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local Saturday 1 June 2024

Lessons from our elders:

Plants and fruits for medicinal

use (part 2)

in the first week in the ground. It bitter seeds. Pomegranate trees
was said that once you start to no- are also very easy to plant. In es-
tice the ground crack underneath sence, if you just throw the seeds
the flowers, it is time to harvest. This on the ground, they could grow
should happen around month 3. into a tree.

Pomegranate In terms of medicinal use, pome-
Pomegranates are also one of the granate skins are said to have a
(Oranjestad)—In last week’s edi- too much sweet potato, as this easier fruits to plant and harvest. few benefits for our health. Ac-
tion, we shared with our readers raises blood pressure. Sweet pota- Originated from Persia, this plant cording to customs, pomegranate
some medicinal use for plants and toes are also great for people who can grow almost everywhere. In skin tea can help those that suffer
fruits, passed down from our elders work hard labor jobs, and it’s been Aruba, there are many homes from diarrhea. Dried pomegran-
through generations. This week, we said to be aid blood circulation in that have a tiny or big pomegran- ate skin tea is also good for people
present two more uses of fruits and the body, as well as help those with ate tree. You may be wondering who have worms. Pomegranate
plants for medicinal use. hemorrhoids or diarrhea. what the difference is between a flowers can be boiled to make a
small and big pomegranate tree, drink and this can be used for ir-
Sweet potato Many of our elders opted to plant for which the answer is based on ritated gums; just take a swig and
According to our elders, sweet po- sweet potatoes themselves, mostly harvest time. Tiny trees produce let the tea sit in your mouth for a
tato is mostly useful for low blood because of how easy it was to do tinier pomegranates that can be couple minutes. q
pressure. People who suffer from so. Cut the end of a sweet potato harvested early on. Contrarily, big
low blood pressure were advised let it sit in shallow water until it starts trees produce bigger pomegran- Source: Remedi i Kustumber di nos
to eat sweet potato 2 to 3 times a to sprout. Then you may plant it in ates, but they need enough time Bieunan (Medicine and Customs of
week. However, if you have high the ground. Sweet potatoes need to fully ripen before harvesting, our Elderly) by Dinah Veeris
blood pressure, it is best not to eat plenty of water to grow, especially otherwise you might end up with

The Bushiribana Gold Mill Ruins and its history

(Oranjestad)—The Bushiri- found some gold, it was
bana Gold Mill Ruins is one enough to motivate a fur-
of the most visited places ther search, and the assign-
by tourists on the island, ment was discontinued by
as it lies along the north- Printz himself.
ern coast line near the mini
pool and on the way to the It wasn’t until 100 years lat-
Natural Bridge. Despite its er, in 1824, when a young
seemingly plain appear- boy found a lump of gold
ance, this ruin represents while out herding his fa-
one of the most important ther’s sheep. His father took
histories of the island: The it to a local merchant who
Aruban Gold Rush. then sold the lump for $70.
Unbeknownst to the boy
Built in 1872 by English com- and his father, they quite
pany Aruba Island Gold literally struck gold, and
Mining Company Ltd, the as word got out, a gold
gold mill at Bushiribana fever spread among the
was constructed in the locals who started search-
area where most gold was ing for more gold. About 25 government decided to Island Gold Mining Compa- processes were done at
found by locals. The story pounds worth was found. implement stricter rules and ny Ltd. was no different, but the Bushiribana Gold Mill.
of gold on Aruba actually banned local search par- used a unique method that
dates back to 1725, when At the same time, the Aru- ties. involved grinding the rocks The gold mill itself had a
a first exploration for gold ban government took and letting the dust be short life-span: only 10 years
on the island was commis- immediate actions, and Over the years, conces- blown away by the strong in service, but its structure
sioned by the Dutch West informed Curacao that sion-holding had seen dif- northeast wind, leaving remained relatively solid till
India Company. Under the gold was found. At first, ferent companies from clumps of gold behind. The this day, and is now a his-
leadership of Mr. Paulus everyone could look for around the world, all of next step was melting the torical remnant.
Printz, a three-year search gold, as long as they sold which used primitive meth- gold and letting it attach
was conducted on Aruba, it to the government. How- ods to dig and carve out to quicksilver in order to Sources: Etnia Nativa & gold-
to no avail. Though they ever, after some time, the gold from the rocks. Aruba obtain pure gold. All these mineranch.com.