Guinea Hen Weed: My 10-Year Journey with Jamaica’s Most Powerful Healing Herb

Guinea Hen Weed is the real general. 

It’s been over a decade since I first met the plant that would change how I viewed both the Jamaican soil beneath my feet and the way I approach growth itself.

Ten years ago, I was struggling. A sinus infection had taken hold, and none of the usual remedies were reaching it. I remember the moment a friend handed me a piece of a root: earthy, pungent, and sharp, and told me simply, “Inhale.” I was skeptical, but desperate.

I took a deep breath of that Guinea Hen Weed root. I had no idea it was so strong. Nearly knocked me out because I inhaled too deeply, but the relief was instant. It wasn’t just my sinuses clearing; it was an awakening. That one moment of instant healing sent me on a journey of “digging” – literally and figuratively, into the wisdom of our local herbs and the patterns that make things work.

I Became Obsessed

I needed to understand what just happened to my body. How could a root, something growing in the dirt, something people walk past every day, do what nothing else could?

That’s when I started digging. And I don’t just mean into the soil. 

I started asking questions. Reading. Watching the older generation and the way they moved through the world with this quiet knowing about the plants around them. I started seeing Guinea Hen Weed (Anamu, as some call it) everywhere: in yards, on roadsides, in the corners of forgotten gardens.

And then 10 years later, I started growing it myself. Not because I had land. Not because I had experience, but because I realized that if this one plant could give me relief that fast, I needed it close. I needed to see it every day. I needed to learn its rhythms, its needs, its medicine.

What I Learned About Guinea Hen Weed

This is my first Guinea Hen Weed plant.

This is not just about sinuses anymore. Over the years, I have watched this plant work in my body in ways I didn’t expect. When I feel run down, I make the tea. When I feel inflammation creeping in, I reach for the leaves. When I need a full reset, physically, emotionally, I get some Guinea Hen Weed.

It supports my immune system. It fights bacteria and fungi. It reduces inflammation. It clears my respiratory system when the seasons shift or when Kingston’s air feels too heavy.

But here’s what I really love: it’s mine. Growing in my space. Ready when I need it. No guessing about where it came from or what was sprayed on it. Just me, my container, and a plant that’s been holding this knowledge long before I was born.

The Tea That Resets Everything

I am not going to lie to you, this tea is strong. It has a garlic-like scent that tells you immediately: this is medicine, not a casual afternoon sip. It doesn’t taste as bad as it smells, though. When my body needs it, I crave it.

Here’s how I make it:

• 3-5 fresh Guinea Hen Weed leaves (or 1 tsp if you’re using dried)
• Hot water
• 7-10 minutes to steep

That’s it.

I don’t add honey. I don’t add lemon. I drink it straight because I want everything this plant has to offer.

If you’re new to Guinea Hen Weed, start with fewer leaves. Let your body adjust. This isn’t the kind of tea you gulp down. You sip it. You respect it.

This is one of 30 recipes in my free Herbal Tea Starter Guide. If you want to see what else I’m brewing with local herbs, grab it here. It’s my gift to you.

Growing It in a Container Taught Me Patience 

My new Guinea Hen Weed plant nested in a crochet plant hanger

I used to think you needed a big yard to grow food or medicine. That belief kept me stuck for years. But Guinea Hen Weed doesn’t care about your square footage. It cares about drainage, light, and respect.

Here’s what I learned from growing it in a container:

It needs light, but not punishment. Morning sun is perfect. Afternoon Jamaican heat? Too much. I learned that the hard way. 

Drainage is everything. This plant will not forgive you for letting it sit in water. I make sure my container has holes. While I have one plant in a pot on the little table-like setting I made to elevate my plants off the ground, I elevated the newer plant in a crochet hanger I made myself. I realize that this way, the excess water falls away more easily. No root rot. No drama. 

Vertical is the move. Hanging my Guinea Hen Weed changed the game. Unlike the first time I planted it, when I ran into a few challenges, keeping the leaves off the ground made all the difference. It stays cleaner, attracts fewer pests, and frees up precious space. And honestly, it just looks better. I can see it. I can reach it. I can appreciate it every time I step outside.

You Don’t Need Land to Reclaim Your Health 

I used to think I was late. That I missed the generation that knew these things instinctively. That I would never have the land or the knowledge or the right conditions to grow my own food and medicine.

But that root my friend handed me told me otherwise. You don’t need an acre; he plucked it from a little spot in his backyard. You don’t need a green thumb; he isn’t even a gardener. You don’t need to have it all figured out. You just need to start. One container. One plant. One cup of tea at a time.

Guinea Hen Weed taught me that healing isn’t something we buy in a store or wait for someone else to provide. It’s something we grow. Something we observe. Something we learn alongside.

Let’s Grow Back Jamaica Together 

My two Guinea Hen Weed plants in pots

If you are feeling the pull to start your own backyard or container garden, whether it’s with Guinea Hen Weed, cerasee, fever grass, or other plants, listen to it. That quiet nudge is often the first step toward something bigger. Growing herbs isn’t just about plants; it’s about reclaiming our wellness, strengthening our food security, and rebuilding our connection to what sustains us.

You don’t need land. You don’t need perfection. You just need a pot, a plant, and the willingness to begin. One container on a step. One herb by a window. One small decision to grow something for yourself.

Every plant you nurture is an act of care. Every harvest, no matter how small, is a reminder that we are capable of providing for ourselves and our families. When we grow, even in limited space, we reduce our dependence, increase our resilience, and pass on knowledge that matters. This is how we grow back Jamaica: one container, one herb, one home at a time. 

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Grow With Me 🌱

Herbal Tea Wellness: If you want to deepen your wellness journey, download my free Herbal Tea Starter Guide and explore 30 recipes for rebuilding your health with the herbs growing right here in Jamaica, accessible, familiar, and nourishing. Get it here.

Follow the garden: I’m at @gillianlarmond, where I share what I’m growing each week, what the garden is teaching me, and how I use these plants in my daily wellness rituals. Real-time learning, not perfection.

For wellness brand founders: If you’re running a small garden, wellness, or sustainable lifestyle business and your sales feel invisible despite your beautiful brand, let’s talk. I offer a Free 30-Minute Discovery Session where we’ll look at your brand together, and I will show you exactly what’s blocking your growth. No pressure. Just clarity. Book your session here.

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Have you ever used Guinea Hen Weed? Tell me your story in the comments. I want to hear what this plant has done for you, or what you’re curious about if you haven’t tried it yet. Let’s learn from each other.