Greetings!

Pride of Barbados was chosen as the National Flower of Barbados many years ago. This 'silent doctor' is a true reliable healer.  Barbadians in Barbados and across the world should bow their heads  and say ,"well done or thank you" to our foreparents for ensuring our National treasures  beams healing energy  to us, whenever we come into contact with them. Likewise, Cou-cou with okras and cornmeal; our national flag filled with healing colours and our National Flower must always be respected as having healing qualities.

 Additionally, IN BLAZING RED, she has an enviable place on Barbados' Coat of Arms. School children will correctly tell you she is the national flower of this island and her name is Pride Of Barbados.  What they and even older folk may not realise however, is that Pride Of Barbados, also known as Red Bird Of Paradise and Flower Fence, was once treasured by earlier generations as a healing herb. No wonder then, this plant, (scientific name)  Caesalpinia pulcherrima which belongs to the fabacae and bean family) took pride of place in many gardens of years ago because of its attractiveness and its reputed dependability and therapeutic qualities.

Sadly, I have discovered that many plants such as Pride Of Barbados which served as silent doctors for generations are now forgotten heroes. In ten years of research, I have been fascinated by the stories about these plants and I am heartened that there now appears to be a real move towards according several plants their due status after scientific examination. There will be more on this as we go along. In my investigations and research, I have every reason to believe that our old people were on to something not only good, but powerful.

So what is Pride Of Barbados good for?

I put the question to 90-year-old Evelyn (Granny) Walcott. In addition to her proven skills before she retired as a producer of deliciously prepared meals at Granny's Restaurant at Oistins - she is a virtual encyclopedia on Barbados' healing herbs. In her day, she told me, mothers made a tea from the Pride Of Barbados flowers and leaves for their babies.

"It helped them to sleep and in some cases was used instead of milk at night for babies. It is also reputed to have been used to treat asthma and bronchitis."

A tea brewed from the flowers or leaves has proven effective.

On another website , it is reported that in Suriname's traditional medicine the leaves of Cisalpine pulcherrima are said to be purgative and are used against kidney stones, malarial fever and bronchitis. It is also said to be anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, helpful against staphylococcus and that it destroys cancerous cells.

So go and locate Pride of Barbados and study it as a healer.  I also advise you to refer to the article on this website about 'Banana leaves and Pumkin' to read more about Pride of Barbados.  

*Obianuju, a secondary school teacher and herbal educator