, you’re on the right track.

Jamu in Modern Wellness Culture

Let’s address the turmeric latte in the room.

Yes, jamu is having a moment. It’s showing up in wellness cafés in LA, on influencer IG stories, and in supplements that cost more than a plane ticket to Bali. But jamu existed before wellness was a hashtag.

This isn’t a knock-off or a rebrand. It’s Indonesia’s original health system. And if it’s going global, that’s great, as long as it’s respected.

Modern health brands are mixing jamu with chia, collagen, and adaptogens. Some work. Some are just expensive orange water. If you want to try jamu the right way, start with the basics. Whole ingredients. No filler. Understand the roots before remixing the recipe.

Because at its core, jamu isn’t about selling a detox. It’s about the daily balance. Connecting to your body. Listening to what you need, and then blending it with intention.

That’s what makes it stick. And what’s kept it alive for over a millennium.

Conclusion

Jamu isn’t just a drink, it’s a habit. A ritual. A shot of heritage with a ginger kick and a turmeric stain on your cutting board.

Whether you try it from a Balinese street vendor, buy a bottled version, or brew a batch in your own kitchen, what matters most is intention. Jamu isn’t meant to be gulped and forgotten. It’s slow medicine. It’s meant to be felt.

You’ve now got the tools: recipes, ingredients, context, and maybe even a craving. If you’re curious, start with a simple kunyit asam. Turmeric, tamarind, water, and sweetener. That’s it. It’s bold. It’s earthy. It stains everything it touches, including your first impression of it.

And if it becomes your new morning ritual? Great. If it doesn’t? At least you now know what’s in that weird golden bottle everyone’s posting about.

Either way, jamu’s got a story. Now it’s part of yours too.

Craving more than just a taste of Bali’s wellness traditions? Our Bali Travel E-Guide highlights authentic culture, local rituals, and hidden spots so you can experience the island with depth beyond the tourist trail.