The liquid chlorophyll fever is heating up in the U. S.Virgin Islands, as the cooling green drink becomes more popular on St. Thomas through the number of people producing and selling it to those that offer demonstrations of how it’s made. As a result, more people are consuming it more regularly and some getting so comfortable, they sometimes forget its medicinal properties, and that it should be used conscientiously and in moderation.
Ancient Healing & Chlorophyll Demonstration Workshop flyer Graphic and Photo caption by DaraMonifah Cooper
There are a variety of occasions and events available for the community to learn more including the upcoming workshop organized by the Organic West Farm. Past community Earth Day events as well as at the Yacht Haven Grande Farmers Market, Bi-monthly Bordeaux Farmers Market or Annual Fair also provide public opportunities for people to learn about and purchase chlorophyll. There are also a number of producers who are all willing to share their knowledge, experiences and testimonies with those interested.
Ras Speedy, a local chlorophyll producer, wholesales his product to a number of locations around island. Whether in a gallon or bottling it themselves for retail, locations include the Natural Livity Kulcha Shop & Juice Bar, Love Livin’s Vegan Restaurant, The Fruit Bowl, Essential Health Food Store and soon intends to add the N’ting but Veggie restaurant. Growing up on St. Thomas, he learned the art and science of chlorophyll preparation from various local elders, healers and farmers including Ras Bobby, Ras Nashamba-I and Wade are a few of those who he says motivated and inspired him to go forward.
Initially as part of a small organization that was vending at the Annual Bordeaux Fair, he was introduced to liquid chlorophyll from a presenter who demonstrated at the event.
“She told me how to make it and all the different ingredients that it contains. I went home and tried it,” he said. He just kept doing it until he started getting feedback from those who tasted it. “It’s roughly close to 17 years that I’m making chlorophyll and it’s in different stores,” he continued.
Ras Speedy-I teaching the audience the ingredients and how to make #chlorophyll at the 3rd Annual International Healers Symposium. #IHS2014VI Photo caption by DaraMonifah Cooper
Almost two decades later, Ras Speedy, himself has presented the ingredients as well as how to make chlorophyll at the 3rd Annual International Healers Symposium at the same Bordeaux Market where he was first introduced to it.
While consumers are becoming more and more interested in the taste and health benefits, some are learning the hard way that using moderation and seeking knowledge of the ingredients that they’re drinking is vitally important.
Another consistent producer, Ras Herman, makes and sells his chlorophyll for health reasons to friends and co-workers who started requesting it after he initially introduced it to them after he started using it for himself. He prepares his supply weekly, offering a variety of strengths based on the request blending including ingredients like guinea grass, lemon grass, neem, moringa, celery, ginger and garlic.
He is very conscious about the potential contaminants from obtaining his plants improperly. Being careful about where he gets his ingredients and has specific locations and people who supply him weekly including, “down in the West” where he feels there is less traffic and plant grow cleaner with less pollutants.
“I don’t get guinea grass off of the road side, he continued.” “We shouldn’t be hustling; we should be healing,” he said.
Addelita Cancryn Junior High School monitor Rudel Grant with Moringa Tree Photo credit: DaraMonifah Cooper
Addelita Cancryn Junior High School Monitor, Rudel Grant shared his experience with drinking medicinal herbs without considering potential adverse effects to not understanding unsafe combinations.
“I took the pill and then chased it with some moringa and my pressure went entirely too low,” he said. He realized that his blood pressure had dropped too low from using the ‘moringa water’ as a drink to swallow his pressure pills. “I was literally passing out on my feet,” he added.
Over on St. Croix, Ridge to Reef Farm also shares information about chlorophyll as they speak of the culture in an article about lemon grass.
“Blend it and strain along with a hefty bunch of guinea grass, and you have the famous chlorophyll drink extremely popular in Rastafarian diets that is anti-carcinogenic, anti-oxidant, and it helps build red blood cells with a flush of available vitamin K, C, folic acid, protein, iron, and calcium.”
The Virgin Islands Chlorophyll Conversation continues online via social media as well as with the next available community event. For more information about chlorophyll, the community is invited to attend where they can learn one method from Brother Wade of the Organic West Farm. Search #VIChlorophyllConvo to share your knowledge or experiences.
