On any given morning in the Virgin Islands, long before the sun climbs above the sea, the aroma of something ancient and comforting drifts through open windows — a pot simmering gently on the stove, filled with wild herbs, leaves, bark, and roots. It is more than a drink. It is bush tea, the Caribbean’s original elixir — a potion of healing, memory, and love.
Bush tea is not just tea. It is culture. It is a story. It is survival.
A Tradition Rooted in the Land
In the BVI and across the Caribbean, bush tea traditions date back generations, shaped by African, Indigenous, and European influences. When enslaved Africans arrived in the region, they brought with them a deep knowledge of herbal medicine, wisdom passed from healer to healer, mother to daughter.
Over time, this knowledge merged with the plants of the islands: lemongrass waving in the wind, the sturdy leaf of soursop, the humble jackass bitters, the earthy root of ginger. Out of hardship came ingenuity, and out of that, a ritual that still binds communities today.
Each island has its favourites. In Tortola, many swear by soursop leaf tea to calm the nerves. In Dominica, fever grass (lemongrass) is the cure-all for colds and stress. In Jamaica, cerasee is both loved and feared for its bitter bite and powerful cleanse. In Saint Lucia and Antigua, bush blends are an everyday ritual, crafted not just for healing, but for comfort.
The Bush Behind the Brew
Ask any Caribbean grandmother, and she’ll tell you: “Not all bush is for tea!” Each leaf has its purpose, its potency, its spirit.
Some of the most beloved include:
- Fever grass (Lemongrass) – for headaches, fever, and anxiety relief.
- Soursop leaf – known for calming properties and immune support.
- Jackass bitters – a strong detoxifier used sparingly.
- Ginger root – for digestion, nausea, and warmth.
- Cerasee – for cleansing the blood and easing skin issues.
- Basil or “sweet bush” – for colds, flu, and spiritual cleansing.
In the old days, elders didn’t consult Google; they walked the hills. They knew which plant to pick after rain, which root to dig under the full moon, which leaf worked best for “cooling down the system.”
A Ritual of Connection
To make bush tea is to slow down. You don’t rush it. You wash the bush, “bruise” the leaves, and let the scent rise as the water boils. You pour, you sip, and you remember.
In the BVI, many still recall sitting on the porch at sunrise, listening to roosters crow while sipping tea from enamel mugs. It was a quiet ritual that signalled love and care —a way of saying, “You’re looked after.”
In every Caribbean home, a pot of bush tea is often the first line of defence and the last comfort before bed. It is brewed when someone is sick, stressed, or simply in need of grounding. It’s a healing gesture, often accompanied by advice, storytelling, and laughter.
From Bush to Boutique
In recent years, bush tea has made its way from the kitchen stove to café menus, wellness retreats, and export shelves. Local entrepreneurs in the BVI and beyond are packaging traditional herbs with modern flair — blending wellness with culture. Artisanal bush teas, organic blends, and eco-friendly branding are helping to preserve the tradition while sharing it with the world.
But even with its new popularity, most islanders agree: nothing beats the real thing. The magic lies in walking into your backyard, picking your own bush, and knowing exactly what you’re brewing.
A Cup of Heritage
Bush tea is more than a drink — it’s a metaphor for Caribbean resilience.
It carries the wisdom of ancestors, the beauty of nature, and the comfort of home.
To love bush tea is to love what it represents – the healing power of the earth, the strength of women who kept families well with what they had, and the stories that continue to steep in every island kitchen.
So next time you sip a steaming cup of lemongrass or soursop, pause — breathe in the aroma — and remember that you’re part of a lineage that has always known how to find wellness in the wild.
