Grenada: where the water is always hot

So I’ve been back in Grenada almost a month now. I’m getting re-acclimated. I arrived at the peak of dry season, which may very well have been even dumber than moving back to the Northeastern U.S. in November, I don’t know. This week we finally saw some rain, which broke the oppressive heat. I’m tan again, used to the buses and even the non-existent water pressure. I’m still not walking or speaking slowly enough, but I’m getting there. The primary season in the States is over (hallelujah!) and I’m managing to not be a total seething angerball about the family drama that went down right before I left NYC. (Truth: I am waking up every morning with clenched teeth. My plan of relaxation by osmosis is merely a half success so far.)

The following appeared in the May 23, 2008 edition of the Grenada Informer, under the heading “Health Tips”. I’ve edited it a little bit, but only enough to correct distracting typos and bad grammar. I love stuff like this. You might find something similar in the States, but only if you frequent wacky New Age bookstores, or live in California. Happily, no one here worries about the legal ramifications of printing herbal medical advice.

Potato, sorrell and cassava leaves are all high in potassium for the nerves and magnesium for the bones.
The flowers of breadfruit trees make an excellent food preservative.
Jump up and kiss me can be used in salads and is very rich in omega-3.
Aloe is good for the healing of skin.
Lettuce helps with insomnia.
Eggplant is a blood cleanser and is also good for the nerves.
Avocado is rich in potassium and is also good for the nerves.
Cinnamon helps prevent diabetes.
Coconut is rich in vitamins and minerals and is very good for the health of bones and teeth.
Okra is rich in folic acid.
Sorrel is antioxidant and can help prevent cancer.
It is important to drink gospo and other citrus with greens such as callalou and other greens in order to extract the iron.
Big thyme, santa maria, mint, thyme, rosemary, chadon beni, and lemon grass are all good herbs to draw for teas.
Honey should not be given to children under the age of one. It can weaken their immune defenses. Honey can be used to kill germs and cleanse sores.
Pineapple and red banana should not be eaten on a empty stomach as they eat away at the lining of your stomach which later leads to an ulcer.
Raw green tomatoes and mangoes can blister your stomach and your mouth, can give you ulcers, and contain a very toxic substance.
Sugar dish is also very toxic. It sends toxins to your blood stream and irritates the skin.
Tanka bean, mostly used in cakes and vanilla essence, contains a poison similar to the one found in rat poison. Consuming this on a regular basis can lead to bleeding in the stomach.
Jamaican ackee is very poisonous if eaten prematurely. It lowers blood sugar and can kill you in less than half an hour. This is one of the leading causes of death in Jamaica.