Traditional Medicine in Jamaica
We must preserve the traditions of indigenous peoples of the world
As the world moves with leaps and bounds into science and technology, many traditions are fading. Botanical medicine is one example of this. Jamaica's history of diverse peoples, such as Arawak, African, Chinese and Indian, has created an amazing materia medica of plant medicine. My 2013 ethnobotany trip with naturopathic colleagues from around the U.S. focused on preserving the knowledge of the Maroons and Jamaican Rastas. Jamba, an elder in the St. Mary Parish, was one of our teachers.