Due to popular demand we are reaching into our archives! Today we publish Buckston Harrison’s contribution to the May 3, 2007 edition of Buckston and Huber’s Alternative. Huber’s contribution is current.

THERE are three chief species of mint in cultivation and general use: spearmint, peppermint and pennyroyal. But there are many varieties of mint throughout the world all held in high esteem for their invaluable medicinal properties.

The common garden mints peppermint and spearmint — were introduced to Jamaica in 1927. They are native to the Mediterranean and came to the island by way of Britain, where the Romans had introduced it. Mints were cultivated in abundance by the great Mesopotamians and were a favourite of the Romans.

The first thing to note about mints is that they open the appetite and prevent the curdling of milk in the stomach, which makes them a great partner for milk.

Peppermint (mentha piperita) is one of the most popular and important varieties of mint. It grows wild throughout Europe, but is cultivated here in Jamaica for domestic and commercial purposes.

It grows well in the cooler climates of Manchester, St Elizabeth and St Catherine, but should thrive almost anywhere else in Jamaica, as the conditions are well suited.

Peppermint oil is the most extensively used oil of all the volatile oils, both as a medicine and commercially. The anti-spasmodic action is more marked in this oil than any other oils, and it greatly relieves stomach pains. It is therefore invaluable in the treatment of certain types of dyspepsia and is a great remedy for colic and flatulence.

It may also be used for other pains and cramps in the abdomen. Wide use is made of peppermint to cure cholera and diarrhoea. It is generally combined with other medicines when being used for stomach complaints.

It can be used with purgatives to prevent griping in infants, and is also used for nausea and to disguise the taste of unpleasant drugs or medicine.

Peppermint is also used to ease palpitations of the heart. It is good for rising internal heat and inducing perspiration in slight colds or early indications of a cold. The herb, combined with other herbs, is good for many ailments, such as hysteria, nervous disorders and teething in children, especially when combined with fennel.

Here are some of the herbs you can combine with peppermint:

* rosemary, fennel and skullcap;

* pennyroyal, cinnamon and lavender;

* sage and ginger.

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 red Cabbage with rice and seeds

Ingredients

* I head of cabbage

*1 (American)apple

*2 tablspoons rice

*2 tablspoons cranberry jam

*2-3 tablspoons of red wine vinegar

*1 onion

* A dash of olive oil

*2 cups natural brown rice (cooked with bay leaves and pimento, peas and seeds)

*3/4 cup red peas

*1/2 cup of mixed seeds (sesame, sunflower, Pumpkin, flax)

*1 onion

*1 tomato

*3 cloves garlic

*Dash of pepper sauce

*2 bay leaves

* 10 pimento berries

*1 cup coconut milk

*2 tablspoons sesame tahini

*4 cups of water

Method

*Wash cabbage, chop finely, marinate and place in container.

*Grate apple and mix into cabbage

*Add rice, cranberry jam and vinegar

*Mix again, cover and leave in fridge for at least 4 hours

* Heat cooking pot, then add oil and onion.

*Cook until onion looks clear, then add marinated cabbage and wine.

Cover and cook on low fire, stirring occasionally, for half hour to 40 minutes (until tender but not mashed up)

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.