Timing is always of essence when discussing joy juice, which is such a mystical plant that I always prefer to speak about it officially during the time of full moon.
Additionally, I tend to believe that to write about joy juice with passion and vivid remembrance requires that I must be in a true state of joy and relaxation.
Furthermore, I continue to be fascinated about why this plant which I saw growing in every parish with very soft leaves, scented cigar-shaped white purple flowers and pods which remind me of prickly grenades, could be ignored by most of the populace. During the process I made some interesting discoveries and made my own judgement.
Joy juice is rarely spoken about in our culture. It is mentioned with witches flying through the air, astral travels, shamanistic journeys, poison, hallucinations, getting “high”, rituals, intoxicating religious ceremonies, sex, insanity and death.
I also discovered that the plant is associated with Sanskrit, Arabs, renaissance, healing, Chinese and Shiva.
Whether these associations are culture-specific can be further researched. However, what is in the spotlight today is the medicinal usage of joy juice in other cultures.
Joy juice, known in Chinese as Yang Jin Hua and by other English words as moon flower, white witch weed, horn-of-plenty, angel’s trumpet, devil’s trumpet, raving night shade, thorn apple and zombie cucumber, dates as far back as 3 000 years.
It is considered as poisonous if digested incorrectly, bitter tasting and intoxicating. Research on the website WiseGeek revealed that the medical properties of joy juice were well known and widely used in poultices, plasters and ointments.
It is used in Chinese traditional medicine to “treat asthma, chronic pain, bronchitis, seizures and coma”. It is also used for its anaesthetic and pain-killing properties.
Further yet, on the website Know And Learn About Biology, research revealed that it was employed to cure impotence, treat baldness, cardiac disorders including palpitations, and cardiac pains.
In India, it is used to treat hysteria, insanity, diarrhoea, asthma and skin diseases.
In Malaysia, research also revealed that joy juice is used to treat boils, leg sores, haemorrhoids, swollen joints, an enlarged spleen, swollen testicles, ringworms and fish bites.
In Cambodia, joy juice is used to treat ear pain and as a indigenous substitute for Belladonna.
On the website www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/531.html, it is noted that the leaves and roots of Belladonna are used to make medicine.
Finally, I continue to have very interesting revelations while researching joy juice.
It is very important for Barbadians to locate and research this “silent doctor”.
I promise it will turn out to be a worthwhile experience.
• Annette Maynard-Watson, a teacher and herbal educator, may be contacted via silentdoctors@gmail.com or by telephone 250-6450.
DISCLAIMER:?It is not our intention to prescribe or make specific claims for any products. Any attempts to diagnose or treat real illness should come under the direccton of your health care provider.
