Worried About Corona Virus? Fortify Your Body with Jamu!

Since last January the world has been paralyzed by Corona virus or COVID-19 outbreak. Starting in Wuhan, China, this virus spreads rapidly, transmitted from sufferers through several channels. Like a snowball, the victims kept falling, and the number is getting bigger and bigger. Quoted from Tirto.id, the number of Corona Virus victims worldwide reached 90,428 people as of Tuesday (3/3/2020) at 08.30.

Yesterday, Monday, (2/3/2020) President Jokowi officially announced that 2 Indonesian citizens had tested positive for Corona. This of course makes us anxious. What should we do? The main thing we have to do is stay calm and don’t panic. We can take preventive measures to fortify ourselves and families from the Corona virus.

Some most handy ways to prevent the Corona virus are to avoid contact with sufferers, maintain cleanliness, and consume healthy foods. Along with those efforts, the most basic effort we can do is to increase the body’s immune system so that it is not susceptible to viruses and bacteria.

How to increase our body’s immune system? One of them is with jamu, the nation’s local wisdom that has been passed down for generations. A lot of literature and research results state that jamu is proven to maintain fitness and improve the body’s immune system. The composition of jamu which consists of natural ingredients, we usually call them empon-empon,  has the property to “ward off” various types of viruses and bacteria.

This is in line with the statement expressed by Prof. Nidom, Professor of Unair and Chair of the Corona & Vaccine Formulation Research Team of Professor Nidom Foundation, said that the content of curcumin and other compounds in empon-empon can strengthen the body’s immune system against viral and bacterial infections in general and can prevent damage to body cells due to the process inflammation caused by infection.

The following empon-empon are known to be effective in increasing the body’s immune system.

1. Jahe (Ginger)

Jahe contains Vitamin C and Magnesium which help strengthen the body’s immune system. Ginger also contains gingerols, shogaols, and zingerones which function as antioxidants for the body.

2. Kunyit (Turmeric)

Kunyit contains curcumin which acts as a natural antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent that helps increase cell resistance to damage caused by inflammatory infections, slows down the aging process, and prevents several degenerative diseases.

3. Sereh (Lemongrass)

Sereh contains vitamin B, magnesium, potassium, and iron which help increase endurance. Its antioxidant content plays a role in fighting free radicals.

4. Temulawak (Java Ginger)

Like turmeric, temulawak also contains curcumin which is useful for increasing endurance and maintaining liver health. Curcumin also functions as an antioxidant that can slow down cell damage in the body.

5. Kayu manis (Cinnamon)

Kayu manis contains calcium, fiber, vitamin B6, magnesium, iron, vitamin A, carbohydrates, and vitamin C. Cinnamon is also rich in antioxidants, antimicrobials, and anti-inflammatory which can increase endurance.

The efficacy and benefits of herbal medicine to maintain fitness and improve the immune system have been proven by President Joko Widodo himself. Jahe, kunyit and temulawak are routinely drunk by the president (Read:  Jamupedia.com). You can also see a tutorial on jamu making on our Youtube channel (jamupediaTV).