Herbs
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Bissy (Cola acuminatais)
Bissy (Cola acuminatais) medicinal herb is native to tropical West Africa and Nigeria. It was introduced to Latin America and it is now grown in the Caribbean. It is of the family, Sterculiaceae and it is an effective antidote for poisons. This is specifically known in Jamaica because of its effectiveness against poison. This is another excellent alternative medicine on the herbs list.
In Jamaica it is believed that it came to the country from the Guinea Coast and was cultivated very close to Guanaboa by a man whose name is Mr. Goffe.
$3.00Bissy (Cola acuminatais)
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Cerasee (Momordica charantia)
Cerasee (Momordica charantia) medicinal herb also referred to as bitter melon, is a plant that is native to Africa, the Middle East as well as the Mediterranean region. This medicinal herb had been introduced to Brazil by way of African slaves and also from there this herb spread to the rest of Latin America, and also to the West Indies.
It is frequently used within Jamaica for many kinds of skin treatments and also as an herbal bath.
The common names for this herb are Bitter gourd, Bitter bush, Corrilla, Karela, Balsam apple, Balsam pear, Paoka, Madian apple, Mexicaine, Caprika, Bitter melon, Vegetable insulin and Achochilla. This is a creeping herb which grows profusely on fences and on the ground. Yellow flowers and orange fruits are found all over the vine. It can be a nuisance at times and requires attention if it is grown on your fence.
The fruits can be eaten, and they are very sweet when ripe. I have eaten quite a few when I was a child. The fruits are also popularly used in Chinese cooking which makes it a culinary herb. This herb is of the Cucuribitaceae family and it is one of the bitter herbs or bitter bush which also include Aloe Vera and neem.
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Chaney Roots ((Smilax Balbisiana)
Chaney root (Smilax Balbisiana) medicinal herb is a traditional, well-talked about and well-loved plant or vine that is native to Jamaica and other Caribbean Islands as well as South and Central America. I distinctly remembered my grandmother at every visit to the market, she would purchase this perennial herb for my grandfather. It is found in the woodlands of Jamaica and it is part of the many herbs that are sold in the markets. The main part used as herbal medicine is the root.
The common names are God bush, Medina, Jamaican sarsaparilla, Chaney vine, Chainy root, Chainy winder, Saw brier, Hog head, Smilax Balbisiana, Wild yam root, Jamaican herb, Brier wythe and Prickly green brier. It was commonly used by natives as a tonic to maintain health when it was discovered by the Spanish conquerors. The medicinal properties are tonic, analgesic, aphrodisiac, alterative, hepatic and astringent. One of its primary constituents is iron and it also possesses minerals. Due to its iron content, it is one of the best plants for the blood.
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Jamaican Dried sorrel
Sorrel drink is a festive beverage in Jamaica that is consumed mainly during the Christmas time along with the Jamaican fruit cake. However, while this fascinating perennial herb is cultivated all over the world for a wide variety of purposes, in Jamaica, sorrel is primarily used as a beverage. But there are many health benefits associated with our favourite Christmas drink. Here are some remarkable and surprising ways drinking sorrel can have a positive effect on your health.
$5.50Jamaican Dried sorrel
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Moringa Tree leaf
The sale of all forms of vitamins, minerals, and health supplements is a big business. If you were a company selling hundreds of nutritional products, why would you sell one product that could potentially wipe out all your other products! This would be true for the pharmaceutical
industry as well. These industries, with huge marketingbudgets, would rather the general public remains ignorant about the moringa leaf.
$3.00Moringa Tree leaf
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Neem (Azadirachta indica)
Neem (Azadirachta indica) medicinal herb is a plant known as the wonder tree of the humid tropics. It is used in medicines, cosmetics as well asinsect repellents. It is known to kill over three hundred insects. No wonder the seeds and leaves are utilized as bio-insecticides both locally and internationally in the organic farming industry.
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Sarsaparilla (Smilax regelii)
Sarsaparilla (Smilax regelii) medicinal herb is a plant that is native to Central America, China, Costa Rica and India, where it is known as Hemidesmus indicus. It is now growing wild in the West Indies as well as Latin America. However, this is one herb that I am familiar with because it is very common in Jamaica.
It can also be found in Jamaica where it is widely used. The best root comes from Honduras, Mexico and Jamaica. The root is popular in making tonics, sodas and other products such as tea bags. It forms a part of Jamaica’s heritage, folklore and culture and that is the reason our elders knew so much about it.
Precautions
If you suffer with asthma, kidney ailments, pregnant or breastfeeding, do not use sarsaparilla.
$3.00