Tesi Johnson, Gleaner Writer

"White rum good fi everyting," or so the grandmothers and herbalists of Jamaica would like us to believe.

From alleviating the discomfort of arthritis, to its supposed 'duppy-conquering' properties, rum, white rum in particular, is not only an alcoholic drink, but also a staple in the Jamaican medicine cabinet due to the medicinal properties it is purported topossess.

What dem seh ...

A little rum in a glass of milk will settle a child's, or anyone's for that matter, upset stomach or nausea.

White rum is good for curing the common cold. Men in particular, who suffer from cold symptoms, should drink it straight with lime juice, get to bed and wrap up in the covers, and by morning will be rid of their symptoms.

Soak a small rag in white rum, and place it on the forehead of a feverish person, and the cooling effects of the rum will 'break the fever' in no time.

It gives relief from arthritis and other joint pains if used to 'sop' the joints.

Two tea spoons of bizzy soaked over a long time in a small flask of white rum, becomes a remedy for colic or upset stomach . (just a tablespoon at a time).

We could go to jail for this one but it works. A small branch of green marijuana leaves left in rum till the white rum becomes a dark green, is also a great way to alleviate colds and flu. Sap the forehead with a little and swallow a tablespoon full and get between the sheets.

Note: Up until press time, no scientific evidence was found to corroborate the above statements.