Philosophy of beauty

I refer to your article in The Jakarta Post on Sunday Aug. 28. I admire Martha Tilaar for her achievements as a woman entrepreneur and for her many international awards in recognition of her excellent performance. However allow me to make some comments:
1. Philosophy of Beauty
I suppose beauty contests use a standard criteria for beauty, but in daily life beauty is relative and depends on personal taste. The philosophy of inner beauty mentioned by Martha is however contradictory to her business practice. What we have observed so far is that the goal of the beauty business is to promote the use of cosmetics as far as the villages. The result is that every girl/woman makes cosmetics part of her life, which eventually means sacrificing health-care needs, due to budgetary limitations.

This is understandable, since it is human nature to be desirous of praise, particularly for our physical beauty.
2. East and West
Martha's thinking about East and West is outmoded. In this era of globalization I think everything is mixed. SariAyu cosmetics would not be available if western technology was not used. Nobody can deny that technology is a product of western research. But I agree that we do not always have to follow western ideas or solutions. For example, is it appropriate to use moisturizers in the tropics? Since our air is already saturated with water ( RH 80 percent to 90 percent, except in air-conditioned rooms). Why is it necessary in a cold climate?. Because their RH is 40% or even less.
3. Herbs / Jamu

Martha had a miraculous experience with a fertility herb. It is a pity that this product has not been promoted so that many women could be saved the unpleasant experiences and side-effects of medical treatments.

In the Post, Aug. 25 there was a special report on the Asia- Pacific Association's study of the liver. I appreciate the progress made in this field, but I am worried about the consequences for the patients in poor countries who are not able to pay for this research. There is a liver-cleansing product from the U.S. that starts with a two-week antiparasite treatment. I also remember visiting a medical museum in London that exhibited part of the liver of a patient who died in Singapore, which was pierced by three adult worms (ascardia). I sometimes wonder whether these parasites/worms are the cause of liver disease.

I make an appeal to Dr. Martha, if she wants to preserve our national heritage, please do not just build a museum but enhance the quality of our jamu so that it becomes a world-class product, which would benefit the people of Indonesia.

THERESIA PERMADI/JEPRI, Team of Pharmacists, Jakarta