During our early years, our forefathers were compelled to utilize local herbal remedies usually in the form of teas as conventional medicine was scarce to obtain. Therefore, some of the most commonly used herbal remedies that were used are listed below. 
By  Nurse Serene Carter-Davis

Traditional Herbal Remedies​

Aloes
(Aloe vera) 

​​Aloes (Aloe vera) is used to withdraw poison from a puncture wound caused by a nail. The leaf was warmed and Epsom salt and applied to the punctured areas. It was used as a laxative, a cleaner in treating sores. It also acts in improving appetite, the healing of burns, cuts, wounds, bruises, removing scars and can be applied topically to itching skin. The gel removed from the leaf is eaten or blended with orange juice as a drink and it is taken for colds or stomach pains. The gel is also used as a hair conditioner. It is also given to cattle when they lose their curd.​

Antigua Balsam
 (Rauvolfia Viridis)

The roots of the Antigua Balsam (Rauvolfia Viridis) is soaked in water to make a drink for people suffering from fish poisoning, or other bad stomach aches. It is also known as belly ache bus

​Borage
​​ (Borago officinalis) 

A tea that is made from the leaves of Borage (Borago officinalis) is used to treat fevers, gonorrhea, syphilis, bladder stones, kidney stones, kidney problems, fish poisoning, and rheumatism.

​Eye Bright 
(Euphrasia officinale)

​Eye Bright (Euphrasia officinale) is used to treat sore eyes. Boiling water is poured on the leaves and when cooled the eyes are washed. A tea is given to sooth babies who are teething. 

Small Beach Lavender​ (Lavandula)

The leaf of the Small Beach Lavender (Lavandula) is used as a home remedy for coughs, asthma, gout, scorpion stings and rheumatism.

Prickly Pear 
(Opuntic dillenu)

The leaves of the Prickly Pear (Opuntic dillenu) are soaked in water to make a drink and it is used for diabetes, as a cooling and for constipation The Leaves of the Prickly Pear is also used as a shampoo thereby aiding in reducing the possibility of dry scalp and dandruff.

Snakewood
(Capparis flexuosa)

A tea from roots or bark from the Parrot bush, Snakewood (Capparis flexuosa) is a diuretic; and a tea from the leaves is used for skin diseases. The seed pods are anti-spasmodic.

Pepper Cinnamon 
(Canella Winterana) 

The bark of Pepper Cinnamon (Canella Winterana) has a cinnamon flavour and has numerous medicinal properties such as uses for a tonic for indigestion, sore throat, and fever. The crushed leaves make a good insecticide.

Wild lettuce 
(Launaea intybacea)

Wild lettuce (Launaea intybacea) the young leaves cooked are edible, raw they are bitter; a tea from the leaves may ease the pain of sore throat.

Worm Weed 
(Chenopodium ambrosioides)

Worm weed (Chenopodium ambrosioides) is used as a tea to treat worms in children and to prevent internal inflammation after a fall.

Cattle Tongue or 
​Christmas Bush
 (Pluchea carolinensis)

Cattle Tongue or Christmas Bush (Pluchea carolinensis) combined with Sweet Margin was made in a tea and administered to post partum mothers by the traditional midwives for nine (9) days. The bush was also boiled and used as a bath for women shortly after child birth. A tea from the cattle tongue was used for menstrual cramps and as a drench for cattle and other live stock that experience difficulty in passing the placenta or afterbirth.

Balsam Bush 
(Croton Flavens)

The sap or the juice from the leaf of Balsam Bush (Croton Flavens) relieves the pain from wasp and bee stings and prevents swelling. The leaves are good for scrubbing dishes and it removes a fish odour from the dishes.

Physic Nut 
(Jatropha gossypifolia)

Physic Nut (Jatropha gossypifolia.) has many medicinal uses. A tea made from its leaves is used for stomach ulcers and as a blood cleanse. The leaves, fruits and seeds when combined with Epsom salts and pounded into a paste and applied to boils will bring them to a head and extract the pus.

Castor Oil Plant
​ (Ricinus communis)

The seeds of the Castor Oil Plant (Ricinus communis L.) were crushed and boiled. The oil which was produced was used as a laxative. The leaves were crushed and mixed with Epsom salts to form a poultice and tied to the head to relieve headache.

Tamarind
​(Tamarindus indica)

The leaves of Tamarind (Tamarindus indica.) were boiled to make an eye wash for swollen, red or watery eyes, and to soothe measles rash. Its mature fruit is used as an extract for a drink, ice cream, jellies or in curries.

Thistle
(Onopordum acanthium)

The yellow sap of the Thistle (Onopordum acanthium) was used for removing warts and treating of cataracts.

Sea Grape (Coccoloba Uvifera)

The astringent roots, leaves, and bark of the Sea Grape (Coccoloba Uvifera) have been used to make a tea to treat hoarseness, asthma, haemorrhage and diarrhea.

Mauby 
(Colubrina Arborescens)

Mauby (Colubrina Arborescens) is known as Soap Bush because when it is rubbed with water it creates soapy foam. The bark is made into a drink which is used as blood purifier and for diabetes.

CoughBush
​ (Ernodea Littoralis)

A tea made from Cough Bush (Ernodea Littoralis) was used for coughs and colds.

Rosemary (Strumpfia Maritima)

Rosemary (Strumpfia Maritima) a tea was made from leaves of this plant and it is used to treat colds, stomach aches as well as aid in the passage of kidney stones

Tisane/Goat Weed
​ (Capraria biflora

A tea made from the leaves of Tisane/Goat Weed (Capraria biflora L.) is used as a blood purifier and helps to regulate blood pressure for urinary tract infection, constipation, upset stomach and nausea.

Canker Berry / Corberry
(Salanum Racemosum)

The berries of Canker Berry / Corberry (Salanum Racemosum) when mixed with sugar or juice were rubbed on teeth and gums as a cure for thrush infections of the mouth. A tea from the plant was good for inducing sleep.

Marshmallow 
(Waltheria Indica)

A tea from the leaves of Marshmallow (Waltheria Indica) increases the milk supply for nursing mothers. The leaves were also used to clean teeth and gums.

Sage Cop
(Lantana involcucrata) 

The flowers and buds of the Sage Cop (Lantana involcucrata) are taken in tea for colds, chills and for high blood pressure.

Worry wine 
(Stachytarpheta jamaicensis) 

A tea from the leaves of Worry wine (Stachytarpheta jamaicensis) is used as a lotion for eyes,  a coolant for nursing mothers and teething babies. It is good for the nervous system, gout, intestinal worms and wounds. It also makes a wonderful tea and is generally used as a tonic and cleanser. 

Bay Leaf 
(Laurus nobilis)

Bay Leaf (Laurus nobilis)Some of the most impressive health benefits of bay leaves include their ability to detoxify the body, slow the aging process, speed wound healing, protect the body from bacterial infections, manage diabetes, improve heart health, reduce inflammation, alleviate respiratory issues, optimize digestion, and prevent certain types of cancer.

Sour Sop
Annona muricata)

Sour Sop (Annona muricata) is used to inhibit cancer cell growth ( treat breast cancer, prostate cancer, lung cancer and 12 other types of cancer).The leaves when used in a tea can treat gout, back pain, boosting of the immune system, insomnia, eczema and rheumatism. The young soursop leaf can be placed on the part of the body affected by ulcers.

Turpentine 
(Pinus palustris Mill)

Turpentine (Pinus palustris Mill.) was used in a tea for strengthening the bladder.

Water grass 
​(Commelina Erecta)

Water grass (Commelina Erecta) was used in a tea for stoppage in the water.

Lemongrass
(Cymbopogon flexuosus)

Benefits of Lemongrass (Cymbopogon flexuosus) when used as a tea, Helps Digestion, Controls Cholesterol Levels, Cleanses and Detoxifies, Heals Colds and Flu, Fights Cancer, Reduces Arthritis Pain, Benefits New Mothers that help increase breast milk production. Its antimicrobial and antibacterial properties also help the babies remain healthy and free from infections. Fights Depression, Reduces Body Odor it has antimicrobial and antibacterial properties that help control excessive sweating and destroy or inhibit microorganisms that cause body odor.  

Bibliography
Jones, S. B. (1976) Annals of Anguilla 1690 – 1923. Christian journals Limited, Belfast.
Walker, M. M. (2005) A Guide to Common Plants of Anguilla. Anguilla National Trust.