A Pharmacy In My Front Yard
An elderly gentleman and his granddaughter walked into my front yard this afternoon and asked if he might pick some leaves. Because it was raining, I assumed he was looking for large leaves to cover their heads but he was looking for a particular plant. He spoke in Fijian and although I got the main points, I did not understand him completely and told him I did not speak Fijian yet but I was learning. He smiled and then spoke in English. He was looking for a plant to relieve the pain in his elbow and ankles and remembered a healing plant of this kind being on the property. So we walked around and searched but could not find the particular plant he was looking for.
We shared a bit of general greetings before his granddaughter saw the small tree he was looking to pick some leaves from. I am sorry to say, I don't know its name yet. He called it, what sounded like a 'vowel tree' but I could not find a reference in the Fijian-English dictionary. He told me when the leaves are soaked in warm water and applied to the area of discomfort, the pain goes away. He pointed to his joints, elbows, knees and ankles. I assumed he was suffering from arthritis. As his granddaughter collected some of the leaves, he asked if he could come by sometime and he would tell me of the other healing plants on the property. I look forward to his next visit and the sharing of his botanical wisdom.
This is another healing plant in the front yard whose tea is administered to those under the spell of fever. I don't know the official name yet but my new friend called it 'heat plant.'
Lemongrass* or Cymbopogon is a genus of about 55 species of grasses, (of which the type species is Cymbopogon citratus) native to warm temperate and tropical regions of the Old World and Oceania. It is a tall perennial grass. Common names include lemon grass, lemongrass, barbed wire grass, silky heads, citronella grass, cha de Dartigalongue, fever grass, tanglad, hierba Luisa or gavati chaha amongst many others.
Lemongrass is native to the Philippines. It is widely used as a herb in Asian cuisine. It has a subtle citrus flavor and can be dried and powdered, or used fresh.
Lemongrass is commonly used in teas, soups, and curries. It is also suitable for poultry, fish, beef, and seafood. It is often used as a tea in African countries such as Togo and the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Latin American countries such as Mexico.
Lemongrass oil is used as a pesticide and a preservative. Research shows that lemongrass oil has anti-fungal properties.
This is 'fast growing weed' also known by the locals as 'mile a minute weed' because it growns so fast and can be found everywhere throughout Fiji. I first discussed this particular plant in the essay on Abundance but have since learned it Fijian name is Kaukamea. Latin: Vernonia cinerea Compositae, common weed, leaves crushed and applied to skin to prevent infection.
One day while walking to the bus stop, I saw a young boy running and playing. He fell and scraped his knee. His mother immediately walked into the bush on the side of the road, grabbed a handful of Kaukamea, rubbed it between her hands with a bit of spit and applied to the wound. In a few minutes, the boy was up and running again. I have also used it on mosquito bites and can testify to its effectiveness.