Market For ‘Jamu' Growing In Brunei
By Hadthiah PD Hazair

Brunei-Muara - Despite the achievements of modern medicine, many Bruneians still prefer to use jamus or traditional medicine, especially for preventative measures and slimming purposes.

The Brunei Times approached several shops which sell traditional medicines from Indonesia and Malaysia, all of which reported that business has been brisk. Most of the shops see around 20 buying customers a day, most of whom would prefer to buy Indonesian brands.

"We've been here for almost six years now. Our products are mostly from indonesia and Malaysia," a Yellow Rose Enterprise shop attendant said, adding that she serves around 20 buying customers daily.

"Jamus that offer weight loss and health properties are the ones that sell most."

Another traditional jamu shop also confirmed the observation.

"We don't just get local customers. Foreigners who work in Brunei also come to buy. Sometimes we see up to 30 customers a day, mostly looking for jamus that help with weight loss and overall well being," shop attendant Mia Parmawati told The Brunei Times.

Last year, a World Health Organisation publication reported an increase of 80 per cent in the use of traditional medicines. According to the report, most of the users are from developing countries, but there is also a growing number in the industrialised countries.

The statistics for Brunei Darussalam show that the imports of traditional medicines into the country has increased by 43.26 per cent in the March 2006-April 2007 period compared to the same timeframe the previous year.

And it's not just women who are buying traditional concoctions, men too are avid consumers.

"Recently, my mum bought me a herbal tea... So, now I drink it once a day, and it does help me feel more energised throughout the day," 27-year-old Hakim Hj Muhammad said. -- Courtesy of The Brunei Times

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