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In a West Indian kitchen, there is a branch with dried leaves, and every pot of stew, sauce, cocoa tea, mauby and cook-up requires a leaf that enhances the flavour and transforms the ordinary pot into “soul-food”. This leaf is commonly known as bay leaf, and its far-reaching uses, aroma and presence always transform me back to my grandmother’s kitchen, where my love of flavourful and tasty meals began. Little did I know back then that this mighty, diverse leaf had health benefits long past adding a unique flavour to my grandmother’s, my mother’s and later my culinary creations. 

Teas have long been used as a method for delivering medicinal herbs to the sick, to ease pain, or simply to improve general health. In the 21st century, teas such as bamboo leaf tea are part of the multibillion-dollar nutritional supplement industry. Proponents of bamboo tea claim it has several health benefits, but clinical testing of these claims is contradictory and incomplete as of 2011. As always, check with a doctor before taking on any dietary supplement or drug regimen.

Plants commonly called lemongrass (Cymbopogon spp.) have grasslike leaves with a strong, lemony fragrance. Native to Africa and Asia, the plants are used as a culinary flavouring and in perfumes, but they also have medicinal properties. Traditionally consumed as a herbal tea, lemongrass has been recommended by practitioners of traditional medicine for many different ailments. Modern research suggests that it may have significant health benefits.