Bush Medicine: Cerasee

Believed to have medicinal properties, our traditions are steeped (pun intended) in the knowledge of bush medicines, and you have persons who would try their hand at cultural tinctures before seeking prescribed relief. 

 Years ago, the modern conveniences of doctors were non-existent –there were instances of practicing doctors who travelled through islands, spending anywhere from days to years in any given location.  The scarcity of doctors caused many Bahamians to learn and practice what we know as ‘bush medicine’.

In this day and time it is an honor to have relatives who are old enough to remember and recognize medicinal plants and their value to society. Some of the legacy has faded with time, while there are certain remedies that will never pass away – one of them is the usage of Cerasee.

Momordica Charantia (Bitter Melon) - Simply called "Cerasee" or “Bitters” (and pronounced by some

as ‘bittis’) it is a green vine that blooms with delicate yellow flowers. It can be found ‘running’ on fences and is defined by its bristly orange orbs (that hold fleshy red seeds) and its wide, flat five-fingered leaves.  

It can be used as greens, prepared for meals, and in some places, it is a well loved, chilled beverage! Here in The Bahamas, we experience Cerasee during cold and flu season even though it is known to  purify the blood, sooth skin, and stabilize blood sugar (among so many other things). We have been known to run in the opposite direction as children when we simply smelt the bitter warmth that emanated from kitchens - and some people would confess that they still do so!

The catch to Cerasee is the fact that you must drink it while it is still hot and  unsweetened – as a matter of fact, there is nothing that you can put into the mixture to ‘better’ the flavor. (We have been there and done that…all you can do is suck on a quartered orange piece and pretend that the bad taste in your mouth never happened).

This is what Cerasee Looks like when you are REALLY sick!

I know of friends who were made to drink this concoction every week…I considered that child abuse then, but now I am contemplating doing the same with the sidekick – collectively, he’s been out of school during this weird season for about two weeks now! I’m thinking of preparing it two ways from now on – ‘the emergency steep’ and the ‘day-to-day steep’.  The emergency steep is what I discussed here – boiling and drinking straight away (with maybe a squeeze of lime and a pinch of salt), but the day-to-day is simply placing the fresh vine in a cup of water and allowing it to ‘work itself out’ and, at the end of the day, you have a glass of Cerasee-infused water (something like that we should only need once per week).

I would suggest that before you seek to implement ‘bush medicines’ in your diet that you consult with  your physician -especially during pregnancy or if you are taking medication etc.

Hands up in reminiscence, heart full of accomplishment,

xoxo Jenna