Follow our Botanical Trail which takes you to attractive gardens and parks across Saint Lucia, where guides can show you some of the most important plants for natural health remedies and medicines.

To get your green fingers going, here is a list highlighting some of the most popular plants you’ll find on the island.

They include:

1. Cymbopogon citratus (lemongrass)
What it does: Anti-oxidant and immune boosting, it is thought to be effective against: dandruff, stomach cramps, fever, common cold, exhaustion, anxiety, insomnia, headaches, and can also be used as an antiseptic, astringent and mosquito repellent.

2. Lippia Alba (Santa Maria)
What it does: Thought to be stress-busting, effective against colds, fevers, indigestion, bowel complaints, and yeast infections in any part of the body.

3. Justicia pectoralis (carpenter’s grass)
What it does: A relaxing tonic, it is considered helpful for the management of endometriosis, menopausal symptoms, PMT, and menstrual pains due to its strong estrogenic, progestogenic, and anti-inflammatory properties. Also used for fever, cough, colds, sinus problems and to aid circulation.

4. Justicia secunda (St John’s Bush)
What it does: Used for centuries to help women, it is thought to stimulate the womb, fallopian tubes and ovaries, assist with the proper functioning of the reproductive organs and aid menstrual cramps. Excellent to prepare for pregnancy, but should not be taken during pregnancy.

5. Momordica charantia (bitter melon)
What it does: Detoxifies by causing the liver to work more efficiently, thought to help improve skin conditions, help control diabetes and normalise blood pressure, and has strong anti-oxidant properties.

6. Morinda citrifolia (noni fruit)
What it does: Thought to boost the immune system, energise the body, normalise blood sugar in diabetics, and enhance prostate health. Also has pain relief properties, and can decrease swellings.

7. Moringa oleifera (tree of life)
What it does: Considered one of the most nutrient rich plants on the planet, gram for gram moringa leaves contain 7x the vitamin C in oranges, 4 x the calcium in milk, 4 x the vitamin A in carrots, 2 x the protein in milk and 3 x the potassium in bananas.
It is believed to improve the immune system, promote energy, beautify the skin, promote the functioning of the liver and kidneys, assist digestion, be an anti-inflammatory, help reduce cholesterol and normalise blood pressure, regulate the thyroid, help prevent dementia, and have antibacterial, antifungal and antioxidant properties.