BAHAMIAN BUSH MEDICINE

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BAHAMIAN BUSH MEDICINE

People of the Caribbean have long preserved an age-old system of herbal and natural healing that dates all the way back to the African heritage of the slaves who were brought to these islands centuries ago. Throughout the years, on near-deserted islands with no doctors, hospitals and pharmacies, it was the homeopathic knowledge and expertise passed down from generation to generation, that would end up promoting health, curing disease and saving lives.

Although we live in the modern world, the use of bush medicine is still very much alive in the Bahamas today and many Caribbean families rely heavily on the herbal wisdom and natural remedies that have been passed down by their ancestors.

In the Bahamas alone, over 100 plants are currently being utilized for their curative properties, and while some might be tempted to scoff at these ancient, natural medicines, it might come as a surprise to learn that over 25% of the world’s commercial drugs derive from plant-based chemicals found in the tropics.

From elixirs that relieve headaches and poultices that soothe sunburn and skin rashes, to powerful teas that calm upset stomach and heartburn, it seems virtually every plant in the Caribbean has a hidden purpose. Here are six of the Bahamas’ most popular and widespread herbal curatives:

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Kalanchoe (Kalanchoe pinnata)

Commonly known as “Life Leaf” or “Ploppers,” this healing plant is mostly used in the Bahamas for asthma or shortness of breath. Bush doctors crush the leaves of a cultivated ornamental plant and soak them in water overnight. The next morning a kalanchoe tea is made that can be taken to treat heartburn, or applied as an antibacterial to bruises or skin sores.  Mashed and ground fresh leaves are also used as a poultice for headaches, and the juice mixed with a pinch of salt is a good treatment for bronchitis or ulcers.

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Lignum Vitae (Guiacum officinale)

A versatile plant, Bahamas’ national tree, Lignum Vitae, has many uses in the Bahamas including using the tree’s wood resin, called guaiacum, to treat weakness and strengthen your back.

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Picao Preto

This small  herb with prickly leaves and yellow flowers, is considered a weed in many places. In the Bahamas however, it has a long history of producing herbal curatives. In the Exumas specifically, bush doctors grind the sun-dried leaves with olive oil to make poultices for sores and lacerations. The leaves can also be applied to teeth and temples to soothe toothaches and headaches.

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The Gale of Wind (Phyllanthus amarus)

Also called Hurricane weed, this herb spreads like a weed. Bush doctors call it the “stone breaker plant” because it has been used for generations to eliminate gallstones and kidney stones. In the Bahamas, it is used to treat poor appetite, constipation, typhoid fever, flu, and colds. It’s a popular herbal treatment because it has no side effects or toxicity.

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Sweetwood

The bark of this common plant is used to make a tonic for digestive irritations and stomach aches. Dried quills of Sweetwood bark are exported from Nassau and can also be used to treat chronic diarrhea or vomiting.  The leaves can be infused for a digestive tea.

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Cerasee (Momordica charantia)

Also known as ‘Art Pumkin’ in the Bahamas, this plant is celebrated throughout the entire region for its ability to heal a number of conditions. Whether one eats the scarlet, pulpy coating of this vine’s seed pod; swallows the seeds; or brews this plant into a tea, according to native herbalists, every single element of Cerasee can be transformed into an ingredient to help combat the common cold and fevers, hypertension, and even diabetes.

 

Research:

Sandals Life Style- Healthy Living

http://www.sandalslifestyle.com/healthy-living

 

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