Bahamian Bush Medicine: Fact or Folklore
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15362/ijbs.v21i1.259Keywords:
Bush medicineAbstract
The practice of bush medicine in The Bahamas is shrouded in mystery. This literature review is not an attempt to verify or disclaim the beliefs as to the authenticity of the healing powers of native plants but rather to give a brief informative overview of the rich cultural heritage of the Bahamian people. The sources used in this review include statements from local inhabitants whose belief systems are so deeply entrenched that they are confident that their very survival and that of their ancestors hinged on the medicinal powers of bush medicine. Included is historical evidence explaining why bush medicine became an integral part of Bahamian culture as well as scientific evidence of its effectiveness and curative properties.References
Cottman, E. W., & Blassingame, W. (1979). Out-island doctor. Hodder and Stoughton.
Craton, M. (1986). A history of the Bahamas. San Salvador Press.
Craton, M., & Saunders, G. (1998). Islanders in the stream: A history of the Bahamian people, Vol. 2: From the ending of slavery to the twenty-first century. University of Georgia Press.
Hanna-Smith, M. (2005). Bush medicine in the Bahamas folk tradition. http://www.amazon.com/Bush-Medicine-BAHAMIAN-FOLK-TRADITION/dp/9768108789.
Higgs, L. (1969). Bush medicine in the Bahamas. Nassau Guardian Printing Press.
McCormack, J. H., Maier, K., & Wallens, P. B. (2011). Bush medicine of the Bahamas: A cross-cultural perspective from San Salvador Island, including pharmacology and oral histories. JHM Designs Publications. http://www.bushmedicine.org/
Micozzi, M. S. (Ed.). (2011). Fundamentals of complementary and alternative medicine. Saunders/Elsevier.
Pharmacy Act (1913) Bahamas (Ch. 22).
Schmidt, J. M., Noletto, J. A., Vogler, B., & Setzer, W. N. (2007). Abaco bush medicine: chemical composition of the essential oils of four aromatic medicinal plants from Abaco Island, Bahamas. Journal of Herbs, Spices & Medicinal Plants, 12(3), 43-65. https://doi.org/10.1300/J044v12n03_04
Setzer, M. C., Newby, J. S., Moriarity, D. M., & Setzer, W. N. (2015). A phytopharmaceutical survey of Abaco Island, Bahamas. American Journal of Essential Oils and Natural Products, 2(5), 10-17. http://www.essencejournal.com/vol2/issue5/pdf/2-4-3.1.pdf
Setzer, W. N., Schmidt, J. M., Noletto, J. A., & Vogler, B. (2006). Leaf oil compositions and bioactivities of Abaco bush medicines. Pharmacology online, 3, 794-802. http://pharmacologyonline.silae.it/files/archives/2006/vol3/093.Setzer.pdf
Smith, J. (2015, February 10). Naturally Bahamian founder shares bush medicine remedies at Cancer Association. The Freeport News. http://freeport.nassauguardian.net/PrintPage/Naturally-Bahamian-founder-shares-bush-medicine-remedies-at-Cancer-AssocIation-Meeting
West, M. E., Sidrak, G. H., & Street, S. P. (1971). The anti-growth properties of extracts from Momordica charantia L. West Indian Medical Journal, 20(1), 25-34. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/5104841/
Wilmanowicz, R. (2010). Bush medicine in the Bahamas: A modern approach. CreateSpace. http://www.bush-medicine.com/
Bibliography
Correll, D. S., & Correll, H. B. (1982). Flora of the Bahama archipelago. J. Cramer.
Cures and curses: Obeah, bush medicine, folklore and such. (1963). In Bahamas Handbook and Manual 1966/1967 (pp. 92–96). Etienne Dupuch, Jr. Publications.
Eldridge, J. (1975). Bush medicine in the Exumas and Long Island, Bahamas: A field study. Economic Botany, 29(4), 307-332. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02862180
Eshbaugh, W. H., McClure, S. A., & Bolyard, J. L. (1985). Bush medicine, Andros Island, Bahamas. In Proceedings of the first symposium on the botany of the Bahamas. CCFL. http://www.geraceresearchcentre.com/pdfs/1stBotany/129_EshbaughMcClureBolyard_1stBotany.pdf
Gardiner, J., & Brace, L. J. K. (1889). Provisional list of the plants of the Bahama Islands. Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences, 41, 349-407. http://www.jstor.org/stable/4061648
Halberstein, R. A., & Saunders, A. B. (1978). Traditional medical practices and medicinal plant usage on a Bahamian island. Culture, Medicine and Psychiatry, 2(2), 177-203. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00054583
Jackson, W. P. U. (1946). Plant dermatitis in the Bahamas. British Medical Journal, 2(4469), 298. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20786891/
Jordan, P. B. (2002). Nature’s remedies. Nassau Guardian Printing Press.
McCartney, T. O. (1976). Ten, ten, the Bible ten: Obeah in the Bahamas. Timpaul Publishing Company.
Morton, J. F. (1981). Atlas of medicinal plants of Middle America: Bahamas to Yucatan. Charles C. Thomas.
Noletto, J. A. (2006). Abaco bush medicine: Essential oil composition of aromatic herbal medicines from Abaco Island, Bahamas (Publication No. 1432380) [Master’s thesis], University of Alabama, Huntsville, AL. Proquest Dissertations Publishing.
Randolph, L. R. (1996). Medicinal plants of Andros Island, Bahamas: a cross–cultural study. In Proceedings of the 6th symposium on the natural history of the Bahamas (pp. 61-76). Bahamian Field Station. https://www.geraceresearchcentre.com/pdfs/6thNatHist/61_Randolph_6thNatHist.pdf
Richey-Abbey, L. R. (2012). Bush medicine in the family islands: The medical ethnobotany of Cat Island and Long Island, Bahamas [Unpublished doctoral dissertation]. Miami University, Oxford, OH. https://etd.ohiolink.edu/ap:10:0::NO:10:P10_ETD_SUBID:57733
Sawyer, W. H., Jr. (1955). Medicinal uses of plants by native Inaguans. The Scientific Monthly, 80(6), 371-376. http://www.jstor.org./stable/21550
