Bush Medicine

Medicinal Herbs, Trees and Plants of The Bahamas Before modern medicine developed laboratory
drugs, our ancestors all over the world used herbs and weeds for health. In many parts of the
world today, they are the only treatment available and sometimes work better than
manufactured drugs. Many plants exhibit the "Doctrine of Signatures" which is a concept that
there is some physical characteristic about a plant that signals what it could be used for on the
physical body. One great example of this concept is the red peeling bark of the Gumbo-Limbo
tree.
In developed countries many store-bought medicines originate from "Nature's Pharmacy." When
you use aloe vera gel for sunburn, you are benefiting from bush medicine. The active ingredient
in aspirin comes from willow bark, a Native American healing plant. Over 25% of the worlds
commercial medicines come from plant based chemicals found in the tropical regions. Below are
just some of the Natural Remedies found in The Bahamas.
Warning: The information contained on this page is for educational purposes only and is not
intended to be an endorsement of any of the remedies mentioned. Be very careful using any
"Bush Medicine"

Aloe
Native to Africa, aloe vera is commonly cultivated elsewhere. The clear gel found
inside the plant's leaf and the crystalline part found alongside the leaf blade, which
contains aloin, are both used for medicinal and cosmetic purposes. The clear gel is a
remarkably effective healer of wounds and burns, speeding up the rate of healing and
reducing the risk of infection. The brownish part containing aloin is a strong laxative,
useful for short-term constipation. Aloe is present in many cosmetic's formulae
because its emollient and scar preventing properties.

Arrowroot
Arrowroot is native to South America and the Caribbean. The local people use its root
as a poultice for smallpox sores, and as an infusion for urinary infections. Arrowroot is
used in herbal medicine in much the same manner as slippery elm (Ulmus Rubra), as a
soothing demulcent and a nutrient of benefit in convalescence and for easing
digestion. It helps to relieve acidity, indigestion and colic, and is mildly laxative. It may
be applied as an ointment or poultice mixed with some other antiseptic herbs such as
comfrey.
Catnip

Cats will rub and sometime ingest the plant, and then act "drunk" or "wild" for up to an
hour or more. No lasting toxicity is reported. Humans also have their moods uplifted
and it is supposed to improve mental clarity and alertness. Aids in pain reduction.

Gumbo Limbo
While exploring the Bahamas, you may see a large tree with red shaggy bark that
peels off in paper-thin strips. Thats the Gumbo-limbo tree, and its bark is a common
topical remedy. Strips of bark are boiled in water and then used topically for skin
sores, measles, sunburn, insect bites, and rashes or drunk as tea to treat backaches,
urinary tract infections, colds, flu, and fevers. It is very important ingredient in the
aphrodisiac Bush Tea called 21 Gun Salute.
The tree is a member of the same botanical species as frankincense and myrhh, both
representatives of the worlds oldest medicines. It is also the source of that very, very
soft and light wood used for making toy airplanes and boats. In that form it is called
balsa wood.
Note: Most Bahamians don't call it the Gumbo-limbo tree. Rather they call it
Gamalamee, or Kamalamee It is also called the Tourists Tree. Tourists get burned and
peel, much like the red peeling bark on this tree. And the tree is the cure!
Jumbie Plant (wild tamarind)
In the Bahamas the Jumbie Plant (wild tamarind) is used mostly to nourish cattle, but is
good for human ailments, too. As with most bush medicine, you boil the leaves from
the plant and brew into a tea. If you've had a stressful day, a cup or two of the brew
will calm you down. If, on the other hand, you're suffering from flatulence, the tea is
said to have a calming effect on your stomach Some Islanders drink the tea to
strengthen their hearts.

Love Vine

If it is an aphrodisiac you are looking for, then the Love Vine could be the plant for you.
Apparently this vine can be found not-so-lovingly attached to other plants, which it
eventually kills. As with most of the local remedies, the vine leaves are made into a
tea.

Periwinkle
The Periwinkle plant has historically been used throughout the Caribbean to treat a
wide assortment of diseases. It was used as a folk remedy for diabetes in the Bahamas
for centuries. Juice from the leaves is used to treat wasp stings and other insect bites.
The plant can be boiled to make a poultice to stop bleeding. It has been used as an
astringent, diuretic and cough remedy. In Central and South America, it is used as a
homemade cold remedy to ease lung congestion and inflammation and sore throats.,
an extract from the flowers is used to make a solution to treat eye irritation and
infections.
If you've had a hard day at work and have aching limbs, the bruised, boiled leaves of
the Periwinkle can be applied, giving much sought-after relief
It also had a reputation as a magic plant; Europeans thought it could ward off evil
spirits, and the French referred to it as "violet of the sorcerers."
Picao Preto
Picao Preto, a small annual herb with prickly leaves and yellow flowers, is considered a
weed in many places. But in the Bahamas, it has a long history of producing herbal
curatives, and virtually all parts of the plant are used. The people of Exuma grind the
sun-dried leaves with olive oil to make poultices for sores and lacerations. Leaves are
balled up and applied to toothaches, or plastered to the head to soothe a headache.

Sea Grape
Sea Grapes are said to be especially good if you have an upset stomach.
Children used to eat them as a sweet treat, but now the most of the local children
prefer candy

Calabash Tree
It is said that the fruit of the Calabash Tree when roasted is a good treatment for
menstrual cramps or to induced childbirth and that the leaf can be used in tea to treat
colds, diarrhea, dysentery and headaches. The shells are often used as bowls, musical
instruments or carved by artisans into interesting artifacts

Lemon Grass
Native from Sri Lanka and South India, lemon grass is now widely cultivated in the
tropical areas of America and Asia. Its oil is used as a culinary flavoring, a scent and
medicine. Lemon Grass is principally taken as a tea to remedy digestive problems
diarrhea and stomach ache. It relaxes the muscles of the stomach and gut, relieves
cramping pains and flatulence and is particularly suitable for children. In the
Caribbean, lemon grass is primarily regarded as a fever-reducing herb. It is applied
externally as a poultice or as diluted essential oil to ease pain and arthritis.
Sarsaparilla
Brought from the New World to Spain in 1563, sarsaparilla was heralded as a cure for
syphilis. In The Bahamas, the herb has traditionally been used to treat a variety of skin
problems. Sarsaparilla is anti-inflammatory and cleansing, and can bring relief to skin
problems such as eczema, psoriasis and general itchiness, and help treat rheumatism,
rheumatoid, arthritis and gout. Sarsaparilla also has a progesterogenic action, making
it beneficial in pre-menstrual problems, and menopausal conditions such as debility
and depression. In Mexico the root is still frequently consumed for its reputed tonic and
aphrodisiac properties. Native Amazonian peoples take sarsaparilla to improve virility
and to treat menopausal problems.
Lignum vitae
One of the most versatile native Bahamian plants is the Lignum vitae (Guiacum
officinale, tree of life, or as many old folk call it "Nigly Whitey"). It is 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.
Hurricane Weed
Called both Gale of Wind Weed and Hurricane Weed, the botanical name for this is
small annual herb Phyllanthus amarus. It is also called the "stone breaker plant"
because it has been used for generations to eliminate gallstones or kidney stones. In
the Bahamas, this plant is used for poor appetite, constipation, typhoid fever, flu, and
colds. Its a popular herbal treatment because it has no side effects or toxicity.
Phyllanthus amarus has been the focus of a great deal of research in recent years
because its antiviral qualities may even be useful in treating hepatitis and the HIV
virus.
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