As someone who grew up in the Caribbean and spent time with grandparents who were raised in the Caribbean countryside, I have come to know of their deep-rooted belief that there’s a natural remedy for every ailment. Whether they made you rub it, sniff it, put it on the soles of your feet, wrap it around the affected area or drink it, there’s probably nothing you can say to convince them that anything is better than their all-natural, often awful-tasting, strong-smelling elixirs.
Long before the advent of modern medicine, our ancestors used herbs for health and it’s a practice that has been passed down generation to generation and still exists today. Though to some herbalism may seem unconventional, modern medicine, through over prescription, has increasingly started to represent a major threat to public health. The most prominent issues reported are drug safety, pricing, data disclosure, importation, clinical study design, marketing restrictions, DTC advertising, animal testing, international market, developing countries, and even the growth of drug counterfeiting.
Yes, advances in medicines have enabled doctors to cure many illnesses and save lives. However, within the Caribbean there is a centuries-old tradition of using herbal elixirs for general wellbeing to treat the common cold and even chronic ailments. Here is compiled a list of the more popular natural remedies that our Caribbean elders swear by:
- Aloe Vera
The clear gel found in the plant’s leaf is used for medicinal purposes. The gel is believed to be remarkable for wounds, burns, and infections while the brown part of the plant contains aloin, a strong laxative used to remedy short-term constipation. Aloe vera is also used to cure conjunctivitis. When I had a common cold and cough, I’d be told to take a shot of aloe vera because of its anti-inflammatory properties.
- Breadfruit leaves
These are often drawn and used in tea to treat high blood pressure. The leaves are also crushed and bound to one’s head or forehead to treat headaches.
- Ginger
Ginger is loaded with nutrients that have a proven track record of healing many ailments. It’s often used to reduce nausea, fight the flu/common cold and help with digestion. Ginger is also used to reduce menstrual cramps and muscular pain and lower blood sugar levels.
- Honey
Honey is an alternative for sugar and is also used to counter acid reflux. Over the years it has also proven effective in treating stomach ulcers, high blood pressure, obesity, jaundice and eczema. One of the most common natural cough remedies in the Caribbean is honey mixed with lime juice and garlic.
- Limes
The nutrients found in one lime provides up to 32 per cent of the vitamin C needed in a day. They grow year-round in the Caribbean and are not only used in food, but they also act as an antioxidant which helps counteract disease-causing cells.
- Thyme
Thyme is often used to treat coughs. The aromatic herb is loaded with vitamins C and A and is believed to boost one’s immune system. Thanks to its antiseptic and antifungal properties it is also a common ingredient used in oral hygiene.
- Cinnamon
Cinnamon (ground or in bark form) is used extensively in dishes throughout the Caribbean, and can be used to regulate blood sugar levels in diabetics, help lower bad cholesterol and in turn raise good cholesterol and help control indigestion and digestion.
- Turmeric
Research shows that turmeric has antifungal and antibacterial properties. It is popularly consumed as a tea by many people who believe it treats arthritis symptoms and helps boost one’s immune symptoms and lower cholesterol.
Conventional medicine has been developed through decades of research and is the evidence-based standard for healthcare. However, traditional medicine holds high therapeutic value and may play an important cultural role in disease management. The pool of scientific literature remains small but it is possible to create opportunities for harmony between these approaches to wellness.