Bahamian Bush Medicine- The Wonderful Soap Bush

I have recently returned tan, rested and revitalized from the wonderful Bahamian island of Hummingbird Cay. While at this very special place I conducted my own research project and learned some bush medicine. The tradition of treating people with natural medicine is something the locals use and find effective which is why I am very excited to share some of it with you all.

For this first edition I thought I'd start with something fun and simple. The Soap Bush. When you rub the leaves with water you start to get nice little suds. The bush has been used for decades to wash hands, feet, and clothes. Below is how I witnessed it being used.

Janiese, the local expert on bush medicine easily shows us how to get suds out of the soap bush.

Next, she grabs more leaves from the bush next to her and tries to get Emily to do it.

Obviously its much harder than it looks, but a little practice makes perfect

Another name for this plant is the wild coffee or Colubrina arborescens. The tree is good for the soil and attracts pollinators. It also does more for us than keep us clean. The leaves can be used to make a tea for a remedy for rheumatism and extracts are can be used for antiseptic baths. Lathered leaves have been found to kill pests like centipedes and millipedes.

The seeds are high in terpenes which explains the pesticide application. The leaves contain alkaloids and saponins, which explain the health benefits and lathering properties. Curiously, the soap bush is one of the few plants in the Bahamas in which no anti-cancer secondary metabolites have been found. I guess you can't do it all.

Sources:

John K. Francis.Colubrina arborescens (P. Mill.) Sarg.                             http://www.fs.fed.us/global/iitf/pdf/shrubs/Colubrina%20arborescens.pdf
http://www.fleppc.org/manage_plans/ca%20mngt%20plan.pdf