Greetings!

 INVIGORATING! Refreshing! Healing! are the words I use to describe bush teas, which are not as popular as they used to be a few generations back. In some places bush teas are not even considered as cooling beverages or as healing teas. Instead, other teas have risen to the fore-front, which are preferred and consumed in higher volumes. However, in Barbados ‘Bush tea’ has not lost the essence of its potential. Therefore, it gives me great pleasure to report that the art of making 'bush tea' is not extinct. Additionally, I've come across a number of bush-tea drinkers and brewers. I too, still make and drink the brews and I use flowers, leaves, stems, barks and roots.

I strongly recommend that we continue to keep the art alive. As this website has been pointing out, there is a lot of nourishment and healing in our herbs, our silent doctors.  

 In retrospect, Iris Bailey (later Iris Bannochie), wrote an article entitled, The Bush Teas of Barbados, in 1949. We should take note of these observations she made: "It was customary for many of the inhabitants of Barbados when they were ill to use as remedies, watery infusions of various plants known as bush teas." She further revealed that in those days medical consultation was considered a last resort for varying illnesses. Today, we have unfortunately reversed that tradition. Instead, bush teas are a last resort for some people. Could it be that the benefits of a good bush tea have not been passed on by some elders to the younger generation? Or, have we decided that drinking bush tea no longer fits the image of a developing country?

I am always happy, when I conduct my investigations to know that we still have persons who still go to the gully to gather 'silent doctors'. Think about that! I too following tradition have done the same and have benefited tremendously from it. Additionally, I enjoy combining locally available herbs s uch as cerasee and lemon grass and soursop leaves for cooling, refreshing or good, restful sleep. Gathering 'silent doctors'  is an incredible experience, one I will never forget. Imagine, going through the gully with the untouched vegetation and gathering ‘silent doctors’ in such a unique fashion. Remember, gullies exist in Barbados that are breath-taking. You must find a good ‘villager’ to take you on a tour. It is quite fascinating. Equally fascinating, is that I have even equipped myself with a basket, so that I can gather my ‘silent doctors’ the old time way. We do have a marvelous culture. Also, remember, to refer to the article on this website about harvesting, drying and storing ‘silent doctors’.

Additionally, you can become very creative and effective with your own brewing. It's very simple. To make yourself a cup of bush tea, place a teaspoon of the dried medicinal plant in a teacup; pour in boiling water and allow to steep for five to seven minutes. You can make brews to treat or heal yourself. On rare occasions, boiled tea is recommended.

An elder related to me that her grandmother boiled duck grass, milky way, lemon grass, guava leaves, pear leaves, Christmas bush, Garfield bush, cure-for-all, cherry leaves, St. John bush, soursop and flower fence (Pride Of Barbados) leaves in a large pot for ten minutes or more. This brew was served as a Sunday morning or afternoon drink. I was also said that the family remained healthy.

Studying the history of bush tea is fascinating. I am aware that some of our ancestors boiled their 'silent doctors' when preparing their bush teas. However, today we are strongly advised not to boil but to steep or, as we say, "'draw' the herbs. This advice is given because it is said that boiling destroys some of the needed properties of the plants. However, perference is given in many instances to boiling barks and roots.

In conclusion, bush tea making is wonderful but not without a bit of mystery. The elders always advised that in brewing, any combination of leaves should be an odd number - three, five, seven, nine and so on. Secondly, back-in-time sea water was often an item used. Bush teas are here to stay. They are steeped in ancient wisdom; therefore we must always pay heed to the healing capacity of them. Bush teas are ancient healing remedies and it is our business to show greater love and respect for them as they have the ability to heal.

BUSH TEA

Leaves and Flowers

Use 1 teaspoon of the 'silent doctor'

Steep in a tea cup of water 1/4 tea spoon of honey (optional)

Directions: Place the 'silent doctor' in the water. Cover with the saucer and steep for 3 to 5 minutes. Strain and use as desired.

 

Roots, Berries, Seeds & Barks.

Use 1 ounce of the 'silent doctor'

Directions: Simmer in two-pints of water for 20 minutes. Strain and drink as needed. Refrigerate the remainder.

 

*Obianuju, a secondary school teacher