Due to popular demand we are reaching into our archives! Today we publish Buckston Harrison’s contribution to the November 9, 2006 edition of Buckston and Huber’s Alternative. Huber’s contribution is current.

IN our folklore, we normally use fever grass otherwise called Cymbopogon citratu to calm upset stomachs, but it’s also good for fever as it lowers the temperature.

The cooling herb is also claimed to be good for menopausal women, as it’s one of the best herbs to keep them cool during those aggravating hot flashes.

Lemon grass has also been credited with medicinal and nutritional qualities to enhance longevity. It also acts as a mild diuretic by hydrolysing fat in the body, which is then passed through the urine. It is therefore good for helping overweight persons to stabilise their weight. It is also used in aromatherapy.

I am not sure of its origin, but I do know it could be from the Asiatic belt because it is used a lot in Tai food. They use it in soups and especially for the preparation of poultry.

One little known fact is that Bay, who also always have it. Other than myself and these ladies I don’t know anybody else who do. It is rare.

Buckston

Hi,

Do you know of any plant, tree, etc or natural treatment for the removal of warts from face and neck?

Thank you.

J

Dear J,

There is a type of weed known as Milk Weed that might be helpful but it is very dangerous if it gets into the eye. Milk weed grows around and there are many types of it but it is the “Monkey Fiddle”, popularly used as an ornamental plant, that may be helpful. Check with plant nursery operators, you may be able to get it from them.

To use this weed, you need to extract the milk (white substance) from plant and rub it onto wart, carefully avoiding eyes and areas around the eyes.

Buckston

Hi,

Can you please give me an idea where I can get a sucker of the rice bitters plant.

I am mailing from Kingston …….looking forward to your fever grass is also a great seasoning for fish. I regularly supply the fresh herb to chefs, especially international chefs, from many hotels in the Negril area. I also produce a fish seasoning from the herb, which has somewhat of a cult following along the north and south coasts with restaurants, roast fish vendors and housewives, who admittedly also use this seasoning for their chicken too with equally tasty results.

Buckston Responds,

I am interested in getting this product (rice bitters). Where can I get either the leaves or the dried herb to buy. You may contact me at

dmcsinclair@yahoo.com.

Dear Sinclair,

I grow this herb in Sheffield, Westmoreland where I have my operations. There are also a few ladies from Success in Hanover, who sell herbs in the Charles Gordon Market in Montego response.

Dear Errol,

I am the likely person to get it from but spring (April – June) is the best time to request it or in the rainy season.

Buckston

Dear Sirs,

I read with interest your article of November 2, 2006, titled “Rice bitters can clean up that awful skin”. Is the herb Andrograhis Paniculata grown in Jamaica? Is it commercially available and, if so, where and from whom?

I greatly appreciate any information or advice you can give me about this.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours truly,

S Delisser

Dear S Delisser,

The variety of the herb that is grown in Jamaica is actually called Andrographis Niruri (Vietnamese variety) and not the Andrograhis Paniculata (Amazon variety) as was regrettably published. See first response for availability.

Buckston

Buckston Harrison was well known for his work as a herbalist, especially in western Jamaica. He resided in Sheffield, Westmoreland up to the time of his untimely passing on March 22, 2010.

Huber’s sweet potato salad with chives

I prepared today’s recipe for my friend’s seven-year-old son, Matija Fray, who along with his father, came from Switzerland to visit me recently. Little children can be a bit picky about their food… they don’t like it mixed up… so I had to adhere to strict instructions as preparing the meal was concerned.

Ingredients

* 1/2 irish

* 1/2 sweet potato

* 1 cucumber

* 1 small carrot

* 1 tomato

* 1/4 cup coconut milk

* 1 dash of lemon juice

* 1 dash vinegar

* 1 dash olive oil

* Small bundle of chives

Method

* Boil the ground provisions and arrange on plate

* Grate carrot, drizzle with half of the lemon and olive oil and arrange on plate

* Peel cucumber, slice. drizzle with coconut and lemon juice and arrange

* Dice tomatoes and add to plate

* Sprinkle entire dish with chives

* Enjoy!

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.