The Amerindians expertise with medicinal plants is centuries old. The distance from and the scarcity of medical clinics has meant that a large proportion of medical care still relies on traditional medicines. The richness of the flora in Guyana gives the ” Medicine Man ” – half herbalist and half magician – a wealth of choice from the 294 species with recognised curative properties.

Home remedies have been around for thousands of years. Even these days about 30 per cent of  prescription drugs are still synthesised from plants. In fact, the word ‘drug’ comes from an old  Dutch word, drogge, which means ‘to dry’ – which is how many plant medications were prepared.

However, it is always wise to remember, just because something is “naturally” growing from a tree, doesn’t mean it’s safe to consume.
Our grandparents and older folks would swear of the healing properties of herbs, leaves, roots and seeds that cured diseases which they contracted. The fact that our ancestors survived proved that some of the many remedies used then, did work and have increasing practical applications
today.