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Herbs from Cubaby Mia Morosoff First of a two-part series. Watch for Mia's next dispatch from Cuba in April. In January, I had the opportunity to travel to Cuba for the second time to participate in a tour and conference that focused on the indigenous heritage of Cuba, particularly the eastern provinces, and herbal medicine. Our trip included a visit to La Ranchería, an indigenous community in the mountains outside Guantánamo, where new homes and a solar-powered school were recently built. Everyone in Cuba seems to be familiar with herbal medicine. Formal presentations were given at the conference and on herb walks by La Ranchería leader Don Panchito and his daughter, Idalis; by China, an artist friend who has a small but jam-packed herb garden near her apartment; by a 13-year-old student; by a group of doctors researching the effects of various herbs on different ailments; and by yours truly, who reported on the herbs I grow in my yard. Some of the herbs used in eastern Cuba were totally unfamiliar to me, while others were herbs that we use here, but which had medicinal uses in Cuba that were new to me. Here are some of the Cuban herbs that I found most interesting: Guanábana I can attest to the effectiveness of guanábana for diarrhea, both the slightly astringent fruit and a tea made from the leaves. An infusion can be made of the bark, leaves, or roots for insomnia and as a mild sedative for anxiety. In addition, this plant is effective for hemorrhoids. Manzanilla I was told that an infusion of manzanilla, a chamomile relative, is very refreshing and is used to bathe children. The tea is good for diarrhea, for skin problems, and to soothe teething pains in babies. Ortiga (Nettles) Ortiga tea is useful for the prostate, for "nerves," and to improve pulmonary function. An infusion with honey is said to be good for asthma and other respiratory problems. Papaya The milky sap from the stem of the papaya plant is used for herpes. I was told that it does burn when placed on sores. The seeds are used to get rid of intestinal parasites. (Seeds of squash plants are used similarly.) Piñon Related to the castor plant, piñon is used for cold and flu symptoms. The leaves are chewed to relieve sore throat, and also to help heal burns and other skin inflammations. Romerillo Romerillo is similar to chamomile, but I do not know if it is related. An infusion is useful for the flu, infections of the mouth, and respiratory ailments. Tabenque One tea that I had the chance to taste, tabenque is delicious. This blue-gray shrub has anti-inflammatory properties, is said to be an aphrodisiac, and is also good for the digestion. Yagruma I was fascinated by the many medicinal uses of this tree. Yagruma's huge leaves are used for diabetes, as an astringent, an antibiotic, for cold symptoms, and to increase the appetite. A tea can also be made from the bark. In addition, it has anti-hemorrhagic properties. I was told that during Cuba's epidemic of dengue fever, yagruma was used by doctors for people who would otherwise have bled to death. It was used in an infusion, placed on the skin, and even placed under the bed to stop internal bleeding. For more information, feel free to write to me at xelhaha@hotmail.com. |
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