HEALING HERBS: Never forget silent doctors

By Annette Maynard-Watson | Mon, July 23, 2012 - 12:00 AM

You tell me tuh forget dat my granmudah was born right here so/All right, I say I shall go/Yuh tell me tuh forget it is there I want my own children to grow/All right, I say I shall go/But I hope yuh understan’ how I feel ’bout Emmerton/My homeland, my homeland, my homeland. – Emmerton, The Mighty Gabby.

This verse makes a divine connection between grandmothers, history, Crop Over and understanding.

Listening to that song reminds me why we should understand that what occurred in Emmerton must never happen to Barbadian silent doctors.

In fact, we must ensure that the positive benefits of silent doctors, especially parsley, are not purposely uprooted or bulldozed from our consciousness or homes.

Emmerton by The Mighty Gabby struck a chord with me and today I shall focus on parsley in the band depicting Parsley: My Homeland In BARVEN Market, Present, Past And Future.

In terms of the present, parsley is incorporated into vegetarian cheese paste, garlic health spread and tossed salad. Parsley delivers positive value to all who desire better health.

Especially in cucumber pickle for those faithful patrons who consume her on Saturday mornings with black/steamed pudding and breadfruit.

The past is represented through the extensive research conducted on parsley. She is loaded with vitamin A, C and K, calcium, magnesium, zinc, fibre, folic acid and flavonoids, which act as antioxidants.

Parsley excels in preventing strokes, atherosclerosis, colon cancer, diabetes, asthma, ear infections, colds and arthritis. It improves digestion, assists the kidneys and urinary system, detoxifies the blood, improves the immune system and reduces edema (water retention), fights fatigue and painful urination, acts as a nerve stimulant and brings down high blood pressure.

The future of parsley is impressive. Its improved cultivation can add to the growth of the herbal culture in Barbados and the development of herbal community tourism, catering to holistic health.

Also embrace the future with this unique beverage called Parsley And Gabby Twist for diabetics – ¼ cup chopped parsley, ½ cup watermelon, 1 tsp lime juice, ¼ cup diced carrots, ¼ tsp ginger, ½ cup pitted Bajan cherries, 1 sprig of thyme, and 1½ cups coconut water. Blend up to three minutes.

Unlike the people of Emmerton, parsley must not be displaced – it remains paramount for good health. Like The Mighty Gabby, parsley can arguably be considered a nine-time king looking to wear crown number ten.

DISCLAIMER: It is not our intention to prescribe or make specific claims for any products. Any attempt to diagnose or treat real illness should come under the direction of your health care provider.