Bahamian Bush Medicine: Pigeon Peas

The bush in the background of this picture is Cajanus cajan, the perennial legume, the pigeon pea.

Pigeon peas, rice and vegetables,seasoned with cumin, is one of the most commonly eaten meals in the Bahamas. They are also delicious in a citrus and parsley marinated salad. One additional recipe Janise recommended that we try was fresh peas (gathered from the bush in the picture) stir fried with some onions, bell peppers, tomatoes and cumin. It was fun to harvest and even more enjoyable to eat.

On top of being full of fiber, protein and folate, the pigeon pea is another widely used plant in bush medicine. The leaves from the herb can provide relief from chicken pox and measles when boiled and added to a bath. Boiling the leaves with some water also has the ability to cure your cough. Boiling the root is also useful to induce vomiting should you ever have the unfortunate experience of getting food poisoning from fish.

The bush contains the phenolic compounds isoquercitrin, quercetin, and quercetin-3-methyl ether. These compounds have neuroprotective, cardioprotective, chemopreventive, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-allergic properties which may explain some of the reason why the tea is so effective.

I hope you enjoy! 

Sources:
Green WC, Stevenson PC, Simmonds MJ & Sharma HC (2003) Phenolic compounds on the pod-surface of pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan), mediate feeding behaviour of Helicoverpa armigera larvae. Journal of Chemical Ecology 29: 811–821.

Hannah-Smith, Martha. "Bush Medicine in Bahamian Folk Tradition". Dodd Printers, Miami. 2006