Traditional Caribbean food with its amazing powerhouse health-giving properties has been given the credence it deserves via research findings. Its fresh ingredients, preparation, style, cooking methods and unique taste, reflect its cultural heritage and national identity.
The adage “you are what you eat’ and the food we don’t eat impact health, ranging from mood, energy levels, food cravings, thinking capacity and sleeping habits. As a consequence a common misconception was that Caribbean food is incredibly carbohydrate-loaded, unbeknownst there are good and bad carbohydrates. Findings, however, have proved that its food is astonishingly wholesome and far more beneficial than some European foods.
For example ‘hard food’ also referred to as ‘provision’, consisting of yam, dasheen, green bananas, eddoes, and sweet potatoes, are complex carbohydrates high in nutrients and fibre, versus whole grain cereals. Coconut water has more potassium than cranberry juice; avocado has no cholesterol, it is monounsaturated.
In addition, breadfruit, classed as a superfood is loaded with nutrients; an excellent source of proteins; essential amino acids; vitamins C, B1, and B5, together with minerals; complex carbohydrates; fibre; calcium; phosphorous; manganese and zinc. It also has a higher amino acid content than corn, wheat, soybean, potatoes and peas. Likewise, callaloo has two times the content of iron, vitamins A and C compared to broccoli, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts. Fruit-wise, guava has four times the fibre and more potassium and vitamin C than American apples or grapes. While mangoes are a great antioxidant, high in vitamins A and C (the list is not exhaustive).
50+ black women, accustomed to their mothers and grandmothers’ ‘Bush Medicine’ (the Caribbean use of herbs and plants known for their many medicinal benefits), faithfully carry on this incredible tradition. For example, Sea Moss, a seaweed with anti-inflammatory benefits is used to regulate blood pressure, improve immunity and aid gut health. Whilst the Soursop fruit and seeds are used for multiple benefits, aiding arthritis, diarrhoea and cystitis. Furthermore, Fever Grass tea reduces fever, eases stomach aches and is good for digestive problems. Equally important, Fresh Ginger Tea also soothes a stomach ache and Aloe Vera gel is used as a tonic, a laxative; relieves colds and bronchitis and has many other benefits.
Notably, the various cold and flu brews are elixirs. From the concentrated mix of rum, lemon or lime and honey; a boiled combination of elderberries, cinnamon and water and an Epsom salt-based black coffee. In addition, to build immunity and energy levels, a juice shot of ginger, celery, turmeric, honey and water can be drunk as a regular tonic (the list is not exhaustive).
Furthermore, two leaves that have become well known for their powerhouse benefits and recognised by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) are Moringa Oleifera, packed with potassium; vitamins A, B, C, and E; calcium and iron beneficial to lower blood sugar levels, fight inflammation, and much more. Equally, Neem contains minerals; calcium; phosphorous and vitamin C; has antifungal and inflammatory benefits; helps the respiratory and digestive system; detoxifies the blood; maintains blood sugar levels; relieves fungal infection and acts as a mosquito repellent.
It has been stated and is a fact that not all medicines are obtained from pharmacies but are in abundance in nature; natural food; emotional states; habits etc. A case in point is the Caribbean’s beneficial natural food; quintessential everlasting summer of sunshine; bush medicine and historical religious faith, all powerful medicines facilitating wellness.
What are your family’s Bush Medicine remedies? Share it with us in the Comments Section.
