Nature’s cure - Tiffany Scott urges Jamaicans to embrace healing power of herbs

In Jamaica, where chronic illnesses such as cancer, hypertension, and diabetes are increasingly prevalent, many people tend to rely on pharmaceuticals while overlooking the potential benefits of traditional herbal remedies.

However, Tiffany Scott, a 35-year-old herbalist and co-owner of Nurture Being, is urging the public to reconsider the power of plants in healing.

"There is a solution for almost any condition you can be experiencing in your life," she says, emphasising that the wisdom of herbal medicine should not be forgotten.

Scott's journey into herbalism began in Montego Bay, where she grew up watching her grandmother use natural remedies for various ailments.

"I feel like I was born with that curiosity in me," she reflects. "I want to know how to utilise the plants around me properly." Despite her passion for herbal medicine, Scott initially pursued a different path and spent over a decade as a hairdresser in Kingston. However, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic reignited her interest in natural healing, as health concerns became more pressing.

Since then, Scott has fully embraced her calling as a healer and now dedicates her time to helping others tap into the benefits of herbal medicine. She is especially concerned about the lack of awareness surrounding the potential of herbs in Jamaica, particularly in addressing chronic diseases.

"For those battling cancer, I recommend hibiscus. It is incredibly high in anti-cancer properties. Tumours have been shown to shrink as it activates your tumour suppressor genes," she explains.

Scott also advocates for the use of herbal remedies to promote liver and kidney health.

"One of the best remedies to detox your liver, kidney, or if you have a urinary tract infection is the liquid from the banana stalk. All you need is quarter cup to half cup a day for about two weeks...see how you feel and then go again. It also gets rid of kidney stones and shrinks fibroids," she adds.

In a society where cosmetic procedures and quick fixes are becoming increasingly popular, particularly for women's health issues, Scott hopes to shift attention back to natural solutions. For example, she highlights the benefits of red raspberry leaf for toning and strengthening vaginal muscles, which many women seek through surgical means.

"Muscles you can't really control them," she says. "But the deeper parts of the vagina and the uterus need muscles to help tone and strengthen those parts. That is where the red raspberry leaf comes in."

Despite some scepticism surrounding herbal remedies, especially from those accustomed to pharmaceuticals, Scott remains confident in the effectiveness of plant-based treatments.

"Herbs work, herbs always work. It all depends on assessing the tissue state of the body," she argues. "If people are using a herb that does not address their specific condition, they won't see results."

Scott's mission is to change the narrative surrounding herbal healing in Jamaica, encouraging more people to embrace the natural remedies available to them.

"For those who know, they've already integrated it into their lives," she says. "And for those who don't, they'll come around because everyone wants to feel their best."