Ole’ people say: “you never miss the nu-nu balsam until the well run dry”.  Well, they say something like that. Almost two decades ago, when I still had the vitality that comes with youth, I wouldn’t have minded NEVER EVER setting eyes on this week’s bush- the Nu-Nu/ Noo-Noo Balsam again.  Indeed, if I had my way, I would have exiled the bush to that place where maths homework, doses of castor oil and other bitter medicine belonged.

Mind you, it wasn’t anything personal between this bush and me.  I really could not fault it- with its slightly minty sort of scent and minty-vanilla sort of flavour. I appreciated that it was considered good for fever and cold. I accepted the murmurings of older folks who said: “drink a cup of that, sweat and you will break any fever”.  I could nod understandingly with the gentleman who let me know that this bush is responsible for his being alive today.

I could even listen to those who would preach with the air of someone who has seen things: “Nu-Nu is good for helping with digestion”.  Indeed, I could bear with the fact that the nu-nu balsam always seemed to be a feature in most backyard gardens.  It wasn’t a Diva-like sort of bush- people were never bothered with whether or not their nu-nu would thrive.

Growing up with a garden overrun with all manner of bush, fruits and vegetables- there was always a cluster of nu-nu plants near the kitchen or huddling under the damp space of some tree.  Whenever it was “tea-making” time and nu-nu was on the menu, we children just had to follow our noses to find a cluster.  We even made a game of seeing who would first discover a patch.  Of course, back then, we children just called it “tea bush”- like we probably called all the bushes used to make tea.

Here goes my story of how I grew apart from the nu-nu balsam. It began one Easter when a very dear parent decided to get a well-deserved vacation away from we children. She left an elderly female relative in charge of ensuring we were brought up right in her absence.

It was a job this relative of ours took very seriously. She ensured we were groomed for school, church and any other place which necessitated properly-groomed children. She also ensured that we minded our manners and showed respect to friends, foes and strangers alike.

Most importantly and very horrifically, she also ensured that we ate well during our mother’s absence. And, to her “eating well” meant that we HAD to consume lots and lots of bush tea.  Her bush of choice? Yes… THE nu-nu.  She would make us tea from nu-nu leaves for breakfast, lunch, dinner and any other meals we attempted to sneak in. Good children as we were- we never complained.  We just faked attempting to rack our brains guessing what drink would accompany any of our meals.  We were quite good at being shocked when she presented us with steaming cups of nu-nu tea and talked of how good it was for us.

Of course, that was years ago. Now, I have not even one nu-nu stalk or leaf to my name and that relative has long passed away.  Ole' people were right about that nu-nu balsam and dry well thing.

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The contents of this page are meant for educational and entertainment purposes only. Statements published here ought not to be taken as expert medical advice designed to treat/cure any diseases or health related conditions. Please talk to your doctor or any qualified healthcare professional if you need medical advice (Believe me, WE at RE:BELLE WOULD!)