Jamu Herbal

Jamu is traditional medicine in Indonesia. It is predominantly herbal medicine made from natural materials, such as parts of plants such as roots, bark, flowers, seeds, leaves and fruits.  Materials acquired from animals, such as honey, royal jelly, milk and eggs are also often used.

Jamu can be found throughout Indonesia, however it is most prevalent in Java. In many large cities jamu herbal medicine is sold on the street by hawkers carry a refreshing drink, usually bitter but sweetened with honey or palm sugar. 

Jamu Herbal is also produced in factories by large companies, and sold at various drug stores in sachet packaging. Packaged dried jamu should be dissolved in hot water first before drinking. Nowadays jamu herbal medicine is also sold in the form of tablets, caplets and capsules. These jamu brands are united in an Indonesian Herbal and Traditional Medicine Association. Today, jamu is a growing local herbal medicine industry worth millions of dollars. In 2014, Jamu contributes Rp 3 trillion (US$73.29 million) to overall sales.

Cupping Therapy

Cupping  is a type of Chinese massage, consisting of placing several glass "cups" (open spheres) on the body. A match is lit and placed inside the cup and then removed before placing the cup against the skin. As the air in the cup is heated, it expands, and after placing in the skin, cools, creating lower pressure inside the cup that allows the cup to stick to the skin via suction. When combined with massage oil, the cups can be slid around the back, offering "reverse-pressure massage".

Through suction, the skin is drawn into the cup by creating a vacuum in the cup placed on the skin over the targeted area. The vacuum can be created either by the heating and cooling of the air in the cup or via a mechanical pump.  The cup is usually left in place for somewhere between five and fifteen minutes. It is believed by some to help treat pain, deep scar tissues in the muscles and connective tissue, muscle knots, and swelling; however, the efficacy of this is unproven.

Cupping is generally safe when done by trained health professionals on people who are otherwise healthy.  It is not recommended in people with health problems due to side effects.  Cupping is not recommended as a replacement for typical treatment.  Cupping may result in bruising, burns, pain, or skin infection.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a form of alternative medicine  and a key component of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM)  involving thin needles being inserted into the body.  TCM theory and practice are not based upon scientific knowledge,  and acupuncture is commonly described as pseudoscience.  There is a diverse range of acupuncture theories, involving different philosophies.  Techniques vary depending on the country.  The method used in TCM is likely the most widespread in the US.  It is most often used for pain relief,  though it is also used for a wide range of other conditions.  It is generally only used in combination with other forms of treatment.

Acupuncture is generally safe when done by an appropriately trained practitioner using clean needle technique and single-use needles. When properly delivered, it has a low rate of mostly minor adverse effects. Accidents and infections are associated with infractions of sterile technique or neglect of the practitioner.

Acupuncture is commonly used for pain relief,  though it is also used to treat a wide range of conditions.  The majority of people who seek out acupuncture do so for musculoskeletal problems, including low back pain, shoulder stiffness, and knee pain.

Acupuncture is the stimulation of specific acupuncture points along the skin of the body using thin needle.  It can be associated with the application of heat, pressure, or laser light to these points.

Allergic Diseases

Allergies, also known as allergic diseases, are a number of conditions caused by hypersensitivity of the immune system to something in the environment that usually causes little or no problem in most people. These diseases include hay fever, food allergies, atopic dermatitis, allergic asthma, and anaphylaxis. Symptoms may include red eyes, an itchy rash,runny nose, shortness of breath, or swelling. Food intolerances and food poisoning are separate conditions.

Patch testing is a method used to determine if a specific substance causes allergic inflammation of the skin. It tests for delayed reactions. It is used to help ascertain the cause of skin contact allergy, or contact dermatitis. 

Several medications maybe used to block the action of allergic mediators, or to prevent activation of cells and degranulation processes. These include antihistamines, glucocorticoids, epinephrine (adrenaline), mast cell stabilizers, and antileukotriene agents are common treatments of allergic diseases.

Healthy Diet

A healthy diet provides the body with essential nutrition: fluid, adequate essential amino acidsfrom protein, essential fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, and adequate calories. The requirements for a healthy diet can be met from a variety of plant-based and animal-based foods. A healthy diet supports energy needs and provides for human nutrition without exposure to toxicity or excessive weight gain from consuming excessive amounts. Where lack of calories is not an issue, a properly balanced diet (in addition to exercise) is also thought to be important for lowering health risks, such asobesity, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, hypertension and cancer.

Various nutrition guides are published by medical and governmental institutions to educate the public on what they should be eating to promote health. 

The idea of dietary therapy (using dietary choices to maintain health and improve poor health) is quite old and thus has both modern scientific forms (medical nutrition therapy) and prescientific forms (such as dietary therapy in traditional Chinese medicine).

The World Health Organization(WHO) makes the following 5 recommendations with respect to both populations and individuals:

• Eat roughly the same amount of calories that your body is using. A healthy weight is a balance between energy consumed and energy that is 'burnt off'.
• Limit intake of fats, and prefer unsaturated fats to saturated fatsand trans fats.
• Increase consumption of plant foods, particularly fruits,vegetables, legumes, whole grains and nuts.
• Limit the intake of sugar. A 2003 report recommends less than 10% of calorie intake from simple sugars.
• Limit salt / sodium consumption from all sources and ensure that salt is iodized.