Page 7 - AHATA

A10 LOCAL
Saturday 17 auguSt 2024
Aruba’s Bocas: home to the rarest fossil reefs on the planet!

(Oranjestad)—If you’ve been ed to take place. They were rare remnant of geologi-
to the northern coast of Aru- also able to track the fluc- cal history, as they provide
ba already, you’ve probably tuation of sea levels during a clear view of how these
noticed how the ground dif- the past hundred or even reefs have formed.
fers entirely from the sandy thousands of years, and the
beaches on the southern effects that this fluctuation This research is also important
part of the island. These hard has had on the coral reefs of for the future of coral reefs on
surfaces, with sharp bumps the windward side of Aruba. the island. By studying rising
and holes are actually fos- sea levels and climate im-
silized coral reefs, of which These findings can certainly pact on these coral reefs, we
its growth and changes can put things into perspective. are able to take concrete
be traced back to the last The ground on which we action in protecting and pre-
glacial period. from the University of Bari and can respond to fluctu- have walked many times serving our coral reefs. So, if
Aldo Moro, presented their ating sea levels or extreme in the northern part of the you are ever visiting one of
On May 30 2023, geosci- research on these fossilized weather, like hurricanes and island hold such rich history, the bocas or driving along
entists, Dr. Patrick Boyden coral reefs at the University tsunamis. history that dates back to the northern part of the is-
from the Marum research of Aruba. Their focus for their a time that most of us can- land, please be conscious
faculty at the University of research included study- Through underwater and not even imagine. As the to help protect our natural
Bremen, Prof. dr. Alessio Ro- ing the health and forma- land surveillance, and 3D scientists themselves have historical remnant. Oh, and
vere from the Ca' Foscari Uni- tion patterns of these coral models of the reefs, they pointed out, these fossilized wear (coral-friendly) sun-
versity of Venice and Prof. reefs, and to investigate how were able to narrow down reefs on the windward side screen! q
dr. Gianfranco Scicchitano, these reefs have responded when these formations start- are truly an incredible and

Episode CXLVI - 146 Aruba’s medicinal plants

Our goal at Etnia Nativa is prepair different potions tains the healing properties
to raise cultural awareness, which in many cases still is crushed and applied. A
promoting education and are being applied to treat direct way to ingest certain
to safeguard our heritage various ailments. This could medicinal herbs is to eat
as the sacred mother seed be of a simple headache them, for example, in a sal-
for renewal and reinven- to more serious ailments. ad, like a tea or mixed into
tion, guiding you to be- a syrups or honey. Plants
come the next and a new Today we see that me- can also be mashed in to
guardian of Aruba. dicinal plants and ancient a mortar mixed with oils of
knowlidge are an intricate certain seeds in order to be
Trough thousands of years part of pharmaceutical re- aplied on wounds or skin
cultures of the ancient search, whether it is for the deseses. In our case acient
world experimented with benefit of man kind or the Aruban cultures have also
the healing power of contrary. applied a wide variety of
plants. Regaining ones vital medicinal plants to treat metel, commonly known in private residential houses
powers and health whas The use of plants for medi- their ilneses. our Papiamentu language collections of native art,
essential for any groups sur- cine dates back to ancient as "Yerba stinky*". Oddly archaeological artifacts
vival. Plants where consid- times and civilizations. Evi- Following I wil share some enough, but popular his- and historic furniture, while
ered the main source from dence of the used of me- of the most comon plant tory tells that the leaves of the facilities themselves are
where to extract healing dicinal herbs in Egypt dates that an native aruban will this plant are smoked to the result of the transfor-
powers due to their chemi- back to around 1550 BC, use with out any hasita- cleanse the lungs. mation of recycled mate-
cal compositions con- as did the Greeks in the tion when for example sor rials. Meet the acclaimed
tained in leaves, flowers, 16th century BC. Healing throat is thretening or as If you love Aruba its origins columnist at home! Book
stem or root, fruits and saps. plannts were also common and agent against the poi- and its cultural heritage, be your visit Whatsapp + 297
Through different prepara- during the Middle Ages. In sonous nature of the sting- part of the exclusive visitors 592 2702- or mail: etniana-
tion methods, they could the 19th and 20th centuries, ing hairs of Jatropha urens of this cozy home-atelier tiva03@gmail.com. q
folk knowledge of medici- or Bringa mosa* ( * Papia- called “Etnia Nativa”. This
nal plants where passed mento).
from generation to genera-
tion, attributing the prac- For a sore throat local peo-
tice mainly women healers, ple will go in to the country
who appliying plans and side to look for Roots of The
herbs to treat common dis- Seida* Jatropha gossypi-
eases and ailments. ifolia. This is cleaned and
boiled in to gargela potion,
For an infusion, the active allowed to cool and gar-
ingredients of the plant gled with excellent results
are dissolved in water by and quickly relieves the un-
boiling it in to a drink. If it comfortable sore throat.
need to be applied to an
external affected area, the Another plant that is often
part of the plant that con- used for asthma is Datura

Article by: Etnia Nativa

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