Pavy’s bush medicine cures

At the top of the opposite page is written “History”. It begins, “I, Albertina Pavy of Pepper Hill Street, Toco in Trinidad, West Indies, was born in the village of Mission in Toco of a family of ten.” She goes on to say, “From my early childhood, I loved taking care of the sick, so I studied creole and bush medicine. I paid great attention by listening and taking notes when I got information.”

Albertina wrote about her television interviews and people from all about coming to see her. She said, “After God’s grace, health is the greatest reward bestowed on our humanity... He has placed on the Earth remedies for all human ills.” Sure enough, Albertina Pavy goes on in this 70-page book, not counting lots of pages with illustrations of plants, to give cures for rheumatism, arthritis, tuberculosis, paralysis, pleurisy, diphtheria, leprosy, herpes, malaria, neuralgia, cataract, tonsilitis, cholera, AIDS, and that’s just to name a few.

Gerard A Besson wrote in the third edition of the book, designed and published by Paria Publishing Company, “This collection of traditional medicinal remedies forms part of the body of herbal remedies which have been developed through years of custom and usage by persons not qualified in conventional medicine. These medicines have in most cases not been subjected to any scientific analysis and persons desirous of using same should first seek the opinion of a medical practitioner.”

Now, let’s take a look at just a few of Albertina Pavy’s causes and cures. For insomnia or sleeplessness, the causes are worry, fear, eating late at night, overeating and nerves. Treatment: A warm or hot foot bath and a hot cup of tea from the leaves of lettuce, soursop and calabash.

Vomitting is sometimes caused through indigestion or gas in the stomach and in patients suffering from cancer, hernia, ulcerated stomach, piles and jaundice. Treatment: Boil and drink tea of bud-bud root, sweet broom root and guava buds which are young leaves. Drink swizzled egg whites. Coca-Cola also stops vomitting.

Obesity or overweight is sometimes inherited. It can be overcome by proper diet. Avoid wrong eating habits. Avoid starch, fats and sugar. In some cases it is due to the wrong functioning of the glands. Symptoms: Excess fat, shortness of breath, swelling in the body and palpitation of the heart. Treatment: Charcoal powder, aloes and molasses. Patient must avoid sugar, starchy foods, fat, grease and salt. Use plenty of greens, fruits and vegetables.

Aloes is a plant of the cactus family. It is very effective in the treatment of skin diseases and fungi. It cures bacteria and is a natural antibiotic. It heals sores and kills viruses. It contains potassium.

Charcoal powder is similar to a sponge. It draws and consumes objects. Its actions are very great. It absorbs poison, germs and impurities etc. Molasses is made from the juice of the sugar cane. It is rich in iron, calcium, potassium, magnesium and other vitamins.

Gastroenteritis is a disease which claims the lives of babies and young children. It is a serious, contagious disease caused through bad food and stagnant water. Treatment: Boil guava bark, cashew bark, fat pork roots with leaves and cotton leaves. Give the patient to drink at intervals.

Talking about gastroenteritis reminds me of another “cure” for the illness. A mother explained to the teacher that her son could not attend school because “gastro: was killing him. What saved his life was coconut water.

WIFE: [entering kitchen]: Aa, war going on here? Why you shaking up yourself so, like some shac-shac?

HUSBAND: Ah going to take my medicine. The bush doctor tell me to shake well before using!