Jakarta – Indonesia has banned the sale of 78 brands of traditional medicine – some of them said to enhance sexual performance – because they contain hazardous chemicals, officials said yesterday.

Some of the elixirs, locally known as "jamu", contained a substance which could cause kidney and liver problems as well as other hazardous chemicals, the state Food and Drug Supervisory Agency said.

Other blacklisted medicines were advertised as cures for hypertension, rheumatism and weight loss.

The agency said it had revoked licences issued to factories making the medicines. Factory owners face jail or fines if they continue to produce the medicines.