Bermudiana Herbal

Cooling the Body

There is a saying in Bermuda that the evening is the best time to swim in the ocean because the sun has warmed the water over the course of the day. Whilst warm water was the ideal temperature to swim in when I was a child, I find it undesirable as an adult.

My preference is to swim in cool water, or even better, cold water. Unfortunately, this means I have to be in the water no later than 11:00 a.m. Any time later than 11:00 runs the risk of the water being the same temperature as soup. Ugh.

I've learned and applied various approaches to staying cool during the warm months. These come in handy when I am unable to get into the ocean in the morning. Check them out.

Locust and Wild Honey, Monstera deliciosa

When found growing outdoors, locust and wild honey is an unassuming vine that prefers a shady spot as it climbs. The leaves have slits and holes, hence the plant's other common names of hurricane plant and swiss cheese plant. The color of the leaf is a deep green, reminiscent of the jungle.

When the plant flowers and begins to produce its fruit, the plant turns from ordinary to slightly x-rated. Simply put, the fruit looks like a phallus with scales and it tastes like nature's candy. Others have described the taste as a cross between a pineapple and a banana. Another unusual trait of this plant is how the fruit is eaten. Once the green scales fall off easily from a fruit that has been removed from the vine, the edible, white and creamy flesh be eaten.

Only nature can produce this type of sweet and nature has a mechanism to prevent overeating this fruit. If you try to force off the green scales instead of allowing them to fall off on their own, your tongue, mouth, and throat will feel as if stuck with tiny needles. Consider this nature's way to prevent you from eating more sweets than you should.

This is a slow fruit that's eaten over a period of days. I wrap mine in a brown bag and check it daily, eating the exposed white flesh as the scales fall off. There's a hard stem in the middle of the fruit that I cut off each time I finish eating. Keep it wrapped in the fridge.

Try It Out

Cut a piece of the leaf at the stem and put it in a large vase to bring a decorative piece of green into your home. Change the water when it gets cloudy.

Place the whole fruit in a wide-mouth jar with water at the bottom and cover with a paper bag. The scales should fall off quicker.

General Benefits

• Natural sweet taste
• Hardy houseplant

Properties

Low calorie, Vitamin C

Caution

Unripe fruit contains calcium oxalates. Avoid eating unripe fruit.

Suriname Cherry, Eugenia uniflora

Suriname cherry, simply known as “cherry” in Bermuda, is a shrub-like tree that produces a small fruit. The tree is used as a hedge and during the fruiting season it's commonplace for the edge of the road to turn red from fallen fruit. Cherries are easy to pick when ripe and will fall to the ground if brushed by a vehicle.

I've tasted cherries my entire life so how can I describe what they taste like without saying “they taste like cherries?” This is my attempt – cherries are tart, yet sweet. You can taste the high vitamin C content when you bite into the fruit, then a burst of sweet juice fills your mouth. The best cherries are eaten when they are fully ripe, bright red and plump. Attempts to eat orange cherries only lead to disappointment.

Cherries are small enough to be eaten in a single bite however the “2-bite taste test” is the best way to determine if a cherry bush has fruit worthy of eating. Take a bite of the fruit to taste it. If delicious, then eat the whole cherry, spitting out the pit, and pick more. If it tastes terrible, drop the cherry and find another bush. Leave those cherries for the birds.

Suriname cherries can have 2 fruiting seasons in Bermuda – Spring and Fall.

Try It Out

Cherries are so abundant, try experimenting with making homemade preserves.

Crush cherry leaves and apply to bare skin as an insect repellent.

General Benefits

• Reduces fever when leaves infused in hot water with lemongrass.
• Tea of the leaves can ease gastrointestinal distress, but eating too much of the fruit can cause it.

Properties

Vitamin C; Vitamin A; Potassium; Magnesium; Insect Repellent; Anti-inflammatory

#Fruit

Wild Mint, Mentha

As I walked through the park, a piece of fallen limestone rock caught my eye. Looking closer, I saw what my eye had recognized, wild Bermuda mint. This mint has the tell-tale square-shaped edge stem, a signature of plants in the mint family, however, the scent is quite different than peppermint or spearmint. Bermuda wild mint has a fragrance that is distinct from the classic mints and I would describe it as savoury.

Despite the difference in scent, use Bermuda wild mint in the same manner as you would peppermint or spearmint. Mints have a cooling profile and help to relieve digestive discomfort. Use the cooling nature of mint to determine if mint is the best remedy for tummy troubles – if it feels like 'hot' discomfort, then drink mint tea for cool relief.

Mints are also uplifting and energizing. The smell of the fresh herb or a cup of the tea can provide a jolt of energy to get you through a lagging afternoon. Mint is gentle to give to children if they have gas, but it may also be stimulating to their overall systems. Try to avoid giving mint to children or sensitive people at bedtime.

Try It Out

Collect the flowers from mint and them sprinkle on a fruit salad.

Drink mint with a few green tea needles after lunch to support digestion and to give you a midday energy boost.

General Benefits

• Reduces vomiting and nausea
• Neutralizes acids in beans
• Relieves stress and fatigue when added to bath water
• Calms nerves
• Moves gas

Properties

Stimulant, Antispasmodic, Nervine, Essential Oils, Vitamin C, Chlorophyll

Cochineal, Nopalea cochenillifera

Cochineal is a cactus with oval shaped, fleshy leaves that are not as aggressive looking as Prickly Pear, but it does have small needles that can cause minor irritation if they stick in your skin. It is easy to grow in a pot and I have grown my plant from simply throwing part of a leaf into a pot. When I went back a month later to use the pot for another plant, the cochineal had started to grow. I only water my potted cochineal if Bermuda is experiencing extreme drought conditions. Cochineal does not require extensive care and will thrive if you forget about it.

Cochineal water is a well-known folk remedy in Bermuda. If you break off a leaf, cut it into strips, and put the plant into a large jug with water, the mucilage will be released. The thick water is then consumed as a drink. Cochineal water is refreshing during the hot summer months, however if you have never had it before, be aware. Cochineal will have a cleansing effect on your colon which normally eases off after a week. Replace the cochineal leaf in the water jug after 5-7 days and top up the water to keep the leaf submerged in the jug.

Cochineal soothes and cools with its mucilaginous properties. I've come to know it as a superb first aid plant because the gel produced by the plant appears almost immediately when put into water. Applying the gel to a burn or wound provides immediate relief and supports a rapid healing process.

Try It Out

Pick a piece of cochineal leaf and put it in a large jug. Add water to fill the container. Drink cochineal water daily.

Apply cochineal gel to a burn or cut.

General Benefits

• Source of food
• Soothes burns
• Heals cuts and wounds
• Eases inflammatory conditions
• Cleanses colon
• Natural yard fence

Properties

#VitaminC, #fiber, #iron, #Potassium, #anti-fungal, #antibacterial, #anti-inflammatory,

Nasturtium, Tropaeolum majus

Identifiable by the bright blossoms and round leaves, nasturtiums are part of the landscape in Bermuda. The plant is commonly found in the garden, yard, or uncultivated areas. If unchecked, nasturtiums can become invasive in the garden, but the plant is still food. The flowers, leaf, and seeds are edible.

The taste of the leaves and flowers is peppery and there are some recipes online for drying the seeds for use as a pepper alternative. The peppery bite of nasturtium isn't overwhelming though, and it is a great introductory herb to wild food for children and adults.

Nasturtium flowers bloom bright yellow, orange, or flame red in the Spring and Summer months. The leaves can be found in various circular sizes and resembles lily pads. Creeping on the ground is where you can find the vine, but it will climb if given an opportunity.

Plant nasturtiums in your garden for an ally in minimizing bug infestations or plant diseases. If you are a container gardener, either plant nasturtiums in a pot or allow it to grow around your containers. If you garden in the earth, collect a few seeds from a plant and put them in your garden. Train the vine to grow around the plants susceptible to infestation or disease as a form of prevention, but check it regularly to make sure the nasturtiums are not choking the garden plants.

Try It Out

Steep a small handful of the leaf and flowers in hot water. Allow to cool and use as a hair rinse for irritated scalp conditions.

Use the leaf instead of lettuce in a sandwich.

General Benefits

• Accessible food source
• Appetite stimulant
• Tonic for the entire body
• Relieves constipation
• Clears mucus
• Supportive companion plant in the garden

Properties

#Antibiotic, #Antiseptic, #Vitamin C, #Iron,

If you are searching for a vegetarian or vegan alternative to codfish cakes, try this recipe. The green bananas provide both the texture of the codfish and the starchiness of the potato while the seaweed and sea salt taste like the ocean. Combined with other staple ingredients, this recipe is a surprisingly tasteful alternative to the traditional Bermuda fishcake.

Celebrate Good Friday this week by getting outside with family and friends. Breathe in the clean air and laugh as you fly your kites. Eat your codfish cakes on hot cross buns with no worries. Indulge life. You have permission.

Recipe adapted from Roots Farm, Bermuda.

Green Banana Vish Cakes

5 green bananas 1 bunch parsley 1 onion (local preferred, they are in season) 5 garlic cloves (use more or less, to your taste) 2 sprigs fresh thyme 1 tsp sea salt (or more, to your taste) 1 tsp seaweed (or more, to your taste) Flour Grapeseed oil

Directions

Prepare the bananas

1. Wash bananas and cut ends off the tips and ends. With a sharp knife, carefully score the edges of the bananas. Peel the skin from the bananas, using a sharp knife or your fingers. Place the peeled green bananas in a large pot and cover the bananas with 2 inches of water. An alternative to peeling the bananas is to leave the skin on and put them in the pot after scoring the edges.

2. Bring the water to a boil, then cover with a lid and reduce temperature to a gentle boil.

3. Cook bananas until they are tender through, approximately 25 – 35 minutes. Check for doneness at 20 minutes by sticking the bananas with a knife. Add more water if needed.

4. Once bananas are soft, drain the water. Using a potato masher, mash the bananas, breaking up any large chunks. Aim for a smooth, yet chunky consistency. You want the texture of a fishcake.

Prepare the onion mixture

1. Peel and coarsely chop onion. If using a local onion, use the white bulb only and save the green part for a vegetable stock. Peel garlic. Rinse and cut the stems from the parsley, saving them for a vegetable stock.

2. Place onion, garlic, parsley and thyme in a food processor. Add sea salt and pulse until the onion and parsley look like a chunky salsa.

3. Tip the onion mixture into the pot with the mashed banana and add seaweed. Mix with a spoon.

Shape the vish cakes

1. Taste the mixture, adding sea salt and seaweed to your preferred taste. Aim for the taste of the ocean.

2. Check the consistency. Add flour if the mixture is too wet and will not hold a shape if you mold a portion into a ball.

3. Refrigerate overnight to allow the flavors to marry. Alternatively, you can skip to the next step and use the mixture immediately.

4. Form into rounded cakes approximately 3 inches wide and 1 inch tall.

5. Roll in flour before frying.

These vish cakes will hold their shape when fried. Use whatever oil and method for frying that you are used to. I prefer panfrying the vish cakes with grapeseed oil in a cast iron pan. Enjoy with a hot cross bun and all your favorite condiments.

To my 20 or so readers, I'll be back with more after Easter!

#Recipe

Prickly Pear, Opuntia stricta

First things first, be careful. Prickly pear is covered with extremely sharp needles. You should be fully present and aware when obtaining the fruit from the cacti. If you are distracted, you will get pricked by the needles.

The fruit is what we are after and even though it appears non-threatening, it too has needles. The spiky needles on the leaf are obvious and easy to avoid if you pay attention. The needles on the fruit are a completely different matter. They are tiny and stick to everything, including tongues, skin, fabric, gloves, bags, etc. It will feel like a tiny splinter if a needle sticks to your mouth or skin, annoying you until it's pulled out. Tweezers are an easy way to remove the needles from skin but you will likely get stuck again because the needles stick to everything. Be aware that the fresh fruit will also stain skin, clothing, countertops, and more the color red.

You are likely wondering why bother with the fuss, and the appropriate answer is the fruit is worth it. Sweet, tangy, with a hint of salt if picked near the ocean, prickly pear fruit is simply delicious. It's full of seeds that can be spat out or swallowed like passion fruit seeds. The fruit is also on trend nowadays, so you may be able to find it in a grocery store, with the tiny splinter needles removed for your convenience.

Try It Out

Buy the fruit from a grocery store, wash, cut into pieces, and eat it.

Buy the fruit from a grocery store, squeeze it into a glass jar, and use the dye as the color red in a painting activity with children.

General Benefits

• Prevents oxidative stress
• Used by herbalists to manage Type 2 diabetes
• Reduces cholesterol
• Eases inflammatory conditions, such as arthritis
• Supports cardiovascular health
• Wound healing properties
• Leaf and fruit are food sources

Properties

Vitamin E, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Protein, Soluble fibers, Neuro-protective

#Fruit

Peach, Prunus persica

After a long, bare Winter, the peach trees are flowering and beginning to produce fruit. The fruits will take another 3 months before they are palatable to eat. Until then we will nourish the tree to ensure a healthy bounty.

While we wait for the fruits to ripen on the tree, let's consider the leaves. Peach leaves have properties to cool and soothe, both internally and topically. When prepared as a sun tea or iced tea, the leaves evoke feelings of calm and relaxation.

Peach leaf tea is the perfect remedy for people who 'run hot' and find it difficult to settle their minds and bodies. Have this tea on hand when the heat of Summer exacerbates these symptoms. Serve this tea at a Summer picnic as a means to bring the adults into the present moment and settle the children.

Use peach leaf to ease inflammation from bug bites just as you would use plantain. Using both plants together provides a helpful remedy to reduce the associated heat and soreness that accompany bug bites.

Try It Out

Crush peach leaves in your hand then smell the scent.

Make an iced tea using a handful of peach leaves.

General Benefits

• Reduces morning sickness
• Soothes digestive troubles
• Calms eye irritation
• Reduces nervous tension

Properties

Anti-inflammatory, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Potassium, Magnesium, Iron

#Fruit

Loquat, eriobotrya japonica

Loquat season has arrived again, a marker of Spring in Bermuda. The fruits tempt us with the promise of a sweet, juicy snack. The golden-orange colored fruits are the sweetest, but waiting for them to fully ripen is risky – someone else may eat them first! A loquat tree full of fruit is 'open season' and it is not uncommon to see a car or motorbike parked on the roadside with the occupants eating loquats from a tree.

The fruits can grow at all levels of the tree's branches. Adults tend to pick what is accessible from ground level. Children climb the sturdy branches to pick the loquats in the middle. The lizards and birds enjoy the fruit at the top branches, which are also the sweetest.

Loquat leaves have a hairy underside and are rough. An infusion of the leaf is unpleasant and not recommended. Brown in color with a glossy sheen, the seeds are toxic if cracked and eaten. Spit the seeds out whole and enjoy the skin and flesh of the fruit.

The tree is abundant when it fruits and loquat jam, jelly, syrup, marmalade, pie, and liquor recipes abound. Loquats can be frozen for use beyond the fruiting season.

When considering the naturopathic approach of the Doctrine of Similars, we can observe that the fruit shape is similar to an eye and therefore may have properties beneficial to eyesight. The fruit does contain a high percentage of vitamin A which supports optimal eyesight. Going further, the similarities of the hairs on the loquat leaf and the cilia in lungs affirm the traditional use of loquat leaf in cold formulas.

Try It Out

Make a fruit salsa using de-seeded loquat fruit, onion, garlic, jalapeno, lime juice, olive oil, and salt.

Grow a loquat tree by planting the seeds in a pot.

General Benefits

• Gentle detoxifier
• Attracts pollinators
• Accessible food source
• Medicinal syrups can counter common cold symptoms

Properties

Potassium, Calcium, Fiber, Folate, Vitamin-A, Vitamin-C, B-Vitamins, Iron, Copper

#Fruit