Wellness
I traveled 23 hours to Bali to discover the ritual of jamu.
On a scale from 1 to 10, tell me how much this hurts.
Four, I respond, voice muffled because Im lying face down and my face is in a pillow.
10!I yelp.
Pak Kadek, the healer, sighs.
This means your stomach is bad, he says solemnly.
You need more fiber and to drink more water.
The pristine beaches most people associate with Bali feel worlds away.
(Ahem, America, take notes.)
But Murtaya describes jamus inherent spirituality as what makes it truly unique.
Beyond spirituality, jamu also takes into accountgembira, the Indonesian term for being joyful.
Thats an Indonesian cultural trait, says Murdaya.
We want to be happy island people because we believe being happy is a part of being well.
Moments later, he splashes holy water on me in a bubbling stream.
Science and spirituality; the tangible and inexplicable.
The magic of jamu, indeed.
4 Ways to Incorporate Jamu Into Your Daily Life
This article was originally published onMay 4, 2023
