The second edition of Medicinal Plants of Barbados for the Treatment of Communicable and Non-Communicable Diseases delivers the most comprehensive account yet of the island’s enduring traditions of plant-based medicine. Building on the pioneering first edition, this volume expands the historical, sociocultural and scientific perspectives on herbal remedies, reaffirming Barbados as a focal point of folklore botanical knowledge in the Eastern Caribbean.
Featuring an updated formulary of 157 herbal entries, the book documents plants used in the treatment of chronic conditions such as cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular disease, as well as communicable illnesses affecting the skin, respiratory system and other areas. Blending history, folklore and science, the book draws on archival research, oral traditions and recent studies to trace the development of herbal practices from pre- and post-colonial times to the present. Each entry includes taxonomical classification, chemical characteristics and illustrations, while evaluating the bioactive compounds that lend scientific validity to traditional uses. The legalization of medicinal cannabis in Barbados, the Caribbean and globally has sparked renewed interest in plant-based medicine, positioning this work at the centre of a growing movement to explore locally accessible medicinal plants.