Skip to content
2000
Volume 12, Issue 1
  • ISSN: 2215-0838
  • E-ISSN: 2215-0846
file format text download EPUB
file format pdf download PDF
side by side viewer icon HTML

Abstract

Jamu is a longstanding traditional medicinal and health practice in Indonesia dating back thousands of years and deeply rooted in the country's cultural heritage. The use of natural botanicals, herbs, and plant-based ingredients for personal care, beauty, and well-being has been prevalent in Indonesian palace traditions, reflecting a rich tradition of indigenous knowledge and cultural practices. This review delves into the efficacy of these remedies, particularly Jamu and traditional cosmetics, in promoting and maintaining beauty. The exploration covers the historical background, ingredients used, preparation methods, safety considerations, and modern applications of these traditional practices. By examining scientific evidence and comparing them with commercial beauty products, this review aims to provide insights into the potential of Indonesian traditional herbal remedies as valuable assets in modern skincare and beauty regimens. The methodology involves a comprehensive literature review of studies assessing the effectiveness and safety of key ingredients commonly used in Indonesian herbal remedies. The results highlight promising findings regarding the skin-enhancing properties of these herbal remedies, along with considerations for their integration into contemporary beauty routines. This review underscores the significance of preserving and adapting traditional Indonesian beauty practices in the context of evolving skincare trends and consumer preferences. Various delivery systems, such as lipid-based nanoencapsulation, nanoemulsions, nanoparticles, silicone matrices, and advanced emulsion technologies, can be leveraged to improve the bioavailability, stability, and effectiveness of herbal ingredients in cosmetic formulations. However, it is crucial to thoroughly assess the safety and quality of these natural ingredients through rigorous testing and regulatory oversight to ensure consumer safety.

© 2026 The Author(s). Published by Bentham Science Publishers.
This is an open access article published under CC BY 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/legalcode
Loading

Article metrics loading...

/content/journals/ctm/10.2174/0122150838327030241224081452
2026-01-01
2025-11-12

  • From This Site

    /content/journals/ctm/10.2174/0122150838327030241224081452
    dcterms_title,dcterms_subject,pub_keyword
    -contentType:Contributor -contentType:Concept -contentType:Institution
    10
    5
Loading full text...

Full text loading...

/deliver/fulltext/ctm/12/1/CTM-12-E22150838327030.html?itemId=/content/journals/ctm/10.2174/0122150838327030241224081452&mimeType=html&fmt=ahah

References

  1. AgilM. Women’s health and beauty care in Indonesian traditional medicine: Empowerment through enablementDiss. University of Toyama2007
     [Google Scholar]
  2. ArnesdotterE. An overview of current practices for regulatory risk assessment with lessons learnt from cosmetics in the European union.Crit. Rev. Toxicol.202151539541710.1080/10408444.2021.193102734352182
     [Google Scholar]
  3. BeersS.J. Jamu: The ancient Indonesian art of herbal healing.North Clarendon, USATuttle Publishing2012
     [Google Scholar]
  4. FuloriaS. MehtaJ. ChandelA. SekarM. RaniN.N.I.M. BegumM.Y. SubramaniyanV. ChidambaramK. ThangaveluL. NordinR. WuY.S. SathasivamK.V. LumP.T. MeenakshiD.U. KumarasamyV. AzadA.K. FuloriaN.K. Rani, “A comprehensive review on the therapeutic potential of Curcuma longa Linn. in relation to its major active constituent curcumin,”.Front. Pharmacol.20221382080610.3389/fphar.2022.82080635401176
     [Google Scholar]
  5. WahyuniF.R.E. BustamiY. EgeB. Inventory oplants as care cosmetics.JPBIO20238117077
     [Google Scholar]
  6. WathoniN. HaeraniA. YuniarsihN. HaryantiR. A review on herbal cosmetics in Indonesia.Int. J. Appl. Pharm.2018105131610.22159/ijap.2018v10i5.28102
     [Google Scholar]
  7. TorriM.C. The emergence of traditional Indonesian herbal medicine (Jamu) for cosmetic use: New avenues for the revitalisation of Javanese health and cosmetic traditions through gender entrepreneurship?Int. J. Entrep. Small Bus.2012164859
     [Google Scholar]
  8. TilaarD.M. The power of Jamu: Kekayaan dan kearifan lokal Indonesia.JakartaGramedia Pustaka Utama2017
     [Google Scholar]
  9. PrabawaniB. Jamu brand Indonesia: Consumer preferences and segmentation.Arch. Bus. Res.2017538094
     [Google Scholar]
  10. KusumaT.M. WulandariE. WidiyantoT. KartikaD. The relationship of knowledge and attitude on behavior Jamu consumption in the community of magelang city in 2019. Pharmacon: Jurnal Farmasi Indonesia. Vols.Special EditionRakerda-Seminar IAI Jateng20202934
     [Google Scholar]
  11. WidjajaG. The role and existence of herbal medicine in traditional medicine Indonesia.J. Kesehatan.202425296308
     [Google Scholar]
  12. RaajshreeK.R. DurairajB. Evaluation of nanoparticles synthesized from the brown seaweed-turbinaria conoides.Int J Appl Pharm2017911612010.22159/ijap.2017v9i5.20847
     [Google Scholar]
  13. AmoratiR ValgimigliL. Methods to measure the antioxidant activity of phytochemicals and plant extracts.J Agric Food Chem20186613332429
     [Google Scholar]
  14. SukweenadhiJ YunitaO SetiawanF Antioxidant activity screening of seven Indonesian herbal extract.Biodiversitas J. Biol. Div.202021520627
     [Google Scholar]
  15. JoshiLS PawarHA Herbal cosmetics and cosmeceuticals: An overview.Nat Prod Chem Res.20153217010.18035/emj.v3i1.261
     [Google Scholar]
  16. SyahrulSA MayangsariL. A Study of motives in choosing natural cosmetics among Indonesian women.Malaysian J. Soc. Sci. Human.202058607110.47405/mjssh.v5i8.464
     [Google Scholar]
  17. WahyuniF.R.E. Inventory of potential spice plants as care cosmetics.JPBIO202381170177
     [Google Scholar]
  18. LiuJ. Natural products in cosmetics.Nat Prod Bioprospect.20221214010.1007/s13659‑022‑00363‑y
     [Google Scholar]
  19. PimentelF.B. AlvesR.C. RodriguesF. OliveiraB.P.P. Macroalgae-derived ingredients for cosmetic industry-anupdate.Cosmetics20175111810.3390/cosmetics5010002
     [Google Scholar]
  20. MaoQ.Q. XuX.Y. CaoS.Y. GanR.Y. CorkeH. BetaT. LiH.B. Bioactive compounds and bioactivities of ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe).Foods20198618510.3390/foods806018531151279
     [Google Scholar]
  21. BatubaraI. PrastyaM.E. Potential use of indonesian medicinal plants for cosmetic and oral health: A review.J. Kimia Valensi.202061120134
     [Google Scholar]
  22. ChriscensiaE. WibowoE.C. EnrikoG. WijayaO.C. SahamastutiA.A.T. Phytochemical screening, therapeutic benefits, and adverse effects of citrus aurantifolia - A review.Ind. J. Life Sci.202022566910.54250/ijls.v2i2.41
     [Google Scholar]
  23. NalimuF. OloroJ. KahwaI. OgwangP.E. Review on the phytochemistry and toxicological profiles of Aloe vera and Aloe ferox. Fut. J. Pharm. Sci.20217114510.1186/s43094‑021‑00296‑234307697
     [Google Scholar]
  24. FarmanH. SamanP. KailashS. GuptaB.K. Herbs as cosmetics for natural care: A review.GSC Biol. Pharm. Sci.202219231632210.30574/gscbps.2022.19.2.0202
     [Google Scholar]
  25. AmbarwatiN. ArmandariM. IrtawidjajantiS. TriastityS. Indonesian traditional cosmetics.Medan, North Sumatra, Indonesia2022
     [Google Scholar]
  26. WahyuniF.R.E. BustamY. EgeB. Inventory of potential spice plants as care cosmeticsJ. Pendidik. Biol.202381170177
     [Google Scholar]
  27. IrdiyaniF. PitalokaL. NiaY. FarihaI. PitalokaL. AkbarM.R. YuniarsihN. The potential of turmeric rhizome extract in the preparation of cosmetic creams and lotions: A systematic literature review.Eureka Herba Ind.20234223223610.37275/ehi.v4i2.74
     [Google Scholar]
  28. KarriVV KappusamyG TalluriSV MannemalaSS KolliparaR Curcumin loaded chitosan nanoparticles impregnated into collagen-alginate scaffolds for diabetic wound healing.Int. J. Biol. Macromol.2016931519152910.1016/j.ijbiomac.2016.05.038
     [Google Scholar]
  29. SoleimaniV. SahebkarA. HosseinzadehH. Turmeric ( Curcuma longa ) and its major constituent (curcumin) as nontoxic and safe substances: Review.Phytother. Res.201832698599510.1002/ptr.605429480523
     [Google Scholar]
  30. DiniI. LaneriS. The new challenge of green cosmetics: Natural food ingredients for cosmetic formulations.Molecules20212613392110.3390/molecules2613392134206931
     [Google Scholar]
  31. GoyalA. SharmaA. KaurJ. KumariS. GargM. SindhuR.K. RahmanM.H. AkhtarM.F. TagdeP. NajdaA. AlbińskaB.B. MasternakK. AlanaziI.S. MohamedH.R.H. kottE.A.F. ShahM. GermoushM.O. malkyA.H.S. AbukhuwayjahS.H. AltyarA.E. BungauS.G. DaimA.M.M. Bioactive-based cosmeceuticals: An update on emerging trends.Molecules202227382810.3390/molecules2703082835164093
     [Google Scholar]
  32. KarimiM. SadeghiR. KokiniJ. Pomegranate as a promising opportunity in medicine and nanotechnology.Trends Food Sci. Technol.201769597310.1016/j.tifs.2017.08.019
     [Google Scholar]
  33. PatraJ.K. DasG. LeeS. KangS.S. ShinH.S. Selected commercial plants: A review of extraction and isolation of bioactive compounds and their pharmacological market value.Trends Food Sci. Technol.2018828910910.1016/j.tifs.2018.10.001
     [Google Scholar]
  34. ShishirM.R. KarimN. GowdV. ZhengX. ChenW. Liposomal delivery of natural product: A promising approach in health research.Trends Food Sci. Technol.201985177200
     [Google Scholar]
  35. TasleemA. NuzhatunN. SyedS.A. SheikhS. RaheelM. MuzafarR.S. Therapeutic and diagnostic application dermatology and cosmetics nanomedicine & biotherapeutic.J. Nanomed. Biother. Discov.20155110
     [Google Scholar]
  36. YaparE. Herbal cosmetics and novel drug delivery systems.Ind. J Pharm. Educ. Res.2017513S15258
     [Google Scholar]
  37. TilaarM. TilaarK. MM. JunardyF.D. PuspitosariD. PriyadiY.S. CitrasariO. Study on the safety and efficacy of indonesian combination plant extract in cosmetics.J. Young Pharm.201791ss52s5510.5530/jyp.2017.1s.14
     [Google Scholar]
  38. PillaiyarT ManickamM NamasivayamV. Skin whitening agents: Medicinal chemistry perspective of tyrosinase inhibitors.J Enzyme Inhib Med Chem.20173214032510.1080/14756366.2016.1256882
     [Google Scholar]
  39. JuhaszM.L.W. LevinM.K. The role of systemic treatments for skin lightening.J. Cosmet. Dermatol.20181761144115710.1111/jocd.1274730133125
     [Google Scholar]
  40. HollingerJ.C. AngraK. HalderR.M. Are natural ingredients effective in the management of hyperpigmentation? A systematic review.J. Clin. Aesthet. Dermatol.2018112283729552273
     [Google Scholar]
  41. VaughnA.R. BranumA. SivamaniR.K. Effects of turmeric (Curcuma longa) on skin health: A systematic review of the clinical evidence.Phytother. Res.20163081243126410.1002/ptr.564027213821
     [Google Scholar]
  42. MahadiS.B. Antioxidant and anti-tyrosinase activities of aloe vera rind and gel extracts.Glob. Med. Heal. Commun.2019731706
     [Google Scholar]
  43. MusnainiM. FransiscaS. LeslieW. Effectiveness of cream formulation of carrot seed oil as anti-aging.Int. J. Heal. Pharm.20223333134010.51601/ijhp.v3i3.170
     [Google Scholar]
  44. LukitaningsihE. HolzgrabeU. Bioactive compounds in Bengkoang (Pachyrhizus erosus) as antioxidant and tyrosinase inhibiting agents.Indones. J. Pharm.2014252687510.14499/indonesianjpharm25iss2pp68
     [Google Scholar]
  45. H SF The influence of giving Bengkuang (Pachyrrhizus erosus L. urban) on total pigmen melanin skin (Musmusculus) which is exposed sunlight.E-Biomed J.201531216220
     [Google Scholar]
  46. ZarwindaI AdrianiA YunasAF. Study of bengkuang mask formulation (Pachyrhizus Erosus L) with ethanol extract of sweet potato leaves (Ipomoea Batatas L) as antioxidant.J. Med. Heal. Sci. Publ. Facul. Med. Univers.2020717683
     [Google Scholar]
  47. SharmeenJ. MahomoodallyF. ZenginG. MaggiF. Essential oils as natural sources of fragrance compounds for cosmetics and cosmeceuticals.Molecules202126366610.3390/molecules2603066633514008
     [Google Scholar]
  48. ShanbhagS. NayakA. NarayanR. NayakU.Y. Anti-aging and sunscreens: Paradigm shift in cosmetics.Adv. Pharm. Bull.20199334835910.15171/apb.2019.04231592127
     [Google Scholar]
  49. NurulitaN.A. SundhaniE. AmaliaI. RahmawatiF. UtamiD.N.N. Uji aktivitas antioksidan dan anti aging body butter dengan bahan aktif ekstrak daun kelor.J. Ilmu Kefarmasian Indonesia20191711810.35814/jifi.v17i1.543
     [Google Scholar]
  50. ZhangS. LuS. WangY. NiJ. XiaoG. The efficacy of a novel tomato extracts formulation on skin aging and pigmentation: A randomized, double-blind, parallel-controlled trial.J. Dermatol. Sci. Cosmet. Technol.20241110000510.1016/j.jdsct.2024.100005
     [Google Scholar]
  51. PurwantiR.A. FaridaY. TaurhesiaS. Formulasi Sediaan serum anti aging Dengan Kombinasi Dari Ekstrak Buah tomat (Lycopersicum esculentum L.) dan Ekstrak kulit buah semangka (Citrullus lanatus thunb.).J. Fitofarmaka Ind.202292192410.33096/jffi.v9i2.864
     [Google Scholar]
  52. BuranasudjaV RaniD MallaA KobtrakulK VimolmangkangS. Insights into antioxidant activities and anti-skin-aging potential of callus extract from Centella Asiatica (L.).Sci. Rep.202111113459
     [Google Scholar]
  53. PermatasariD.I. AudinaM. AryzkiS. Aktivitas antioksidan dan evaluasi fisik sediaan gel ekstrak daun pegagan (Centella Asiatica (L.) Urban) Sebagai anti aging.J. Pharm. Care Sci.202341556310.33859/jpcs.v4i1.410
     [Google Scholar]
  54. GyawaliR. PaudelN.P. Herbal remedies in Cosmeceuticals formulation: A review on Nepalese perspectives.Annapurna J. Health Sci.202221596510.52910/ajhs.66
     [Google Scholar]
  55. RiniA.T. Making skin lotion from virgin coconut oil with adding several natural plants extract as a skin protector.IOP Conf. Ser.: Earth Environ. Sci.20205151012031
     [Google Scholar]
  56. KadamVaishaliS Cosmeceuticals an emerging concept: A comprehensive review.Int. J. Res. Pharm. Chem.20133308316
     [Google Scholar]
  57. VaidiyanathanR. AnandB. Importance of chemistry in herbal cosmetics and cosmeceuticals.Res. J. Pharm. Technol.201710124460446210.5958/0974‑360X.2017.00822.8
     [Google Scholar]
  58. PanicoA. Skin safety and health prevention: An overview of chemicals in cosmetic products.J Prev Med Hyg.2019601507
     [Google Scholar]
  59. SyahrulS.A. MayangsariL. A study of motives in choosing natural cosmetics among indonesian women.Malaysian J. Soc. Sci. Human.202058607110.47405/mjssh.v5i8.464
     [Google Scholar]
  60. KaurL. A review on herbal cosmetics.Int. J. Pharm. Drug Anal.202193196201
     [Google Scholar]
  61. PramodS.K. HiramanR.M. BabasahebP.J. Herbal cosmetics: An overview.Int. J. Res. Public. Rev.202341010991105
     [Google Scholar]
  62. JerushhaP.A. RatnamalaK.V. An overview of herbal cosmetics and cosmeceutical.Int. J. Pharm. Sci. Rev. Res.20217117582
     [Google Scholar]
  63. NooraN.M. AzizaA.A. SarmidiaM.R. AzizaR. Making skin lotion from virgin coconut oil with adding several natural plants extract as a skin protector.J. Teknol.20206213943
     [Google Scholar]
  64. SahuA.N. Formulation and evaluation of curcuminoid based herbal face cream.Ind. Glob. J. Pharm. Sci.201111778410.35652/IGJPS.2011.08
     [Google Scholar]
  65. PLPR. Study of foreign development ministry of the tradeStudy of Foreign Development, Ministry of Trade Republic IndonesiaIndoensia2009
     [Google Scholar]
  66. RiyadiS. WahyuningrumR. Traditional javanese herbal medicine: A review.J. Ethnopharmacol.20202020258
     [Google Scholar]
/content/journals/ctm/10.2174/0122150838327030241224081452
Loading
A Review: The Efficacy of Indonesian Traditional Herbal Remedies in Beauty and Skincare
Current Traditional Medicine 12, E22150838327030 (2026); https://doi.org/10.2174/0122150838327030241224081452
/content/journals/ctm/10.2174/0122150838327030241224081452
/content/journals/ctm/10.2174/0122150838327030241224081452
Loading

Data & Media loading...


  • Article Type:     Review Article
Keyword(s): Beauty; health practice; indonesian traditional medicine; Jamu; royal families; skincare; traditional cosmetics

Most Cited Most Cited RSS feed

This is a required field
Please enter a valid email address
Approval was a Success
Invalid data
An Error Occurred
Approval was partially successful, following selected items could not be processed due to error
Please enter a valid_number test