Nature's Medicine Chest: How Trees Healed Before Doctors
This story takes a closer look at how plants have been historically used as bush medicine in The Bahamas. The story highlights some of the plants found at the Leon Levy Preserve
Pain Related Bush Medicine Sign by Elijah SandsBahamas National Trust
Trees that heal? What is bush medicine?
“Bush medicine” describes the use of different species of plants and herbs to treat common ailments. It can typically be used in both preventative and curative ways. This practice is both culturally and historically significant in The Bahamas, and has been happening for decades.
Safeguarding Native forests by Heather CareyBahamas National Trust
Origin of bush medicine in The Bahamas
Some bush medicine is native to The Bahamas, while others were introduced throughout history. Many believe the Bahamian use of bush medicine is rooted in African tradition, having been brought over by enslaved people from their homeland during the slave trade.
Roots by Christopher JohnsonBahamas National Trust
In the early 1900s, there were few doctors if any on most of The Bahama islands to provide medical assistance to the population. Many Bahamians turned to using native plants to cure their ailments and illnesses.
Omar and Calabash, Levy Preserve by Heather CareyBahamas National Trust
Does Bush Medicine actually work?
Older generations of Bahamians swear by the effectiveness of Bush Medicine home remedies. In recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in using natural, holistic remedies as alternatives to or in conjunction with pharmaceutical medicine.
Through the Coppice by Elijah SandsBahamas National Trust
So..Fact not Folklore?
In a research paper titled “Bahamian Bush Medicine: Fact or Folklore” by Edith Gibson, it states that only 1% of the 265,000 identified plant species worldwide have been tested for medicinal purposes, but of that 1%, 25% have been made into medicine...
which can lead to the reasonable conclusion that bush medicine is effective in at least some cases.
Strengtheing Teas Bush Medicine Sign by Elijah SandsBahamas National Trust
How bush medicine is used
Most plants used in bush medicine are either brewed in a tea for drinking, added to water to bathe in, or applied directly to the body. Here’s a list of some plants used in bush medicine in The Bahamas and their healing properties.
Aloe Vera Plant Bed by Elijah SandsBahamas National Trust
Aloe Vera
Aloe vera Is found on every island in The Bahamas and is widely used to treat dermatological conditions (burns, blisters, wounds), gastrointestinal illnesses, colds, fevers, circulatory conditions, diabetes, pain, and gynaecological conditions.
Aloe Vera Close Up by Elijah SandsBahamas National Trust
Aloe is of the plants that is widely used in mass produced pharmaceuticals and everyday products like drinks, soaps and food items.
Fever Grass by Elijah SandsBahamas National Trust
Fever Grass
Fever grass is one of the most well-known bush medicines in The Bahamas, easily identified by its fragrance. Known as lemongrass in other parts of the world, it is used to relieve fevers, treat colds and flus and for strengthening the immune system.
Gum Elemi Bark by Elijah SandsBahamas National Trust
Gum Elemi
Gum Elemi also called Kamalame is known as the “healing tree'' because its sap can be used to treat skin reactions to other plants, namely rashes from the Poisonwood tree. Its leaves and other parts of the tree can also be brewed in a tea to treat many ailments.
Life Leaf Plant by Elijah SandsBahamas National Trust
Life Leaf
Life Leaf is not native to The Bahamas but is found on each of its islands. This tree is widely used to treat respiratory ailments, such as asthma, coughing, and tuberculosis, and pain.
Bay Geranium by Elijah SandsBahamas National Trust
Bay geranium
Bay geranium grows on all islands in The Bahamas and is widely used to treat colds and flus, gastrointestinal issues, and dermatological problems such as blisters and general skin irritation. In other parts of the Caribbean it’s used to treat worms and high blood pressure.
Pissabed Plant by Elijah SandsBahamas National Trust
Pissabed
This tree occurs on all islands in The Bahamas and is used to treat gastrointestinal problems.
20170815_Levy_Preserve_Eleuthera-012.jpg by Heather CareyBahamas National Trust
Conserving bush medicine
This is just a small sample of all the plants that are used in Bush Medicine in The Bahamas. All the plants featured and others can be found at the Medicinal Plant trail at the Leon Levy Native Plant Preserve, which is dedicated to preserving this traditional knowledge
To see more plants used in Bush Medicine in The Bahamas visit: https://www.levypreserve.org/tours-map/medicinal
To learn more about the Leon Levy Native Plant Preserve visit: https://www.levypreserve.org/home
Photography Credits:
Elijah Sands, Bahamas National Trust
Heather Carey
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