Some years ago I attended a Caribbean Herbal conference staged by the European Union and Jamaica Herbal Association among others local entitties at the Half Moon hotel. It was a one-of-a-kind conference dealing with herbal medicene and alternative healing and I met people from all over the world. As I set up my booth for the conference I ate some of the products which had been baked with refined white flour. I must confess they were rather nice and I was rather hungry, so I ate quite a bit, even as I wondered what place these produucts had at a health conference.

The following day I began to experience constipation as well as symptoms of the flu. By the third day I was truly sick. However I left early in the morning for Sheffield in order to prepare for a number of conference guests who planned to visit.

In an attempt to break up the flu. I drank a half glass of lemon juice. It did its work alright and unfortunately more - it cut u my hemorrhoids and caused them to start bleeding. Talk about embarrassment!

I tried a few herbs including cmofrey in order to stop the bleeding but they didn't work. Frustrated I began to pray for guidance. Then it came to me. I felt myself being led to make a cup of White Oak Bark tea. Just like that! I had it with some honey and experienced relief within thirty minutes!

I then set about baking some oatmeal cookies with whole wheat as well as banana bread and oatmeal bread. When they arrived I gave them the tour and then treated them to the baked goodies. They were so appreciative. Since that conference I have learnt through experience that other herbs which are also good for this problem include Periwinkle, White Willow Bark, and Agrimony.

Vitamin C and E supplements are also helpful. You see, in most cases bleeding hemorrhoids are the result of a dietary problem in that the individual is eating too much refined carbohydrates and not enough fibre and water and Vitamin C and E. Take heed, my friends, take heed.

Buckston Harrison is well known for his work as a herbalist, especially in western Jamaica. He resides in Sheffield, Westmoreland.

Huber's Papaya stew

Ingredients

* 15-20 Jackfruit seeds

* 1/2 cup green gungo peas

* 1/2 large mature green papaya

* 2 Tomatoes

* 1 Onion

* 4 pegs garlic

* 1 sprig thyme

* 2 dozen pimento seeds

* 1 cup string bens

* 1small Irish potato

* 1 small sweet potato

* 1/2 dozens sprigs of fennel

* 4 stalks callalo

* 2 cups water

Method

* Place jackfruit seeds, gungo seeds, crushed pimento and thyme and half of seasoning

* Cover with one cup of water, bring to a boil and simmer for 10 minutes

*Cube papaya and add

* Let simmer for another 10 minutes

* Add the rest of the seasoning

* Add Irish and sweet poatoes and string beans

* Let simmer for 8 minutes

*Add rest of ingredients and let simmer for further 5 minutes

Thomas 'Bongo Tommy' Huber is a Swiss national who migrated to Westmoreland's Retrieve District 10 years ago. He is a naturalist who lives off the land and is deeply involved in an ongoing effort to create Jamaica's next generation of exotic fruit trees.

From the mailbox:

Where can I get the following:

*Urtica Dioca ( and what is the local name for it and what does it looks like)

*Horsetail Grass

* Bitterwood Bark?

The local name for Urtica Dioca is nettle, or scratchbush. It grows wild all over Jamaica.

Bitterwood Bark and a local variety of Horsetail grass which is used for oranamental purposes, also grow wild.

However you make check the markets and health food stores for these herbs.

Buckston

Buckston and Huber's Alternative is not intended as a substitute for the diagnosis, cure, prevention or treatment of disease. You may send your questions and comments to thealternative@jamaicaobserver.com.

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