Look Celina, stop telling me about the narcotic value of silent doctor five-finger, you feel I now come town? Listen to me and look into my eyes, because I will now let you into some of the many secrets about five-fingers.
My dear Celina, ten years ago one of my most humble neighbours, Ivan “Wally” Walcott, formerly of the Barbados Water Authority, gave me a gift of a five-finger tree and I am eternally grateful to him.
Since then I have studied it, eaten the fruit, made tea with the leaves, shared the fruit with many and made salads with the flowers. This star-designed silent doctor has an incredible and distinctive taste.
People who don’t know any better always try to prevent others from healing, using this fruit by spreading this tale: “The best thing to do with a five-finger fruit is not to eat it because it more acid than acid.”
However, these same people don’t add that it has cholesterol-lowering and cancer-fighting properties and that it has a sexual enhancement streak.
Carambola (Spanish), country gooseberry, five corner fruit, star fruit or five-finger is a precious gift which all Caribbean people should appreciate, grow and nurture. My tree is now “string” with fruit and its flowers, seeds and leaves. I call it “the authentic healing capsule”. If you have artistic eyes, the fruit resembles an ancient capsule loaded with wisdom.
Research reveals that carambola contains many essential vitamins and minerals, especially potassium, zinc and vitamin C. Carambola can assist with treating chickenpox, diabetes, headaches, ringworms, weight loss, eczema, asthma, colic, ulcers, bleeding piles, fever, jaundice and coughing.
The potassium content can assist in controlling heart rate and blood pressure.
Carambola can protect the mucous membrane of the colon from toxic substances, inhibit the spread of cancer and stop canker sores. The fruit can be used as a diuretic. Readers who want to stimulate their appetite can try juicing the fruit.
Additionally, those who are depressed about low libido or failing sexual endurance should eat one fruit a day. It is a pity that nature has provided silent doctors to help us with maintaining sexual stamina but we continually ignore them.
Celina, as we approach new areas of medical development in Barbados and the rest of the Caribbean, silent doctor carambola has entered the forefront with its exceptional capabilities and potential. There is an old saying: “The stone that the builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.” (Psalm 118:22-23 KJV)
• Annette Maynard-Watson is a teacher and herbal educator.
DISCLAIMER: It is not our intention to prescribe or make specific claims for any products. Any attempts to diagnose or treat real illness should come under the direccton of your health care provider.
