Abstract Summary:
This abstract summarizes a study on the medicinal plant practices of the Rastafarian community in Belize. Researchers interviewed local herbal healers to document 34 plants from 25 families, used to treat various conditions like neurological disorders, urinary tract infections, menstrual cramps, and as aphrodisiacs. The study highlights the community’s role as a primary healthcare resource in remote areas with limited medical access. It also emphasizes the need to protect important medicinal plant species due to their gradual depletion.
Table 1: Characteristics of herbal plants used by Rastafarians in Belize.csv
| Table 1: Characteristics of herbal plants used by Rastafarians in Belize | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Common Name | Family Name | scientific name | ailments treated | plant parts used |
| Mango tree | Anacardaciae | Mangifera Indica | Diabetes Diarrhea Vomiting | Leaves Fruit (skin) |
| Saw palmetto | Arecaceae | Serenoa repens | Prostate enlargement Impotence | Seed |
| Contribo | Aristolochiaceae | Aristolachia trilobata | Fatigue Immune system boost | Whole plant |
| Jackass bitters | Asteraceae | Neorolaena lobata L. | Antibacterial Parasites Sores | Leaves |
| Gumbo limbo | Burseraceae | Bursera simaruba | Urinary tract infection Headache Colds Poison antidote Sores/rashes | Bark |
| Scoggineal | Cactaceae | Opuntia cochenillefera | Fevers Headaches | Leaves |
| Papaya tree | Caricaceae | Carica papa | Parasites Malaria | Seeds Leaves |
| Almond (hammond) tree | Combretaceae | Terminalia catappa | High blood pressure | Leaves |
| Tree of life | Crassulaceae | Kalanchoe pinnata | Athletes foot Asthma Headaches | Leaves |
| Sorosi | Cucurbitaceae | Momordica charantia | Blood cleanse Fatigue Parasites | Whole plant |
| Physic nut | Euphorbiaceae | Jatropha curcas | Cooling Constipation | Leaves |
| Billy webb tree | Fabaceae | Acosmium panamensis | Malaria | Bark |
| Stinking toe (bukut) tree | Fabaceae | Cassia grandis | Blood builder Mild laxative | Fruit |
| Strong back | Fabaceae | Desmodium adcendens | Back pain Impotency | Whole plant |
| Madre de cacao | Fabaceae | Gliricidia sepium | Eye infection | Bark |
| Piss-a-bed | Fabaceae | Senna alata | Parasites Mild purge Constipation Cooling | Leaves |
| Avocado tree | Lauraceae | Persea | High blood pressure Fever diarrhea | Leaves |
| Provision tree | Malvaceae | Pachira aqua | Blood cleanse Blood builder | Bark |
| Cola nut (from bissicola tree) | Malvaceae | Cola acuminate | Vomiting Nausea Food poisoning | Seed |
| Hibiscus | Malvaceae | Hibiscus rosa-sinensis | Miscarriages Menstrual cramps Epilepsy/Seizures | Leaves Flowers |
| Cedar tree | Meliaceae | Cedrela odulata | Reduce blood clots Bruising Blood cleanse | Bark |
| Moringa | Moringaceae | Moringa oleifera | Anti-ageing Antioxidant | Leaves |
| Eucalyptus | Myrtaceae | Eucalyptus quadrangulata | Colds Enhance lung activity Encourage normal digestion | Leaves |
| Pine tree | Pinaceae | Pinus caribea | Urinary tract infection | Sap |
| Fever (lemon) grass | Poaceae | Cymbopogon vitratus | Immune system build Fevers Coughs Colds | Whole plant |
| Gengwheo | Polygalaceae | Securidaca lanceolata | Aphrodisiac | Whole plant |
| Polly red head | Rubiaceae | Hamelia patens | Skin rashes and sores Menstrual cramps | Whole plant |
| Sink and Bible | Xanthorrahoceae | Aloe Vera | High blood pressure Cooling Purging Sores Slow healing wounds | Leaves |
Source: International Journal of Herbal Medicine
E-ISSN: 2321-2187
P-ISSN: 2394-0514
IJHM 2016; 4(3): 15-20
Received: 07-03-2016
Accepted: 08-04-2016
Authors:
Yakini Arzu – Faculty of Science and Technology University of Belize Belize, Central America.
Thippi Thiagarajan – Faculty of Science and Technology University of Belize Belize, Central America.
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