Tuesday, 25 November 2014

Jamu For Health



Cafe Jamu Herbal Products

What is Jamu? 

Jamu is the traditional healing system of Indonesia and incorporates specific herbal combinations prepared in many forms (liquid, capsules, pills etc), but commonly as a delicious daily beverage for all members of the family. In the ancient past the health and beauty system of Jamu was preserved by the Royal families of Indonesia, whereas now it is mainstream in society. While many families prepare Jamu fresh, others purchase their Jamu every morning from female “Jamu Gendong” sellers, throughout the Indonesian archipelago.

In Jamu, disease is often seen to be due to factors such as wind & cold and hence the herbal beverages have a tangy pungency and spice to activate circulation and improve digestion and elimination. Modern research has also discovered that the ingredients in Jamu contain potent anti-ageing compounds with antioxidant, anticancer and cellular protective properties. Many of the herbs are also specific for maintaining female and male sexual health and hormonal balance. Other Jamu treatments involve massage, diet therapy and oil applications.

Cafe Jamu Spa ProductsCafe Jamu products are made from only the finest herbal ingredients and prepared to ensure maximum herbal activity and efficacy. All our products are 100% natural and no chemical additives are used at any time. When you buy from Cafe Jamu you can be assured that each ingredient has been carefully selected and prepared under GMP manufacturing practice. All our capsule products are fully registered with the Malaysian Ministry of Health. To ensure your complete satisfaction we offer a replacement of any products you are not satisfied with or your money back.



Cafe Jamu Turmeric (Curcuma longa)
 Turmeric (Curcuma longa) Kunyit

One of the Turmeric most well-researched and potent antioxidant herbs known. It contains Cur cumin that has been shown to have anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, liver strengthening and detoxifying properties.




Cafe Jamu - Ginger (Zingiber officinale)
 Ginger (Zingiber officinale) - Jahe / Halia

A potent antioxidant spice that relieves nausea, indigestion and acts as a natural pain killer. Taking daily relieves many inflammatory conditions, joint aches, period cramps, arthritis and intestinal irritability.



How to make Jamu - Asam or Tamarind
Tamarind (Tamarindus indica) - Asam Jawa

Tamarind is an important addition to most Jamu recipes as it adds the pleasant sweet & sour taste to balance out the mild bitterness of the other ingredients. Tamarind is rich in Vitamin C and acts as a natural preservative and antioxidant in the Jamu formulation. Medicinally, Tamarind is a gentle laxative that helps promote bowel movements. It also has a cooling effect on the body and helps relieve nausea.

These 3 fresh herbs are the main ingredients in our Princess Ayu Jamu and Kunyit Asam Jamu.
Additional important Ginger family herbs used in the above include: Lempoyang (Zingiber zerumbet), Temulawak (Curcuma xanthorrhiza), Temu Kunci (Boesenbergia rotunda) & Kencur / Cekur (Kaempferia galanga).

Herbal Tips




Skin Cleanser:
Found in your own kitchen is a simple, chemical free cleanser good oil unboiled milk. All you need to do is dip a piece of cotton wool in milk and wipe your face with it. It also cleans unseen dirt and goes down into your pores. Another fine cleanser is almond oil, especially effective in protecting the delicate skin under the eyes.

 
Skin Moisturizer:
For normal skin care, you can take 1 cup of yogurt, 1 tablespoon orange juice and 1 tablespoon lemon juice and mix it into a paste.  Apply it on your face as a mask and keep it on for 15 minutes.  Then clean it off with a wet tissue watch your complexion glow.  For dry skin, you could use a mixture of cooked oatmeal and honey; it will not only help moisturize the skin but also acts as a good cleansing agent.

 
Skin Nourishment and Bleach:
For nourishing your face try a protein mask.  You can prepare this mask by first soaking 1 tablespoon urad dal and 4 almonds in water overnight and then grinding them into a paste. You can then apply this protein mask to your face and wash it off after half an hour. This exceptional protein mask will not only nourish the skin but also bleach it. 

 
Wrinkle Prevention and Softer Skin:
To prevent wrinkles and soften your skin, you could try pure castor oil; it is known to slow down the aging process of the skin.

 
Skin Conditioner:
Another simple and excellent skin conditioner that can be made out of 1 tbsp. honey blended with 2 tbsp. cream (of milk). Leave it on for a few minutes and wash it off. It works like magic. 

 
Skin Blemishes:
For skin blemishes, you can try rubbing a raw potato on your face.

 
Sun Protection Skin:
It's summer time. Time to cool off. So let's wind up with a good home-made sun-protection lotion. Take cucumber juice and equal amounts of glycerine and rose water and make a concoction. This should be refrigerated. Try it, it's really cool.




Skin Icing : Facial Beautifies Skin



Skin icing has become a popular morning and evening ritual for better looking skin. Cold therapy has been used in spas and in skin care treatments for several years and for numerous reasons, including cryotherapy (treatments using cold temperatures), to destroy fat cells (CoolSculpting), and get rid of spider veins (through Cryo 6, a new method of sclerotherapy). Skin icing is a regular practice in the skin care routine for Korean women, who are known for their detailed beauty rituals.


1. Skin Smoother
Skin icing helps tighten and shrink enlarged pores by helping to unclog pores that can appear larger due to debris and excess sebum. Icing tones the face, making it look smoother.

2. Pore Primer
Icing is an inexpensive skin toner and is great to do before applying makeup. It minimizes the appearance of enlarged pores underneath the makeup, helping foundation look smoother and flawless. Ice the face and then apply primer.

3. Improves Circulation
Ice is believed to improve circulation in the skin. Cold constricts the blood vessels so that less blood goes to the surface of the skin (which reduces any inflammation or swelling). The body responds by gradually by sending an increased flow of warm blood to the area.

4. Relief for Puffy Eyes
Icing reduces puffiness under the eyes by reducing swelling.
 
5. Wrinkle Buster
Skin icing can ease the signs of wrinkles and slow the appearance of new wrinkles.

6. Blemish Control
Ice can help reduce swelling and the redness of pimples. It also soothes irritated skin.

Tuesday, 18 November 2014

6 Asian Beauty Secrets to Get Gorgeous Skin




Is there something we're missing?


We always hear about how Asian celebs have such flawless skin and these days, more and more beauty products are starting to incorporate ingredients that have been traditionally known in Asia to promote beauty like green tea, for example. There seems to be only one link to all of this: Asian. So we went and dug deeper to find out what other skincare secrets we could be missing out from our Asian peers and let's just say, it's time to change your skincare routine because it's going to be so worth it! 


1. Oil cleansing

asian beauty tricks 

 When it comes to cleansers, opt for an oil-based one. According to Victoria Thai, the founder of skincare line Thatch, cleansing oils work very well because oil dissolves oil; whether it's makeup, sunscreen or sebum, they literally melt away upon contact. Just be sure to pick one without mineral oil to avoid leaving residue on your skin  or else, hello breakouts!


2. The 424 method 

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4 minutes of oil cleansing (as mentioned in point 1) to remove makeup
2 minutes using a foaming cleanser to remove any remaining residuals and to refresh the skin.
4 minutes to rinse with water.
The Japanese people also has a similar concept to this way of cleansing and it's been practice for centuries. They call it double cleansing.  


3. Slap it on!

 

 When it comes to applying moisturizer/lotion, the Koreans and Japanese share another similar beauty secret. Instead of rubbing the product, try gently slapping or patting it on. The belief is that it would stimulate blood flow while ensuring the product is better absorbed into the skin. Don't forget the neck area as well! 




4. Rice water toner

asian beauty tips

Looks like the ancient Chinese women believed in up cycling  well, sort of. When it comes to toning their skin and enhancing their complexion, they used one secret product: rice water. Find out how you can get rice water and use it as a facial toner.


 5. Lighten with mint




asian beauty secrets

 Basically, it's the gentlest and more natural way to lighten dark spots on your skin caused by sun damage (sun care protection, people!) or acne scars. All you have to do is grind fresh mint leaves into a paste and smooth it over your face as a mask. Wash it off after 15 minutes. 


 6. Coffee bean exfoliation

coffee animated GIF

 How did we not know about this? Our neighbors in Indonesia have been using grounded coffee as a powerful natural exfoliate for AGES! The caffeine in coffee is often used in skin tightening products while its caffeine acid has anti-inflammatory properties and can also boost collagen production. Looks like you know what to do with your leftover coffee grounds now. 


Wednesday, 12 November 2014

Skin Secret of Women



ASIAN BEAUTY TIPS

Women from many of the countries in Asia enjoy good health and a longer lifespan thanks to their traditional diet.It turns out that some of the homegrown secrets that keep Asian women healthy on the inside also help them look great on the outside.


Tissue masks

Tissue or sheet masks aren't as well known in North America, but they're a popular part of Japanese and Korean beauty routines. These masks come all in one piece for easy application: just open, unfold the mask, and apply. Many of them include anti-aging ingredients, including some of the newest in skin-care technology, and there's one for every skin type.is loaded with vitamin C and hydrates skin for 24 hours.

Lighten dark spots on your skin with mint

Looking for a gentle and natural way to lighten dark spots on your skin caused by sun damage or acne scars? Use mint: grind the fresh leaves into a paste, apply it over your face as a mask, and leave on for 15 minutes before washing off. You'll get the best result if you repeat this daily, but be careful if you have sensitive skin.

Eat goji berries

In Chinese Traditional Medicine, it's believed that skin health is directly related to the amount of heat in the blood. Wolf-berries  better known in North America as goji berries  are believed to nourish both the liver and blood

Cleanse your skin with rice water

Next time you cook some jasmine rice at home, keep that water and use it to wash your skin to increase softness.Rice is a source of antioxidants like vitamin E, and some of those end up in the water when you cook it. It's an inexpensive way to take advantage of ingredients found in many expensive skin-care products.

Exfoliate with coffee beans

Indonesian women have long used coffee grounds as a powerful natural exfoliant. The caffeic acid in coffee is anti-inflammatory and may boost collagen production, and caffeine is used in skin tightening products.

Amla oil

Amla oil (or gooseberry oil) is a potent source of vitamin C, which is a powerful antioxidant. For centuries, Indian women have been applying amla oil to their hair and scalp every day in order.

Use matcha as a face mask

Matcha is a powdered green tea used in traditional Japanese tea ceremonies. It's a source of antioxidants when you drink it, and that will help your skin on its own, but you can also use it on your skin to increase brightness. Many skin products now contain green tea or matcha, if you don't want to take the DIY approach.

Oil cleansing

It sounds counterintuitive, but cleansing your skin with oil can actually improve its texture and fight breakouts. The Japanese brand Shu Uemura was making oil cleansers decades before they became trendy on this side of the Pacific.The company's founder says that oil cleansing is the best way to get a gentle but effective cleanse for your skin.

Fibre mascaras

Here's another beauty trend that originated in Japan: fibre mascaras. These mascaras attach fibres to your lashes to actually make them longer, not just longer looking, and the technology has now been embraced by North American brands like Maybelline. As a bonus, you don't need eye makeup remover to get the mascara off -- just use warm water and gentle wiping.

Cover your face in kelp

Seaweed and kelp are used in Chinese and Japanese cuisines for their concentrated nutrients, but they are also a part of traditional skin-care treatments. Imperial courtesans in China used natural exfoliants to remove dead skin cells, and seaweed and kelp were among their favorites. You can make your own gel mask using aloe vera gel a great skin soother.

Embrace the beautifying power of bird poop

Here's a beauty secret that Posh Spice is allegedly a fan. Japanese geishas have used the dried droppings from these birds for centuries because of their rumoure11. d abilities to soften and brighten skin. The pricey facials are now available at spas across North America -- maybe this is a twist on the superstition that it's good luck if a bird poops on you?

Get gorgeous all over with coconut oil

Coconuts are used in many traditional Thai dishes, but they're also a source of one of the best beauty products out there coconut oil. This oil, which is solid at room temperature, is an excellent moisturizer for skin and hair -- it even makes a great diaper cream! And there's nothing bad about smelling like the beach all the time.

Tradition Malay Pantang For Beauty

 

Malay confinement is essential an all-encompassing process that aims to preserve the health and feminin of Malay women.Practices stem from the belief that the womb is a woman life force and affects her overall health.A healthy womb ensures that a woman stays radiant and alluring.

Many urban new mothers in the Malay community find themselves unable to fully observe the practices of the traditional confinement, mainly because they lack the family and community support that made pantang possible. Traditionally, a new mum in confinement is helped by either:
  • a bidan (traditional midwife);
  • a specialized nanny or carer;
  • or, her own mother or mother-in-law
some practices are still observed by many Malay women. Some have been adapted to suit more urban lifestyles. 
  • Bengkung
  • Postnatal massage
  • Jamu
  • Hot Compress
  • Herbal Bath


Tuesday, 11 November 2014

The Secret Herbs For Beauty




calendula.jpg
 Discover which secret herbs can be used to maintain beautiful, healthy skin. Herbs have been used for centuries to help treat skin conditions, improve skin quality and enhance the skin’s appearance.


The Consider herbs or herbal products for a natural, healthy alternative to pricey treatment products. Make your own skin care products, with home grown herbs or herbs purchased from the health food store. Maintaining healthy skin to ensure proper skin performance and improve your skin appearance.


Chamomile

a plant and comes in many different varieties.The chamomile flower that is used for medicinal purposes.Chamomile is dried and used to brew chamomile tea or in potpourri. Chamomile is considered a safe herb to use on the skin of adults and children. It IS anti-inflammatory and contains antimicrobial properties that are excellent in treating inflammatory skin ailments such as eczema, common diaper rash and psoriasis. Chamomile can also be use in the healing of wounds, as its extracts are thought to hurry the healing process. Chamomile can be used as part of your daily skin regimen as it is soothing and gentle and can inhibit inflammation of the skin and skin infections.

Lemon Balm

Lemon balm,only in the culinary world, has many medicinal uses. Lemon balm leaves are traditionally used to brew teas and drink mixtures. Lemon balm leaves are very aromatic and wonderful flavor to many culinary dishes.Lemon balm works wonders medicine as well. Washing cuts or scrapes in a bath of lemon balm tea acts as an antiseptic,when using it on bug bites or skin inflammation can be quite soothing.Lemon balm has potent anti-bacterial and anti-viral qualities that can be beneficial in the treatment of cold sores and herpes simplex virus.

Red Clover

Red clover has many medicinal use.The flowers and flower blossoms of red clover are used for medicinal purposes. For skin conditions, red clover is used external as an ointment or salve. Red clover is use in treating a variety of skin ailments including eczema, acne, psoriasis and rashes. Women who are pregnant or nursing should avoid red clover because its properties may mimic that of estrogen. Like are women with a history of breast cancer should also avoid red clover.

Rose Water

Rose water its natural beauty and skin care benefits. Rose water is frequently used in the treatment of various skin ailments. Rose water is highly regard as a superb skin toner,it is a natural astringent. Rose water is also an excellent cleans due to its anti-inflammatory qualities. Wash with rose water daily can decrease the appearance of clogged pores, which can lead to pimples. Rose water also has the ability to act as a disinfectant, cleansing the skin of bacteria that may lead to skin irritations or infections.It is said that rose water, when applied hourly, may prevent sunburn.