Doctors have always been in short supply in Jamaica, especially in deep rural areas, so people have always tried to use creative means to get cures from whatever ails them. Visit any rural community in Jamaica and you will be besieged with a barrage of opportunities to improve your life and general well being with herbs or for the sake of this article, with regular everyday plants and foodstuff.

Jamaica has 65 per cent of all the known medicinal plants in the world, but not enough research has been done to study and develop these plants. For most Jamaicans, the true medicinal value of herbs (i.e. anything with green leaves) that they merely pick from a bushed out area, is not known, and doctors will claim that the belief in their potency is just a matter of mind over matter, but for many elderly people, it is a major part of everyday existence.

--- Here are a few common Jamaican remedies from herbs, plants and food.

There is a foot treatment bath used by some residents in Eastern Jamaica that is made with ingredients including sugar cane, beach sand, and honey papaya and mango that is used to exfoliate dead skin on the soles.

There is the hibiscus plant which is used on almost every hedge in the Island.  Not many people are aware that it is used by women to make facial masks by using extracts from the  blooms to help regulate moisture to the face and refresh the skin.

-Ginger (Zingiberis Officinale):
The Jamaica ginger is considered the best inthe world. It is one of the oldest spices and was brought here by the Spaniards  the 16th century.

The Root is where the medicinal virtues reside. The odour is extremely aromatic and it is also used in cooking and for teas.It is often taken for dyspepsia, flatulent colic and atonic gout. Added to bitter infusions and tonic powders, ginger warms the stomach.It is an excellent remedy in typhoid and other fevers and all the eruptive diseases, especially with fever, and in bronchitis, pneumonia, and angina.It is useful in, spasms, recent colds, chills and diarrhoea. 

-Jamaican Red Sarsaparilla (Smilax Regelii).
 This has a slightly bitter taste but is an excellent blood purifier.It is useful for rheumatism and chronic rheumatism, gout, skin eruptions. In hot infusion, it gives an outward circulation of the blood.

-Garden Thyme (thymus vulgaris).
This has a strong, spicy odour and taste. It is useful in treating throat and bronchial irritation, asthma, and lung troubles. It is considered a specific for whooping cough. For very young children, a little honey or sugar may be added. Give small but frequent doses.Thymol is made from the oil extracted from thyme. It is an antiseptic and is added to many liniments. Vinegar of thyme is made by steeping thyme in vinegar until the desired trength is reached; it is also used in this way or inhaled to relieve a nervous headache.A favourite seasoning in many foods, the flowers are very popular as a delightful addition to sachets and potpourris.Garden thyme and wild thyme have the same effect, they protect against colds and flu.

-`Tinking Toe'(Stinking toe, a fruit) and tamarind juice mixed with enough sugar has lots of minerals.

-Ganja - Marijuana (Canabis):
Local research has already made breakthroughs in medical application of derivatives of cannabis in the treatment of glaucoma and asthma.

-Aloe (Single Bible, Sempervium- Aloe Vera)
- This is a perennial plant found in the West Indies and other tropical areas. It has been used over the years as a laxative, and cleanser. The fresh juice is reputed to be good for applying to burns, and sunburns which heal without scars; for the removal of warts, and wrinkles on the face and also as an eye wash. It works as a natural healer to the skin for wounds, drawing out infection and for minor cuts and bruises.

-Breadfruit (Artocarpus Altilis)
The breadfruit was introduced into our island in 1793, from Tahiti, and then later from Bombay. The blossoms or swords make an excellent preserve, and can be substituted for candied peel in baking. The leaves are used for headaches and hypertension by applying directly to the forehead, or infused in water and taken as a tea. Goats, rabbits and cattle eat the ripe leaves.

-Cerassee Leaves (Mormodica Charantia),
Bitters: The leaves are used as a teas; half ounce to a pint of boiling water for infusion, and taken for colds, or as a laxative and blood cleanser. This herb should not be taken by diabetics as it masks the sugar content in the blood and urine. The infused teas can also be used when very hot for toothaches and mouth infections. The cerassee should not be used as a regular part of your diet, as this can cause liver damage. The bush is used as a bath for skin eruptions and pimples, and it is also excellent for acne of the face.

-Dandelion (Cassia Ligustrina)
- Other names are Wild Coffee, Piss-a-Bed. The Jamaican Dandelion is completely different in appearance from the European Dandelion yet it functions in a similar manner. This is a shrub that grows to four or five feet high, blooming yellow flowers, and bearing small seed pods in abundance.

The leaves have recorded uses as a drink and wash for skin disorders. The seeds are collected from the pods, parched and dried, then ground and used like coffee for drinking. It is said to be good for problems of the kidneys like jaundice, for bladder problems like bed wetting, hence the colloquial name, Piss-A-Bed. It acts as a tonic for the liver and also has a diuretic action. The roots are used for treating jaundice, dropsy and liver troubles.

All these plants can be had in any 'country area' in Jamaica, the good thing is that even in the urban areas, you can approach anyone and say, 'can I have some cerasee?' They'll know what you are talking about and can tell you where

- Free Lance Writer