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Cuban Herbs Part IIby Mia Morosoff Second of two parts. Mia Morosoff traveled to Cuba last January to participate in a tour and conference on the island nation's indigenous heritage and herbal medicine. Her first report appeared in our March issue. Albahaca Albahaca - basil - is used much more in Cuba as a medicinal plant than as a seasoning. The leaves infused in alcohol can be used for rubdowns and baths. A tea or the juice of the young leaves is effective in stimulating digestion, eliminating flatulence, and reducing menstrual pain. It also helps to increase milk production in nursing mothers, and is a mild sedative. To make an infusion, add 15-20 grams of fresh leaves to a liter of boiling water. Let sit for 10 to 15 minutes, then strain. Drink equal parts two or three times a day Bixa Bixa (bixa orellana) , is also known as achiote or annatto. Many indigenous groups throughout Latin America have used bixa seeds as the source of a dye for food, body paint, and textiles. In Cuba it is cooked in oil, cooled, and used as an insect repellant and a salve for rashes and insect bites. It has antioxidant, astringent and antibacterial properties. If you have experience making salves, I would imagine that it would be effective to make one from bixa using beeswax and/or cocoa butter. Cana Santa To make an infusion of cana santa (cymbopogon citratus) , boil 10-20 grams of fresh leaves in a liter of water. Turn off flame and let sit 10 to 15 minutes, then strain through cheesecloth or a fine strainer. This tea lowers blood pressure, and is useful for colds, fevers, flu, coughs and digestive problems. It can also be applied topically to benefit from its antifungal and antibacterial effects. The roots of cana santa can be chewed to lower fevers. Guacamaya Francesa Guacamaya francesa (senna alata) has antifungal properties, and thus is useful for herpes and other skin diseases. It also is a diuretic, and can be used as a purgative and to induce sweating. Mango An infusion of the bark of mango (mangifera indica ) helps heal skin lesions. The astringent tea is also used for chronic diarrhea, fevers and infected cuts. A tea with honey added is good for coughs and colds. Apparently, mango bark should not be used by pregnant women as it may act as an abortifacent, inducing a miscarriage. A trio of Cuban doctors spoke at the conference about their research using a particular kind of mango, mango macho, for its anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor activity. They used a poultice of the leaves, which appeared to have an anti-tumor effect in people with certain kinds of cancers. Sabila The skin-healing properties of sabila (aloe vera) have been known to us for years. A Cuban doctor/researcher reported that it also seems to stimulate the immune system, is an antibiotic, and has antifungal properties. She had been studying its effectiveness against candidiasis, as well as in non-insulin-dependent diabetics. She reported that she had her patients drink a decoction of aloe vera peeled, rinsed and steeped in water, with good results. Te de Riņon Te de riņon (orthosiphon aristatus) is effective for metabolic disturbances, kidney and liver infections, and high blood pressure. It also may prevent diabetes in those with high-risk factors for diabetes. Add one tablespoon of dried and ground leaves to a cup of boiling water. Let sit 2 or 3 hours before straining. Drink one half in the morning and the other half in the afternoon. The tea should be made fresh every day. Verbena Verbena (stachytarpheta jamaicensis [L.] vahl) is a decoction used for bathing children, and is generally healing for skin problems such as lesions and pimples. Verbena also lowers blood pressure, acts as a diuretic, is effective against flu symptoms, is a sedative, and is antispasmodic. This plant should not be used internally by those with stomach ulcers, as it can aggravate gastric ulcers. Yanten Yanten (plantago major) is also known as plaintain. A decoction of the leaves is used as an astringent for wounds and other exterior skin lesions. Compresses can be made from the decoction for eye infections. A tea made from the leaves is a diuretic, and mixed with honey is helpful for a sore throat. Yanten is also considered useful in Cuba for liver problems. |
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