Uwuh - Javanese Herbal Drink for Health.

Java is an island which is blessed with cultural richness. Besides those cultural heritages like Batik, Kraton, Wayang (puppet show), Ramayana epics that the world has known, Javanese people are also well acknowledged for their expertise in concocting efficacious herbs to be made various "jamu" or herbal drinks.

U w u h is a Javanese word means thrash. The name refers to the contents of the drink which look like some thrash when they are put together although its benefits have nothing to do with the name.

Uwuh has become a famous drink in Imogiri area in Bantul-Yogjakarta. They drink it as a refreshing beverage when they want to keep up their stamina and stay healthy.

Sappan wood (Caesalpinia sappan). It's been long time known for its efficacy in curing some important illnesses. Departement of Pharmacy of Gajahmada University reveals that Sappan wood can be used as antioxidant, blood circulation, and exhalation relief.

Ginger (Zingiber officinale). The world knows how Ginger has been widely used in medication. It has potentials as anticoagulant so that beneficial in improving blood vessels, heart, and cholesterol control.

Cloves (Eugenia aromaticum) is Indonesia native plant which the fruit and the petiole contain a lot of essential oils needed for relieving hollow teeth, sinusitis, nausea, flatulence, cold, headache, cough, measles, and rheumatism.

Cinnamon (Cinnamomum). It makes the Uwuh has typical flavor and nice to drink. The combination of cinnamon with ginger has boosted the antioxidant power needed for body stamina. It's also used in medicating/relieving stomach ace, flatulence, sinusitis headache, fatigue, and overweight.

Nutmeg fruit and leaves. Nutmeg (Myristica fragrans) is rich in flavonoid contents which is useful for body protection against cancer and heart disease. In addition to flavonoid, nutmeg also contains sapponin and polyphenol known as natural antioxidants. They are good for people who catch cold, have digestion problem like stomach ulcer, increase appetite for children, muscle pain, rheumatism and they it is also used for illnesses related to nervous and digestive systems.

Lemon grass (Cymbopogon citratus) leaves and roots. Lemon grass roots have been long used for smoothing urination and sweat, easing cough by removing the slimes, mouth gargle, tooth ache, body warming, while the leaves are used for increasing appetite, eliminating gasses in stomach, after maternity treatment, and muscular spasm.

Cardamon (Elettaria sp). It contains a lot of essential oils which have been utilized in producing cough syrups, and osteoporosis treatment.

Rock sugar/rock candy. As natural sweetener added to the drink with still preserves the original taste of Uwuh.

Uwuh gets popularity with some important reasons. Being purely natural medicinal drink, people have got the benefits of uwuh so that its popularity has surpassed the boundary where it originates. Not only people in Imogiri, Bantul like to drink Uwuh today, but also those living far away in other parts of the country.

Supported by some scientific research, here are some benefits why people drink uwuh :

* Lowers the cholesterol.

* Maintains normal blood pressure

* Anti coagulant, improves blood circulation.

* Anti oxidant, improves body resistant against illnesses.

* Relieves pains, flatulence, and cold.

* Eases breath and gives warmth effects to the body.

To make a glass (around 400 -500 ml) of Uwuh, you need to prepare :

Thin-cut sappan wood, 20 grams

Ginger, 100 grams

Cinnamon, 20 grams

Nutmeg, 20 grams

Cardamon, 5 grams

Lemon grass, 50 grams

Cloves, 510 grams

Rock sugar, 60 grams.

• Peel the ginger and wash it cleanly.
• Also wash the lemon grass leaves and roots, nutmeg and the cardamon.
• Put all the ingridients including the rock sugar in a glass or a stainless steel cup and add 150 ml of hot water into the glass.
• Put a cap on the glass for 3-5 minutes to let the spices release their essences and the rock sugar dissolve.
• Stir it gently and now it's ready to drink. The best way to enjoy it when it's warm.

Enjoy and get the benefits of Uwuh for your body and soul.