Jamaica is an island country located in the beautiful Caribbean Sea. Anything about exotic culture, exotic foods up to exotic herbs could be found in this country. The list of Jamaican herbs and spices and health benefits below will tell you more about this country.
- Jamaican Dried Pimento (Allspice)
Jamaican dried pimento is the local name of allspice, one of the well known spices around the world. This spice is packed with potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidants contents which are good to fight cancer and used as anti-viral and antifungal solution.
- Scotch Bonnet Pepper
It is easy to find this variety of pepper in Jamaican foods. This pepper is rich of vitamin C and beta-carotene due to its bright red and yellow colour. Vitamin A in this pepper is good for vision while the antioxidants contents are good to fight cancer.
- Ginger
There are some local products made of ginger from ginger bulla, ginger ale ginger biscuit and even ginger beer. Benefits of ginger are more than just food flavouring but also well known for its antiseptic effect and also good to prevent skin damaged.
- Escallion
Scallion is also well known as Jamaican scallion which is used in several signature dishes of this country. As part of onion family, escallion is also rich of several essential vitamins and minerals such as vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin C benefits, potassium, iron, magnesium and zinc.
- Thyme
The Jamaicans are using both dried and fresh thyme in their foods. Traditionally, thyme tea is used to treat some stomach diseases from stomach ache, cramp up to diarrhea.
- Nutmeg
The slightly sweet taste and distinctive smell of nutmeg makes this spice is really important in Jamaican culinary. Nutmeg is super helpful for digestion and even some studies have found out about its significant effect in maintaining brain health.
- Jamaican Sarsaparilla
This herb is really popular in Jamaica due to its some potent medicinal properties. This herb is potent to cure syphilis and also used to treat some chronic conditions such as rheumatism and symptoms of asthma.
- Jamaican Chaney Root
As rich of iron, Jamaican chaney root is good to treat some health conditions related to iron deficiency. This herb is also useful as body detox to cleanse the blood.
- Jamaican Guaco Mikania
As homer emedy, Jamaican guaco mikania is used to treat diarrhea and as rich of some essential minerals, this herb is also good to fight anemia and reduce fever.
- Jamaican Viagra (Strong Back Root)
Strong back root is also well known as Jamaican Viagra which benefits is essential for male reproduction due to its ability to enhance sexual performance in male. However, this herb is also good to relax the muscles.
- Jamaican Ra-moon Bark
Ra-moon is a tree native to Jamaica and its bark has medicinal properties good to treat some conditions such as sexual stimulant due to its ability to improve stamina. This herb is commonly consumed in the form of herbal tea.
- Moringa Seed
Moringa seeds are part of moringa tree which is commonly found in the form of essential oil. Health benefits of moringa seed oil are as rich of omega 3 fatty acid are good for skin and hair. More people are also using the moringa seed oil as aromatherapy oil.
- Blue Porterweed
This flowering plant is native to Jamaica and traditionally used as treatment to prevent bacterial infection. Some studies also found out amazing benefits of this herb in treating respiratory condition and hypertension.
- Jamaican Bissy
Jamaican bissy is also well known as cola nut which has benefits such as fighting some stomach conditions from nausea, vomiting up to colic. This herb is also used as anti-depressant due to its ability to calm the nerves.
- Moringa Leaves
Both fresh and dried moringa leaves are packed with some nutrients essential for human health. One of the health benefits of moringa leaves is for mothers during breastfeeding, they are highly recommended to consume the fresh moringa to boost the milk production.
- Jamaican Dandelion
All parts of this flowering plant are containing medicinal properties. This herb is well known as diuretic to help removing excessive water inside human body. It means, consuming it regularly could be good for liver and kidney health.
- Jamaican Bitter Wood
Jamaican bitter wood is commonly consumed in the form of herbal tea. The taste might be bitter but its benefits are amazing. Aside from being consumed as herbal tea, Jamaican bitter wood is also consumed as health tonic to purify blood and increase energy and strength.
- Irish Moss
As a country surrounded by sea finding Irish moss in this country is quite easy. The Irish moss benefits are good to fight several respiratory conditions from colds, bronchitis up to several lung problems.
- Red Water Grass
Red water grass is a natural remedy commonly used by the locals as home remedy to fight several chronic diseases including diabetes and hypertension. This herb is commonly consumed in the form of herbal tea.
- Lemongrass
There are a lot of studies about the health benefits of lemongrass. This herb is commonly used as natural home fragrance or aromatherapy. Medically, lemongrass is good to regulate blood pressure and reduce high cholesterol level.
- Horny Goat Weed Powder
Horny goat weed has similar function to Viagra which is used to enhance sexual performance due to its ability to optimize the production of testosterone. In women, this herb is also used to reduce the symptoms of menopause and premenstrual syndrome.
- Neem Leaves
The main health benefits of neem leaves are good for diabetic patient. This herbal plant is commonly consumed as herbal tea to help regulating blood sugar level.
- Guava Leaves
In Jamaica is not only the fruit of guava that is used for medical purpose but also the leaves. The health benefits of guava leaves are good to relieve stomach ache, especially in baby or children.
Jamaica has a long history of being occupied but in the end, this country could reach its own freedom. The people are gifted with beautiful nature surrounding the country and plentiful yield from its own land including the native list of Jamaican herbs and spices and health benefits as mentioned above.