Here are some other traditional herbal remedies used in Grenada that can be helpful in terms of alternative remedies to common ailments. It is part of our cultural heritage. Some are a bit controversial as they may not be recommended by medical practitioners.
Bitter fence
Bitter fence is a bush that is most commonly drunk for those who are suffering from diabetes. Drinking one cup of bitter fence tea, that contains orange peel can aid in reducing hypertension. Recommended use is one cup, every four days.
Coralita vine
Coralita is a fast-growing, climbing vine with beautiful pink or white flowers. It is also called Coral Vine, or Coralila. The plant is originally from Mexico. The first record of it being brough to the Caribbean was in Martinique in 1849. It is unclear when it began to grow in Grenada. Despite this, it is an invasive plant that is found on coastal cliffs and coastal areas.
Coralita vine can be seen growing in Grenada on fences, on concrete walls, over cliffs, and in gullies. The leaves of the Coralita are light to dark green. The leaves can used to treat boils on the skin and can reduce swellings. The leaves can be boiled as bush medicine and drank as tea.
Tea can be made and used to:
reduce hypertension,
lower blood sugar levels,
treat menstrual cramps,
get relief from colds.
treat stomachaches
treat ulcers
Picture of Coralita vine below:
For those interested in growing the vine, read here: Antigonon leptopus (Coral Vine) (gardenia.net)
Note, it is an invasive species, so there is need to be careful with how the growth of the vine is spread.
Glory Cedar
Glory cedar is native to Central America. It was first introduced to Trinidad and later made the journey to Grenada. Glory cedar is a legume tree. It can be seen growing along the roadsides in Grenada. Farmers also use Glory cedar, and it can be grown intercropped with corn. This is because it provides nutrients to help with corn cultivation.
Glory cedar can be used in many ways as alternative medical treatments:
Fresh leaves can be used as an insect repellant.
Crushed leaves can be used to treat sprains and rheumatic pains.
The septum of the plant can be used to treat rashes, burns and itches on the skin.
The leaves can be boiled, and tea drank to relieve coughs and treat asthma.
The bark of the Glory cedar can be boiled and used to treat bacterial infections.
Here is a video to learn more about Glory cedar:
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