Important:
The information provided is for information only. The
medical claims or advice are not endorsed. Never take any
medicines
without first consulting a qualified practitioner.
In 1687, Hans
Sloane, a young man just beginning a career in medicine,
was invited to go to Jamaica
as personal doctor to the island’s new English governor, the 2nd Duke
of Albermarle. When he arrived in Jamaica, the island had been a
British colony
for less than 20 years. Before that, it had been a Spanish colony for
over 250 years.
His journey would
have a huge influence on his life. He stayed in Jamaica
for 15 months and spent all his free time
exploring the island collecting hundreds of specimens. He made note of
how the plants were used locally for food, medicine and in many other
ways. His interest in plants was driven by his profession. At the time
Hans Sloane was training to be a doctor, most medicines
came from plants and all doctors had to study them as part of their
training. Of course there was also the financial aspect, a new
medicinal plant could make you a fortune.
Much of the information here is based on his study as documented by the
British Natural History Museum.
IMPORTANT: The information provided is for
information only. The
medical claims or advice are not endorsed. Never take any
medicines
without first consulting a qualified practitioner.
In 1687, Hans
Sloane, a young man just beginning a career in medicine,
was invited to go to Jamaica
as personal doctor to the island’s new English governor, the 2nd Duke
of Albermarle. When he arrived in Jamaica, the island had been a
British colony
for less than 20 years. Before that, it had been a Spanish colony for
over 250 years.
His journey would
have a huge influence on his life. He stayed in Jamaica
for 15 months and spent all his free time
exploring the island collecting hundreds of specimens. He made note of
how the plants were used locally for food, medicine and in many other
ways. His interest in plants was driven by his profession. At the time
Hans Sloane was training to be a doctor, most medicines
came from plants and all doctors had to study them as part of their
training. Of course there was also the financial aspect, a new
medicinal plant could make you a fortune.