Due to popular demand we are reaching into our archives! Today we publish Buckston Harrison’s contribution to the February 1, 2007 edition of Buckston and Huber’s Alternative. Huber’s contribution is current.

This week I will address one of those ticklish subjects that few people, especially men, like to talk about- erectile dysfunction.

But the news is good, there is help for those — Men and women alike — who are not at their sexual peak. It is to be found in the herb damiana, known locally as Ram Goat Dash Along. It reigns supreme as the most popular and safest of all plants known to restore natural sexual capacities and function. Known in the scientific arena as turnera aphrodiasaca, the plant is also credited with increasing the sperm count. It got its name from early settlers who observed that it was grew profusely along the road side as if it had been just thrown about. Then when animals like the goat came to Jamaica they found favour with it, hence the name, Ramgoat dash along.

People have also associated the rapid breeding of goats with their love of this plant, which is also found in Mexico where it is consumed as a tea and has been credited in part for the size of that country’s population. In general the herb is good for the male and female reproductive system and has been used to treat frigidity, infertility and menopause in women. Is is also used as a mild tonic/laxative for children and for treatment of colds, fever and whooping cough. It also functions as a mild anti-depressant and can be used to treat the onset of insanity and to calm the nerves. I have used it successfully as a treatment for my father who suffers from Parkinson’s disease. It significantly reduced his trembling and shaking.

Buckston Harrison was well known for his work as a herbalist, especially in western Jamaica. He resided in Sheffield, Westmoreland until his untimely passing on Monday March 22, 2010.

Huber’s five-fruit punch

I am planning to introduce the peanut butter fruit at Denbigh this year. Today I give you a combination punch that works well with it.

Ingredients

* 3 pineapples

* 1 dozen starfruit

* 3 dozen peanut butter fruit

* 4 mangoes

* 2 otahieti apples

* 1 pint water

Method

* Wash fruits

* Peel mangoes and place in a bowl

* Mash pine with a mortar stick, plce in bowl

* Grate starfruits

* Add peanut butter fruit and apples in bowl

* Strain juice and add water

* Chill and serve

(Make one gallon)

Thomas ‘Bongo Tommy’ Huber is a Swiss national who migrated to Westmoreland’s Retrieve District over 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.