Dominica is called the Nature Island of the Caribbean, once you will enter the country (by sea or air) you will understand why. 

At Hotel The Champs we are not farmers but because it is so easy to grow fruits / veggies (plants, flowers and trees) we decided to put some herbs / veggies in the soil. Please check below in the first picture you see an eatable hibiscus  it tastes like a wild spinach (also growing in Dominica) and some basil (tea / pesto / salads etc) In the second picture you see a small paracetamol (tea) and a  patchouli oil: an essential oil derived from the leaves of the patchouli plant, a type of aromatic herb. In order to produce patchouli oil, the leaves and stems of the plant are harvested and allowed to dry out. They then undergo a distillation process to extract the essential oil and is used in perfumes, cosmetics, and incense. Tea: hot or cold. 

 

Below our pool deck we made a special “bed” to grow some nice juicy watermelons;

Top 9 health benefits of eating watermelon.

  • Helps You Hydrate. …
  • Contains Nutrients and Beneficial Plant Compounds. …
  • Contains Compounds That May Help Prevent Cancer. …
  • May Improve Heart Health. …
  • May Lower Inflammation and Oxidative Stress. …
  • May Help Prevent Macular Degeneration. …
  • May Help Relieve Muscle Soreness.

 Don’t forget our crispy cucumbers. Its so nice to pick a fresh cucumber for your salads

 

7 Health Benefits of Eating Cucumber

  • It’s High in Nutrients. Cucumbers are low in calories but high in many important vitamins and minerals. …
  • It Contains Antioxidants. …
  • It Promotes Hydration. …
  • It May Aid in Weight Loss. …
  • It May Lower Blood Sugar. …
  • It Could Promote Regularity. …
  • Easy to Add to Your Diet.

 

And what to think about our fresh chives delicious with every salad, on your eggs in the mornings in a salsa. In front of our Garden Rooms you will find some Papaya plants. Deliciously sweet with musky undertones and a soft, butter-like consistency,  the papaya was called the “fruit of the angels” by Christopher Columbus. In Dominica we eat the Papaya ripe (orange inside) as sweet fruit or green in a salad or cooked in coconut oil.

  

Our last plant / tree in the garden is the Moringa. Moringa is believed to have many benefits and its uses range from health and beauty to helping prevent and cure diseases. The benefits of moringa include: 

Moringa seed oil is beneficial for protecting hair against free radicals and keeps it clean and healthy. 

Moringa appears to protect the liver against damage caused by anti-tubercular drugs and can quicken its repair process. 

Moringa extracts might help treat some stomach disorders. Due to its antibacterial, antifungal, and antimicrobial properties, moringa extracts might combat infections caused by Salmonella, Rhizopus, and E. coli.

 Moringa also contains calcium and phosphorous, which help keep bones healthy and strong. The powerful antioxidants  found in 

Moringa extract might help prevent cardiac damage and has also been shown to maintain a healthy heart. Extract of moringa has been shown to help wounds close as well as reduce the appearance of scars.

Moringa helps to reduce the amount of glucose in the blood, as well as sugar and protein in the urine. This improved the hemoglobin levels and overall protein content in those tested.

And much more but I am sure for those who like more information about the benefits of Moringa will “google” and find the answers.