Importance of Medicinal Herbs

 Herbalist, Author and Cultural Ambassador for the Windward Maroons, Ivelyn Harris is feeling honoured to be continuing the herbal legacy of her family. This tradition is one that has been traced directly back to Nanny, Leader of the Maroons. For hundreds of years, this knowledge was passed down from generation to generation. Her book titled ‘230 Healing Herbs of Jamaica’ is Harris’s way of preserving her family legacy and providing Jamaicans and the world with this knowledge. “I am writing this book to preserve some of the herbal secrets that I have learned from my ancestors and elders” Harris said. She fears the information will be lost otherwise and felt inspired.

Herbalist, Author and Cultural Ambassador for the Windward Maroons, Ivelyn Harris shares more about her book and the importance of medicinal herbs on Sunrise. Watch the interview here:

Her appreciation for its beauty and for the healing, nurturing power of its plants grew greater day by day. For more than forty years Harris, have used traditional herbal remedies to heal many people. She tends to her herb garden, with over one hundred and fifty (150) medicinal plants, amidst the spectacular and unspoiled beauty of the lush green mountains and valley in Portland. “We are blessed here with daily showers, abundant sunshine, and soothing mountain breezes making this one of the most fertile spots on the island ” Harris said. The lush green mountain of Portland is where Harris works to keep Maroon tradition and culture alive by handing down my knowledge of these traditional healing herbs.