Herbal Medicinal Plants
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Local herbal remedies should only be used under the guidance
of a knowledgeable herbal medicine practioner! |
| First
discovered and used as a quinine substitute by Alexander Anderson in
the late 18th century, Exostema sanctae-luciae is a common and
irreplaceable ingredient of many of the tonics produced by St. Lucia
herbalists, mostly for fever, the complications of colds such as
switcouch and fe mal and blood purification in the case of boils and
skin ulcers. These tonics are varied but most often use the
pulverized bark in wine or rum with cinnomon (Cinnamomum verum), nutmeg
(Myristica fragrans) and cloves (Syzygium aromaticum). If used as
a blood purifier, kasialata (Cassia alata) is added as a purge.
Or, when there is fever, go ponpon (Leonotis nepetaefolia) and lime
(Citrus aurantifolia), three leaves of each. Chinna bark is put
in wine and a wine glass full drunk every morning for rhematism, worms
and for ``inward fever that is hot inside, cold outside, with a bitter
feelings in the mouth.’’ Verna Slane 1987 |