Something’s happening/And it’s so exciting/People just having fun/One big celebration/Must be a really grand occasion. – Red Plastic Bag, 2009.
I am full of jubilation as I write this article in sunny and divine Barbados.
In fact, we will be having a grand celebration with silent doctor Chaya.
My mass celebration began when I recalled that in 2005, Brian Cook – one of my former students – gave me a plant he called “Ghanaian spinach”. It now blooms majestically in my garden.
Later, in 2011, I received a telephone call and the gentleman said, “Come to Haggatt Hall, I have a plant to show you which I have proved to be very good for diabetes, and my sea-bathing buddies requested that you write about it.”
The jubilation continued when I received an email in June 2011 from a very established woman who desperately wanted to locate silent doctor Chaya.
She wrote: “Can you help me locate it?”
Well, something is happening today and I invite you to join in this celebration with Barbadian-grown Chaya, which also masquerades as spinach tree or the second wonder-plant of the world. I call Chaya “the renaissance/rebirth for healing”.
Chaya is dark green with spectacularly shaped maple-like leaves. It is filled with white flowers when in bloom and its chlorophyll content is evident. It is associated with the Mayas and Africans and in some cultures it is known as a cure-for-all.
Research has been done on Chaya at several institutions, including Texas A & M University. Scientists confirmed that it contains fibre, protein, calcium, potassium, phosphorus, iron, vitamin C and some B vitamins.
Research also suggests that Chaya is excellent for hypertension, diabetes, obesity, cancer, weight loss, kidney stones, acne, and some eye problems.
It is said to prevent anaemia, combat arthritis, improve memory and digestion, harden fingernails, disinflame veins, benefit the lungs, soothe coughs, stimulate circulation, improve calcium content in bones, lower cholesterol, promote thyroid function and reduce haemorrhoids.
It can also be used as a diuretic. Researchers contend that it is more nutritionally powerful than spinach.
I invite you to have an early Crop Over with silent doctor Chaya. Chaya has already paraded before the “judges” and I labelled it a true winner. After you jump and wine when you locate Chaya, steam it and use as desired or dry the leaves and use as a tea. Research if some people who use Chaya are no longing taking diabetic medication.
DISCLAIMER: It is not our intention to prescribe or make specific claims for any products. Any attempt to diagnose or treat real illness should come under the direction of your health care provider.
