Herbal Heaven

Curcuma xanthorrhiza Roxb.

2008-11-11T17:33:00.000+07:00

Curcuma xanthorrhiza Roxb.:

    * Family: Zingiberaceae (Ginger Family)
    * Genus: Curcuma
    * Local Name: Temulawak, Koneng gede, Temo labak
    * Scientific Name: Curcuma xanthorrhiza

Curcuma xanthorrhiza is ginger family (Zingiberaceae) member. Cultivated in Java at 1800m alt, with pale yellow rhizome, reddish white and yellow flower; This strong fragrant and bitter medicinal herb is widely used in Indonesia for its effect. Almost all Indonesian Jamu consist of Temulawak.

I personally believe that this herb's rhizome is the most powerful herbal medicine in this country cause of its curcuminoid and essential oil combination.

Medicinal Properties:

* anti-oxidant;
* hepatoprotector;
* appetite stimulant;
* immunostimulator;
* anti: -viral, -bacterial effects

Appetite stimulant for kids: Temulawak syrup -Traditional way

2008-11-11T16:59:00.003+07:00

I have this experience some years ago..even after their mom rotate our kids' menu, this did not solve the problem. At last, I came to my parents, and they suggested me to try the tradional way. Do you want to know what they suggested us ? Yes, they suggested us to do the same way they did to me when I was kid, --> Medicinal herbs or Jamu. :)

Much to my surprise, a friend of mine sent me a literature on Curcuma xanthorrhiza clinical trial, held in a University Hospital in East Java. When I read that literature, I found out that beside of its effect as hepatopretector, Curcuma xanthorrhiza also shown a potential as appetite stimulant. They said that active component of Curcuma xanthorhizza i.e Curcuminoid and its essential oil has been tried for almost 2 years and shown good result.

Therefore, without any hesitate, I went to drugstore and bought some Curcumin-based syrup (Temulawak syrup) as appetite stimulant for kids. Hoping that everything would be allright, I started to give my son curcumin syrup, after 7 days of its usage, my son shown significant change in his appetite. This what I want to share with whom that have any problem with their kids' appetite.

I hope someday I could post that literature, cause it was written in Indonesian language and I need extra time to translate it.

Michelia champaca Linn.

2008-11-06T11:42:00.000+07:00

Michelia champaka Linn.:

    * Family: Magnoliaceae
    * Genus: Michelia
    * Species: M. champaka
    * Local Name: Cempaka, Cempaka kuning, Cempaka koneng

Michelia champaka is Magnoliaceae family member. This tree with height 15-25m with fragrant yellow flower is known as medicinal and cosmetical purposes herb.It may be found in Java and Sumatra in marshy forest at ~1200m alt. Many herbal cosmetic producers use this Michelia champaka flowers for their perfume products that is believed that the fragrant of Michelia champaka will bring joy and harmony to the users. While the seeds are used for anti-fever jamu.

Medicinal Properties:

* Flower: anti-spasmodic; Cholic treatment
* Flower: analgesic
* Flower: cosmetic; reduce cellulitis
* Seed: anti-fever

Piper retrofractum Vahl

2008-11-06T09:35:00.000+07:00

Piper retrofractum Vahl:

    * Family: Piperaceae
    * Genus: Paperomia
    * Species: P. retrofractum
    * Local Name: Cabe Jawa, Cabe panjang, Cabe jamu

Piper retrofractum Vahl is Piperaceae family member. This herb known as one of Herbal Medicine powerful ingredient, it may be found in Java and Sumatra. Many Indonesia's Jamu formulas consist of this Retropiper. It has strong spicy-tasted, therefore, if you consume it directly, your tears should appear immediately and makes your eyes open widely.

Medicinal Properties:

* anti-spasmodic
* anti-diarrhea
* analgesic
* aphrodisiac
* tonic

Myristica fragrans Houtt.

2008-11-05T14:24:00.005+07:00

Myristica fragrans Houtt.:

    * Family: Myristicaceae
    * Genus: Myristica
    * Species: fragrans
    * Scientific Name: Myristica fragrans Houtt.
    * Commercial Name: Fragrant Nutmeg
    * Local Name: Pala

Myristica fragrans is Myristicaceae family member. This herb known as one of many Indonesia's original spices, it may be found in Mollucas, North Sulawesi, Aceh and Papua as well. This Banda Island's herb brought and spread to Java and Sumatra when Marcopolo passed Java hundred years ago. No doubt at all, this is one of the oldest spices ever known.

Medicinal Properties:

* anti-flatulent
* anti-diarrhea
* hair tonic
* anti-inflammatory

Dare to try ??

2008-10-27T11:09:00.007+07:00

In this country, Indonesia, lot of loyal users of Jamu (Traditional/herbal medicine). Jamu, means the formulation of medicinal herbs, it may consist of root, barks or leaves. If ones feel not in good health, they drink herbal medicine formulation immediately. This happened since hundred years. For some of us, believe that traditional medicine is better than clinically-proven drugs.

Fanatical users are increasing every single day. For us, there is no problem to drink this very bitter-tasted juice; the most important thing is we feel good effect after drink it. We drink this traditional medicine without the fear of its side effect.

Nowadays, with modern development, we can buy jamu in extracted form then packed in capsules or tablets. This also good for someone that cant help with the bitter of taste.

For me, myself, I still prefer to mix traditional medicine in juice, the bitter the better :) cause I still believe that its good even not clinically-proven yet. The Indonesian First Lady also drinks Jamu. Dare to try ?

TIPS: How to drink milk without the fear of bacterial contamination.

2008-10-20T18:24:00.005+07:00

Make sure that your working space is clean, means, your kitchen and its utilities should be cleaned first. Remember to wash your hands before preparing the milk. Baby bottle should be boiled at 100C or 212F prior to use. Prepare the milk for one-time drink only. Boil some water and wait until cooling of 70 degree Celcius. Then mix the milk powder into the water. FYI, Enterobacter Sakazakii cannot live at above 60 degree Celcius. Make sure the babies drink not more than 4 hours after preparation. You should periodically wash and boil baby drinking/eating utilities.

Kaempferia galanga

2008-10-18T16:36:00.001+07:00

Kaempferia galanga:

* Family: Zingiberaceae

* Latin name: Kaempferia galanga
* Common name:Kencur

This plant is known as "Tanaman Sakti' or powerful plant in Indonesian people. Many Javanese traditional medicines consist of Kaempferia galanga. If it is mixed with rice, then Javanese people call it Beras Kencur. It has very good effect on Immuno enhancer as well as anti-spasmodic.

Medicinal properties:

    * Anti-spasmodic;
    * Anti-inflammatory effects;
    * Immuno enhancer;

Psidium guajava (Guava)

2008-09-30T15:53:00.001+07:00

Psidium Guajava:

    * Family: Myrtaceae
    * Genus: Psidium
    * Species: guajava

Jambu Biji, or guava, Psidium guajava L., of the myrtle family (Myrtaceae), is known by its common name. In Spanish, called guayabo, or guayavo. Goyavier in French; Guyaba, goeajaaba in Dutch. Guava or kuawa, that's how Hawaiians call it. In Indonesia, it is generally known either as guava or jambu batu, but has also numerous dialectal names as it does in other countries.

Medicinal Properties:

    * Antidiarrheal effect;
    * Antibacterial
    * Antiamebic
    * Antispasmodic;

Centella asiatica

2008-09-09T15:28:00.001+07:00

Centella asiatica:

    * Family: Appiaceae
    * Scientific Name: Centella asiatica
    * Common Name: Antanan, Pegagan

Centella asiatica has been used as a medicinal herb for thousands of years in Indonesia, China and also India. It's usually used for improve mental clarity, wounds healing and skin treatment such as leprosy and psoriasis. In ancient Indonesian Medicine, pegagan or antanan is one of the primary herbs for revitalizing brain cells and the nerves; Also primarily known as a brain supplement in India. It has also been called the "miracle herbs of life" because ancient Chinese herbalist lived for hundred years as a result of using the plant.

Medicinal Properties:
    * Tonic;
    * Memory Enhancer
    * Wound Healing;
    * anti-cancer effects;

Andrographis paniculata

2008-08-03T14:04:00.002+07:00

Andrographis paniculata

* Family: Acanthaceae
* Genus: Andrographis
* Scientific Name: Andrographis paniculata Nees
* Common Name: Sambiloto

Andrographis paniculata, known as "Indonesian Godess of Bitters," has been used for hundred years in Indonesia for treatment of fever, upper respiratory infections, sore throat,herpes, , GI tract and other infectious and chronic diseases. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Andrographis is categorized as "cold property" herb: it is used to absorb the body of heat, as in fevers, and dispelling body toxins.

Medicinal Properties:

Analgesic (pain killer)
Anti-inflammatory
Antibacterial
Antipyretic
Antiviral
Choleretic
Expectorant
Hepatoprotective
Immuno Enhancer

Curcuma longa

2008-07-15T11:55:00.003+07:00

Curcuma longa:

Family: Zingiberaceae (Ginger Family)
Genus: Curcuma
Species: Longa
Scientific Name: Curcuma Longa Linnaeus

Curcuma longa is ginger family (Zingiberaceae) member. A Swedish botanist, Carolus Linnaeus, who also known as the Father of Taxonomy, classified Curcuma Longa during his research.

Medicinal Properties:

* anti-oxidant;
* anti-inflammatory effects
* anti-platelet;
* anti-cancer effects
* anti: -viral, -bacterial effects