Ancient medical traditions of herbs re-visited

Wednesday, August 10, 2005

The use of herbs in medicine and maintaining good health is an ancient tradition and according to an article by The Institute of Jamaica, “it was the use of certain plants for medicinal purposes by people like the Maroons that prompted scientists to study plants in order to ascertain the usefulness of their components for the production of medicinal drugs.”

In recent times, we have seen more and more folk choosing the route of the herbal medicine market, with many persons apparently seeing it as a viable option.

Recently Melville Currie, one of the Maroon Council members, spoke about the use of some familiar herbs found in Jamaica.

Aloe Vera: The aloe vera plant, also known as “sinkle bible”, is a very short-stemmed herb with thick leaves that develop spiny margins upon maturity, and has a soothing gelatinous substance. The mucilaginous juice or gel obtained from the leaves of this plant is used in pharmaceutical preparations for its soothing and healing properties.

In spite of its bitter taste, the Maroons highly regard it for its medicinal properties, as it is used for skin conditions, such as acne, burns, and insect bites by applying the gel to the affected areas.

Moreover, a substance in the aloe leaf is used as a laxative or to cleanse the body. In fact, this substance, or “juice”, can be dried to produce the solid, bitter aloes, which were used for their laxative action. As a cleanser, the herb is used to fortify the immune system and to purify the blood.

Cerasee: This herb is native to Africa, the Middle East, and the Mediterranean area. It was introduced to Brazil by African slaves and from there it spread to the rest of Latin America and the West Indies. It is commonly found on fences, beaches, and shrubs in disturbed areas.

The Maroons make a bitter tea from the plant, which is used as a tonic and, particularly, as a blood purifier. They also use the tea for griping or pains associated with the stomach. It is also very effective to relieve constipation and colds and fevers, especially in children.

Moreover, a tea made from the vine is used for diabetes, hypertension, worms, dysentery, and malaria, and as a general tonic and blood purifier.
As a wash, the tea is used externally for sores, rashes, skin ulcers and all skin problems. A cerasee bath is good for arthritis, rheumatism, gout, and other similar ailments

Cola Nut: The Cola Nut, also known as “bizzy” is a flat seed from a West African native tree. Caffeine and theobromine, which are used in the manufacture of some soft drinks as flavouring, are derivatives of the cola nut. It is also used in Africa to lessen thirst.

The Maroons use the cola nuts to prepare a tea, which is used for soothing the stomach or easing stomach pains, and symptoms of food poisoning, as it is excellent for expelling toxins from the body. As a tonic, it is used for “nerve problems”.

Ginger: Ginger is the common name for members of the Zingiberaceae, a family of tropical and subtropical perennial herbs, mainly from Indomalaysia. The aromatic oils are used in making condiments, perfumes, and medicines, especially stimulants and preparations to ease stomach distress. Jamaican ginger is known to be one of the most highly valued commercial gingers worldwide, and it is used as a spice and medicine. The Maroons use ginger to relieve indigestion, which is simply done by making and drinking ginger tea, or by chewing on the root to alleviate symptoms of nausea caused by motion sickness, morning sickness, or other illness. Drinking hot ginger tea is not only used to alleviate flatulence, but also to produce a sweat in feverish conditions.

With its warm, spicy aroma, the oil that is made from the ginger root is useful in massage blends as a fortifying tonic for tired muscles. It is also used in the treatment of arthritis and poor circulation.

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