Farms

The Soursop fruit is a delicacy that I enjoy. I also enjoy the juices made from the fruit. There are so many concoctions that can be made from the Soursop fruit. I have also come to understand that the leaves of the Soursop is also of great health benefit. The health benefits of Soursop leaf (infused as a tea) involve treating ulcers, back pain and, even, cancer. It is, even, endorsed by neurologist Dr. Christopher Winter as a remedy to insomnia. The Soursop tree is a small upright, evergreen tree that grows up to 13 ft. tall. It grows a fruit described as mentioned below, The fruits are dark green and prickly. They are ovoid and can be up to 30 centimetres (12 in) long, with a moderately firm texture. Their flesh is juicy, acid, whitish and aromatic. The flesh of the fruit consists of an edible, white pulp, some fiber, and a core of indigestible, black seeds. The species is the only member of its genus suitable for processing and preservation.  If the tree is being cultiv...

Cerasee is a popular herbal plant in Jamaica, otherwise called Bitter Melon, that grows in tropical and sub-tropical regions of Africa, Asia and the Caribbean. The plant is a vine that grows up to 16 ft. in length and produces a yellow flower and a fruit that is oblong in shape. When the fruit is ripe, the flesh (rind) becomes somewhat tougher and more bitter, and many consider it too distasteful to eat. On the other hand, the pith becomes sweet and intensely red; it can be eaten uncooked in this state, and is a popular ingredient in some Southeast Asian salads. The vines of this plant starts to flower in 5 to 6 weeks and bears fruit in 12 to 16 weeks. Since this is a vine, a trellis can be used so that the vines can creep on them. This plant needs a moist environment and requires water on a daily basis. Cerasee (Bitter Melon) The leaves of this plant is usually infused in hot water to create a tonic that can be applied externally for all manner of skin conditions and it can b...

Bissy, also known as Kola nut, is a caffeinated nut from the Cola tree native to the tropical rainforest of Africa. This tree grows up to 60 ft. in height and bears the star-shaped fruit that contains the Kola nut. This tree is best grown in a hot humid climate but can withstand dry season on sites with a high ground water level. This plant's cultivation pattern is the same as Moringa and Aloe Vera in that, Some irrigation can be provided to the plants, but it is important to remove the water through an effective drainage system, as excess water may prove to be detrimental for the growth of the plant . Kola Nuts This plant is believed to have made it's way into Jamaica from Guinea Coast and was cultivated nearby the village of Guanaboa Vale by a man named Mr. Goffe. Although, some information is known about the plant and the regions in which it thrives, little is known about the length of time it takes to mature. (This information would have to be acquired by an expe...

The Guinea Hen Weed is also called gully root in Trinidad and anamu in Latin American countries. This is a tropical plant that grows wild in coffee, corn and apple plantations. This plant is said to grow up to 3 ft. high. This plant requires frequent watering in order to have it mature successfully. It does not seem to thrive in dry areas. Since gullies are usually drainage for water, I can understand the reason that Trinidadians call the plant gully root . Guinea Hen Weed According to Wikipedia, Guinea Hen Weed is used as a bat and insect repellent. The Guinea Hen Weed is used in teas, extracts, capsules. The leaves and also the roots are used with medicinal purposes. This plant has been used to reduce inflammation and pain . It has been reported to be used to eliminate bacteria, fungi, candida, and viruses. It is also used to enhance the immune system and increase urination . Recent studies report beneficial results in the use of this plant to lower the blood sugar l...

The Moringa is just as resilient as the Aloe Vera being able to withstand severe drought conditions. It is said to have originated from the foothills of the Himalayas in northwestern India. This tree grows in the tropical and sub-tropical regions of the earth. It is considered to be the most nutrient rich plant on earth. The tree is able to reach heights between 32 and 40 ft and the trunk can reach diameter of up to 1.5 ft. The tree starts to flower in the first 6 months after being planted (from the seeds in the pods) and develops pods within eight months. Regular bearing starts after the second year. The leaves, the pods and, even, the roots are harvested to produce a number of products for food and cosmetics. Moringa - The Miracle Tree According to Wikipedia, The leaves are the most nutritious part of the plant, being a significant source of B vitamins, vitamin C, provitamin A as beta-carotene, vitamin K, manganese, and protein, among other essential nutrients.[3][20][2...

According to Wikipedia, there are 13 to 18 species of mint plants that are known.[1] The mint that I am most familiar with growing wild in the country is the Peppermint ( Mentha piperita ). I have been exposed to milder mint called Colon Mint , which is short for Kentucky Colonel Spearmint . So, in essence, I have only known two types of mint. The peppermint is the most popular of all the mints and, thus, the most used. It is used to add flavour to ice cream, confectionery and toothpaste. It is also used in cosmetic products. Peppermint Plant I find this is a good plant to compliment the Aloe gardens in Danver's Pen, St. Thomas. Not only because of the wide range of uses but also because it is a natural pesticide (i.e. mostly the oil made from it). This plant grows between 1 to 3 ft. in height and spreads out like a shrub. It's the perfect plant to decorate the garden and bring good fragrance to it. According to Sara Moore[3], From seeding to maturity, mint takes a...

There are so many fusion of flavours that can be created with the Aloe Vera beverage. In addition, we can have these drinks with and without pulp and, to stretch it a bit further, fermented into an alcoholic beverage. The main aim in developing these products is to give the consumer more options while providing health and pleasure. There are some entrepreneurs who have already gone ahead developing teas from a number of herbs that grow wild in the country. A lot of these herbs have been used in Jamaican folk medicine for years but has yet to get traction mainstream. It is my purpose to bring products to the world that will make consumers aware of the benefits that can be had from these herbs in a pleasing manner. I've already named the 74,000 sq. ft. garden after my grandmother, Edna Outar, by calling it Edna's Garden. I may give the company that name. However, anything that is produced by the company that will go on the shelves of fridges around the world must have a catchy ...

I have gathered some information from my visit to the SRC (Scientific Research Council) about the Aloe Vera plant. Some of the uses detailed in the document provided was very interesting. Here are the findings from the document: The gel is used to heal burns (nothing new here) The gel is eaten to relieve sore throat and cough. The gel is used as a mild laxative (I personally think that this part is confused with the Aloe Vera latex, Aloin, which is the thin layer of potent yellow substance underneath the skin) The boiled gel can be drunk on an empty stomach as a cold remedy. A water infusion of the gel is taken to stimulate and increase menstrual flow, to treat kidney and bladder disease A concoction of milk, honey and the gel is taken as a remedy for chest complaints, gonorrhea and leucorrhea. Another version of this concoction used for the same purpose consists of the gel beaten to a froth with egg white and flowers of Sambucus Mexicana. Flower of Sambucus Mexicana A slob...

There are four (4) main botanical gardens in Jamaica, three (3) of which I have been. They are namely: Bath Botanical Gardens  - 1 acre founded in 1779 Castleton Botanical Gardens  - 25 acres founded in 1862 Cinchona Botanical Gardens  - 40 acres founded in 1868 Hope Botanical Gardens - 200 acres founded in 1873 Most of these gardens are situated in the eastern part of the island. Three (3) of the gardens mentioned are in the parish of St. Andrew; two (2) in hills and one (1) in the Liguanea Plains. The smallest garden, Bath Botanical Gardens, is situated in St. Thomas. These gardens were set up in the 18th and 19th century 'as a tool of colonial expansion for trade, commerce and, secondarily, science mainly done by the British and Dutch in India, South East Asia and the Caribbean.' According to Wikipedia entry for "Botanical garden", A contemporary botanic garden is a strictly protected natural urban green area, where a managing organization creates landsc...