BLUE VERVAIN THE TRUE HEALER

Greetings!

She spirals with little mauve flames and is known as Stachytarpheta jamaicensis. That's her botannical name but we call her Blue Vervain. She is a very beautiful medical plant but is ignored by those unaware of her properties and her place among the 'silent doctors'. Blue Vervain can be seen making herself comfortable all around our island. She grows easily just waiting for you to harvest, heal and nourish yourself. Her mysterious way of springing up everywhere, at the seaside, roadside and gullies makes her a true doctor on call 24 hours a day. Blue Vervain is one of my favourite herbs. I put it in seasonings to replace thyme and chives. I add it to salads or chew a few freshly plucked leaves with delight. When I was convalescing I used Blue Vervain and enjoyed its slightly tangy taste. I used the flowers too and suffered no side effects -just in case you are wondering!

Melvin Sealy, an employee with the National Conservation Commission (NCC) and Patsy Gibson, an agricultural worker, both reported to me that they have been using Blue Vervain as a tea for three to four years and have had no side effects. Melvin stated that he used it along with medication for diabetes and believed it helped keep his condition under control. He now takes his brew to work to share it with colleagues.No wonder, for R.A Howard (1994) in his work entitled: 18th Century West Indian Pharmaceuticals, Harvards Papers in Botany(P.69-91) names Stachytarpheta jamaicensis as a Cure-For-All.

Blue vervain can also be ued in bush baths, or useful as a tonic, and as a treatment for blood conditions, colds, fevers, and sores. Plant extracts are also used to treat insomnia, high blood pressure, asthma, diabetes, eye-problems, jaundice and nervous complaints.  Next time you see Blue Vervain don't view it as a wild plant.  Instead recognise her as a very good 'silent doctor'.

I love you all, happy healing.

Obianuju

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BLUE VERVAIN (PART 2)

Greetings!

WHEN SOMETHING IS NICE you do it twice. The volume of email and number of telephone calls I have received indicate that readers who have included the " silent doctors' in their menu are happy. Due to overwhelming feedback about the benefits of Blue Vervain, I will revisit it, and in addition provide you with a healing recipe.

The picture displayed  Stachytarpheta jamaicensis, which is  the scientific name for blue vervain.  Many plants  reside in my garden, additionally they assited me in placing in the top three in the Agrofest Kitchen And Herbal Garden Competition  in 2008.

However, before I give you the recipes I  want you to implore you to gather some friends and start researching and locating Stachytarpheta jamaicensis. It is an excellent plant. Let me inform you again that when identifying medical plants, state the scientific name first and then the common or local name.

Today, for holistic nutrition, using pure, real and organic food for healing, I will present you with the blue vervain charger, a salad that assisted with my healing. It is 99 per cent organic, contains many minerals and vitamins and should be made from silent doctors grown in Barbados.

Personal experience has taught me that this charger is good for the immune system, while boosting healing and energy levels. It is good for diabetics and those suffering from most health complaints. It can replace the other traditional salads, canned vegetables and so on. This salad is inexpensive to prepare and cost me about 20 cents.

Blue Vervain Charger

Seven large blue vervain leaves, three small nettle leaves,

1 tbsp chopped parsley,

3 dandelion leaves,

1 tbsp grated carrot,

1 biblical basil leaf,

1 tbsp amaranth (bhaji) seeds,

1 tsp olive oil,

1 clove garlic and a pinch cayenne pepper. It makes one serving.

Method

1. Wash all leaves. Put leaves to drain in a colander.
2. Combine all the leaves and the grated carrot in a wooden mixing bowl. Shake.
3. Add the chopped parsley. Place in a wooden salad bowl. Sprinkle with amaranth seeds and set aside.

Salad Recharger

1. Crush garlic in a mortar and pestle and place in a small wooden bowl.
2. Add cayenne pepper and olive oil. This recharger is optional and may be consumed with the blue vervain charger.

I am positive you will enjoy this tasty, healthy and refreshing unique salad. Stay empowered.

Obianuju

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