What is Jamu Paste & Why is it Used in Postnatal Massages?
If there is one thing that gives women a life-changing experience, it’s motherhood and giving birth. Mothers are constantly looking for ways to cope with the increasing demands of pregnancy and childbirth and help their bodies recover. One of the most-trusted Asian traditions for postnatal recovery is jamu paste — used in postnatal massages across Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Hong Kong for generations.
The role of postnatal massage in recovery
One of the best ways to relieve the pain and aches after delivery is by going for a healing massage. A postnatal massage not only helps with neck and shoulder pain — benefits also include restoring the health of the uterus, flushing excess body fluids and reducing water retention and swelling, easing emotional fatigue, and aiding in weight loss as your body returns to its pre-pregnancy state.
So what’s the role of jamu paste in a postnatal massage? Jamu paste is an herbal tonic made from a mixture of tree bark, roots, royal jelly, and honey, used historically to cure ailments including fever and sore throat. It’s also used as a postnatal herbal treatment to bring spiritual, mental, and psychological benefits to mothers after delivery. The tradition is popular especially in Asian countries such as Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Indonesia. Since the ingredient list usually changes depending on what it’s brewed for, jamu paste doesn’t have a single specific recipe.
Jamu paste isn’t one recipe — it’s a tradition. Every brew is tailored to the mother and the recovery she’s walking into.
Why jamu paste is used in postnatal massage
Just like other massages, jamu massages boast a number of benefits specifically focused on the mother’s wellness. The combination of the manual massage technique with the herbal paste applied to the skin creates a deeply therapeutic effect that supports recovery from multiple angles at once.
Relaxes the body
Labour involves contraction of the muscles and lactic acid build-up, leaving the body exhausted. Jamu massage helps restore the body, considering all the stresses your body has gone through after hours of labour and several months of pregnancy. It also helps relieve postpartum mood disturbance and supports mental wellness.
Eases breast engorgement
Immediately after giving birth, most mothers have engorged breasts as milk supply ramps up. Jamu paste applied around (not on) the breast tissue, combined with gentle lymphatic-aware massage, helps relieve the discomfort and supports milk flow without interfering with the breastfeeding rhythm.
Restores the uterus
Postnatal jamu massage encourages the uterus to contract back to its pre-pregnancy size — a process called involution. The combined effect of the warming paste and rhythmic massage technique supports the natural timeline (typically six weeks) and reduces postpartum bleeding alongside it.
Reduces water retention
Postpartum mums often retain significant fluid in the legs, ankles, and abdominal area. Jamu paste combined with lymphatic-aware massage strokes encourages the lymphatic system to clear excess fluid and reduces the heavy, swollen sensation of the first postpartum weeks.
Aids weight loss
By stimulating circulation, supporting metabolism, and reducing water retention, jamu massage gently aids the natural postpartum weight-loss process. It’s not a replacement for healthy eating and gentle exercise — but it complements both, particularly in the first two to three months postpartum.
Restores emotional wellness
The deep relaxation of a jamu massage lowers cortisol, soothes the nervous system, and gives new mums a rare protected window of being cared for themselves. Many of our mums find it’s one of the most emotionally restorative parts of their early postpartum weeks.
The BMB approach
At BMB, our signature postnatal package combines jamu paste with our therapists’ signature massage technique and an optional bengkung wrap — the traditional Indonesian fabric wrap that supports the abdominal muscles while jamu paste does its work underneath. Sessions usually start in week one postpartum for vaginal-birth mums and from week three to four for C-section mums (with doctor’s clearance and once the incision is fully healed).
The full BMB postnatal recovery package typically runs 21 to 28 daily sessions, with home-service availability anywhere in Singapore. Our therapists are trained in pregnancy and postpartum physiology — each session adapts to your specific recovery stage, energy level, and what your body needs that day rather than following a generic protocol.