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 Bush medicine is the term used for home made remedy’s made from herbs, plants, barks and roots of trees grown in the Turks and Caicos Islands and is extremely popular with the native residents of the islands. Without proper medical facilities and doctors, the early residents of Turks & Caicos relied on the passed down knowledge of the healing properties of their local plants and herbs to cure their ailments and most importantly the use of these “Concoctions” as preventative medicine.
Most of these herbs, flowers, plants, barks and roots were boiled down or steeped in hot water to extract their active ingredients. The mixture was strained or mixed with other extracts, added to water, juice or tea and given in dosages depending on the age of the patient and the seriousness of the ailment.
 Besides being taken orally, bush baths, herbal rubs and ointments were and are still used as effective ways to apply the bush medicine. There’s even a remedy for putting the pep back into your love life with tea made from the Soldier Vine, Love Vine, Seaside Morning Glory and the ever-popular Strong Back shrub. As the old folks say, “Drink a sip and let it rip”.
Bush medicine is still widely used in the Turks and Caicos Islands, especially in Middle and North Caicos where you will always find someone willing to enlighten you on its healing powers and some of the more popular brews. |
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