Jungle Remedies, The Healing Nature Provides

In the heart of San Ignacio Town, one man has devoted his life to harnessing the healing power of nature. Seventy-six-year-old Harry Guy, a native of Punta Gorda, spent his childhood venturing into the jungle with the adults in his community. These early adventures sparked his enduring passion for traditional medicine. By the tender age of seven, Guy had already mastered the use of natural remedies to treat various sores. Fast forward more than six decades, and Harry Guy has become a celebrated figure, renowned for his company, Jungle Remedies. News Five’s Paul Lopez journeyed west to uncover the story of Guy’s lifelong dedication to traditional medicine. Here is his report.

 

Paul Lopez, Reporting

Seventy-six-year-old Harry Guy Senior, a resident of San Ignacio, has dedicated the past thirty years to running Jungle Remedies. From his home, he makes traditional medicines using a rich variety of leaves, herbs, and tree barks, primarily gathered from the lush jungles of Belize. His deep knowledge and passion for natural healing have made Jungle Remedies a trusted name in the community.

 

Harry Guy Sr, Owner, Jungle Remedies

“I work in natural healing. It is something I use to do from when I was a kid, because when I was seven years old I mih already know how to treat lesmanisis, what we call bay sore or chiclera. At the age of twelve I could ah mih done know how to treat snake bite and deh things like that. This dah something I grow up into from the time I was a kid.”

 

Guy invited us into his home to get a firsthand look at his operation. Inside his storeroom are sacks filled with the raw ingredients used to make his bottled products, like the quick fix. According to the label, this remedy not only promises to eliminate toxins but also boosts libido. Despite being a potent blend of four different herbs and barks, it goes down smoothly, ensuring a pleasant experience with every drop.

 

Paul Lopez

“What is the most prominent type of herb or natural product that you could find here in Belize.”

 

Harry Guy Sr.

“I think almost everything. But the most popular one, the one I use right now is the one called cat claw. It is a vine.”

 

Paul Lopez

“Tell me a bit about what it does.”

 

Harry Guy Sr.

“Cat claw could treat almost everything. That builds up your immune system. You can treat cancer, high blood pressure, diabetes, outer immune diseases and different things you can treat with it. It’s an all purpose herbs.”

 

It took Harry Guy over a decade to perfect the recipes for his line of jungle remedies. His dedication has attracted clients from around the globe, many of whom report achieving their desired outcomes. In recognition of his success, Fox News featured Guy in a 2014 article. However, as he grows older, Guy finds it increasingly difficult to navigate the challenging jungle terrain to source ingredients. To ensure the legacy of Jungle Remedies continues, he has begun passing the torch to his son, Harry Guy Junior.

 

Harry Guy Jr., Co-Owner, Jungle Remedies

“The hardest thing is going to the jungle and stuff. It is not something new. When I was young I use to go with my dad to the jungle and stuff. Now I am really focused on it, trying to get all of his knowledge and trying to know all the plants and stuff like that.”

 

Paul Lopez

“How much joy does it bring you to learn this trade?”

 

Harry Guy Jr.

“It is a lot of joy. Everything we use is right here in Belize and people could just pass by and don’t know what it is used for. I am passing some of the knowledge to my son and so other young people that goes with us. My goal is to let the herbal business keep on and give the knowledge back to someone that will continue it.”

 

In our conversation with Harry Guy Senior, we asked him for his thoughts on the debate surrounding traditional medicine versus modern medicine.

 

Harry Guy Sr.

“To my knowledge I believe sometimes you have to use both of them. You could use this alternative medicine with pharmaceutical medicine because this one isn’t a drug. It is like a drink or food or some type of supplement. It does not counteract any type of medicine you are taking. Nowhere classify it as drugs, because if it was a drug they would stop you from using it, but its all natural.”

 

As wildfires continue to ravage Belize’s resource-rich jungles, much like they did earlier this year, Harry Guy’s business faces significant risks. It’s not aging or the jungle’s rugged terrain that poses the greatest threat to this family-owned traditional medicine enterprise, but the devastating impact of these wildfires.

 

Harry Guy Sr.

“Yes wildfire, that is the worst one right now. When Hurricane Richard a fire started form Gracie Rock. It came all the way through and jumped through Coastal Road, crossed the cave branch river, cross the Stann Creek Road. So, you could just imagine the amount of destruction. Well it makes everything harder for me, much harder.”

 

Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.