The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1952-08-02
NATIVE PLANTS,
THEIR USES AND
EDICINAL VALUES
BY MARIE cAPPIcK

do not try these remedies if you
know nothing about them. am
setting forth here the confidence
the natives have in the weeds and
plants grown here. The old man
you see seeking something in an
open lot, may be looking for a re-
medy for a sick child. or the old
woman with an apron full of weeds
Ito you) may have the best re-
medy in the world for her asthma.
Very little of the Negroes money
goes for drugs. They prefer to
brew their own remedies accord
ing to instructions handed down
from generation to generation by
their ancestors in darkest Africa.
Here are a few as gathered from
Negroes and some Cubans who use
them and save money of which
they have little.
Here is a partial list of weeds,
herbs and plants that are sources
of medicine. Among the most
sought is wild okra. The leaves of
this small shrub are brewed as tea
and used as a throat gargle in
colds and influenza. Salve bush
leaves are covered win mutton
suet or soft tallow and placed at
the head and feet of fever suffer-
ers. A tea from these leaves is
beneficial in all throat troubles. BY
applying the leaves to affected
parts they relieve the pain OF
neuralgia. Lemon grass, also
known as fever grass is used in
case of fever. The leaves are long
and of a soft green color. When
crushed they have an odor of le-
mon. Tea is made of the leaves
and when taken internally reduces
fever temperatures. Lemon leaves
and fig leaves may be used in the
same way. When the lemon leaves
and fig leaves are brewed together
it is said the tea will cure the
worst Of fever.
Hibiscus leaves are good for
colds and. bark of Mangrove is
good for dysentary. Sage brewed
as tea is a sure cure for measles.
1t is also used for darkening the
hair. Negroes do not consider
measles and seldom. if ever call
a physician. Leaves of the wild cit
ron tree placed back of the ears
will cure earache.
Mint that is so we'll known in
the South for its place in juleps
is considered a very valuable gar
den plant. The leaves. when taken
fresh from the plant, crushed and
placed between layers of soft cloth
and Sprinkled with brandy will
cure nausea.
1t is a stimulant when served
with cracked ice.
The Balsam apple, known local
ly as the Boston apple, is
gathered in season and the small
golden fruit boiled until tender,
then strained and with the puice
of lines and a quantity of sugar
added is a family cough remedy
and is kept in bottles until need.
ed.
Gumbo-limb0 bark is used for
kidney complaints. The bark of
the tree is boiled until the water
is deep red hue then set aside
to cool. When cold it is taken
in small but frequent doses for
pain in the kidneys. The gum of
this tree is used to cure cuts,
wounds and bruises and for a
weak back the gum is made into
a plaster and placed on the af-
fected parts.
Cat tongue leaves are bruised
and placed on fresh cuts to stop
the flow of blood. Brewed as
tea the liquid is excellent for
washing old cuts and sores that
refuse to heal.
What is considered a cure for
asthma by the Bahama people is
the Life Leaf plant. The leaves are
crushed, sprinkled with a pinch
of salt and juice of one lime then
eaten. 1t is said to be a disagree
able but effective dose.
ALICE. The value of this plant has
long been known to the natives of
the tropics but only recently has
received the blessing of the medi-
cal fraternity. Among the Negroes
and some whites, the leaves are
trimmed of the outer hard cover.
ing and sharp edges. and the sill
my interior is used in the treat
ment of fevers. II will also cure
swollen joints, rheumatism, coughs.
sprains, and with a pinch of salt
added. is taken for stomach pains.
In yellow fever the soft, inside
pulpy substance of the leaves is
strapped to the fever patients feet.
AS the pulp dries win the heat of
the fever, fresh applications are
made.
From the garden a handful Of
white periwinkle blossoms are
picked and placed in a cup of
boiling water. When the water is
cold. there is an eye wash and
irritant remover said to be better
than all the eye washes on sale