Jamu is one of the greatest success stories of the beauty industry, yet it is virtually unknown outside its country of origin, Indonesia. In that country, 80 percent of the population relies on its natural medicinal powers to attain the figure, the complexion, the physical strength or the mood they desire. Broadly speaking, jamu refers to any kind of traditional medicine. But most people think of jamu as a herbal beverage with medicinal qualities and swig back a daily glass to achieve their heart's desire - or a few more glassesto cure an ailment already there.

The origins of jamu are lost in time, though, like most of the country's beauty rituals, it is supposed to have been born in the in central Java where commercial production is still based,The purest forms of jamu come from the island of Madura, where women reputedly can live to 135 years of age.

In fairytale fashion the magic jamu potions - herbs, roots, barks, leaves, honey, fruits, egg yolk and other ingredients' - are handed down verbally from mother to daughter through the generations. It is very much a woman's industry.

While the more common mixtures are taken for general health, strength and beauty, there are more than 350 well- known recipes for conditions as varied as skin whitening, kidney stones, malaria and flu. Most popular jamus contain turmeric for its astringent qualities and tamarind for flavour and blood cleansing. The dried ingredients are usually mixed with water plus a little honey or lime to taste. Under commercial production, the potent plant matter is ground into powder and pill form for convenience. However, a bag of dried herbs from Madura still has the greatest effect and stays potent for five years.

Visit Hotel Tugu in Bali for access to the best jamu available (see recipes below and right). Not only does this spa have a hot line to Madura,they make the traditional tonics on site. Most of Indonesia's spas offer more palatable jamus for general wellbeing. Drink one before or during your treatment to warm and prepare your body.

Jamu Koeat Lelaki (Strong Man Jamu)
This is a man's jamu. It makes one glass. It is taken to enhance vitality and endurance In bed. For continual high performance, a glass should be drunk morning and evening.
1 tbsp black pepper, crushed ltbsp coffee beans, ground 100 gms (2 tbsp) ginger juice, from soaked, shredded ginger 3 tbsp honey juice of I lime, juiced I free-range egg.
Method Put all the ingredients into a glass and mix. Cover with half a glass of hot water and drink down immediately.

Jamu Koenci Seoroeh
This is a women's jamu : it eliminates body odour, reduces the intensity of both period and periods pains and is taken to keep the body tight and youthful. It can be drunk, like water, any time. The following recipe makes five bottles of jamu, or three days supply.
200 gms (1 cup) : Chinese keys (Boesenbergia pandurata), 100 gms (6 tbsp) : galangal (or ginger), 100 gms (6 tbsp) : turmeric, ground, 3 tbsp : coriander, ground, handful : betel leaves (piper betle), 200 gms (1 cup) : pressed tamarind, 500 gms (1 lb) : coconut sugar, 150 gms (6 tbsp) : white sugar, 3 litres (3 quarts) : drinking water, to taste : salt.
Method Clean, peel and cut the Chinese keys, galangal and turmeric. Put these together in a juicer with the coriander and betel leaves and water. After blending, strain. Combine all the above in a bowl and add salt to taste before serving. The amount produce can be kept for up to one week in the fridge.