In Jamaican culture, bush medicine is a way of life. Before clinics and corner shops, there was bush. The knowledge passed down through generations remains a key part of how many Jamaicans manage health, both physical and spiritual.
Two well-known plants in this tradition are Dog Blood bush and Aloe Vera, both respected for their wide-ranging benefits.
Dog Blood Bush
Dog Blood, also called Rivina humilis, is a plant with small green leaves and red stems. It grows commonly across Jamaica and is known for its use in women’s reproductive health.
Traditionally, Dog Blood bush is brewed into a tea and used to:
Cleanse the womb Support menstrual balance Help after childbirth
Some women also use it before trying to conceive, believing it prepares the body. While modern science is still catching up, many midwives and elders in rural communities continue to recommend it as part of their herbal toolkit.
Dog Blood is also occasionally included in spiritual washouts, though those practices are often kept private and vary by family tradition.
Aloe Vera (Sinkle Bible)
Aloe Vera, known in Jamaica as Sinkle Bible, is another staple in the home. Its gel is used for burns, skin conditions and scalp treatments. Internally, it is consumed in small quantities as a natural detoxifier.
Granny would prepare it by:
Cutting and washing the leaf Removing the bitter latex Blending the clear gel with lime, water, or honey
Uses include:
Relieving constipation Reducing inflammation Supporting digestion Flushing out toxins after eating too much sugar or grease
Externally, aloe was applied raw to sunburn, rash, or minor cuts.
A Tradition Rooted in Trust
These remedies were not used casually. Granny knew when, how much, and what combination worked best. She relied on observation, seasonal timing, and ancestral knowledge—not labels or prescriptions.
Many Jamaicans today still turn to bush before tablets. And even with access to modern medicine, they keep a pot of tea boiling or a piece of aloe by the window. It is not about rejecting science. It is about keeping balance. Knowing your roots.
This is why Di Culture Link holds space for these conversations. Not to give away the whole story, but to honour what has kept us grounded. What works. What was never written down, but always known.
Di Culture Link 