|
For hundreds of years Bahamians have used indigenous plants for the cures of many diseases. This tradition, better known as "bush medicine," to our natives was brought to the Bahamas by African slaves and gained importance in the out islands
where doctors were rarely available. Cat Islanders, with their reputation for longevity, attribute bush medicine with keeping them healthy. Nearly 100 plants in the islands of the Bahamas have been used to cure
such common ailments as indigestion, colds, diarrhea, and headaches.
One of the most versatile native Bahamian plants is the Lignum vitae, the national tree of the Bahamas. Its glossy leaves are a rich green, and its abundant flowers range in color from purple to blue. Virtually all parts of the tree are valuable,
particularly its heavy, dense wood that was once used commercially in construction, until the tree became scarce. Its resin, called guaiacum, is obtained from the wood by distillation and is used to treat weakness and strengthen your back.
The bark of one of our common plants, Cascarilla, also called "Sweetwood", is used to make a tonic for digestive irritations and stomach aches. Note: that Sweet Wood is exported from Nassau to Italy.
The Sweetwood is a small, very fragrant tree with silver-bronze leaves and pale yellow bark. This plant is named for one of our beautiful family of island "Eleuthera". The botanical name for this plant is Croton Eleuteria. Dried quills of Sweetwood bark are exported from Nassau and can be used
as an expectorant, or to treat chronic diarrhea or vomiting. The leaves can be infused for a digestive tea, and the bark yields a good black dye.
Kalanchoe botanical name (Kalanchoe pinnata). Bahamians call it Life Leaf or Ploppers. In the Bahamas it is mostly used for Asthma or shortness in breath. Bush doctors crush the leaves of a cultivated ornamental plant, the kalanchoe, and soak them in water overnight.
The next morning the "kalanchoe tea" can be drunk 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.  While exploring the Bahamas, you may see a large tree with red shaggy bark that peels off in paper-thin strips. That’s the Gumbolimbo tree, and its bark is a common topical remedy for skin sores, measles, sunburn, insect bites, and rashes.
Strips of bark are boiled in water and then used topically or drunk as tea to treat backaches, urinary tract infections, colds, flu, and fevers. It’s even used as an aphrodisiac!
In the event that you ever have the opportunity to visit The Bahamas and become ill, before having to pay a visit to a local doctor you may feel free to consume some of our well known bush medicines to cure any illness that you may have. Some people may think that in the modern, high-tech world we live in, bush medicine is an outdated way
to treat ailments but as you can see, many modern medical professionals are beginning to pay attention to its long history of success.
The Sage plant is a dense, upright bush about 2 to 3 feet in height. The stems are woody and square and the leaves are arranged oppositely on the stem.
This shrub grows on beaches and blooms practically all year round. When the leaves of this plant is crushed, an aromatic odor is released. The plant is grown for its aromatic leaves, which are used as seasoning.
The White Sage can be used as a tea and the Yellow Sage as a bath to promptly relieve itching of Measles and Chicken Pox.
This site is © Copyright YourName 2004-2005, All Rights Reserved.
Free web templates
|
