THE ORDEAL OF seeing his brother suffer excruciating pain before he died led Carlos Jones to delve into the use of herbs and oils to help alleviate pain. Nothing worked for his sibling, not even morphine.
“I was always inspired that there were herbs and plants in our environment for healing. Even though our grandparents knew about them and used them widely, we do not appreciate that someone could be dying and you could have the remedy right there in the kitchen cabinet,” Jones said.
He studied aromatherapy and massage therapy at the Remnant Institute of Alternative Medicine in the Philippines and has done a lot of his own research to develop at least eight products, including his signature Miracle Balm, a pain-relieving rub.
Jones, who started his product development three years ago, said that ultimately his passion was to help people.
He said his mother suffered from acid reflux and he did some research and found that organic apple cider vinegar in a small amount of water would act as an alkaline when consumed and bring relief.
“That actually cured acid reflux. She does not suffer from it anymore so I can conclude that it cured her,” he said.
Jones insisted that the environment was filled with a lot of “cure-alls” that were more effective for such ailments as the common cold, bellyache and stomach problems, but from which Barbadians had moved away.
“’I think that the reason we have been running into so much trouble nowadays is that we have gone away from our traditional pattern of eating as well as the use of natural remedies.”
His product line includes the pain relieving rub, pain relieving oil, sinus rub, scalp oil and insect repellent. He also operates a mobile massage therapy service.
Currently the business is more focused on the therapeutic aspect of the herbs, but will later look to have foods and teas to work internally.
He listed cinnamon, nutmeg, lemons and coconuts as being among local and regional products that were not being utilised as they should be. Elaborating on a few, he said broad leaf thyme was good for a variety of ailments, though men believed incorrectly that if they used too much, they became sterile. Lemon grass was another which, if consumed, worked wonders on the skin and could be used as an insect repellent, he added.
The wellness practitioner is extremely proud to know that his balm is being “hailed for its effectiveness”. The product line is used by many massage therapists and available at over 20 pharmacies.
In addition, he has customers who were visitors to the island and when they return, are contacting him to have some of the product shipped to them in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.
Jones said he was working with the Barbados Investment and Development Corporation to rebrand the product and hopefully get into the overseas market.
Most of all, he would like to work with the Barbados Cancer Society, Diabetes Association and other health-related agencies.
