Throughout Costa Rica you will find over 300 different medicinal plants used by the local population. Due do the country's geographic attribute Costa Rica is the perfect place of growing conditions for plant life.
Here are some of common everyday herbs of the Caribbean. That way when you come and visit us at Amaser you can go and look for them in our gardens.
Cacao
Cacao is considered a “superfood” in the West, chock full of antioxidants and a stimulating tonic, but it is an ancient medicine that has been used ceremonially and more casually in Central America for millennia. Cacao is truly a rainforest plant. Locals often eat it fresh and raw—its large purplish seeds are coated with a film of sticky, floral-tasting white flesh that bears no resemblance to chocolate as we know it (cacao is essentially the raw material that becomes chocolate, after being fermented, dried, and roasted). Not only as a stimulant and a food that enhances longevity but also as kind of a social medicine, a plant that brings people together and nourishes the community.
Noni
Noni is another traditional tropical remedy as a liver and cardiovascular tonic, a cancer preventative, and immune booster, among other things. The fermented fruit juice is pre- and probiotic and helps to regulate blood sugar levels . Noni juice is a good source of vitamin C and antioxidants, which provide a boost to the immune system. It's really useful for cold and flu symptoms. Noni is also a good source of B vitamins biotin and folate, which help your body convert food into energy .
Torch Ginger Flowers
Torch Ginger flowers are a good source of fiber to stimulate the digestive tract and contain antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties to boost the immune system. The buds also provide antioxidants such as vitamin C to protect the body against external aggressors and contain some magnesium, vitamin K, and calcium.
Torch Ginger flowers can be used fresh and are utilized as a garnish or flavoring. The flowers can be thinly sliced and tossed into salads, shredded and blended into dips and sauces, or used whole as a food wrap. Beyond traditional uses, Torch Ginger flowers are being used in modern, unconventional applications to showcase the bud’s sour flavor in dishes such as sorbets and ice cream. The flowers are also being infused into cocktails, and essential oils are extracted from the buds as an ingredient for tea.
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