, which gently evens out the complexion, lies the Indonesian tradition of wellness, jamu. “In short, it's our herbal health tradition,” Murdaya explains. “It was born in Indonesia, which mean Spice Island, and is a country that's historically experienced a lot of trade.
, an informative guidebook featuring a collection of ingredient profiles and easy-to-follow recipes that are aimed to restore the body and soul.One of the key takeaways is that there isn't a right way to do jamu– in fact, there isn't even a singular version of the tradition, there are many, perhaps thousands. “Each island of Indonesia might have a slight variation on jamu because it is based on the flora and the fauna that is native there,” she explains.
That's just a sliver of the knowledge Murdaya brings homes through her writing. But she makes it very clear that this book isn't meant to be the be-all and end-all, nor does she want it to feel preachy. “It's not meant to be a history book, it's not meant to be a textbook,” says Murdaya. “It's supposed to be a relaxing, soothing experience, one that is easy to apply to your own life.
Below, Murdaya shares a few more takeaways on a tradition that has helped her heal and will hopefully inspires others to treat themselves a little more kindly.Traditionally, Jamu isn't something that you chug and go. If you're going to the healer, he isn't a random person that sells you medicine and says, “Thank you, bye bye.” It's somebody in the community who has a positive intention for you to feel better.